Speaking Instructor Certification, Speech Coach Training - Certification, Speech Training Certification, Upcoming Events »

I created this video for people who are considering the Certification Program. My objective was to make it both informative and entertaining. In three action-packed training days individuals become trained and licensed to deliver this top-rated program. Reports from new trainers are fantastic – they are receiving five-star ratings the very first time they deliver the SpeakersTrainingCamp® workshop. Wow! The next session will be September 14-15-16, 2010. Enrollment is now open. Be sure to send me an email if you have questions: sue@successworksusa.com

Nerve Center »

Nervous Alex gets the boot

Alex Lambert has a great, smokey voice. He was one of the best singers on American Idol, so why did he get eliminated? For the same reason many presenters get eliminated from achieving their objectives…….. nervousness. When Alex performed, he sounded terrific, but he looked pale, stiff, and lifeless. He had no personality at all. Judge Simon Cowell gave him some advice that works for presenters too: “Take yourself to another place.” If Adam had imagined that he was in his bedroom singing away or performing in his favorite bar, he could have put some life into the song. I work with many petrified presenters who make great strides when they take themselves elsewhere – maybe imagining being in their own living room while they chat with friends. Or sitting at lunch discussing the topic. Next time you feel the butterflies – fly away to your favorite location, in your mind, that is.

Business Presentation Skills Training, Executive Training, Leadership and Communication Tips, Public Speaking Training »

Clown raises the 4th arm of the cauldron in the Closing Ceremonies

Oh Canada – you did it! What a wonderful conclusion to the Olympic events. I was really excited about the humor and ingenuity used to fix the glitch of the questionable 4th arm of the cauldron that malfunctioned on the opening night. Congratulations to the event team for turning the glitch into a humorous situation: a clown fixed the problem to the delight of everyone. They not only poked fun at the situation (one of the best ways to handle a problem) – but they came full circle to the point of the beginning. That’s a great technique to use in your presentations, too – come back to the theme of the beginning. If you start your presentation with a story about your first day on the job – then come full circle in the close and tell another story about your first day on the job. It’s as though you’ve tied a ribbon around your presentation.

Sadly, the Olympics are over. I hope you have enjoyed this series of Presentation Olympics. Good luck, and may your next presentation be filled with the excitement of Shaun White, the grace of Lindsey Vonn, and the heart of the Canadian hockey team.

Subscribe to “No-Choke Zone” Blog by Speech Coach & Successworks CEO, Sue Gaulke by Email

Business Presentation Skills Training, Executive Training, Leadership and Communication Tips, Public Speaking Training »

He skis; he smiles; he waves; he does not win….. except in the hearts of the fans. African skier Kwame Nkrumah-Acheompong is known as “The Snow Leopard”….. coming from a land where skiing is almost non-existent. He’s already won a gold medal in charisma – here’s how:

1. His Goals are Real: According to Kwame, he has two goals: to finish the race, and to not finish last.

2. He is a Copy Cat. He calls himself a copy cat because he copies the styles of other skiers
As presenters, one of the fastest ways to improvement is to observe and practice the style skills of someone you admire.