“People from technology don't understand the creative process … companies go through to make their products, and they don't appreciate…
Everyone thinks they know what good customer service is. We’ve all had bad customer service—a waiter who won’t bring…
What of M&Ms, rock stars, and divas? The rock band Van Halen had an infamous clause in their contract…
Every sailor runs aground sooner or later! How do you know if a speaker really brings the experience they…
13.7-billion years ago, the universe expanded from a single point. Some of the light we see in the sky took…
The best speakers tell stories about YOU! A speaker walked onto the platform wearing a rugged jacket and hiking boots.…
Meeting success is hiding in the light. Here’s another innocent mistake so many event organizers make. True story: Joe was…
What is the speaker's real job? We’ve seen it too many times: A dynamic, charismatic speaker gets the audience…
How deadly are your bullet points? There are seven elements that every speaker must consider when crafting a presentation: ✅…
They don't have a clue! In 1991, I sailed a wooden boat 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. During…
Here's a little holiday fun. Thanks for reading my storytelling posts. Have a safe, happy, and prosperous season. ’Twas…
When the urge to gripe arises, consider that no matter what dark clouds may loom on the horizon, you threaded…
What is musical storytelling? Many of our favorite storytellers rely on music to help them deliver their messages with impact.…
Another agonizing networking event! You walk around the room, introduce yourself to the next stranger, ask them what they do,…
Watch a sunbeam Magic! The light reveals swirling dust, a hidden universe Slip a jar under it Close the lid…
Is AI-Generated Marketing Copy the powerful shortcut we've been told it is? The explosive growth of online content has done…
Keep your poor me stories off the stage. My friend Tony showed me a video of a speaker who told…
Find Your Voice … And Someone Else's! Do you enjoy a good audiobook as much as I do? Australian actor…
Is your digital calendar robbing you of the time you need to be productive? Maybe the problem isn't your calendar.…
Perhaps you’ve experienced flow writing. You sit down, watch your fingers tap away at the keyboard, and wonder, Where did…
AI Storytelling - Is it any good? I entered a simple prompt into ChatGPT. Yes, I could have been…
We often hear about "dynamic speaking," but what does that mean? The dictionary defines "dynamics" as "the forces or properties…
You’ve been asked to pitch a big project. You and your teammates Shelly and Barbara sit at your conference table…
Do you think sales is a dirty word? Many of us think that way … and given all the tacky…
The “elevator pitch” is an essential professional tool—a tool that should be kept razor sharp and as ready to deploy…
Can you tell your story concisely? A popular anecdote about Ernest Hemingway says he made a bet with friends that…
You've probably read about OpenAI and how artificial intelligence has come of age. It's easy enough to generate articles and…
We all love dessert! If you dine at Seasons 52, you’ll be presented with a selection of tiny sweets at…
Should you charge $20 for your new book or $19.97? Will dropping your price by three cents help you…
Hooray for Hollywood! Well … maybe; maybe not. Movies about rock stars’ journeys and superheroes (Is there really a difference?)…
Maria, a realtor attended one of my storytelling workshops at the suggestion of a mutual friend. “What does storytelling have…
Lost and found items create logistical challenges, but stories are always about people. The story of how (or whether) a…
I was talking with a friend at a business networking event when a man came plowing through the crowd doling…
What’s the number one cause of unhappiness? Love? Money? Hunger? Insurance companies? The number one…
How do you put a price on your passion? How can you charge a fair-but-high price for your services? …
Inspire prospects to ask you to sell to them. Many years ago I was out sailing on Biscayne Bay with…
The following advice on writing and publishing is based on my own experiences and those of my clients. I hope…
Hobbyist or professional? True professionals dedicate their lives to being the best in the world at whatever they do—not some…
In storms of life and business, it requires immense energy to sustain conflict. Dangerous and destructive forces require attention and—at…
Sell outcomes. The products or services you exchange at the transaction stage of a business relationship might not be the…
Imagine an event where each attendee is given a puzzle piece and directed to connect one-at-a-time with others in the…
We give more weight to evidence that supports what we like—a phenomenon called, “confirmation bias.” Belief is often based as…
Anyone who questions the relationship between business and storytelling need look no farther than the humble corporate mission statement. …
