Intermittently during my sales presentation and speech communication work, I’ll ask a group this question. “Imagine this workshop is a sailing ship. Think about your participation in the workshop to this time. Have you been the ‘Wind’ metaphorically, blowing this workshop/sailing ship forward?Continue reading
Anna Bligh and Campbell Newman’s body language rated
Watching Anna Bligh and Campbell Newman over the last few weeks, the phrases that come to mind are, for Bligh: ‘steady as she goes’. For Newman: ‘slick and quick’.Continue reading
Why being serious doesn’t mean being intelligent
Recently in a cafe just off the lobby of a Sydney office tower, I was having a coffee before a sales presentation workshop. I noted how serious all the senior executive corporate types looked as they bought their flat whites and machiattos. It seemed liked they had the weight of the world on their shoulders.Continue reading
Here’s an idea that is a critical first step in your voice development
In 2008 I produced a CD with Bob Carr entitled Choice Voice. Lessons from great speaking voices. Edition One: Bob Carr. Many things could be said about Carr’s personal communication (I’ll have more to say in the next weeks/months now that he is Australia’s foreign minister).Continue reading
Comparison of Kevin Fud and Julia Gillard body language and speaking
While watching Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard present themselves over the last seven days, the words that come to mind are, for Rudd: ‘slippery, phoney, smug’ and for Gillard: ‘shaken, scripted, wooden, school-marm’.Continue reading
A body language presentation to use when you’re attacked
Imagine this situation. You’re making a stand-up presentation and someone interjects with an aggressive statement. Think how you would move your body (if at all) to demonstrate confidence in this situation. (For this scenario, leave aside your verbal response).Continue reading
Here’s my best customer service experience
Professional, knowledgeable, friendly. These adjectives describe a customer service person I interacted with at an Apple shop last month.Continue reading
The power of ‘less is more’ explained
One of the key messages I share with my sales presentation and senior executive clients is, ‘Less is more’. That is, being able to convey your thoughts with less words, has more impact. (ie. than needing more words to convey your thoughts). William Strunk Jr. and EB White’s mantra around this idea, from their book, The Elements of Style is, ‘Omit needless words’.Continue reading
The best verus worst presenters – the key difference
As we start a new year, one way to be more effective in your work is to hone how you plan and deliver your spoken messages and presentations. Below is the my take on the key difference between the best and worst presenters.
Overall:
1. The BEST presenters are Audience Focused in their planning and delivery.
2. The WORST presenters are Presenter Focused in planning, and in delivery. It’s like they’re talking to themselves in the presence of others.Continue reading
The body language of frayed nerves
