Presentation Skills Archives

Prepare for Success: Pressure Test Your Presentation

by Heather Muir

You worked really hard on your presentation. You practiced it multiple times end-to-end. You feel good. You look great. You got this. Suddenly, your presentation time gets cut from 60 minutes to 10. Uh-oh. Moments like this can catch anyone by surprise—and they happen all the time. When the squeeze is on, will you be ready? Can your presentation pass the Pressure Test? Read on to find out.

by Heather Muir

Event Preparation, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills, Presenting to Executives

How Storytelling Makes a Presentation More Influential

by Brad Holst

Has this ever happened to you? You’ve got a brilliant idea, one you know could deliver huge value. All the data supports it. But when you present it to others...they're just not that interested. Why? It could be that your presentation spoke only to their brains and not to their hearts. Learn how storytelling can help your audience emotionally connect with you and your ideas, making your presentation more memorable and influential.

by Brad Holst

Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills, Storytelling

World Class Communication Really is a Marathon

by Kathleen Redd

What does it take to transform smart and skilled subject matter experts into world-class communicators? Consistent practice and application of these three principles. Read the blog to learn what they are. With training and persistence, anyone can become a world-class communicator—someone who is able to move ideas, decisions, projects, relationships, and businesses forward.

by Kathleen Redd

Briefing Center, Conversation Skills, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills, Sales Readiness, Technical Professionals

Lessons Learned From Exceptional Business Communicators

by Brad Holst

What do wildly successful business people have in common? Multiple studies confirm they tend to be exceptional communicators—people who excel at moving information and insight into action. What can you learn from these communication superheroes? In all my years’ experience working in the business communication field, I’ve observed that two behaviors set exceptional communicators apart. Read this week's blog to learn what they are.

by Brad Holst

Conversation Skills, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills

Attention. Grab It!

by David Mears

The average person’s attention span is shorter than a goldfish’s. That can make grabbing and keeping the attention of busy professionals a challenge of epic proportions. Here are 5 strategies to help you win the attention of an easily distracted audience. (Hint: Providing better information than anyone else isn’t enough.)

by David Mears

Conversation Skills, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills, Presenting to Executives

Do You Suffer From Post-Presentation Depression?

by Brad Holst

It’s a uniquely satisfying feeling when you end a high-stakes presentation knowing that you “crushed it.” And it's a uniquely depressing one when you don't. In my 15 years of experience as a coach, there's a big gap between what average presenters and great presenters do after their presentations are over. This week, I'll share what that difference is and also talk about why so few "naturally good" presenters ever become great. And if you're interested in becoming a truly GREAT presenter, keep reading until the end to learn what 3 steps you can take right now to get there.

by Brad Holst

Presentation Skills

What Is the Antidote to Business Anxiety?

by David Mears

Business anxiety is high. Geopolitics. Trade. Cyber security. Uncertainty reigns. One former White House economist suggests we're living in an "age of anxiety." Ready-aim-fire approaches to addressing the disruptive changes ahead won't work. Instead, businesses need to be proactive. How? Equip your people with the skills needed to create clarity from chaos and decisiveness from uncertainty. Learn why clearer thinking and speaking is the antidote to business anxiety and what 3 skills your talent needs to not only survive this new era, but to thrive in it.

by David Mears

Conversation Skills, Executive Presence, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills

How to Get in the Habit of Being a Great Listener

by Brad Holst

In this attention-anemic world, we humans are rapidly losing the ability to listen. One thing we've learned from the thousands of people who attend Mandel workshops every year is that most people have 3 damaging habits that disrupt their ability to express themselves—and also impede their ability to listen to others. This week's blog explores how to break those bad habits and replace them with ones that can help you become a truly great listener.

by Brad Holst

Briefing Center, Collaboration Skills, Conversation Skills, Eye Contact, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills

Better Decisions Faster: 3 High-Performer Strategies That Get Results

by Naomi Price

What do unproductive meetings have in common? Poor or delayed decisions and decisions made too slowly. In meetings where you must share information to support critical business decisions, what can you do to get better results faster? In our experience, high-performers approach meetings differently. Here are 3 high-performer strategies you can use right now to get better results.

by Naomi Price

Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills, Presenting to Executives

How to Deal With Speaking Anxiety During Your Presentation

by Steve Mandel

In my previous post, I talked about what you can do before a presentation to help you feel less nervous about speaking. This week, I want to focus on things you can do to reduce anxiety during your presentation. And, I want to offer an important tip at the end of this post about something you can do if none of these techniques work for you!

by Steve Mandel

Event Preparation, In-Person Presentations, Presentation Skills

How to Deal With Speaking Anxiety Before Your Presentation

by Steve Mandel

Of all the topics I’m asked about in my 30-plus years of coaching speakers, dealing with anxiety is the most common. Here are several anxiety-reducing techniques you can use before your presentation to help calm your nerves and make your experience a more enjoyable one for you and your audience!

