Where do you get your presentation advice? Even intelligent and highly accomplished individuals like Sir Richard Branson can benefit from an honest evaluation and coaching.

Speech coach and author Gary Genard is a great blogger. In a recent post, Gary discusses Sir Richard Branson’s advice on public speaking. Branson, the entrepreneur, adventurer, humanitarian, and founder of the Virgin Group, explained his approach to presentations in an article called, “My Top Tips for Public Speaking,” on the Virgin website.

Branson declared, “90 percent of the time, it is better to ad-lib rather than read from contrived speech notes. Even if you forget certain points you wanted to make, the people who are listening always desperately want to hear your passion, not just your theory.”

Gary counters, “…passion matters. But not at the expense of well-planned and formulated remarks. Actually, this sentiment is a weakness sometimes found among super-successful people. Whether it stems from anxiety … or arrogance, (more…)

Lisa Poole knows how to capture an audience’s attention.

Lisa Poole VP, Application Configuration and Operations Consultant at SunTrust Bank is one of the speakers at the American Payroll Association. Each year there are hundreds of breakout sessions; most are highly technical. Engaging an audience and immediately and proving to them that, “This will not be dull” can be a challenge.

This is how Lisa Poole from SunTrust did it. Lisa knows how to capture an audience’s attention and gave me permission to share this with you. See how you can adapt this concept to your industry.

“For the past 13 years I have enjoyed and benefited from being in your pre-Congress speaker training Patricia. The American Payroll Association’s commitment to constantly improving the presentation skills of their speakers is commendable. The techniques you have provided have helped me create the introduction below for this year’s Congress session on Adding Value to Your Organization through Job Costing: (more…)

There is more to moderating a panel than asking a few questions and hoping panelists know how to respond.

My brilliant friend, Ian Griffin is a speechwriter, presentation expert, and fellow Brit. Ian and I recently teamed up for a web event to share presentation advice with the Silicon Valley Speechwriters Roundtable and Fripp Virtual Training members. Most people are aware that a formal presentation requires research and rehearsal, but keep in mind that preparation can ensure your success in all speaking situations.  If you have been asked to moderate a panel, be aware that there is more to this than simply firing off a few questions and hoping your panelists will respond with scintillating conversation. Ian shares these great tips to help you prepare: (more…)