130 National Speakers Association, Northern California, January Chapter Meeting
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
JANUARY 18, 2019
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
Interview: Resolving Public Speaking Anxiety with Jonathan Berent, L.C.S.W., A.C.S.W
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
FEBRUARY 9, 2019
Jonathan Berent, L.C.S.W. has pioneered treatment for performance and social anxiety since 1978. A certified psychotherapist, he has worked with thousands of individuals of all ages in individual, group, and family psychotherapy. He has appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show”, “Sally Jessy Raphael”, “Joan Rivers”, “CNN Medical News” and many other TV and radio shows. […] Jonathan Berent, L.C.S.W.
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Interview: Dr. Gail Ferreira – Agile Leader
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
FEBRUARY 10, 2019
Gail is an executive level expert and thought leader driving the vision and tactical decisions for large-scale transformation programs, from the C-Suite to the team level. Gail excels at leading complex, multidimensional transformations, managing client and vendor relationships.
A Conversation with Jeff Davenport on Speechwriting, Screenwriting and Delivery Coaching
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
AUGUST 30, 2018
On Thursday, August 30th the Silicon Valley Speechwriters Roundtable hosted Jeff Davenport in a free conference call.
Creative Video for Communicators
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
JANUARY 14, 2018
This Saturday I attended the annual Presidents Day meeting of the National Speakers Association Northern California Chapter.
Public speaking for women
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
JANUARY 1, 2019
It’s good to see Susan Cain getting well-deserved press in the Financial Times. Her 2013 book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking and guest posting on this blog are a a great resource for anyone intimidated by the challenge of speaking in public. Opening an article in the Dec […]. Public Speaking Kate Peters lisa braithwait Patricia Fripp susan carter women speakers
Announcing: A conversation with Felicity Barber on Women Speaking
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
APRIL 5, 2018
I first met Felicity in 2014 shortly after she moved from England to San Francisco. She’s a speechwriter who has worked in both the UK and USA and has expertise in B2B, finance, insurance and technology.
Books Reviewed: How to Stop Time, by Matt Haig and Forever, by Pete Hamill
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
APRIL 5, 2018
(Full disclosure: Matt is the nephew of my good friend James Haig. I heard Matt speak at a recent Marin County bookstore where I purchased his book. I’ve not read any of his other writing, but see from Twitter that he has a large and loyal fan base. It was Matt who told me that […].
Cannon fodder
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
AUGUST 24, 2018
I’m continually amazed by the hidden gems buried in the pink pages of the Financial Times. Today’s edition has a fascinating article on the manner in which auto companies protect their fleets of new vehicles parked in the open at distribution centers in places at risk of hailstones.
Book Review: The Great Oom: The Improbable Birth of Yoga in America, by Robert Love
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
JUNE 13, 2018
Long before Lululemon, Bikram Hot Yoga and the ubiquitous downward facing dog, yoga was being taught in small studios in San Francisco, New York and the Hudson River Valley.
5 Patterns of Popular TED Talks
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
Ever wondered why some TED talk recordings on YouTube gather a respectable few hundred thousand views while other go viral and attract many millions? Is there a difference in content, facts and figures or information shared that is more compelling and pertinent to a wider audience?
Toastmasters International Announces Keith Ferrazzi as its 2018 Golden Gavel Recipient
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
JUNE 7, 2018
Toastmasters International announced today that world-renowned world-renowned author and entrepreneur Keith Ferrazzi is the recipient of the organization’s 2018 Golden Gavel award.
Announcing: A Conversation with Jeff Davenport
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
AUGUST 13, 2018
On Thursday, August 30th the Silicon Valley Speechwriters Roundtable will host Jeff Davenport in a free conference call.
Hey! Hey! LBJ! How many speechwriters did you kill today?
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
AUGUST 3, 2018
Thanks to David Murray for pointing to a piece from DelanceyPlace.com about President Lyndon Johnson’s relentless work schedule that exhausted most of those who worked for him in the West Wing. This from the book Organizing the Presidency by Stephen Hess He worked a two-shift day, 7:00 A.M.
