Speaking tips blog
Communication matters. What are you saying?
Disaster!
Last week here in North Carolina, we experienced an earthquake (my first), a hurricane (my umpteenth), and tornadoes (so far I’ve missed them altogether). The news media took the opportunity to fill a lot of time with the very apropos message about preparedness....
Why I need a speaking coach
As we got up from the dinner table last Thursday night, an unusual conversation started a most humbling experience for me. My son (age 10) told me, “Dad, you say that a lot.” “Say what?” “Sitting around scratching my head, thinkin’ ’” ...
Would you do business with Ii ,, Lvll11s Vvyc ?
As I cleaned up the desk heading in to the new year, I ran across some business cards I’d collected at a networking event. I usually scan them in using my handy scanner (side note: I highly recommend a sheet feed scanner – receipts, pictures, memorabilia,...
Checking in
I’ve witnessed several workshops/keynotes/speaking gigs in the last few weeks that have had a bunch of “checking in” questions. You know the type: Are you with me? You follow me? Right? Does that make sense? Is everybody doing OK? and the cricket inducing Any...
Promises, Promises
On Black Friday, I stayed at home. Instead of fighting crowds, I browsed the web a bit and made a purchase at a place we’ll call Paper Clips with a coupon I found online. Pretty good deal on a pretty minor expense, but I figured to count myself as a happy...
But you SOUND convincing!
As my daughter (age eight) and I were driving to pick up my son from a sleepover this morning, she asked a very innocent question: “How many boys are there?”I answered, “Six,” even though I didn’t have the foggiest idea how many really were there but figured in my...
Answering Questions Effectively, a Presidential Evaluation
Now that the elections are a week behind us and emotions have abated (maybe?) somewhat, I’d like you to look at what answering questions can do for your message. I want to be necessarily anti-partisan in this discussion and evaluation. From where I sit, this...
What women want (and men, too!)
I went to Office Max early one morning -- I had to get printouts (they do all my printing and do a fantastic job, by the way) for a speaking engagement I had later in the day. The web site said they were open at 8am, and I arrived about 753am. I drove by the front...
I’d hate to see #2
I really wish I made this stuff up.My bank -- let's call them Walk-all-over-ya sent me a notice that the fee to access online banking via Quicken was going from free to $5.95/month. Since this is not a service I use, I ignored said notice. I do, however, check my bank...
Have it your way
I went through the drive through at Regal Burger tonight. I was the only one in line, took my time making my order, and was cheerful to the window 1 clerk and proceeded to window 2. Got my milkshake handed to me in record time and was asked, "Would you...
Clear as mud
Got a few more items for my "don't ever say this" list from a speaker the other day."Is it clear at all?" (Corollary: "Do you understand?" and "Got it?") Realistically, what should the audience say? Half the audience immediately started bobbing their head...
Another way to make time go slow
Following up yesterday's post about how to manage time in a speech/class/workshop, I was reminded of another tactic that has bad results.Multi-day classes are one of the greatest opportunities to manage time well. The speaker gets a rest midway through and a chance...