Set the tone for your selection panel to feel good about you and your team before a word is spoken by making eye contact and smiling as soon as you see them.  Go over and shake hands and introduce yourself.  This demonstrates enthusiasm and...

I was working with a general contractor recently who said, “Don’t take this personally, but I hate practicing, I hate presenting, the only thing I like is the relief I feel when it is over.” His statement may resonate with some of you readers....

Yes and no.  While earning my Master’s Degree in Speech Communication at the University of Texas at Austin, I learned some theories related to persuasion: The Primacy Effect suggests that the information we hear first is more likely to have sticking power. Alternately, the...

Are your beliefs supporting or hindering your desire to be a more effective speaker? “What you believe has more power than what you dream or wish or hope for. You become what you believe.” –  Oprah Recently I was preparing a very bright and...

There are certain times in your presentation when it is a good idea to slow down the rate at which you speak.  When painting a picture you want to make sure your audience does not miss any details, therefore take your time describing it. ...

A friend of mine recently sent me a video featuring Simon Sinek.  According to Wikipedia, Simon is a marketing consultant known for developing “The Golden Circle,” a model based on human decision-making that guides organizations on how to inspire people to buy or support...

“Presentations are a tool for high-stakes internal and external communications. Presentations all too often reflect the agenda of the presenter rather than build a connection with the audience.  This is unfortunate because presentations could be considered the last branding frontier, in terms of both...

This is one reason why rehearsing your presentation is so critical.  Practicing increases the likelihood that you will stay on track and hit your key points without getting a case of verbal vomit.  However, if it does happen use this simple strategy: 1.    Stop...

Speaker transitions can be made more smooth and effective by: 1. Having the current speaker, we’ll call her Jane, introduce the upcoming speaker: “I’d now like to have Bob Jenson, your Project Superintendent come up and discuss our phasing plan.” 2. As the speakers...

Some speakers demonstrate their discomfort in their voice. Most often, when we are nervous or uncomfortable we go higher in our vocal register.  The solution is to go much lower in the vocal register temporarily without getting monotone.  This will have a calming affect...