The Monthly Memo.
“I’m really excited to be here!”
Have you ever heard someone start their talk by using the above phrase? My suggestion is you should shout out, “Yea, you and everyone else we’ve heard talk today!” Cruel? Perhaps. But geez is there a more overused expression? Especially for someone who is coming in to...
Managing the Day-to-Day World of Workplace Politics
Most times the Monthly Memo does not delve into the dicey world of human psychology, but I will just dip a toe in with this message. I don’t pretend to understand the inner working of anyone’s psyche, but if I can shed some light on correctly communicating...
The Importance of Being a Good Student When Feedback is Offered
How do you respond when feedback is offered to you? It can be helpful, critical or just plain off-the-wall, but how do you take it? It can be a measure of your maturity, a test by a boss, a quick side comment or a turning point in your life. How you respond can be as...
What Should and Should Not Go Into Your Elevator Speech?
If you have just a few seconds how do you describe your work? Think about it. The elevator speech is meant to captivate someone in just a few seconds – as if you were riding down from the CEO’s office in an elevator and had just a small window of time to explain your...
Running an Event from the Podium
A few months back I talked about putting together a great speaker program. There is a lot of material in that topic and for this Monthly Memo I zero in on how to manage the podium at an event. If ever you are called upon to play a part in a banquet or...
How You Can Coach Bosses and Colleagues to Raise Their Game
As the football craze surrounds us this time of year it brings to mind a simple question: “What makes a great coach?” From that question I thought it would be time to share some insights on the coaching process in the presentation world. You may hate public...
Want to stay “On Message?” Keep a very narrow focus.
Having just left a conversation with a Corporate Communications VP I respect a great deal, I now have a topic for my 100th Monthly Memo! This Exec was saying how hard it is to jump back into the company spokesperson role after being away from it for a time –...
Just How Do You Answer Those Job Interview Questions?
Most of the time here on the Monthly Memo we talk about dealing with live audiences or the media, but sometimes your most important audience is in front of you during a 20 minute talk. Some of the same rules apply in that critical conversation and, based on a...
Trouble Keeping the Audience’s Attention? Just Talk about Them!
The yawn and the cell phone check. They are the two things you don’t want to see as you look into the faces of the group you are supposed to be engaging. (There’s probably a longer list, but let’s just stop there!) In searching for ways to make sure your audience...
Making the Most of Those Darn Conference Calls!
You're miles away yet you need to take part in the meeting. Your only choice is to join by phone – and you cringe at the stumbles and misunderstandings that can be just around the corner. Ever have that feeling? It happens a lot – perhaps more than you think if you...
Lessons Learned from Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In
Having just finished the book Lean In by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg I wanted to share some of her great insights. First though, I wanted to mention why I read the book. After all, I am a guy and this is a book about “Women, Work and the Will to Lead” as the cover...
How Do You Get Them to Like You?
First, I guess I should point out this is not about increasing the “likes” on your Facebook page. You’ll have to go elsewhere for that. This edition of the Monthly Memo is about getting the audience to like you – as in connect with you - in a way that is really at the...
How to Put Together a Great Speaker Program (this could be a book!)
If you’ve ever had to suffer through a clumsy, poorly-run breakfast, lunch or dinner event, you know the pain it can cause. Often it is meant to raise money for a good cause. The effect is just the opposite as people run for the exits when it’s over (or before). So,...
Making “Small Talk” Work for You
Do you ever sit at a luncheon, surrounded by people in your industry, and find yourself stumped on what to talk about? I do. Or maybe you are at a reception with clients or co-workers, and you search for something interesting to say? It’s happened to me. For many of...
What If You Speak Too Slowly In A Fast Moving World?
With all of the energy drinks sold these days, and a Starbucks on every corner, it’s hard to believe we have people who actually speak slowly walking among us. Well, I first want to celebrate them! In a day when we move faster than ever (except in rush hour!) let us...
How to Control a Fast Talker
Do you remember the old FedEx commercials? The “fast talker” was a staple of TV in the early 1990’s and – to show the impact of those ads – I still remember them to this day – AND connect them with the product! Now there’s an example of impact advertising!...
Should I Stand to Speak – and Where Should I Stand?
Often when I explain what I do for a living I say, “I help people when they stand up to speak.” Of course, as has been mentioned to me often, not everyone STANDS when they speak. So this Monthly Memo looks at that exact question. To Stand or Not to Stand? If the...
How Should I Organize My Notes When I Speak?
If the key to success in almost any endeavor is preparation, what kind of notes work best when you speak? Well, neat, clear and complete notes give you the best chance of success, but it really comes down to what works best for you. Let’s look at some great options....
How to be a Great Panel Member
Edition Number 87 If you’ve ever been asked to serve on a conference or luncheon panel, you probably have had the experience of wondering how to handle that situation well. You’ll often find yourself in front of peers, clients and bosses where you have a chance to...
Why Do Reporters Take So Long to Talk to You, Then Use One Sentence?
Edition Number 86 Those reporters are just jerks right? They spend time talking to you, and then use a single sentence in the article or just one sound bite in a TV story! Why do they do that? It’s so maddening! Well, not surprisingly, I have the answer for you – and...
Employees Must Wash Their Hands Before Returning to Work? Really!
Edition #84 Here’s my question for you. How long will you have to wait before you visit a restaurant restroom and see a sign which says something very different? How about this? “Our team members always wash their hands before returning to work.” Or how about a more...
How to get what you want — as a Diplomat Leader
Who are the people who get things done these days -- and how do they do it? Can I suggest it is the Diplomat Leader who makes the greatest amount of progress in a time when we hear a lot about what DIVIDES us and not a lot about what brings us TOGETHER? From that...
You’re always on — even when you’re not; just ask Biden and Boehner
Just watching the State of the Union speech reminded me of that uncomfortable place for the people who are on, but not on. We've actually all been there -- and there are right and wrong ways to handle it. Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner know...
Where do I look during an interview or talk — and why does it matter?
During his years in public life, Richard Nixon had the unfortunate reputation of having "shifty eyes." Whether that was just my Grandmother's dislike for the guy or it was based in fact, more than just my kindly Grandma had a distrust of President Nixon. Why? Well,...
All about memory … and, um … what was I saying again?
At a certain age the memory jokes start coming -- and sometimes it's not all that funny. The mysteries surrounding dementia and Alzheimer's disease are very serious matters. But today, I'm actually looking at a different side of the memory equation: What does your...