Chances are you will never be in quite the same position as James Comey, Former FBI Director who testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee this week with millions of people watching him on television. However, it can still feel pretty heated when hard questions come at you from your listeners. When that happens, how do you …
“I’m Dying Up Here,” debuting June 4 on Showtime, is likely to be a very funny new series about stand-up comics, but there is nothing funny when you are “dying” during a presentation or demo. You know the signs: people looking at their cell phones, listeners looking bored, clients fidgeting –some even leaving. Agggh! How do …
Most people are eager to present their ideas, services, and products to potential buyers, whether internal or external. They are convinced of the value they provide, are fired with enthusiasm, and certain that if they can just present their unique features and benefits, listeners will inevitably agree and say yes to next steps. And, then …
Political and media pundits will decide the merits of what Trump said in his joint session of Congress speech this week. However, from a presentation delivery point of view in terms of how he said it, I am reminded of a famous scene from the movie, “Three Men and a Baby.” For readers who never …
“There is no wrath like a woman scorned” – nor the fury of a customer wronged! I was just the victim of an ethical, if not an illegal scam, and I am doing what research says angry clients do 2-4X more than satisfied customers do – telling everyone to avoid this company (Derma Vibrance). First, …
Like most professionals, I subscribe to Michelangelo’s motto for living: “I am always learning.” I attend conferences (excited to be going to SXSW for the first time in March), listen to webinars, read extensively, and am always seeking out interesting, smart people to meet. In that spirit, I looked forward to a “What’s New in …
You never know when you’ll encounter an example of excellent salesmanship, least of all at the movies. However, that is exactly what happened over the holiday while watching “Hidden Figures,” the wonderful new movie with an outstanding cast that includes Octavia Spencer and Kevin Costner. It’s the surprisingly little known story of three amazing black …
To sit or stand during a presentation is the question. If you ever had any doubts about that, you should have been with me recently when I was coaching a tech pro on his skills. Sitting down he was a disaster. Standing up, he became an entirely different person! Here are 5 reasons why it …
Most people send Christmas greeting emails that get lost among hundreds of others. Far fewer use Thanksgiving as a wonderful opportunity to get in front of clients and share genuine gratitude for their business. And, please, don’t send a mass mailing! When you personalize each one, you will be surprised at how many appreciative responses you will receive. …
Volumes will be written about the 2016 election and we’ll leave that political and historical analysis to historians. For readers of this blog who appreciate that “words matter,” here are three observations from this morning’s reporting on the election that are food for thought for business communicators. Who Are You? Frank Luntz, nationally known pollster, …
I nearly lost a client last week because we defined “presenting” differently. When I looked at the slides his team was using, I saw immediately how the disorganized content, lack of a clear message, and weak headers were serious contributors to what he saw as his team’s weak presentation skills. When I pointed these out …