Expert insights. Personalized for you.
People with visual disabilities may use a screen reader to read the screen to them. PowerPoint has features that work with screen readers and you can help to ensure that this experience is useful for people with visual disabilities. Accessibility is the concept of making any software more usable by people with disabilities. Many companies and governmental organizations require that you make documents, including PowerPoint presentations, accessible. MORE
It’s time we made new rules for public speaking, specifically new rules for authentic public speaking. Today I’m rewriting the old rules for public speaking. You know, those old rules that don’t really help speakers be authentic or even be comfortable. Rules like don’t put your hands in your pockets, don’t tell them you are […]. The post New Rules for Authentic Public Speaking appeared first on Read The Self-Expression Blog to Improve Speaking Skills. MORE
Questions from the audience. They are an important part of any presentation because they give members of the audience a chance to let the speaker know what is on their mind. MORE
If you have Office 365 (the subscription version that is always updated), there’s a new feature coming out that is truly extraordinary! If you’re in the Office Insider program , you may have it already. Otherwise, you’ll get it when it’s rolled out to everyone with Office 365. As you talk, PowerPoint will display what you are saying on your slides — or translate it into any of more than 60 languages. Right now, it understands 6 spoken languages: Chinese (PRC). MORE
It's two days after Christmas, and I'm working. Am I a workaholic? Am I under the thumb of a mean boss? Nope. (My My boss is pretty swell, actually.) Am I working by choice? Absolutely! Because my boss is ME, I get to decide when to work and when not to work. MORE
A story from Spain. I teach public speaking and presentation skills at a few Executive MBA Programmes in Switzerland and Spain. A few years ago, I was teaching a class at IESE in Barcelona. One of my students was a fellow named Manuel.… … Build Real Impact Performance Confidence Create Powerful Messaging featured Making it Memorable Presentation Delivery Voice MORE
Climbing the ladder of the speaking world takes time, dedication and hard work. I have been looking forward to this episode of The Wealthy Speaker Show since it was booked and today, I’m thrilled to welcome Josh Linkner. MORE
One of my clients just emailed out his speaking schedule, inviting colleagues to attend. I was mistakenly added to the group—wrong Lisa! Here's what I saw: 29 speaking engagements. over 3 months. across five midwestern states (they drive to the majority of their engagements). MORE
The face of the modern workplace is changing. It’s a matter of several things – companies are going global, or at least employing workers in places all over the globe. Millennials and Gen Z’ers, who now comprise the majority of the workforce, view ‘flexible working’ as a necessary perk and most lean towards freelance and remote work (at least part-time). MORE
Here is a sobering report on the five college majors students most regret. Unfortunately, communication is one of them with 27% of students regretting their selecting communication as a major--with the most common complaint that it was too general. link] [link]. communication as a major communication students studying communication MORE
Presentations. We have all been there and with varying degrees of success too. While a successful presentation is a proud moment, too often these are few and far between – with most receiving a lukewarm reception and almost immediately forgotten. MORE
It’s a part of my DNA to always be striving for improvement. I just can’t help it! How about you? Are you always thinking about the next steps and how to improve? Are you wondering if 2020 will be your best speaking year ever? MORE
Will you have a speaking engagement between now and April? Will you be: ??Speaking Speaking to the board of your organization? ??Introducing Introducing your business at a networking event? ??Sharing Sharing your big idea at a work meeting? ??Reaching Reaching out to the community for donations? ??Engaging MORE
I hope you're enjoying the long weekend (if you're in the US)! I realized that my friends in other countries now do Black Friday, even though there is no Thanksgiving on the preceding Thursday! Wow, talk about spreading American culture worldwide. Personally, I don't shop on Black Friday. MORE
In my previous post , I shared the tip from GCN to remove rust from a bicycle. I was a bit skeptical. Before. After. Even gave the chrome some vinegary love. Cleaned up the bits of rust the best I could and put some clear coat on them. I then decided to clean up the seat post. Took some work getting it out. When I did, I learned that there’s a bit of a difference between seat posts of yore and those from this age. MORE
Digital transformation is a popular industry buzzword, but a difficult concept to master as it covers so much ground. As a leader, it is your responsibility to understand exactly how emerging technologies are changing the standard business processes, modern workplace and managerial best practices. More importantly, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your organization remains competitive, and uses digital transformation as a means to grow and innovate. MORE
