You’re about to speak. Maybe it’s a team meeting, a client call, or a big presentation. Your heart races, your mouth dries up, and your mind goes blank. Panic sets in. What causes the panic Your brain is doing its job which is to keep you alive. When you speak in front of others, your […]
Why we panic when speaking … and how to stop Read More »
Questions and interruptions during a presentation can feel unsettling, especially if you’re already nervous about public speaking. Some people worry they’ll be thrown off track or asked something they can’t answer. That worry can lead to self-doubt and a loss of momentum. The good news is that with a bit of preparation and some simple
How to handle questions and interruptions during a presentation (without losing focus). Read More »
If you run a business, you’ll probably find yourself presenting more often than expected. Whether pitching to investors, updating your team, or talking to potential clients the way you present makes a real difference … good presentations build trust while poor ones do the opposite. Rehearsal is key to feeling confident, but too much practice
How to rehearse without sounding rehearsed. Read More »
My father was an erudite man with a love of language and a great pun. A true wordsmith, he had a vast library of books that he frequently consulted when writing speeches or presentations. When he died some 30 years ago, I inherited some of those treasured volumes. And while I may not share
How my father introduced me to some great insults! Read More »
Whether you’re delivering a presentation, asking questions of others, speaking to a customer or just having a chat, I’m pretty confident that you don’t pause often enough. Many people find silence really difficult to deal with, so fill it as quickly as they can. They speak very quickly, ask a 2nd or 3rd question before
Why you should pause more than you do? Read More »
We’ve recently started our Presentation Club. An opportunity for members to stand up in front of the room and deliver a short presentation. All the attendees create written feedback on how the speaker came across. You then get to keep all the sheets of feedback to digest in the comfort of your home. In can
How hard is giving and receiving feedback? Read More »
According to the German Psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus you are likely to forget what you learn within 7 days. After 24 hours he concluded that about two-thirds of anything memorised is forgotten. Not great news if you are trying to memorise your presentation. However, there are some things you can do to help yourself retain information.
What does the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve have to do with your presentation? Read More »
A frequent question I get asked is how to remember a presentation. And it is often an excuse I’m given for why someone has to have bullet points on each slide … so they can remember what they want to say. Last month I talked about the HICCY method for creating a great pitch and
How to remember what you want to say. Read More »
The past few months we’ve been working with a number of clients who want their teams to create and deliver talks and presentations; specifically, as part of social media videos and campaigns. We’ve also been contacted by a number of business owners struggling to move back to face-to-face networking and deliver great pitches. They’ve become
How to create a great pitch so other’s take action. Read More »
When you’re presenting, there are lots of good reasons to get into the room before everyone else arrives. You can get a feel for the room; check the acoustics and generally make sure there are no surprises. If you are using a mic you can plan for how/if/when you need to be miked up and
Why getting into the room you are due to present in, before everyone else, is important Read More »