Keep your listeners’ attention while reading aloud. The host announces the next author. She walks to the lectern, offers a…
Do you have a customer service horror story to share? What stories are you telling about yourself before you even…
If you’re skeptical about the connection between business strategy and storytelling, consider the challenges faced by advertising agencies and marketers.…
Shipwrecks are the ultimate symbols of massive failure. Building and operating a ship is an enormous enterprise that requires people, money,…
One Sunday morning not long after I had been introduced to sailing, I was enjoying a cup of coffee in…
Storytelling tips: You’re walking along and you happen to look down. “Hey, that’s not a scrap of paper; that’s a…
How do you handle a one-star review? Capable leaders are adept at untangling the many stories that compete for attention…
River stories: Numerous stories have been written about rivers. We all have rivers to cross. Metaphorical rivers represent both the…
Do you trust your compass? Finding your way in life, business, and traffic is a challenge. The easiest way to…
Leaders write and speak with conviction. Bold writing is not arrogant. Readers and audiences know that your words are a…
I was frustrated the other day, thinking about how I need a better computer. Some of my software is out…
Is sexual harassment a problem, or a symptom of a larger, deeper issue? The answer depends on the stories we…
Storytelling is a powerful tool, but no one ever talks about story listening. Have you ever been with a friend,…
“This should be a great presentation,” said Jess as we walked into the Chamber of Commerce breakfast and grabbed a…
When I was young, I collected superhero stories and comic books. I was fascinated by the exploits of the same…
“Storytelling…? I don’t know.” A troubled look flashed across Sally’s face. “You'll have a hard time selling me on your…
The unlikely teacher is one of my favorite story themes, partially because I’ve been fortunate to have had wonderful, unlikely…
Are your messages missing the mark? Are your stories clear and accurate or are your meanings lost in translation? The…
Getting stuck in the wrong story can feel productive, but it traps us in conflict and prevents us from reaching…
Use storytelling for problem-solving. Think about the various stories involved in a conflict and plot a course for resolution. Seen…
In 1989, as a 25-year-old sailing solo on a 26-foot sailboat, I spent a surreal Christmas weathering a North Atlantic…
Nideknil Marketplace was all hustle and bustle. Colorful signs above the merchant stalls proclaimed the advantages of endless products and…
I-We-You. You’re addressing an audience. When should you switch from the inclusive “we” to the more personal “you?” When is…
Getting Forward to New Normal Retailers have been hit hard by COVID19. Foot traffic is down and online retailers are…
Too many professionals buy the story that expertise is a commodity: Hire an expert, tell them what to do, and…
Have you ever been disappointed with a judge's call—in a courtroom, on a ball field, or in a contest? Who…
Verbs are the engines that move your writing, your speaking, your readers, and your audiences but many authors ands presenters don’t…
Is your story big enough? The following passage from The Story Story describes a common speaker’s dilemma. Too many meaningful…
If I can do it, you can do it! Well … maybe. Is your story about your extraordinary personal journey?…
How do stories work? You knew that movie was going to stink as soon as you got through the opening…
What is a meeting monster? My daughter asked me to spend some time with her. “I can’t right now,” I…
I’m that annoying neighbor—the bad guy—the one who’s always complaining about my rights … . or at least that’s the…
I’ve been videoconferencing for years; this will be easy! I thought as I began my first virtual speech. When it…
You’ve already read at least a dozen articles about ZOOM and videoconferencing that remind you to mute yourself when you’re…
Body language and spoken language: Combine them strategically to enhance audience engagement. In my 2019 Toastmasters Humorous Speech Contest entry,…
Speechcrafting is a special discipline of which speechwriting is but a single element. The effective speechcrafting professional understands the art…
A little storytelling fun: a poem by yours truly. The title is a reference to the traditional Stone Soup folktale.…
An accomplished jazz musician, educator, and friend pointed out that too many virtuosic young players blow a lot of noisy…
Speaking range is as important to a presentation as musical range is to performance. Actors refer to the combination of…
Speakers are commonly asked, “What’s your topic?” or “What’s your message?” Such questions may sound intuitively reasonable but they lead…
A friend asked if he should take a day off work to attend a free “Become a Millionaire Speaker or…
Great storytellers are masters of time and tempo. What is this mysterious thing called “time?” Does it flow at the…
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