How do we write a killer website bio that makes our clients pick up the phone or email us to ask us if their date is free on our calendars? Do you think someone who charges $1,000 per biography might know something about it? Last year I had copywriter Caroline Mays on my podcast to talk about writing a killer website bio. Her wisdom was so, ahem, a-Mays-ing, I wanted to share some of the […]. The post How to Turn Your Website Bio Into a Selling Tool appeared first on Jane Atkinson. MORE
In today’s ever-changing and increasingly-competitive business landscape, it’s no longer enough to define your company’s brand, you’ve got to also develop your own personal brand. Beyond staying ahead of the pack, there are other reasons you should work on your personal brand: Establish Your Credibility Your personal brand is your own unique value proposition. What […]. The post How Your Speaking Style Can Enhance Your Personal Brand appeared first on SketchBubble Official Blog. MORE
Training in acting can enhance your leadership presence through learning to embody gravitas! Acting teaches you how to become something new. To “become” means to be comfortable with new qualities, behaviors and skills. I taught acting for many years to adults who were mostly professionals. Many of them came to acting classes because they thought […]. MORE
I finally got around to watching the film Bohemian Rhapsody. I was not disappointed. Queen is one of my all-time favourite bands and the driving force behind Queen was the inimitable Freddie Mercury. MORE
A couple weeks ago, I took the Fuji (I need to come up with a name) to Vélo Classique in Purcellville, VA. Felt most comfortable taking it there because they specialize in vintage bikes. The reason for the visit was that the distance between the forks was 96mm. I don’t have the tools or the expertise and he has both. Luckily, he was able to fit me in and get the fork spaced and aligned properly. Even got a spacer for the head set (see my previous post ). MORE
Brakes are connected and working. Shifters are installed and the new bar tape has been installed as well. The front derailleur and the cable guides are installed. As you can see, I went with white for the cable housing, in keeping with the original look. I hope to give it a test ride within a week. I just have the chain, pedals, and hook-up of the rear derailleur to do. Bike Builds Fuji S10-S MORE
I caught a rebroadcast of an Intelligence Squared debate on NPR last night. Intelligence Squared is a weekly forum for balanced and intelligent debate. Their goal is to restore critical thinking, facts, reason, and civility to American public discourse. Hurray for them, although I can’t help thinking they’re p **g into the prevailing wind these days.) […]. Speechwriting Technology AI Artificial Intelligence Debating MORE
The second Festival Foundation Gala event at the 2019 Hay Festival celebrated the power of persuasion and words. From calls to arms to demands for peace, this performance captured the voices of prophets and politicians, rebels and tyrants, soldiers and statesman. The selection of speeches was inspired by Simon Sebag Montefiore’s “new book” [sic] – […]. MORE
Another interesting article on workplace communication. link]. communicating at meetings communication in the workplace Interpersonal Communication workplace communication MORE
There are many things that can have an impact on a person’s career trajectory, not the least of which is how they handle themselves when speaking “off the cuff.” A team member’s participation in meetings shows their ability to think, listen, and share their ideas in a clear and concise manner. MORE
After attending a recent Sun Microsystems Alumni Reunion I’ve been inspired to continue the series on My Working Life that I last updated in May 2018 with Part III: My Early Career. As mentioned at the end of the last installment, I attended an interview in Milpitas for a position in tech support with Sun. […]. The post A Working Life IV: Sun Microsystems, 1990 – 2004 appeared first on Professionally Speaking. MORE
Have you ever been in the middle of a great presentation and all of a sudden your mind went completely blank about the next part of your presentation? Have a little sympathy with this guy then: As you stand there and try to remember what you were going to say next, you can feel the silence growing and the awkwardness build in the room.… … Performance Anxiety featured Nerves Presentation Delivery MORE
Well, after a mishap of ordering the wrong bottom bracket, I finally got it installed. When I measured the width of the space for the bottom bracket and converted it from imperial to metric, I got 70mm. What wasn’t clear to me was that 70mm = Italian and that my measurement was off by 2 mm. Lo and behold, the first one just wouldn’t fit. Ain’t bottom bracket standards grand ? MORE
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. MORE
A simple way to create stunning slides is to layer an image, a shape, and text placeholders. Here are 2 examples: Here are the steps to create these slides: 1. Enter your text. Use the Title and Content layout. You can right-click any blank area and choose Layout>Title and Content. You’ll see the empty layout. Then enter the text. This technique works best when you don’t have a whole slide full of text — which you shouldn’t have, anyway. Insert a picture. MORE
As the clock winds down on 2019 and we enter a new year and a new decade, I wanted to share six posts from the past to inspire your speaking in 2020. MORE
It is time we update one public speaking rule to align with the collective wish for more authenticity in communicating. Public Speaking coaches everywhere advise their clients, “Don’t ever tell them you are nervous. They won’t know.” This old-style public speaking rule causes us to sacrifice being real for looking perfect. Public speaking will always […]. The post The #1 Public Speaking Rule that has to Change appeared first on Read The Self-Expression Blog to Improve Speaking Skills. MORE
