The Thanksgiving holiday is over – but now we have Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s on the horizon.
Typically, that means parties (professional and personal) – which, in turn, means more opportunities for creating conversations.
For some of us, it is an easy task -- we like small talk, meeting new people and socializing in general. But, for others it is a chore.
It doesn’t have to be …
What are some techniques to make mingling and conversation easy and enjoyable for all parties concerned?
Here’s my list of seven strategies:
1. Whenever possible, do your “homework.” Know who is coming, and a little bit about the people. What are their interests? Where do they work? What do they do in their free time?
2. Ask questions – not to be intrusive, but to find areas of mutual interest. Be interested in what they have to say.
3.Share something about yourself – not to brag, but again, something that the others may find interesting.
4. Be comfortable with silence. You don’t need to rush the conversation.
5. Be up to date with current events and best-selling books – they make great conversation starters.
6. Look for ways to help others. That may mean introducing them to other people at the event.
7. Know when to exit the conversation. Avoid monopolizing one person for the whole event.
If you follow these seven guidelines, you not only will have great conversations and build relationships, but, perhaps more importantly, a great time!
Showing posts with label training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label training. Show all posts
Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sharing Information On Business Resources
As we approach Thanksgiving and reflect on our business resources, I wanted to share two that I recently found and am thankful for …
Do you ever need to get some quick information, without searching thousands of sites on Google?
A quick way to do this is to hire a kgb agent.
For full disclosure, I am NOT on their payroll, nor do I get a “finder’s fee.” I just happen to be LinkedIn with Brett Saks -- VP, HR & Organizational Effectiveness for kgb USA -- and started exploring their website and services.
Check out their site www.kgb.com -- it’s full of funny commercials, and cool ideas.
Moving on to another great resource …
If you’re a professional speaker who wants to hang with other professional speakers, the National Speakers Association (NSA) is the place for you!
The value of NSA membership relates to the education and member community. For full disclosure, I am on the Board of National Directors, but get no “kickback” for new recruits!
I just got back last night from NSA’s fall conference in Phoenix. My head is spinning with new ideas and people to use as resources. If you want to know more about NSA, check out www.nsaspeaker.org.
If you have any other business resources that you think I should know about, and would like to share with others, please drop me a message.
I am currently talking to two organizations now about entering into affinity relationships for their equipment and other resources that will help presenters.
Will keep you posted …
Happy Thanksgiving!
Do you ever need to get some quick information, without searching thousands of sites on Google?
A quick way to do this is to hire a kgb agent.
For full disclosure, I am NOT on their payroll, nor do I get a “finder’s fee.” I just happen to be LinkedIn with Brett Saks -- VP, HR & Organizational Effectiveness for kgb USA -- and started exploring their website and services.
Check out their site www.kgb.com -- it’s full of funny commercials, and cool ideas.
Moving on to another great resource …
If you’re a professional speaker who wants to hang with other professional speakers, the National Speakers Association (NSA) is the place for you!
The value of NSA membership relates to the education and member community. For full disclosure, I am on the Board of National Directors, but get no “kickback” for new recruits!
I just got back last night from NSA’s fall conference in Phoenix. My head is spinning with new ideas and people to use as resources. If you want to know more about NSA, check out www.nsaspeaker.org.
If you have any other business resources that you think I should know about, and would like to share with others, please drop me a message.
I am currently talking to two organizations now about entering into affinity relationships for their equipment and other resources that will help presenters.
Will keep you posted …
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Presentation Skills Primer: Slide Decks Support a Message, Not the Other Way Around
We can “Deck the Halls,” “Swab the deck,” and even “Deck someone” …. (though I wouldn’t endorse trying the last one!).
Obviously, the word “deck” can mean a lot of things.
But, nowhere does a deck equate to a presentation!
When I coach executives for presentation skills, typically they say, “The deck is being prepared.” I then ask, “What about the presentation?”
From my perspective as an executive speech coach and professional speaker for more years than I like to admit, an effective presentation needs to be crafted first BEFORE slides are created.
