Do you know how to turn a boring subject into a brilliant presentation? Whether you are speaking about algorithms, algebra or actuarial science, your presentation will only be as boring as you choose to make it. When my son was a young boy one of his favourite sayings was, ‘I’m bored’. I would often respond[…]
Posts by:
Maurice Decastro
How to Turn a Boring Subject into a Brilliant Presentation
Advice, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips, Public Speaking Dec 26, 2015
The future of high impact presenting – Mindfulness is the key
Communication Skills, Leadership, Mindfulness, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Dec 19, 2015
I believe that the future of high impact presenting and public speaking revolves around mindfulness. My latest search for ‘presentation skills’ on Amazon yielded over 40,000 results. Google trumped them with 961 million – Keep your hands out of your pockets – Don’t fidget – Make good eye contact These are just a few of[…]
How many business presentations have you attended in the last 3 months that delivered exactly what you needed to know, in a manner that respected your time? When attending future business presentations take note of how much of it was: – Of relevance to you? – What you already knew? – An unnecessary level[…]
Presenting With Impact – Presence is the key to success
Advice, Mindfulness, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Nov 28, 2015
Presenting with impact doesn’t seem to be something that comes naturally or easily to all professionals. It is, however, within everyones reach and the key to success is presence. At Mindful Presenter we believe that presence is having a sense of poise and self-assurance It’s the ability to make others feel connected emotionally to your[…]
In our training workshops we are often asked to help presenters to answer questions with confidence. Most presentations involve some form of question and answer session. For many professionals, it’s major source of anxiety. Many presenters dread the question and answer session Having invested so much time and energy researching and crafting their presentation[…]
There many potential obstacles to high impact presenting. All of them can be overcome. Let’s take a look at 4 of the key obstacles to high impact presenting 1. Mindfulness Or should I say, the absence of mindfulness. Most professionals are extremely busy being busy We are all preoccupied with the everyday pressures of deadlines[…]
Presentation lessons surround us everywhere. If there is grandeur involved, you can be sure there is something you can take to your next presentation. That includes Bonfire Night. If you’re visiting a professional display this bonfire night watch carefully. There will be valuable presentation lessons right in front of you. I was spoiled by[…]
Public Speaking and Presenting Lessons from Halloween
Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Nov 01, 2015
For many people, presenting and public speaking can feel as scary as Halloween. As we approach Halloween, households all over the world have begun preparations. Huge trays and tubs are being filled with sweets. Pumpkins are being strategically placed by front doors. I’m also getting ready for the frenzy. Last year our door bell[…]
10 Traits of Highly Successful Speakers and Presenters
Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Oct 24, 2015
Highly successful speakers spend a great deal of time learning their craft. Having spoken and worked with many of them here is what I’ve learned. 1. They focus on the opportunity Successful speakers feel nervous too but they make a conscious choice to reframe their thinking. They focus on how they can help their audience.[…]
How effective and productive is your monthly meeting? I was often troubled by a particular pattern I saw in the monthly meeting. A typical monthly meeting would look something like this: – Each person sitting in the same seat they always occupied. – Each manager taking it in turns to update the room[…]
Apple has long been hailed as one of the most innovative, influential and admired companies in the world. If you’ve ever used any of their products it’s pretty easy to understand why. I’ve often heard it said that when you’re talking about some of the most advanced and popular products on the planet, it’s[…]
Presenting in business has changed dramatically over the past two decades. The question is, has your organisation changed or are you part of today’s leadership crisis? Would you: Market your business today the same way you were marketing it 20 years ago? Use exactly the same technology today that you were using in your business[…]
Just how important is body language in public speaking and presenting? What you say is of paramount importance. Disregard to the way you say it can undermine and destroy every good intention you have. Most presenters understand the need to project confident, open body language when delivering an important message. There’s a lot more you[…]
Exceptional Speakers Have 7 Characteristics In Common
Mindfulness, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Aug 09, 2015
Exceptional speakers are suprisingly difficult to find in many organisations today. You will know them when you see them because they have a great deal in common. Below are 7 characteristics that we believe exceptional presenters have in common. 1. Courage It’s perceived as risky business standing in front of any audience. We can[…]
3 Presentation Tips to Help You To Stop ‘Waffling’
Advice, Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips Aug 02, 2015
The internet is full of presentation tips focused on helping professionals to get rid of bad habits. Many of them overlook one of the most damaging, ‘waffling’. Reading slides, reciting bullet points, fidgeting and incessant ‘umming’ and ‘erring’ are amongst the most common. One of the biggest offenders is the menace known as, ‘waffling’.[…]
