Adrienne McLean from Sydney, Australia is the first Certified Instructor in Australia. She is looking forward to expanding the program throughout the country. Adrienne’s story matches many of the individuals coming into the Certification Program. She has had a very successful position in the chemical manufacturing industry and was looking for a change. She was looking for a professional career which combines her passion for speaking with the luxury of being her own boss. The SpeakersTrainingCamp® was just what she was looking for. I enjoyed spending some extra time with Adrienne – working with her …

On the first day of school President Obama’s speech was televised to school children all over the country. Here is my analysis of his speech. As in all of my coaching, I strive for comments that are 50% positive and 50% constructive suggestions for change. I summarize with the top-two priorities:
Here’s what I liked:
1.Outstanding use of stories and examples to make his points: getting up at 4:30 am to work with his mom on school projects; missed having a father; Michelle Obama came from a simple family but went on to college. He gave 3 …

Everyone has at least two fantastic signature stories that will add great interest in his or her presentations.  Signature stories are usually personal – something from your life, and something that has a strong message behind it.  You want something memorable.  One of my favorite stories, “I Wanna Be a Philly,” answers my Dad’s question about what I want to be when I grow up.  To develop your own story, dig deep into your past, paint the pictures with words, and fill it with emotion, using gestures and the sound of your voice.  Notice that in this clip I use …

Donald Trump tells the story about the first time he met Michael Jackson – backstage before his Thriller tour concert at Madison Square Garden.  Trump describes Michael as very soft spoken, kind, and humble.  He thought that there was absolutely no chance that this gentle character could possibly go onstage and blow out the building with song and dance.  Of course, he was wrong.  Jackson was spectacular.  How can a mild- mannered person carry forth the persona onstage or (for a business presenter who is shy) get up in front of any group and appear powerful and confident?  The answer …

This weekend I was attending a dog training workshop in a horse barn with a metal roof.  It was a stormy day and frequently rain pelted on the roof so hard that you could not hear the instructor.  This was one of the world’s gurus in her subject matter, but for several stretches of time, no one had a clue about what she was saying.  What would you do?
This sounds so very simple, but it happens all the time.  The instructor is so caught up in their own thing, that they fail to see the big picture.  Holy cow!  People …