Posted By Trimount on November 8, 2008
This excerpt from a British blogger demonstrates why a speaker should never rely on PowerPoint as a crutch when giving a presentation. PowerPoint cannot match the power and passion a really good speaker brings to the podium:
“I once gave a presentation which told, in fine detail, the life and works of Jane Austen. I was extremely prepared with my computerised slides, my hard copies to hand out at the end, and my little word cards to help me along.
“Afterwards I was told that I might as well have sat down with everyone else.
“My presence at the front of the room was not essential to the presentation itself. I merely insulted my audience by undermining their intelligence; everything I had said could have been read from the slides.
“A bit harsh, perhaps, but quite true.”
Please visit http://trimountcommunications.com/speech_training.htm to learn more about the SpeakOut Training Program.
Chris Dingman
Category: Speech Training |
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Tags: coaching, communications skills, confidence, overcoming fear, presentations, public speaking tips, speech, speeches, training, workshops
Posted By Trimount on October 31, 2008
The presidential election is only a few days away. Spinmeisters from both camps are working overtime to present their candidates in the best possible light. Unfortunately, both camps have reportedly spun stories which distorted the facts. Such distortions may be common, but they weaken the credibility of the candidates. Of course, spinning stories isn’t limited to political candidates. Corporations do the same thing, often with disastrous results, either to themselves or to the public. Think tobacco industry.
The best way to “spin” a story is to tell the truth. It may not be easy to do, but the resulting damage will be far less than spinning a story and having it unmasked in the press as a lie.
Please visit http://trimountcommunications.com/media_training.htm to learn more about the MediaSmart Training Program.
Chris Dingman
Category: Media Training |
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Tags: corporate image, crisis management, facing the press, handling questions, interview, IPO, journalist, media, media relations, press, press conference, press releases, product launch, public relations, reporter, statement, staying on message
Posted By Trimount on October 22, 2008
Besides teaching you the mechanics of public speaking, a good coach can help you overcome the nagging self-doubts that bedevil so many promising speakers. I show my clients how to increase their confidence and let go of the negative thinking which has dragged them down in the past.
Please visit http://trimountcommunications.com/speech_training.htm to learn more about the SpeakOut Training Program.
Chris Dingman
Category: Speech Training |
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Tags: coaching, communications skills, confidence, overcoming fear, presentations, public speaking tips, speech, speeches, training, workshops
Posted By Trimount on October 15, 2008
Did you ever wonder if your writing is helping or hurting your chances for success? Ask a friend or co-worker to read your next letter or report and critique it. You may be surprised at how someone else interprets what you’ve written. No matter what the person’s reaction may be, use the experience to strengthen your writing to advance your career.
Please visit http://trimountcommunications.com/writing_training.htm to learn more about the WriteNow Training Program.
Chris Dingman
Category: Writing Training |
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Tags: business writing, communications, confidence, course, direct mail, e-mails, letters, newsletters, overcoming fear, presentations, proposals, reports, seminar, speeches, training, websites, workshops, writing
Posted By Trimount on October 9, 2008
When giving a speech, you have to watch for people’s reactions: Are they paying attention? Do they seem restless? Are they shuffling in their seats? These are sure signs that something is wrong. The remedy may be as simple as cutting short a presentation and taking questions from the audience, allowing them to participate actively rather than listening passively.
Please visit http://trimountcommunications.com/speech_training.htm to learn more about the SpeakOut Training Program.
Chris Dingman
Category: Speech Training |
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Tags: coaching, communications skills, confidence, overcoming fear, presentations, public speaking tips, speech, speeches, training, workshops
Posted By Trimount on October 2, 2008
A pronoun should be close enough to the word it replaces that readers aren’t confused. For example, “The ship sailed in the morning after a long night of loading manufactured goods destined for a port some 12,000 miles away. Loading took so long, it nearly missed the tide.”
“It” is so remote from the noun it replaces, the writer’s meaning is unclear. Rewritten, these sentences become much easier to understand: “After a long night of loading manufactured goods, the ship sailed to a port some 12,000 miles away. It nearly missed the morning tide because loading took so long.”
Please visit http://trimountcommunications.com/writing_training.htm to learn more about the WriteNow Training Program.
Chris Dingman
Category: Writing Training |
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Tags: business writing, communications, confidence, course, direct mail, e-mails, letters, newsletters, overcoming fear, presentations, proposals, reports, seminar, speeches, training, websites, workshops, writing
Posted By Trimount on September 24, 2008
Being questioned by the press can be a little scary, especially if you haven’t been interviewed before. Find someone who has experience in dealing with reporters to guide you through mock interviews so that you know what to expect.
Good preparation helps you stay on message whether you’re being interviewed one on one or holding a press conference with a number of reporters.
Please visit http://trimountcommunications.com/media_training.htm to learn more about the MediaSmart Training Program.
Chris Dingman
Category: Media Training |
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Tags: corporate image, crisis management, facing the press, handling questions, interview, IPO, journalist, media, media relations, press, press conference, press releases, product launch, public relations, reporter, statement, staying on message
Posted By Trimount on September 20, 2008
E-mail is a great tool. It allows us to communicate quickly and easily. Unfortunately, e-mail encourages us to take short cuts. We eliminate subjects, skip verbs, and write incomplete sentences. All of which confuses the people who read our e-mails. So, take a few extra minutes and double check your writing. Your readers will really appreciate that fact that you went the extra mile for their benefit.
Please visit http://trimountcommunications.com/writing_training.htm to learn more about the WriteNow Training Program.
Chris Dingman
Category: Writing Training |
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Tags: business writing, communications, confidence, course, direct mail, e-mails, letters, newsletters, overcoming fear, presentations, proposals, reports, seminar, speeches, training, websites, workshops, writing
Posted By Trimount on September 18, 2008
Hand placement is always a challenge if you don’t have a podium to serve as an anchor when presenting. Most of us were taught in school to let our hands hang by our sides. This isn’t nearly as easy as it sounds especially if you’re frightened (public speaking ranks as one of the Top Ten fears listed in most surveys). I tell my clients to use a pen—something they can hold onto as they speak, providing a de facto security blanket. Alternately, I tell clients to break the rules and put one hand in a pocket—just the way some anchors do on national newscasts. With one hand “out of the way” people feel more relaxed and can do a better job.
Please visit http://trimountcommunications.com/speech_training.htm to learn more about the SpeakOut Training Program.
Chris Dingman
Category: Speech Training |
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Tags: coaching, communications skills, confidence, overcoming fear, presentations, public speaking tips, speech, speeches, training, workshops
Posted By Trimount on September 13, 2008
When using an infinitive in your writing, remember to avoid placing an adverb between “to” and the verb. For example, the phrase ”to fully understand” should be re-written: “to understand fully.”
Please visit http://trimountcommunications.com/writing_training.htm to learn more about the WriteNow Training Program.
Chris Dingman
Category: Writing Training |
1 Comment »
Tags: business writing, communications, confidence, course, direct mail, e-mails, letters, newsletters, overcoming fear, presentations, proposals, reports, seminar, speeches, training, websites, workshops, writing