Don’t Go Down In A Hail Of Bullets

PowerPoint has been around for more than 30 years now. For much of that time, expert speakers have been encouraging us to use it more creatively and effectively than the engineers who designed it to show information to each other. Include more images, they tell us. And fewer words. Ditch distracting special effects. And for…

When Audience Participation Goes Sideways …

You’ve probably run into one of those people who treats audience participation as a chance to hold forth. They present a challenge for a speaker, don’t they? This question arrived in my in-box from an HR expert: “During my presentation, I paused to ask questions and opinions. I like getting some conversation going instead of…

Your Talk’s Like a Turkey …

We can fall into a trap when we’re speaking to attract clients and referrals. Or when we’re out to highlight our contribution to the company and advance to a new position. Or when we’re hoping someone in the room will hear us … and hire us. Naturally, we want the audience to think we know…

Practice Makes Perfect. IF You Do It.

What makes it so hard to rehearse for your business presentations? Every expert on speaking recommends rehearsal. Yes, that includes me. At the same time, just about every would-be speaker says, “Awww, I really don’t wanna rehearse.” Or something to that effect. Yes. That also includes me. I have a speaking engagement coming up, with…

Your Body Is Your Key To Communication

You can’t do a presentation if you’re not present. In fact, when it comes to communicating, you can’t do much of anything if you’re not present. And yet, people try all the time to run a conference call, or a department heads’ meeting, or a big speech on a stage without being fully present in…