Adult Entertainment
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
JULY 31, 2018
I’ve noted before that the Financial Times — the British equivalent of the Wall Street Journal — isn’t reticent about treating readers as adults and using four-letter words when appropriate.
A Conversation with Matt Kivel, Cicero Speechwriting Award Winner
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
JULY 20, 2018
On Thursday, July 19th the Silicon Valley Speechwriters Roundtable hosted Matt Kivel in a free conference call. Matt is the overall 2018 Cicero Speechwriting Award Winner for his speech The Power of a Story delivered by Gregory L. Fenves, President, the University of Texas at Austin.
Speechwriters: Foxes or Hedgehogs?
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
APRIL 24, 2018
“A fox knows many things, but a hedgehog one important thing” — Archilochus I recently had a situation where a potential client in the technology industry preferred to hire a speechwriter with deep domain knowledge rather than go with someone with general writing skills. This is, in some ways, choosing the “hedgehog” who is a […]. Speechwriting
2018 Cicero Speechwriting Awards
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
APRIL 19, 2018
I’m delighted that transcripts of the 25 best speeches selected by Vital Speeches of the Day are now available.
Speechwriters speak out in Cambridge
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
JULY 7, 2018
The European Speechwriter Network held their 16th annual conference at King’s College, Cambridge on 12 & 13 April.
Announcing: A Conversation with Cicero Award Winner Matt Kivel
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
JULY 3, 2018
On Thursday, July 19th the Silicon Valley Speechwriters Roundtable will host Matt Kivel in a free conference call. Matt is the overall 2018 Cicero Speechwriting Award Winner for his speech The Power of a Story delivered by Gregory L.
The Next Hot Job in Silicon Valley Is Speechwriting
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
NOVEMBER 1, 2016
An interesting post in OZY explains why the next hot job in Silicon Valley is speechwriting.
A Working Life: Going West
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
APRIL 5, 2018
“Go West, young man.” ” — Horace Greeley, 1865 This is the second part of the review of my working life. Part 1, The Early Years, covered the part-time jobs I had while in school in England. In Part 2 I graduate from college and move to the States.
A conversation with Bob Lehrman
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
SEPTEMBER 23, 2016
On Thursday September 1, members of the Silicon Valley Speechwriters Roundtable hosted a conference call with with renowned author, speechwriter and professor Bob Lehrman. Robert A.
Fundraising Raffle
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
MAY 30, 2018
To offset the costs of running the Silicon Valley Speechwriters Roundtable I’m holding a raffle for three great prizes of interest to speechwriters. Tickets are just $10 each for members who would like to try their luck and support the Roundtable by buying tickets in this virtual raffle.
Mum and Dad
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
FEBRUARY 18, 2018
My parents funeral took place on January 30, 2018 at Crewe Crematorium. This is the eulogy I read in celebration of their lives. Shakespeare wrote in his play The Tempest: We are such stuff as dreams are made on / And our little life is rounded with a sleep. Mum and Dad were together for […].
Guest Posting: The 3 Myths of Presentations That Will Destroy Your Credibility, by David McGimpsey
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
MAY 4, 2018
David McGimpsey is a communication skills trainer. He specializes in coaching business people to deliver compelling presentations which sell, persuade, and entertain. His popular blog can be found at presentationblogger.com. To read more about how to improve your presentation skills, check out David’s book: PowerPoint Doesn’t Suck, You Do: The counter-intuitive approach to compelling presentations. […]. Business Communication Public Speaking
Infographic: How to deliver a world-class presentation
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
JULY 14, 2017
Kudos to Hong Kong based Malcolm Andrews for publishing a great infographic on how to deliver a world-class presentation. Malcolm is UK national who has been involved over the last 10 years in the development of business management and communication skills for companies across Asia.
Speaking of fascism: ‘Bigmouth’ exposes the use and misuse of rhetoric
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
SEPTEMBER 18, 2018
The Chicago Tribune has reviewed the play ‘Bigmouth’ (created by the Antwerp, Belgium-based SKaGeN) currently on stage in Chicago. It’s a one-man tour de force by Belgian actor Valentijn Dhaenens who delivers extracts of political speeches from the time of the Greeks to the 21st century. Dhaenens speaks in English, German, Greek, Flemish, French, Italian […]. Culture Shock! Public Speaking Uncategorized
A Conversation with Felicity Barber
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
MAY 3, 2018
On April 26, 2018 the Silicon Valley Speechwriters Roundtable Held a conference call with Felicity Barber. Felicity is the Executive Speechwriter at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. She is a communications expert specializing in thought leadership, storytelling and speechwriting.
