Presentation & Public Speaking Skills Archives

Change is the only constant

Communication is an evolving art. Not only does that keep people like me very busy, but it means that we need to keep an eye on evolving trends – lest we get left behind!

Finding your courage

In the Chinese Zodiac, 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit. Known for being calm, collected, and graceful, those born in the Year of the Rabbit are told to bring hope and peace to the world.

Easier said than done: Owning who you are

Courage trumps confidence. Where confidence is a feeling (and I don’t know about you, but I haven’t yet mastered total control over my feelings!) courage is a decision – a choice we make about how we show up.

Who wants to present with impact, inspire confidence, and get results?

2022 has been a year… and it’s not over yet. We’ve seen the end of lockdowns, vaccine passports and (for the most part) masks. We’ve reopened our borders – welcoming visitors and losing Kiwis with itchy feet. We’ve seen the cost of living rise, and pressures on businesses around staffing, supply chains and navigating a contracting economy. But still we battle on.

Practice makes near perfect

How many times do you typically practice a presentation before you deliver it? Be honest. If your answer is “I’m lucky to practice once” then you’ll be joining the majority of those who filled out my course pre-attendee survey. Yep, most others practice only once, or not at all, before a big presentation. And frankly, it can show.

Is 2023 the year for showing up?

We’ve been forced to show up a lot already this year. Many of us have had homes or workplaces affected in the flooding and, if we didn’t, then chances were high that we knew neighbours or family members who were impacted.

Key ingredients for a good open and close

What’s the most important section of any presentation? I’ll give you a hint – you’re reading it right now. The opening lines of a presentation are crucial. It’s when your audience starts to form their assumptions about you and your message – and these first impressions can be hard to shift later down the line. Nail your first three minutes with a new audience, and you have a much better chance of keeping them engaged throughout the rest of your presentation.

Informing isn’t presenting – why some speakers fall flat

Have you ever sat through a presentation only to realise the next day that you can’t even remember what was said?

Your living room stories belong in your presentation – here’s why.

If I asked you to recall the most memorable speaker you’ve seen, who springs to mind? Some of my favourites include the late Sir Ken Robinson, Brene Brown, and Margaret Heffernan. What makes them, and likely the ones you have enjoyed too, so compelling is that they are also great story-tellers.

The thing that stands between you and where you’re going

You’re up there with all eyes on you for one reason: to get your audience to that golden destination where they’re compelled to act or adopt your big idea. I call it point B and it’s the purpose of your presentation.

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