Then, and only then, if the visuals will support the message, should a slide “deck” be crafted, too.
Preparing slides has become so easy that it’s now commonplace for presenters to simply read their slides – which is never a formula for speaking success.
Show me one example of a presentation where the audience wanted more slides.
The speaker needs to be the most important visual element.
How?
Through effective use of eye contact, facial expression, gestures and movements to captivate an audience -- plus having a good, descriptive story to tell. Then, you can add a visual to help paint a picture or make a point.
So, in the future, prepare your presentation -- then get all decked out!
Obviously, the word “deck” can mean a lot of things.
But, nowhere does a deck equate to a presentation!
When I coach executives for presentation skills, typically they say, “The deck is being prepared.” I then ask, “What about the presentation?”
From my perspective as an executive speech coach and professional speaker for more years than I like to admit, an effective presentation needs to be crafted first BEFORE slides are created.
Then, and only then, if the visuals will support the message, should a slide “deck” be crafted, too.
Preparing slides has become so easy that it’s now commonplace for presenters to simply read their slides – which is never a formula for speaking success.
Show me one example of a presentation where the audience wanted more slides.
The speaker needs to be the most important visual element.
How?
Through effective use of eye contact, facial expression, gestures and movements to captivate an audience -- plus having a good, descriptive story to tell. Then, you can add a visual to help paint a picture or make a point.
So, in the future, prepare your presentation -- then get all decked out!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Death By PowerPoint: Don’t Become Another Speaking Statistic
We’ve all heard the expression “death by PowerPoint.”
People acknowledge it, laugh about it, and hate it when in an audience, but, yet …. Many continue to be guilty of doing it themselves!
How can presenters avoid this?
Here are my 10 tips for avoiding Death by PowerPoint:
1) Write your presentation first, then look to see where you can add PowerPoint to reinforce the message. Keep in mind, a slide deck isn’t a presentation.
2) Add graphics, rather than bullet points, wherever possible. When words are necessary, it’s OK to use them, but avoid paragraphs.
3) Limit the content on the slides. If your audience needs the slides in advance, or as a take-home learning tool, then give them a file with more detail -- but for the actual presentation, pare down the content.
4) Avoid too many “bells and whistles” (like different font colors/sizes, charts, etc.). The focus needs to on the information, not the slide.
5) Get comfortable with the “B” key. While in PowerPoint mode, hit the “B” key on your computer. The screen will turn black or go blank. I like to think that the B stands for BRODY. Occasionally, go blank, so you change up what you’re doing – move around more and facilitate discussion.
6) Create a list of all slides – have one sheet of paper with the slide number and title of each slide. This allows you to cut slides if time is an issue, or to jump back and forth on the slide deck. Do this by hitting the “slide number” then hit “enter.” So, assume you are on slide 10, and you want to go back to slide 3. Hit “3’ and then “enter.”
7) Practice using the slides so that you are comfortable with timing and flow.
8) Arrive early and position yourself so that the screen is to your (speaker’s) left. People read from left to right. Make it easy for the audience.
9) Open and close with a blank screen to create and keep rapport with the audience.
10) Keep in mind – less is more. Trust me ... rarely, if ever, have audience members said, “Oh good, another slide.”
Always remember, be prepared to speak without any slides all in case of a technical glitch.
The best speakers can deliver their messages with power, impact and persuasion, without any slides at all.
People acknowledge it, laugh about it, and hate it when in an audience, but, yet …. Many continue to be guilty of doing it themselves!
How can presenters avoid this?
Here are my 10 tips for avoiding Death by PowerPoint:
1) Write your presentation first, then look to see where you can add PowerPoint to reinforce the message. Keep in mind, a slide deck isn’t a presentation.
2) Add graphics, rather than bullet points, wherever possible. When words are necessary, it’s OK to use them, but avoid paragraphs.
3) Limit the content on the slides. If your audience needs the slides in advance, or as a take-home learning tool, then give them a file with more detail -- but for the actual presentation, pare down the content.