Do you think of yourself as a leader? Do you want to sound like a leader when you speak? What does that even mean? A leader tries to guide and motivate others to take action and implement change. Of course, there are many ways of doing that, but it’s important to note that leadership doesn’t involve forcing people to act in a certain way. For that reason, as a leader you need to: Inspire and motivate people. Guide them to work together. MORE
A STORY FROM SPAIN Pauses aren’t easy. I teach public speaking and presentation skills at a few Executive MBA Programmes in Switzerland and Spain. A few years ago, I was teaching a class at IESE in Barcelona. One of my … Continue reading → The post Pauses in a speech: Why, when and how appeared first on Manner of Speaking. Delivery pauses Presentation public speaking MORE
What separates a business from a brand? Some might argue that it boils down to yearly earnings, number of locations or quarterly ad spend. But is that really why Starbucks is a brand and your local coffee shop is a business? I don’t think it is. Brands are brands because they somehow transcend their category […]. The post How Public Speaking Can Help Build Your Brand and Social Media Audience appeared first on SketchBubble Official Blog. Presentation Tips MORE
As many followers of this blog know, I have been a freelance writer and writing teacher/trainer for 25+ years. Some of you may know that I also have MS (Multiple Sclerosis). I was able to work while dealing it for over a decade, but for the last four years it has slowed me down considerably. Can’t go out to teach or train (although I conduct some webinars and teach some online courses) and I can’t attend client meetings. MORE
Manner of Speaking
NOVEMBER 29, 2019
I finally got around to watching the film Bohemian Rhapsody. I was not disappointed. Queen is one of my all-time favourite bands and the driving force behind Queen was the inimitable Freddie Mercury.
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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PowerPoint Tips
MAY 24, 2019
People with visual disabilities may use a screen reader to read the screen to them. PowerPoint has features that work with screen readers and you can help to ensure that this experience is useful for people with visual disabilities. Accessibility is the concept of making any software more usable by people with disabilities. Many companies and governmental organizations require that you make documents, including PowerPoint presentations, accessible.
Thoughts On Presenting And Design
JULY 7, 2019
Brakes are connected and working. Shifters are installed and the new bar tape has been installed as well. The front derailleur and the cable guides are installed. As you can see, I went with white for the cable housing, in keeping with the original look. I hope to give it a test ride within a week. I just have the chain, pedals, and hook-up of the rear derailleur to do. Bike Builds Fuji S10-S
Speak Schmeak
DECEMBER 4, 2019
One of my clients just emailed out his speaking schedule, inviting colleagues to attend. I was mistakenly added to the group—wrong Lisa! Here's what I saw: 29 speaking engagements. over 3 months. across five midwestern states (they drive to the majority of their engagements).
SketchBubble
NOVEMBER 28, 2019
There are many things that can have an impact on a person’s career trajectory, not the least of which is how they handle themselves when speaking “off the cuff.” A team member’s participation in meetings shows their ability to think, listen, and share their ideas in a clear and concise manner.
Presentation Guru
MARCH 6, 2019
A story from Spain. I teach public speaking and presentation skills at a few Executive MBA Programmes in Switzerland and Spain. A few years ago, I was teaching a class at IESE in Barcelona. One of my students was a fellow named Manuel.… … Build Real Impact Performance Confidence Create Powerful Messaging featured Making it Memorable Presentation Delivery Voice
Speaking Pro Central brings together the best content for professional speakers from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
Speaking Freely
AUGUST 2, 2019
It’s time we made new rules for public speaking, specifically new rules for authentic public speaking. Today I’m rewriting the old rules for public speaking. You know, those old rules that don’t really help speakers be authentic or even be comfortable. Rules like don’t put your hands in your pockets, don’t tell them you are […]. The post New Rules for Authentic Public Speaking appeared first on Read The Self-Expression Blog to Improve Speaking Skills.
SlideModel
JULY 18, 2019
Digital transformation is a popular industry buzzword, but a difficult concept to master as it covers so much ground. As a leader, it is your responsibility to understand exactly how emerging technologies are changing the standard business processes, modern workplace and managerial best practices. More importantly, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your organization remains competitive, and uses digital transformation as a means to grow and innovate.
The Communication Blog
DECEMBER 2, 2019
Here's a more positive view for communication majors. link] [link
Manner of Speaking
DECEMBER 31, 2019
As the clock winds down on 2019 and we enter a new year and a new decade, I wanted to share six posts from the past to inspire your speaking in 2020.
