Archive for the ‘Communication Skills’ Category

dead body outline

The single most important thing to know about structuring a Presentation – Start with the Murder

Posted by Liz McKechnie

A story should have a beginning, a middle, and an end – but not necessarily in that order.

So says Jean-Luc Godard. And he’s good at telling stories.

In the many Presentation Skills courses that we have run over the years I have met some great people with huge knowledge and enthusiasm for their work.

There are other equally interesting people who come with a doom laden sense that their subject is very dry and boring to any sentient being. Of course if they believe that to be the case then they will undoubtedly be proved right by the audience reaction.

 

So time and time again I find myself asking:

What’s the point?

 

For anyone about to make a presentation or a pitch this is the single most important question you must ask yourself before you begin. If you don’t know the answer then to be honest I wouldn’t bother to go ahead.

 

Once you know, then you’re off…. Read more

influencing

Values and the Art of Influencing

Posted by Bronia Szczygiel

It’s rare that a (training) day goes by when I don’t mention my old friend Aristotle and his words of wisdom on Influencing & Persuading – see my earlier post on decision making for more details.

Recently I’ve been giving more thought to the ethical bit of the triangle and how our values come into play when we’re influencing others, particularly those that are different to us.

And the assumptions we make about the values of those who manifest the same behaviours and decisions as us – does it necessarily mean they share our values?
Read more

Building Business Relationships

Posted by Bronia Szczygiel

I was listening to the radio this morning and happened to hit on a discussion about unsolicited phone calls – you know the ones: “Mrs Forbes I hear someone in your household has had an accident”. To which the reply is “No they haven’t and we’re registered with the TPS”. Which sometimes gets rid of them and sometimes doesn’t.

That got me to thinking about the value of cold-calling as a means of building business relationships. It’s something I hate on both ends of the phone line.

But is it a necessary evil?

Or is there a better way?
Read more