4) Avoid too many “bells and whistles” (like different font colors/sizes, charts, etc.). The focus needs to on the information, not the slide.
5) Get comfortable with the “B” key. While in PowerPoint mode, hit the “B” key on your computer. The screen will turn black or go blank. I like to think that the B stands for BRODY. Occasionally, go blank, so you change up what you’re doing – move around more and facilitate discussion.
6) Create a list of all slides – have one sheet of paper with the slide number and title of each slide. This allows you to cut slides if time is an issue, or to jump back and forth on the slide deck. Do this by hitting the “slide number” then hit “enter.” So, assume you are on slide 10, and you want to go back to slide 3. Hit “3’ and then “enter.”
7) Practice using the slides so that you are comfortable with timing and flow.
8) Arrive early and position yourself so that the screen is to your (speaker’s) left. People read from left to right. Make it easy for the audience.
9) Open and close with a blank screen to create and keep rapport with the audience.
10) Keep in mind – less is more. Trust me ... rarely, if ever, have audience members said, “Oh good, another slide.”
Always remember, be prepared to speak without any slides all in case of a technical glitch.
The best speakers can deliver their messages with power, impact and persuasion, without any slides at all.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Bottom-Line Speaking for Presentation Skills Success
Give people conclusions they can walk out the door with, not a lot of details.
This is what Jack Welch used to say, when he headed up General Electric.
This is also what I say when I coach people about presentation skills.
You can’t be too specific when sharing information.
Most decision makers don’t have a lot of time to wade through data. They are paying others to get the data, and just want to be told your recommendation or their call to action.
Often, the tendency when speaking is to get bogged down in the technicalities, which most people don’t understand (or even care about!).
You will be perceived as a leader if you keep a presentation at the 100,000-foot level – then be able to answer questions that go beneath that.
Answer these three questions:
What?
So what?
Now what?
Truly effective speakers always keep their focus on the last two.
This is what Jack Welch used to say, when he headed up General Electric.
This is also what I say when I coach people about presentation skills.
You can’t be too specific when sharing information.
Most decision makers don’t have a lot of time to wade through data. They are paying others to get the data, and just want to be told your recommendation or their call to action.
Often, the tendency when speaking is to get bogged down in the technicalities, which most people don’t understand (or even care about!).
You will be perceived as a leader if you keep a presentation at the 100,000-foot level – then be able to answer questions that go beneath that.
Answer these three questions:
What?
So what?
Now what?
Truly effective speakers always keep their focus on the last two.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Listening is More Than Hearing
So many people like to talk.
I sure do.
In fact, I do it all the time.
On the other hand, so few like to actually listen -- I will admit I am occasionally challenged to really listen or listen well.
Statistically speaking, we spend more time listening in a day than speaking, yet we don’t often do it well (just ask your family!).
Usually, it’s not on anyone’s top to-do list for training.
But, that may be changing. In the last few months we have seen a steady increase in clients asking for listening skills training.
Perhaps there were relationships, opportunities, and revenues that were lost as the result of poor listening. Maybe at the root of our relationship problems this fundamental communication skill is missing.
Last week, I got to deliver a listening workshop -- the first I personally had delivered in years.
The focus of the program was a combination of activities, skills and exercises to practice -- along with an online assessment, which profiles the individual participant’s preferred (or natural) listening style.
The district and regional sales managers in my session had so many “aha” moments that they couldn’t wait to get back and adjust their style at work -- as well as at home.
Since I also took the assessment, I, too, had some major insights. For example, at work I tend to listen purposefully -- in a very task-oriented way -- and pay less attention to the empathy factor and fail to listen for enjoyment.
It does make sense, however, that my staff needs as much empathy and appreciation as I give my clients and friends. I am committed to improving my listening with my team. You can e-mail them and see if they have noticed a difference!
So, do I think effective listening be taught?
Yes I do!
It isn’t complicated, but it does require a commitment to use more than just our ears.
If you want to see what is in our listening skills program, click here for more details.
I sure do.
In fact, I do it all the time.
On the other hand, so few like to actually listen -- I will admit I am occasionally challenged to really listen or listen well.