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
APRIL 12, 2019
I caught a rebroadcast of an Intelligence Squared debate on NPR last night. Intelligence Squared is a weekly forum for balanced and intelligent debate. Their goal is to restore critical thinking, facts, reason, and civility to American public discourse. Hurray for them, although I can’t help thinking they’re p **g into the prevailing wind these days.) […]. Speechwriting Technology AI Artificial Intelligence Debating
PowerPoint Tips
JANUARY 5, 2019
Do you think of yourself as a leader? Do you want to sound like a leader when you speak? What does that even mean? A leader tries to guide and motivate others to take action and implement change. Of course, there are many ways of doing that, but it’s important to note that leadership doesn’t involve forcing people to act in a certain way. For that reason, as a leader you need to: Inspire and motivate people. Guide them to work together.
Thoughts On Presenting And Design
JUNE 15, 2019
Well, after a mishap of ordering the wrong bottom bracket, I finally got it installed. When I measured the width of the space for the bottom bracket and converted it from imperial to metric, I got 70mm. What wasn’t clear to me was that 70mm = Italian and that my measurement was off by 2 mm. Lo and behold, the first one just wouldn’t fit. Ain’t bottom bracket standards grand ?
Speak Schmeak
DECEMBER 29, 2019
Will you have a speaking engagement between now and April? Will you be: ??Speaking Speaking to the board of your organization? ??Introducing Introducing your business at a networking event? ??Sharing Sharing your big idea at a work meeting? ??Reaching Reaching out to the community for donations? ??Engaging
SketchBubble
JULY 4, 2019
What separates a business from a brand? Some might argue that it boils down to yearly earnings, number of locations or quarterly ad spend. But is that really why Starbucks is a brand and your local coffee shop is a business? I don’t think it is. Brands are brands because they somehow transcend their category […]. The post How Public Speaking Can Help Build Your Brand and Social Media Audience appeared first on SketchBubble Official Blog. Presentation Tips
Presentation Guru
NOVEMBER 27, 2019
Presentations. We have all been there and with varying degrees of success too. While a successful presentation is a proud moment, too often these are few and far between – with most receiving a lukewarm reception and almost immediately forgotten.
Speaker Launcher
DECEMBER 5, 2019
Climbing the ladder of the speaking world takes time, dedication and hard work. I have been looking forward to this episode of The Wealthy Speaker Show since it was booked and today, I’m thrilled to welcome Josh Linkner.
Speaking Freely
FEBRUARY 19, 2019
Training in acting can enhance your leadership presence through learning to embody gravitas! Acting teaches you how to become something new. To “become” means to be comfortable with new qualities, behaviors and skills. I taught acting for many years to adults who were mostly professionals. Many of them came to acting classes because they thought […].
SlideModel
NOVEMBER 14, 2019
The face of the modern workplace is changing. It’s a matter of several things – companies are going global, or at least employing workers in places all over the globe. Millennials and Gen Z’ers, who now comprise the majority of the workforce, view ‘flexible working’ as a necessary perk and most lean towards freelance and remote work (at least part-time).
The Communication Blog
NOVEMBER 12, 2019
Here is a sobering report on the five college majors students most regret. Unfortunately, communication is one of them with 27% of students regretting their selecting communication as a major--with the most common complaint that it was too general. link] [link]. communication as a major communication students studying communication
Manner of Speaking
DECEMBER 29, 2019
Questions from the audience. They are an important part of any presentation because they give members of the audience a chance to let the speaker know what is on their mind.
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
JUNE 15, 2019
The second Festival Foundation Gala event at the 2019 Hay Festival celebrated the power of persuasion and words. From calls to arms to demands for peace, this performance captured the voices of prophets and politicians, rebels and tyrants, soldiers and statesman. The selection of speeches was inspired by Simon Sebag Montefiore’s “new book” [sic] – […].
PowerPoint Tips
MARCH 21, 2019
A simple way to create stunning slides is to layer an image, a shape, and text placeholders. Here are 2 examples: Here are the steps to create these slides: 1. Enter your text. Use the Title and Content layout. You can right-click any blank area and choose Layout>Title and Content. You’ll see the empty layout. Then enter the text. This technique works best when you don’t have a whole slide full of text — which you shouldn’t have, anyway. Insert a picture.
Thoughts On Presenting And Design
JUNE 29, 2019
A couple weeks ago, I took the Fuji (I need to come up with a name) to Vélo Classique in Purcellville, VA. Felt most comfortable taking it there because they specialize in vintage bikes. The reason for the visit was that the distance between the forks was 96mm. I don’t have the tools or the expertise and he has both. Luckily, he was able to fit me in and get the fork spaced and aligned properly. Even got a spacer for the head set (see my previous post ).
