21 Apr Three Ways to Keep Yourself From Rambling
If you find yourself “getting into the weeds” by using long sentences when sharing information or opinions….You might be a rambler!
If your friends and colleagues dread hearing you speak…. You might be a rambler!
If your clients, customers, or direct reports seem uncomfortable when you talk.…You might be a rambler!
If you find your neighbors or even family members keep avoiding your talks…. You might be a rambler!
Many of our clients are brilliant and interesting people. Even if you are all these things…You might be a rambler! (more…)
17 Jan How to Be A Listener-Centric Communicator
The concept of adapting your content and delivery to WHO you are speaking is a worthy objective. However, being able to do it in a poignant and meaningful manner can be an advanced skill, and it will take your workplace communication to the next level.
This article will provide a quick overview of one way in which we help our clients adapt to their listeners. The concept is called Patterns of Reasoning. The normal human brain capacity allows us to function with two basic patterns of reasoning; we use these patterns as the structure for our thoughts and speech. No one is completely one or the other.
15 Dec Can You Learn Presentation and Public Speaking Skills in an Online Course?
Clients often tell us about an online course they found, or their company has provided, on Public Speaking and Presentation Skills. Then, they ask us what we think of it.
There are two primary considerations:
1. Yes, you can learn some communication skills alone and online.
2. The skills you need must be compatible with online learning.
Number two explains the potential challenges with learning communication skills online. (more…)
15 Sep Is It Possible to Over Prepare for a Presentation?
When preparing a presentation, TED talk, webinar, investor pitch, wedding toast, or anything in between, there can be a struggle with how much to prepare in advance. (more…)
20 Jul What Continued Zoom Fatigue and the COVID Delta Variant Means for You and Your Team
If you’re like me, you’ve experienced heavy Zoom fatigue in the last 16 months. During this ongoing pandemic, it’s earned its slang term, right alongside “Quarantine” (the drink you make with whatever you can find in your fridge or freezer), “Blursday” (an unspecified day because of lockdown’s disorientating effect on time), “zoom bombing” (hijacking a Zoom video call). “WFH” (working from home) and “quaranteams” (online teams created during lockdown). (more…)
9 Jun Three Tips for Using a Teleprompter in a Business Presentation
As more and more events become hybrid or completely virtual, the ability to use a teleprompter with ease will enhance the quality of your presentation. Of course, the opposite is also true; fumbling with your script on a screen can make you look panicked, low energy, and under-prepared.
Being a great presenter means you have developed mastery with all the tools at your disposal. When used well, you may utilize a teleprompter at your next event and vow to never go back to improvising your content using only your memory, bullet point notes, or a slide deck as a reference. Teleprompters, when used correctly, should make you look polished, confident, and natural. But once you know you’ll have access to a teleprompter, this is no reason to slack off and slide into the room 20 minutes before the event. Good results with a teleprompter take practice and patience. (more…)