I had lunch with a colleague last week and we had a rousing discussion about two different approaches to teaching public speaking and presentation skills.
 
My company, DeFinis Communications, approaches the training process from a skills perspective. We teach the techniques, behaviors and skills that are associated with powerful and effective public speaking—and we do [...]

One of the many reasons why I enjoy living in the Bay Area is the seemingly endless opportunities to hear good speakers. I am a member of Left Coast Writers (LCW), and recently attended our monthly Literary Salon held at Book Passage Independent bookstore in Corte Madera, CA. Under the direction of author and speaker, [...]

I got a call today from a woman who owns a bakery that specializes in selling gluten free products—cookies, biscotti, scones and other wonderful wheat free foods. She has a good niche market but wants to grow her business—and someone told her to look into public speaking as an avenue to get the word out. [...]

The Holidays are a time to celebrate the many joys of the season and to enjoy the company of those you cherish. In addition to my wonderful family, relatives and friends, I am grateful for my colleagues and clients and the many new connections that I’ve made this year through my blog.
 
So I’d like to [...]

I have been going to the same dentist for ten years but we’ve never discussed what I do for a living. In fact, every time I go I make it a point to get out of there as fast as I can. But on Monday we engaged in post-Thanksgiving chit chat, and I was delighted [...]

I first understood the power of storytelling early in my career when I was an actor in a small children’s reader’s theater company called the Peanut Butter Readers. Our small troupe toured in schools and libraries throughout New England and Canada dramatizing classical and modern stories. One of our favorites was Where the Wild Things Are. I have a long history with this enchanting story and I’m looking forward to seeing it on the big screen this weekend.

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 [...]

Back in April, I came across the heartbreaking front page New York Times story of Newark, Ohio high school student Tiffany Clay. Tiffany is the recently graduated and highly gifted first violinist for the Newark High School Sinfonia. She worked hard in school, consistently received top grades and since the age of 16, after a [...]

When my son was in the 8th grade I had the privilege of preparing and coaching the graduation speakers of Kent Middle School in Kentfield, California. The speakers were terrific, and those speeches were everything a good graduation speech should be: personal, hopeful, reflective, inspiring, cautionary and funny. They were also well organized with a [...]

A Public Speaking War Story
 
If you’re ever looking for an entertaining conversation starter, ask people to share their public speaking war stories – their fumbles, blunders, flubs, and otherwise embarrassing moments.