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The Rocky Road to Entertaining an Audience

The Rocky Road to Entertaining an Audience

I recently listened to Tommy Fleming speak about Christie Hennessy’s song “Roll back the Clouds” on a podcast. He talked about how important the song was to him, and also how it explained the drug of performing and how he and others like him were prepared to travel the world and be lonely lots of […]

Speakers – Focus on Connecting, not Perfecting

Speakers – Focus on Connecting, not Perfecting

People are generally better educated and more worldly, thanks to the greater availability of third-level education and the opportunity to travel.  Would you agree?  Yet, employers still tell me there is a continuing reluctance on behalf of their employees to speak up in meetings or present on behalf of the organisation. This reluctance now also […]

True or False, that is the Question 

Several programmes on which I have coached entrepreneurs to tell the world about their business ideas concluded in the last few weeks.  In watching my proteges present, it was very clear to me that the person who has the courage to stand up and speak out should be encouraged and praised, as it is not […]

A Free Car Changed the Course of my Career!

A Free Car Changed the Course of my Career

This article tackles the problem: every organisation wishing to grow their business needs to do BETTER.  Shortly after I got married, I was told that I should get into sales. Why?  Because back then, you were given a company car and told to drive around your patch, meet people and win sales. (The attraction to […]

Do what you LOVE. It’s a well-hackneyed phrase, but TRUE!

Do what you LOVE. It's a well-hackneyed phrase, but TRUE!

Recently I went to listen to some live music in an intimate creative space above the Cherry Tree Pub in Walkinstown, Dublin. It’s a cosy room conducive to creating a good atmosphere, with the added bonus of having an upstairs bar and waiter service, which saves the audience from missing any of the music. The […]

New Light Through Old Windows

Aristo-Andrew-Keogh-New_Light_Through_Old_Windows

How do I help my audience?  Initially, I am like a confessor or a psychologist.  I ask a few questions, three in all, and then listen to the confusing responses I hear by way of a reply.  The reason the answers are confusing is that the person I am speaking to is often too close […]

Never, Never Attempt To Memorise a Pitch!

Never attempt to memorise a presentation. Believe in yourself.

Why do presenters always attempt to memorise presentations? You can learn to recite a poem or the lyrics to a song over days or weeks. Yet, if you are uncomfortable in front of your audience, you may still struggle to remember the words; I know I do! So here is my best advice on preparing […]

Once upon a time … My Favourite Story Opening

Once Upon A Time ... Change how you think about public speaking

Today I wish to change how you think about public speaking. It’s not a chore to be feared; it’s an opportunity to be grasped. I dislike anything to do with Excel and Accounts. I keep putting this type of work off until the last minute and then do it under pressure, increasing my distaste for the […]

Let’s BAN the words Presentation, Pitch, Lecture, Sermon!

Let’s BAN the words Presentation, Pitch, Lecture, Sermon!

During the pandemic, I decided to educate myself on online presenting as technology is not my strong suit. Using various platforms such as Zoom, Meet, Teams, etc., screen sharing became very popular during the pandemic.  They’re all different in subtle ways and each has its peculiarities. I needed to familiarize myself with them all, as […]

The Secret to Being a Great Communicator

The Secret to Being a Great Communicator

Humility is a trait that endears speakers to an audience. On Saturday, in my golf club, the prizes for our Order of Merit competition were presented to the winners. The winner of the men’s Order of Merit acceptance speech was an example of how to be modest while at the same time acknowledging his achievement […]