by Alan | Jan 3, 2007 | Communication skills, Content, Delivery, public speaking
Had a fun and unusual assignment last night. I worked for ESPNU at a local college basketball game as a “talent stat liaison” (I made up the job title). Basically, I was feeding stats and interesting tidbits, records, runs, and story lines to the guys in...
by Alan | Jan 1, 2007 | Customer Service, Efficiency
Just sat down to pay my property taxes, which is seldom a pleasant experience. As I filled in the little form, wrote the check, and stuffed it all back into the envelope with the little window, I noted that the three-fold sheet they sent me was folded in a size such...
by Alan | Jan 1, 2007 | Communication skills, Content, Delivery, public speaking
This year I’ve passionately tried to observe as many speakers as I can, noting what works and what doesn’t for each. I’m constantly trying to cull this down into what works for me, just as ever speaker should tailor their strengths and abilities to...
by Alan | Dec 26, 2006 | Efficiency, Leadership
I shared my Christmas dinner and most of the day with a fascinating person. Demographics and logic would say our paths would never cross.She is a 94-year-old black woman, widowed for the last few years, now recovering from a broken hip. While her body is weakening,...
by Alan | Dec 22, 2006 | Communication skills, Delivery, Don't!, public speaking
Probably one of the most common delivery mistakes I see in newbies and experienced presenters alike is the urge to carry something with them on the podium. Mark this rule down — if we hold something in our hands while we talk, WE WILL play with it. And IT WILL...
