For the last five years, like clockwork, I’ve received a call from my longtime client, Rodney, who engages me once a year to help him prepare for his company’s annual holiday party. Rodney is super smart, strategic and a little goofy, which he freely admits. Traditionally, during his holiday speech, he would thank everyone… read more
A Handy Guide for Better Presentations Now
One of the many joys of my work as a speech coach is my great relationships with clients, one of whom is Steve. (I’m intentionally omitting Steve’s last name for reasons that will soon become obvious.) Steve is a busy CEO of a $15 million-dollar company with about 150 employees. One of the reasons Steve… read more
3 Reasons Why You Should Hire a Speech Coach
Do you know someone who is a charismatic and effortlessly charming conversationalist but, if you were to put that exact same person in front of an audience, they would immediately become a fumbling bundle of nerves? Or, how about my favorite, the brainy, office introvert who’s forced to give a presentation because she’s the only… read more
3 Secrets to Increase Your Presentation Flow
If you’re anything like most of us, you cannot avoid experiencing life through the lens of your professional expertise. For example, if you’re a financial planner, you most likely pay particular attention to other people’s financial decisions or, if you’re a dentist, you probably can’t resist overanalyzing everyone’s smile. I’m no exception! As a… read more
The Wrong and the Right Way to Close a Presentation
“In closing, I would like to leave you with this final thought . . .” Those words are music to an audience’s ears. Speakers often delude themselves into thinking that audiences lean in at the close of a presentation because they can sense that it is about to end with a time-saving, money-making or life-changing… read more
5 Secrets to Successful International Engagements
Once upon a time in professional speaking and consulting circles, it was considered a really big deal if you conducted business beyond the borders of the United States. The prestige of being an international speaker or coach earned you an extra helping of esteem from your colleagues. Today, thanks to technology and more affordable airfare,… read more
Learn How to Use Your Voice like an Instrument
As I write this blog, my dad is laughing hysterically at the fact that I have the unmitigated gall to author an article titled ‘Learn How to Use Your Voice like an Instrument.’ According to him, I can’t carry a tune in a bucket. That’s his affectionate way of telling me that singing… read more
Learn How to Navigate Your Speech like a Pigeon
At some point in the history of the English language, birds got a raw deal and became the butt of jokes and negative slurs. For example, if someone called you bird brain, jive turkey or old buzzard, you most likely would not leave the conversation feeling terribly friendly towards that person, or particularly good about… read more
10 Reasons Why the Best Speakers Are Tour Guides First
About two weeks ago, I’m wrapping up a video coaching session with a client named Gary. Always inquisitive, Gary said “Dez, one last question before we finish up . . . what is the sparkling jewel (glaringly obvious thing) that most speakers overlook during the presentation process?” For a moment, I struggled to answer… read more
4 Guaranteed Ways to Grab Audience Attention Every Time
In today’s social media-induced world of likes, shares and tweets, it’s easy to be seduced into believing that just because you’re standing in front of an audience, you automatically have their undivided attention. The reality is, every single time you address a group, you are auditioning. It doesn’t matter if you’re the company’s CEO, senior… read more