Archive for September, 2009

I am pleased to announce that Donne Davis, founder of the GaGaSisterhood (“Where Grandmas bond, brag and benefit”), has won free attendance at our Encore! Elegant Skills for Powerful Presentations seminar that is occurring today and tomorrow, September 29 and 30 at the Crown Plaza Cabana Hotel in Palo Alto, CA.
 
Congratulations Donne for winning [...]

I just got an email from our contest winner and because of a work emergency she is unable to attend our Encore! Elegant Skills for Powerful Presentations Program next week on September 29 and 30, in Palo Alto, CA. It’s unfortunate that she cannot attend and we will miss working with her, but this creates [...]

We’ve all seen speakers who seem to know exactly how to get an audience energized. These speakers have an effortless, intuitive sense that enables them to keep a connection with any audience. And they often use powerful questioning techniques to help them prompt audience involvement.

I have a client who tells me she that when she’s giving a presentation she likes to take “the pulse” of the audience every few minutes. She stays in touch with her audience by reading their cues. She looks first for the friendly faces and then she looks for other behavioral signals. When she can see, hear and feel the energy of an engaged, enthusiastic group then she knows she is connecting with them.

We all know who they are. You may even be one. I’m talking about the ideal listener.These are the people who sit in the front of the room, turn off their cell phone and Blackberry without a reminder, don’t send Tweets, look attentive, take notes, and show interest.

One of our greatest Bay Area resources for learning about current events and watching an array of talented, educational and inspiring speakers is the Commonwealth Club of California. And to add to their already hefty local presence is the launch of The Club’s online video channel.