by Alan | Oct 31, 2006 | Communication skills, Delivery
Whether giving or receiving information, the focus and intensity of attention to the other party is critical. Was in a meeting the other day, called by the other person. During the (short) conversation, this person took not one but two opportunities to check his...
by Alan | Oct 30, 2006 | Communication skills, Content, public speaking
One of the mistakes I watch many trainers and speakers make is the thought that everything needs to be passed out before a session begins. While that does often simplify logistics, it also promotes distractions, premature conclusions, and often disinterest. To...
by Alan | Oct 28, 2006 | Communication skills, Delivery, Efficiency, public speaking
Sometimes, until we see someone else do something, we presume it must be done a certain way. Our assumptions are often wrong. My laptop’s power cord has always been a pain to deal with. In addition to the inevitable “Low Battery. Switch to AC power...
by Alan | Oct 16, 2006 | Communication skills, Delivery, PowerPoint, public speaking
Watching some sports talk ‘analysis’ tonite — three ex-jocks trying to elaborate on the finer points of a game that admittedly is not my number one passion. I was having trouble paying attention, and tried to figure out the reason why. I think I...
by Alan | Oct 11, 2006 | Communication skills, Delivery, public speaking, Toastmasters
I placed second in tonite’s Toastmasters’ Division Evaluation contest. While I won the Area contest, I joke that I finished second to last (only two competitors). Everyone in tonite’s competition had won twice already, and everyone was good. After...
by Alan | Oct 10, 2006 | public speaking
In my third speaking engagement last week, I was (pleasantly) surprised when I showed up to the facility that a) they had a sound system already set up, b) they had a man on call to help me (the positive side of a union shop), c) everything worked with minimal...
