I want to sing the praises of stillness. I used to love, and aspire to, extravagant energy and zeal. Arms waving, voice elevated, eyes wide open and shining with conviction. Now I enjoy stillness, a sense of calmness in a… Read More »Stillness: A very cool presentation skill
In a recent article in Harvard Magazine, Amy Cuddy, who teaches at Harvard Business School is quoted as saying that the success of venture-capital pitches to investors apparently turns, in fact, on nonverbal factors like “how comfortable and charismatic you… Read More »How to Raise Money from Venture Capitalists and Other Investors
First of all, don’t overdo it. If it’s dry, it’s dry. I heard someone link his call to action to survival, which was a bit of an overstatement. Modesty in all things! Nevertheless, since I often find myself urging clients… Read More »Public Speaking Tips: How to be Emotional about a Dry Topic
No one likes to be pulled from a warm bed and thrust into a cold shower. And many people I’ve met feel the same about being plucked from the blanket of everyday life to stand alone on a stage with… Read More »Fear and Loathing of Public Speaking
“What do I do with my hands?” is one of the most frequent questions I get from people striving to improve their public speaking skills. The answer is more complicated than you’d think. First of all, why is it important?… Read More »Effective Presentation Skills: Hang ‘Em in the Bat Cave
I once had a colleague who said that everyone is in two businesses: their own, and show biz. He didn’t go far enough. Every business is show business. Business would be impossible without acting skills. Theater artists have the talent… Read More »Communication Training: The Show in Business