Speaking tips blog
Communication matters. What are you saying?
Offer something unexpectedly wonderful for your (existing) customers
On a recent visit home, my frustration with my parent's internet connection led me to inquire about their service. They had just been through several weeks without service (ultimately solved by a technician "patching them into a new line" in less than 30 minutes). ...
What we can learn from the Gettysburg address
It was 150 years ago today that President Lincoln delivered his 268-272 word (depending on what you believe he said) address to an assembly outside Gettysburg, PA to bolster the war effort. The speech is now, of course, very famous, and regularly makes the Top Ten...
One email that should never be sent. Oh, and “Thank you.”
In a class I was teaching yesterday, we engaged in some healthy debate on the issue of email etiquette and efficiency. First, I think most everyone in business agrees that they receive too many emails and their productivity with the tool could be improved. In...
Sign up for this wonderful tool and solve ALL your problems!! (well, maybe)
I presume the marketing folks over at Prezi figured out how to get their fans to retweet a promotion to get folks to sign up for a free account (I would suppose there is something in it for the referring individual as well). Using the hashtag #presentations, multiple...
How to guarantee that people will ignore you (and blog bad things about you)
I wish I were making this up. Got an email today. Title: Problem with Millswyck web site (first problem -- already failed in the obscure capitalization of my business name, but that's forgiveable). I just came across your website. It looks pretty good, but you’re...
It’s more than what you say; it’s more than how you say it
Dilbert once again takes aim at corporate communicators, humorously making us realize that our impact is more than a show. Delivery skills (such as the charismatic tone of a deep, confident voice!) are VITALLY important. They create impressions (good or bad). They...
Marco Rubio’s water bottle – a lesson for speakers
Monday night, Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio gave a response to President Obama's State of the Union Address. I did not watch either live, but heard about it almost immediately via social media. When your speech is known as "the Water Bottle Fiasco", you...
How to (and not to) execute on customer service
Had a great experience recently -- just had to share. I found myself in need of a pair of shoes for a particular event. I had 48 hours to procure, and I've learned my lesson about ordering shoes via mail (I don't). But the shoes I needed are in limited supply...
It’s a great time to watch speakers
I frequently get asked, “Who is a great speaker who embodies what you coach and teach?” I dislike providing any definitive experts, because a large part of speaking well is making a connection with the audience, and that is intensely personal. A speaker that one...
What humor does for an audience
My daughter (age 10) reminded me today while driving in the car about a class that she saw me teach a few years back (we had conflicting schedules and I got the special treat to have my kids with me they sat in the back while I taught a class in a university MBA...
Presidential Debate I — a speaker’s view
If you are looking for a discourse on views or who "won" politically, this is not the place. I don't wish to discuss the issues at all. I simply offer some observations as learning points for my readers who are looking to become GREAT speakers/communicators. First,...
You should know the questions you will be asked
This Dilbert cartoon from yesterday caught my eye. It was even funnier because the class I was teaching had just discussed the prospect of an interviewing manager wanting great work for next to nothing. It's the prospect of questions like this that make Q&A a...