Rap on Trial, Charis Kubrin
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
JUNE 12, 2015
Charis Kubrin, Professor of Criminology, Law and Society, U.C. Irvine, is a renowned specialist in criminology and law.
A Working Life III: My Early Career
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
APRIL 20, 2018
In the spirit of full disclosure I should say that, following my adventures in America detailed in Part II of this series, I returned to England in the Summer of 1978 after three years in the States without a graduate degree.
Karen Jacobsen: The GPS Girl
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
MAY 3, 2015
No member of the National Speakers Association speaks to as many people on a daily basis as does Karen Jacobsen. Her voice is one of the options on over 100 million GPS systems and 300 million smartphones.
Toastmasters Kicks Off World’s Largest Speech Contest
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
FEBRUARY 11, 2015
The world’s largest speech competition has launched with more than 30,000 contestants in 126 countries vying for the title of World Champion of Public Speaking.
The Speechwriting Secrets of Jon Favreau
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
FEBRUARY 24, 2014
There’s only 24 hours in a day, which is why President Obama, despite being an accomplished writer and orator, needs help with his speeches.
A Working Life: The Early Years
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
APRIL 1, 2018
Last month marked the end of my official full-time employment. This used to be called “retirement” but neither my past working life nor my future activities are so easily compartmentalized.
Unmasking the Myths of Silicon Valley Innovation
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
AUGUST 21, 2015
Alerted to the work of the economist Mariana Mazzucato by an intriguing Lunch with the FT article I took a look at her blog.
Magnifying the Impact of a Speech with Social Media
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
NOVEMBER 18, 2014
Last week I was in the UK visiting family and took the opportunity to present to the Northwest Region of the Professional Speaking Association. Over 20 people attended at the conference center in Manchester.
Guest Posting: How to Write and Deliver a Great Speech, by Simon Lancaster
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
DECEMBER 17, 2016
Simon Lancaster is one of the world’s top speechwriters. He first became a speechwriter in the late 1990s, working for members of Tony Blair’s Cabinet. Today, he writes speeches for the CEOs of some of the biggest companies in the world, including Unilever, HSBC and Intercontinental Hotels.
Book Review: The Compelling Communicator, by Tim Pollard
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
MAY 8, 2017
The true value of Tim Pollard’s excellent new book is conveyed by the subtitle: Mastering the Art and Science of Exceptional Presentation Design. While much of the literature on what makes a ‘compelling communicator’ focuses on cultivating delivery skills and stage presence, Pollard rightly consigns these topics to a brief Epilogue. Rather, his focus on […]. Public Speaking Speechwriting presentation design
5 Tips for a Wedding Toast
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
MAY 27, 2015
With wedding season approaching, happy couples from around the world are preparing to walk down the aisle and begin their lives together. Wedding season also marks the time when friends and family will be asked to give a toast to celebrate the occasion.
Guest Posting: How to write a really good three-minute speech in 10 minutes, by David Murray
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
AUGUST 30, 2015
David Murray is the editor of Vital Speeches of the Day. This posting recently appeared there and I was impressed by the practical advice it contains. It captures the essence of the speechwriting process. The title says it all. This appears with David’s express permission.
Trevor Noah on the language of Donald Trump
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
DECEMBER 1, 2016
In a wide-ranging interview on Fresh Air, late night TV host Trevor Noah comments on the appeal of Donald Trump, specifically the language he uses.
Guest Posting: How to demolish your fear of public speaking in 4 unconventional steps, by Philip Pape
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
JULY 22, 2015
Philip Pape is an author, software engineer, public speaker, and life-hacker who helps smart people obliterate obstacles to success. He shares specific strategies for helping you succeed through the unconventional art of confidence at HowToAttainSuccess.com.
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