Speak Schmeak
DECEMBER 27, 2019
It's two days after Christmas, and I'm working. Am I a workaholic? Am I under the thumb of a mean boss? Nope. (My My boss is pretty swell, actually.) Am I working by choice? Absolutely! Because my boss is ME, I get to decide when to work and when not to work.
SketchBubble
MARCH 18, 2019
In today’s ever-changing and increasingly-competitive business landscape, it’s no longer enough to define your company’s brand, you’ve got to also develop your own personal brand. Beyond staying ahead of the pack, there are other reasons you should work on your personal brand: Establish Your Credibility Your personal brand is your own unique value proposition. What […]. The post How Your Speaking Style Can Enhance Your Personal Brand appeared first on SketchBubble Official Blog.
Presentation Guru
AUGUST 1, 2019
Have you ever been in the middle of a great presentation and all of a sudden your mind went completely blank about the next part of your presentation? Have a little sympathy with this guy then: As you stand there and try to remember what you were going to say next, you can feel the silence growing and the awkwardness build in the room.… … Performance Anxiety featured Nerves Presentation Delivery
Speaker Launcher
JUNE 18, 2019
How do we write a killer website bio that makes our clients pick up the phone or email us to ask us if their date is free on our calendars? Do you think someone who charges $1,000 per biography might know something about it? Last year I had copywriter Caroline Mays on my podcast to talk about writing a killer website bio. Her wisdom was so, ahem, a-Mays-ing, I wanted to share some of the […]. The post How to Turn Your Website Bio Into a Selling Tool appeared first on Jane Atkinson.
Speaking Freely
JUNE 28, 2019
It is time we update one public speaking rule to align with the collective wish for more authenticity in communicating. Public Speaking coaches everywhere advise their clients, “Don’t ever tell them you are nervous. They won’t know.” This old-style public speaking rule causes us to sacrifice being real for looking perfect. Public speaking will always […]. The post The #1 Public Speaking Rule that has to Change appeared first on Read The Self-Expression Blog to Improve Speaking Skills.
Six-Figure Freelancer Blog
JANUARY 21, 2019
As many followers of this blog know, I have been a freelance writer and writing teacher/trainer for 25+ years. Some of you may know that I also have MS (Multiple Sclerosis). I was able to work while dealing it for over a decade, but for the last four years it has slowed me down considerably. Can’t go out to teach or train (although I conduct some webinars and teach some online courses) and I can’t attend client meetings.
The Communication Blog
OCTOBER 25, 2019
Another interesting article on workplace communication. link]. communicating at meetings communication in the workplace Interpersonal Communication workplace communication
Manner of Speaking
NOVEMBER 12, 2019
A STORY FROM SPAIN Pauses aren’t easy. I teach public speaking and presentation skills at a few Executive MBA Programmes in Switzerland and Spain. A few years ago, I was teaching a class at IESE in Barcelona. One of my … Continue reading → The post Pauses in a speech: Why, when and how appeared first on Manner of Speaking. Delivery pauses Presentation public speaking
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
SEPTEMBER 29, 2019
After attending a recent Sun Microsystems Alumni Reunion I’ve been inspired to continue the series on My Working Life that I last updated in May 2018 with Part III: My Early Career. As mentioned at the end of the last installment, I attended an interview in Milpitas for a position in tech support with Sun. […]. The post A Working Life IV: Sun Microsystems, 1990 – 2004 appeared first on Professionally Speaking.
PowerPoint Tips
FEBRUARY 26, 2019
If you have Office 365 (the subscription version that is always updated), there’s a new feature coming out that is truly extraordinary! If you’re in the Office Insider program , you may have it already. Otherwise, you’ll get it when it’s rolled out to everyone with Office 365. As you talk, PowerPoint will display what you are saying on your slides — or translate it into any of more than 60 languages. Right now, it understands 6 spoken languages: Chinese (PRC).
Thoughts On Presenting And Design
JUNE 11, 2019
In my previous post , I shared the tip from GCN to remove rust from a bicycle. I was a bit skeptical. Before. After. Even gave the chrome some vinegary love. Cleaned up the bits of rust the best I could and put some clear coat on them. I then decided to clean up the seat post. Took some work getting it out. When I did, I learned that there’s a bit of a difference between seat posts of yore and those from this age.
Speak Schmeak
NOVEMBER 29, 2019
I hope you're enjoying the long weekend (if you're in the US)! I realized that my friends in other countries now do Black Friday, even though there is no Thanksgiving on the preceding Thursday! Wow, talk about spreading American culture worldwide. Personally, I don't shop on Black Friday.
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