by Steve Mandel

Event Preparation, Presentation Skills, Presenting to Executives

Better Decisions Faster: 3 Keys to Making It Happen

by Naomi Price

Today, decision quality alone is no longer enough to gain and keep a competitive edge: good decisions also need to be made quickly. Too often, the structure and flow of information presented in meetings add complexity and slow down the decision-making process. Busy, distracted decision-makers and team members need more help to make better decisions faster. Here's what you can do to address this challenge.

by Naomi Price

Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills

6 Reasons to Invest in People Skills

by Heather Muir

Do you have the skills you need to land that promotion or new role? Does your team have what it takes to keep your business competitive in the face of new market challenges? Because, according to a recent analysis, technical skill and subject matter expertise may no longer be enough. If you're striving for career and company growth, here are 6 smart reasons to invest in people skills.

by Heather Muir

Conversation Skills, Presentation Skills

Fewer Data Dumps, More Discussions

by Kathleen Redd

Often when technical subject matter experts present to customers, they're so passionate about their work that they forget to filter the info they present through the “Why should the customer care?” lens. As a result, customers walk away feeling confused as to what the solution was or how it could benefit them. To successfully influence customer decision-making, assume the role of discussion leader, not data dumper. To help you, here are 3 things the best discussion leaders do exceptionally well.

by Kathleen Redd

Briefing Center, Conversation Skills, In-Person Presentations, Presentation Skills, Technical Professionals

6 Crucial Tips from a Public Speaking Coach

by Steve Mandel

In my 32 years of experience as a speaking coach, I’ve learned a few things that could be helpful to you as you strive to make your own ideas heard and to improve how you communicate with others—whether it’s making a sales presentation, updating stakeholders on the status of a project, or presenting to the Board of a Fortune 100 company. Here are 6 crucial tips to help you on your journey.

by Steve Mandel

In-Person Presentations, Presentation Skills, Presenting to Executives

3 Tips for Delivering a Great Conference Session

by Steve Mandel

You’ve been asked to speak at a customer user conference, an internal sales meeting, or a similar type of event. It seems like lately, whenever you attend these types of events, you’re either wowed by greatness or bored by mediocrity. Of course, you want your presentation to be remembered as one of the greats! So, here are some pitfalls to avoid and things you can do to keep your audience engaged.

by Steve Mandel

Event Preparation, Presentation Skills

Are Your Slides Killing Your Sales?

by David Mears

Death by PowerPoint is real. I hear it all the time from executives and B2B buyers: “PowerPoint presentations do more harm than good.” Could your sales team's poor use of slides be killing your sales? Here are three things you can do to avoid "Death by PowerPoint" and deliver more powerful, precise, and persuasive sales presentations.

by David Mears

Briefing Center, Executive Presence, Presentation Skills, Presentation Slides, Presenting to Executives

Just Say Less!

by Kathleen Redd

Years ago, I had the chance to be coached by a well-respected professional in my field. At the end of the day, I sat poised with pen in hand to capture his wise counsel. Then, he simply said: “Just say less!” In the years since, I've come to fully realize the value of this advice. But, good advice that's simply stated isn't always simple to implement. Which is why I want to offer three suggestions to help you, as you strive to just say less.

by Kathleen Redd

Conversation Skills, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills

How to Better Communicate with Executives

by Steve Mandel

In his 30-plus years as a communications coach and trainer, Steve Mandel says there are two concerns Fortune 500 executives raise again and again about how people communicate with them. He shares what those concerns are and how they directly correlate to steps you can take to become a more skilled, confident, and highly competent executive communicator.

Note to our readers: This is an edited version of a blog post originally published on April 3, 2014.

by Steve Mandel

Conversation Skills, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills, Presenting to Executives

Please, Bow Your Heads…And Multitask

by Brad Holst

At the front of the room, the session leaders spoke what must have been profound words for the 200 people gathered that day, as nearly every person sat silently, head bowed. No, this wasn't a religious service — it was a global sales meeting. Professionals had gathered from around the world to learn how to execute their company's new go-to-market strategy. And, no one was paying attention. Sadly, this scene is not uncommon in business today. Fortunately, the root causes that drain the ROI out of meetings and training events like these are not only identifiable, they’re preventable. Here are the top 3 reasons audiences are likely to pay more attention to their smartphones than your content — and what you can do about it.

by Brad Holst

Event Preparation, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills, Sales Training

What Does Your Word Cloud Look Like?

by Kathleen Redd

When you’re talking to colleagues and customers, what does YOUR word cloud look like? Too often, clouds are filled with crutch words like, “ums” and “ahs” and “you knows.” The good news? People can change the shape of their word clouds using an underrated, yet powerful, communication skill: the ability to say nothing at all. Using the “power of the pause” will make you a more effective communicator. Read on to learn more.

by Kathleen Redd

Conversation Skills, Executive Presence, In-Person Presentations, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills, Presenting to Executives

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