Take Advice from Experts, not Acquaintances!
Why does everybody think they’re a presentation coach? Just think about it! Look at your own life. Remember your parents’ advice: stand up straight, speak slower, do not mumble, and be sure to have eye contact. Perhaps you now pass that ‘sage’ advice to your children and work colleagues. I was at a pitch event recently, and […]
Be Inspiring, It’s Easy!
Recently, I went to an inspiring event created and hosted by Eve Earley, one of the most interesting and inspiring people I know. The event was a ‘SPEAK’ event where nine people spoke on the topic of ‘uncertainty’. These people were not professional speakers and, in most cases, did not see themselves in that role. […]
Public Speaking – Be remembered for all the RIGHT reasons!
Recently, I attended a family wedding, and it was a most enjoyable day and evening. It was lovely to meet family, some of whom I had not seen in months and others for years. It is nice to see nieces and nephews who were children the last time you saw them and are now young […]
Kindness and Cruelty
The picture above has been hanging on my office wall for over twenty years. Some people I have engaged with online have commented on the image and enquired about how it came to be hanging there. My father brought this print home from some school he was renovating when I was just a child. Perhaps […]
Customer Facing Employees Cost MORE
It’s a costly business to employ customer-facing personnel. (This article will improve their effectiveness) Nobody cares about what you do until you tell them why they should care and how you can benefit them. Can you do this quickly? This is what good movies and TV shows do. If the director does not engage you in […]
A Summer Holiday Story
I’m sitting in my office listening to my clock ticking, and suddenly, I am back in my Aunt Kitty and Uncle Mick’s house in Bloomfield, Red Pat’s Cross, Tomnalossett (what a lovely address), my mother’s family home, and I am filled with good memories of sunny summer days. This is where I went for my […]
Can everyone sing?
Who told Ronnie Drew, Shane McGowan, Tom Waits or Lisa O’Neill they could sing? They are not singers in the classical sense, but they can hold a tune and, more importantly, tell a story that engages an audience. Good communicators have all types of voices, accents and varying levels of education, yet you want to […]
You never know what’s around the corner!
Last week Jean and I enjoyed a wonderful holiday in Sorrento looking out over the Bay of Naples to the island of Capri. This week, we’re struggling to fight COVID-19; this is how life throws you curveballs. Last week, France was predicted to have a right-wing government. This week, they have completely changed; now, […]
Winning is Not Everything!
Recently, I was asked to help a team of students prepare a pitch important for them and their college. The college had previously entered this competition for several years but was never shortlisted to present at the final pitch competition. Initially, I helped the team and their professor prepare a video pitch to promote their […]
How do you prepare for a talk? A good start is half the battle!
It should not be the day before, and you should not be pulling out your previous slide deck, changing the title slide, or doing what you usually do, talk about your business or product. If you wish to be a memorable and successful communicator, you must continually read and listen to radio, TV and the […]