Statistically speaking, we spend more time listening in a day than speaking, yet we don’t often do it well (just ask your family!).
Usually, it’s not on anyone’s top to-do list for training.
But, that may be changing. In the last few months we have seen a steady increase in clients asking for listening skills training.
Perhaps there were relationships, opportunities, and revenues that were lost as the result of poor listening. Maybe at the root of our relationship problems this fundamental communication skill is missing.
Last week, I got to deliver a listening workshop -- the first I personally had delivered in years.
The focus of the program was a combination of activities, skills and exercises to practice -- along with an online assessment, which profiles the individual participant’s preferred (or natural) listening style.
The district and regional sales managers in my session had so many “aha” moments that they couldn’t wait to get back and adjust their style at work -- as well as at home.
Since I also took the assessment, I, too, had some major insights. For example, at work I tend to listen purposefully -- in a very task-oriented way -- and pay less attention to the empathy factor and fail to listen for enjoyment.
It does make sense, however, that my staff needs as much empathy and appreciation as I give my clients and friends. I am committed to improving my listening with my team. You can e-mail them and see if they have noticed a difference!
So, do I think effective listening be taught?
Yes I do!
It isn’t complicated, but it does require a commitment to use more than just our ears.
If you want to see what is in our listening skills program, click here for more details.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
September Means Back to School Time – But, It’s Not Just for Kids
It’s back to school time.
Doesn’t the Labor Day holiday always remind you of that?
Of course, if you have children, you’re probably breathing a sigh of relief.
But, what does this time of year mean for all of us in business?
1) Four months to make our 2009 goals.
2) Planning and budgeting for 2010.
For most businesses, 2009 has been a tough year.
Many professionals have dealt with change, the unknown, and more responsibilities as their colleagues have been laid off.
What can get lost in times of workplace chaos and change?
The ongoing importance of professional and personal development.
This really is the best time to go “back to school.” Your own development cannot take a back seat.
After all, you don’t want to be left behind at the end of the year – or “expelled!”
I have no idea what the new economy will look like.
But, I do know, however, that winners don’t wait.
What do you need to do for yourself and your staff these next four months?
Fortunately, we at BRODY are still booking 2009 programs for our enlightened clients -- the ones that realize they must still provide skills training for their employees, so they will continue to excel.
If you want to do something for yourself (or your team), consider registering for our BRODY BOOST Camps being offered in San Francisco on September 24, and again in Philadelphia on October 8th.
School is never truly over!
Doesn’t the Labor Day holiday always remind you of that?
Of course, if you have children, you’re probably breathing a sigh of relief.
But, what does this time of year mean for all of us in business?
1) Four months to make our 2009 goals.
2) Planning and budgeting for 2010.
For most businesses, 2009 has been a tough year.
Many professionals have dealt with change, the unknown, and more responsibilities as their colleagues have been laid off.
What can get lost in times of workplace chaos and change?
The ongoing importance of professional and personal development.
This really is the best time to go “back to school.” Your own development cannot take a back seat.
After all, you don’t want to be left behind at the end of the year – or “expelled!”
I have no idea what the new economy will look like.
But, I do know, however, that winners don’t wait.
What do you need to do for yourself and your staff these next four months?
Fortunately, we at BRODY are still booking 2009 programs for our enlightened clients -- the ones that realize they must still provide skills training for their employees, so they will continue to excel.
If you want to do something for yourself (or your team), consider registering for our BRODY BOOST Camps being offered in San Francisco on September 24, and again in Philadelphia on October 8th.
School is never truly over!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Persuasive Speaking Webinar: Notch Up Your Presentation Skills
I’m back from the National Speakers Association (NSA) conference in Arizona, and also from a biotech client program in California; the latter of which saw me delivering a custom session on effective communication.
As I watched the NSA members present their keynotes and workshops, and during my facilitated group discussion at the client program, I was again struck by the power of effective presentation skills and the power of persuasive speaking.
