My speech coaching clients frequently hear me say, “Are you going to do it, or kind of do it? Remember, you do not kind of or sort of do anything.” Even seasoned executives who should know better, use these weak words and phrases. Often, I believe they are attempting to sound humble. However, it only […]

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Back in 2001, at the Toastmasters International Convention, I was invited to deliver the opening keynote speech. In this 10-segment series, you view the anatomy of a keynote presentation. (1 of 10) You will notice I have made comments on how I would give advice to the 2001 speaker…who is me! Come out punching. The […]

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Being a competent, confident communicator is key to career success. Unfortunately, many begin their careers without adequate communication skills, even the college educated. Do you have the training, practice, and tools you need to communicate and lead effectively? As an in-demand speech coach and the creator of FrippVT, I know that even if you aren’t […]

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In anticipation of the Academy Awards this weekend, Toastmasters International shares their picks for the most memorable moments from Oscar® acceptance speeches of the last 20 years. What would you say if you were called to the stage? Even if you aren’t an Academy Award nominee, it’s always a good idea to prepare for times […]

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Last summer, I was honored to deliver the opening keynote at the annual Toastmasters International Convention in Las Vegas. In case you aren’t already familiar with Toastmasters International, Toastmasters is a non-profit educational organization teaching public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network. I share Toastmasters’ roundup of the most buzzworthy speeches of 2015. […]

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This last week, I had a wonderful time at the Toastmasters International Convention in Las Vegas, where I delivered the opening keynote to a truly international audience. (Just in case you don’t already know, Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization teaching public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network.) One of the many […]

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I am honored to speak this month at the 2015 Toastmasters International Convention in Las Vegas. The semifinalists in the 2015 Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking competition have just been announced. Those who make it to this international speech competition have won competitions, beginning with club contests and continuing through area, division, and district […]

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Does your organization encourage, or even better, provide training to equip your employees with competitive communication and leadership skills? Have you considered your own in-house Toastmasters club or perhaps Fripp Virtual Training? If you are reluctant to allocate employee time or company resources to presentation training because you worry  “they might leave,” consider what my […]

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Just in time for wedding season, Toastmasters International offers five excellent tips to help you deliver the perfect wedding toast. Even if you aren’t expecting to deliver a wedding toast this year, these strategies can help you prepare for occasions in your professional or personal life when you are asked to make a toast or […]

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Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization teaching public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network. I was honored to deliver the opening keynote at the 2015 Toastmasters International Convention in Las Vegas. The last time I addressed a Toastmasters International Convention was in 2001, when I watched my colleague, Darren LaCroix, win the World […]

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