What does it take to be compelling? To compel means to bring about something forcefully, but to be compelling has a much more desirable...

As communicators, we won’t be effective if an audience can’t remember our message. Being memorable is essential to successful communication. What do we know about memory, and how can we use that knowledge to make communication memorable?

An audience needs to feel a connection with the communicator before they are ready to attend, listen, learn, and act on a message. They need to feel understood. They need to feel like they share common ground with you. They must believe that you are going to meet a need or solve a problem they have.

… the Italian chef? He pasta way. Could you use a good laugh? So could I! The more often the better. Laughter is good medicine We all...

Have you ever attended a presentation in which the audience was NOT engaged and became disruptive, or at best, was simply not paying...

What do you think is illustrated with the visual aid depicted in the photo? Did you guess BMI (Body Mass Index)? How can I use a visual...

Find someone to be your coach! Coaching… what images does that word bring to mind? Your child’s soccer coach demonstrating a move or...

Presentation skills are essential in today’s workplaces, organizations, and via digital channels. Whether you present in person or...

Have you ever heard the statement that presentation effectiveness is only 10% from content and 90% comes from your delivery? Is that...

The Q&A can be one of the most dreaded parts of a presentation. Why? Because we fear we might not know how to respond to a difficult...

Calling audience members by name gains attention and solicits participation. It builds connections between presenter and audience and among audience members.

What draws you in to pay attention to a speaker or keep reading a blog post? Effective openings arouse your attention by appealing to...

One of the main benefits of building presentation skills is enhanced confidence, which in turn enhances your effectiveness as a speaker....

Did you know that the average consumer is exposed to as many as 10,000 brand messages each and every day? That’s what the American...

When we block the ideas of others we stop the flow of ideas. When we accept the ideas of others we keep the ideas flowing and agree to save the evaluation for later. In improv this is called “accepting offers.” It enhances collaboration and problem solving.

Successful nutrition communicators possess more than the required knowledge and skills. They demonstrate specific characteristics.

Your mouth goes dry. Your skin flushes. You break out in a sweat. Your knees knock. Your heart races. You can’t catch your breath. You...

This afternoon, my husband and oldest son, along with 12 other adventurers, are taking off from Indiana to drive more than 20 hours to...

This week at my local Toastmasters meeting I stepped way outside my comfort zone… I gave my first ever humorous speech. I shared the...

Let’s meet 10 of them: Starting with Miss Understanding, when what you said and what I thought you said are NOT the same. Much like the...