For many of us, bringing a pet, a favorite toy or even person to school for show and tell was our earliest experience using a prop.  Why didn’t the teacher just have us tell a story?  Because teachers know that a verbal story alone is not enough to hold the

I love new technology. Especially presentation tools that make connecting with an audience more effective and impactful. That’s why I was excited to try the new Logitech Spotlight remote. Like most presentation remotes, the Spotlight allows you to advance your slides and go to black without being tethered to your

Do you believe that we only use 10% of our brains?  If so, you’ve bought into a fake fact. While some fake facts are harmless, others like, “The flu vaccination can give you the flu” can produce devastating consequences. I’ve run across several fake facts about sales presentations over the

This may offend some Toastmasters out there, but Toastmasters almost ruined my presentation.  And it could ruin yours too.  Now before you send the Grand Toastmaster after me, hear me out. I was a card-carrying member of Toastmasters for over a year and value much of that experience.  I joined

It’s not easy to become a zombie.  Every year thousands of people audition for a chance to play a zombie on TV’s hit series, The Walking Dead.  Once they make it through the initial casting process they are enrolled in Zombie School (yes, it’s a real thing) where they will

Repetition can be a very effective way to make sure your key ideas are heard and remembered by your prospect.  It’s often helpful to repeat benefits, competitive differentiators, even the customer’s questions or words.  So how can repetition possibly hurt you in sales? Human beings are quick to pick up

Here’s some news worth celebrating:  The number of presenters tediously reading every slide and bullet point to their audience appears to be on the decline.  But hold off on popping the champagne just yet.  The pendulum is swinging dangerously towards the other extreme – presenters are ignoring their slides altogether.

You never know where good advice will come from! On a recent flight to Chicago I was seated next to a woman who was also on her way to speak at a conference.  When she found out that I teach presentation skills she shared that she used to be deathly

So you’ve gotten your new deck, perhaps some talking points, or even a full script.  You may even have seen another team member deliver the pitch or presentation.  Now the challenge you’re facing is not quite the magnitude facing Hamlet, but it can feel quite daunting: To memorize…or not to