Yes, I’ve been teaching this topic for more than 25 years now, but the basic principle is still the same: Professionals who master the art of persuasive speaking will get others to take action, change direction, commit and buy.
If you don’t speak like a pro, and convince your audience members of your message, they will consider your session a colossal waste of time.
Are you one of the thousands of people who’d rather die than deliver a speech? Do you need help to improve your persuasive speaking skills?
You’re in luck. In addition to face-to-face presentation skills training and coaching, BRODY now offers webinars.
I’m kicking off the whole series with “How to Present Your Ideas Persuasively to Better Influence Others at Work,” on September
14, from 12:30-1:30 pm EST.
If you attend this webinar, you’ll discover strategies for working with different audience reactions. It’s great for anyone in a relationship management role – whether speaking to clients, colleagues, direct reports – or a combination of all three!
Visit here, for more details on this webinar, and to sign up.
Or, if you share your worst presentation skills nightmare on my blog, and provide a valid e-mail address – or call me at 215-886-1688, I will take 10% off your webinar registration price. This offer expires August 3rd.
As I watched the NSA members present their keynotes and workshops, and during my facilitated group discussion at the client program, I was again struck by the power of effective presentation skills and the power of persuasive speaking.
Yes, I’ve been teaching this topic for more than 25 years now, but the basic principle is still the same: Professionals who master the art of persuasive speaking will get others to take action, change direction, commit and buy.
If you don’t speak like a pro, and convince your audience members of your message, they will consider your session a colossal waste of time.
Are you one of the thousands of people who’d rather die than deliver a speech? Do you need help to improve your persuasive speaking skills?
You’re in luck. In addition to face-to-face presentation skills training and coaching, BRODY now offers webinars.
I’m kicking off the whole series with “How to Present Your Ideas Persuasively to Better Influence Others at Work,” on September
14, from 12:30-1:30 pm EST.
If you attend this webinar, you’ll discover strategies for working with different audience reactions. It’s great for anyone in a relationship management role – whether speaking to clients, colleagues, direct reports – or a combination of all three!
Visit here, for more details on this webinar, and to sign up.
Or, if you share your worst presentation skills nightmare on my blog, and provide a valid e-mail address – or call me at 215-886-1688, I will take 10% off your webinar registration price. This offer expires August 3rd.
Monday, February 23, 2009
When Times Get Tough, the Tough Keep Going
“Certainly times are tough, but we recognize that employee development needs to continue.”
This quote, from a February 9, 2009, article in The Wall Street Journal, was spoken by David Metzger, Director of Management Development at Canon USA.
I congratulate Mr. Metzger and Canon USA for thinking “big picture.” As long as a business is still in business, the need for effective leadership is critical -- even more critical in difficult times.
A big part of leadership is communication. After all, you could be a brilliant strategic thinker, and may make great decisions, but if you can’t influence others, how can the decisions or strategy be implemented?
If you can’t communicate effectively, the rest of these attributes rarely matter.
Even if your company has cut back on training, it is no excuse for individuals to do the same.
Keep learning new techniques and strategies. At some point, this recession will end, and you will be well ahead of the game!
One avenue to consider -- my next BRODY BOOST Camp, April 2, 2009.
Click here for more information on this day-long open enrollment career development workshop.
This quote, from a February 9, 2009, article in The Wall Street Journal, was spoken by David Metzger, Director of Management Development at Canon USA.
I congratulate Mr. Metzger and Canon USA for thinking “big picture.” As long as a business is still in business, the need for effective leadership is critical -- even more critical in difficult times.
A big part of leadership is communication. After all, you could be a brilliant strategic thinker, and may make great decisions, but if you can’t influence others, how can the decisions or strategy be implemented?
If you can’t communicate effectively, the rest of these attributes rarely matter.
Even if your company has cut back on training, it is no excuse for individuals to do the same.
Keep learning new techniques and strategies. At some point, this recession will end, and you will be well ahead of the game!
One avenue to consider -- my next BRODY BOOST Camp, April 2, 2009.
Click here for more information on this day-long open enrollment career development workshop.
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