Presentations: Preparing To Take Your Company Public – from the archives: IPO Many of us worry about facing the news media. What will the reporter ask? What should I say? How will my comments be used? How will my remarks affect the way the audience perceives my company and me? If I say nothing, how will the […]
Presentations: Obama and the Pope: Critical communications Communications taketh and giveth. We have seen both recently (April 2008) with Barack Obama’s Philadelphia debate and Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the U.S. First Obama: a communicator rarely seen on the national political stage. Nevertheless, in my humble opinion he should add one vital arrow to his verbal arsenal. […]
Presentations: New UNC Chief Tom Ross Connects With Speeches: Public Speaking Tom Ross, the new president of the University of NC system once led a foundation in my home city of Winston-Salem and he demonstrated how anyone who speaks… whether to civic clubs or much larger audiences… should connect to those in the audience with the content. This is […]
Presentations: Negative Campaigning – Sometimes It’s Revealing!: The Reassurance Principle Nobel prize-winning author Elie Wiesel wrote in The Washington Post, “America is waiting for an authentic and superior national debate (between the Presidential candidates on how to deal with terrorism and its roots).” I once wrote that with Americans fearing terrorism we need more words from candidates on […]
Presentations: Listening! A vital communications skill: Leadership skills A while back ago two TV news anchors ran a story that Keiko the killer whale – star of the “Free Willy” movies – was being set free in Iceland. As the TV piece ended, one anchor adlibbed that Keiko seemed smart enough to be in films. The second anchor, […]
Presentations: John Edwards Communications Turnaround: Politics Author/speaker Harvey Mackay (Swim with the Sharks) says it is not “practice makes perfect,” but “perfect practice makes perfect.” If you want to develop a skill then execute that precise skill over and over to get better. To wit: North Carolina U-S Senator and presidential candidate John Edwards’ communications skills. Almost one […]
Presentations: Jindal speech stumble – is he now recovering: Speaking skills Republican Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has regained enormous credibility for his seemingly unstoppable efforts on behalf of the BP oil spill victims. Good for him. It may very well replace his communications debacle of early 2009 that is still a good object lesson for all of […]
Presentations: It’s not the voice, it’s the message!: Speaking A real estate agent taking courses on public speaking wrote me for advice saying, “…I need help with my speech (voice) both with tone and volume.” I told him, “When it comes to powerful communicating, it’s not the voice, it’s the message!” I will stipulate immediately that voice lessons […]
Presentations: It’s the Audience – Stupid: Quality Content Those who deliver presentations (speeches, product pitches, investment solicitations, job interviews), and that includes all of us in business, should note a New York Times observation made during the 2008 presidential campaign after Obama prevailed in the duel with Clinton for the nomination. Columnist Frank Rich said of that night’s speeches, “Mrs. Clinton […]
Presentations: Improve Your Presentations – The Late Bill Gove: Speaking Want to improve your speeches? Talk to an old pro. Unfortunately, you can no longer talk to one of the oldest and best professional speakers – Bill Gove. The Toastmasters’ Golden Gavel Award winner and first president of the National Speakers Association never retired from the platform […]