First impression

First Impressions Are So Important

They say that women form a first impression and opinion with 4 seconds of meeting you and men form an opinion within 7 seconds. Malcolm Gladwell in his book “What The Dog Saw” talks about an interview pannel forming a firm impression and decision on an applicant within 15 seconds. So first impressions do count. As a speaker and trainer, …

Effective public speaking

Be Clear Of Your Purpose

Tom Peters said “You shouldn’t give a public speech unless you want to make something happen”. Before you give a speech, you really need to define what you want or expect to achieve in the talk. This is really the core reason or the purpose of your talk, which can be any or a combination of the following: • To …

Take Action. Improve Speaking

Take Action, Play A Bigger Game

I am in Lunteren in the Netherklands attending a world congress for people who stutter. There are lots of inspirational people speaking about their own journeys, successes and achieving amazing goals and outcomes and not leting their stutter get in their way. I heard a wonderful quote from the chair of the congress organising comitte and it went like this. …

What To Do With Your Hands

Many speakers and presenters are not sure what to do with their hands when they are not gesturing. Sure you need to move your hands effectively and have an expansive gestural vocabulary, but what do you do when you are not gesturing, those quiet times, those times when the audience is speaking or asking questions. There are 3 recommended resting …

Better Presentations

Three Tips For Better Presentations

Enclosed is an article from this months Management Today. The tips closely echo what I teach, so it is always nice to know that someone else agrees with you. Enjoy, Peter

start public speaking

Never Too Young To Start Public Speaking

I love TED talks and you can find so many inspirational and unusual stories there. If the story is great and is told with authenticity, humility and genuineness, then you will have impact. I love this 13 year old Kenyan boys short inspiring presentation. Enjoy!