PURPOSE – The Secret to High Impact Presenting
Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Jul 26, 2015
The secret to high impact presenting is, PURPOSE. The next time you are presenting at work, ask yourself what you want your audience to remember. ‘I want you to think back to the very last presentation you attended and tell me the one thing you remember from it’. We ask that question during each of[…]
I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed a sales pitch where the pitcher calls the president ‘incompetent’, the competition ‘stupid’ and then insults his business partners. Until now that is That’s exactly what Donald Trump did during his rambling speech at the Phoenix Convention Centre last week. With an audience of thousands and the prospect[…]
Public Speaker Lessons: Obama’s Eulogy for Reverend Pinckney
Communication Skills, Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Jul 12, 2015
There are many public speaker lesssons we can learn from President Obama. As a public speaker I’ve never made any secret of the fact that President Obama stands out for me as one of the most gifted orators in the world today. Politics aside, i’m interested in how he delivers his message and the[…]
Michael Gove, the newly appointed Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, gave his first public speech at the Legatum Institute in London last month and if you’re about to give an important speech yourself it’s worth learning from Mr Grove exactly what not to do. Whether you’re the CEO, a senior Politician or[…]
10 Presentation Tips to Turn the Presenter’s Enemy into his Ally
Advice, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips Jun 28, 2015
This article shares 10 presentation tips to help you to speak with confidence, clarity and impact. A presenters enemy is also their greatest ally and asset. Such is the paradox and challenge of public speaking and presenting The need to communicate with power and impact can become a significant force in your life and career.[…]
If you are a nervous presenter the one thing you can be certain of is that you are not alone. Public speaking anxiety seems to me to be a little like the ‘tax man’. It doesn’t matter who you are ,where you come from or what you do, he will come knocking at your door[…]
6 Mistakes To Avoid When Closing a Presentation
Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Jun 13, 2015
Closing a presentation effectively can feel like a greater challenge than opening it. We are all familiar with crucial importance of creating the right first impression when presenting to an audience. Often, the same attention isn’t always given to closing a presentation. Many speakers forget the all-important, last impression. Some of the best presentations can[…]
It all starts with the first impression
Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking May 17, 2015
How long do you really have before you make that all important first impression? Is it 5 seconds, 10 seconds or perhaps a little longer? Researchers at Princeton University believe that it takes only one tenth of a second for someone to judge us as soon as they see our face. That may be[…]
Storytelling in business presentations can have a significant impact on the way we influence our audience. Each of us have stories to tell which hold the wisdom and power to influence, inspire and connect with others. Storytelling in business presentations connect people emotionally In a world of ‘noises’ and distractions, our audience need more.[…]
5 simple body language tips for presenters
Advice, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips, Public Speaking May 01, 2015
There are a great many body language tips we can offer presenters. This article shares 5 of the simple ones. If there’s a mismatch between what we are saying and how we are saying it, the impact of the words we use is significantly diminished. People won’t trust what you say In other words,[…]
Your voice speaks volumes, how do you use yours?
Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Apr 23, 2015
How do you use your public speaking voice? You’ve done everything you can to understand your audience, craft the conversation you wish to have, you know your story inside out and have envisioned what success looks like. Effective communication involves both verbal and non-verbal interaction The words we use in delivering our message are critical[…]
We’ve talked a lot so far in this series ‘The Art and Science of Presenting’ about creating and having a meaningful conversation as opposed to simply presenting your thoughts and ideas. When you reflect on the conversations you’ve enjoyed and remembered the most it’s likely you’ll find that it’s those conversations in which you felt[…]
A few tips to manage presentation nerves
Anxiety, Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Apr 09, 2015
Would you like to learn how to manage presentation nerves? “I was a tiger, a good fighter, in good shape, but I was always nervous before boxing matches.” George Foreman Even the twice heavy weight boxing champion of the world got nervous before a fight and he didn’t have to say a word. When you[…]
How to rehearse for a presentation
Advice, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips, Public Speaking Apr 02, 2015
Do you practice and rehearse for a presentation? Knowing your material well is one of the fundamental keys to success. The more you know your story, the more ready and able you are to adapt and improvise at a moment’s notice. Rehearsing and memorizing are two entirely different things When you rehearse for a[…]
The envisioning process is the key to a successful presentation. The process begins by visualising the presentation as a whole. The presenter envisions in advance what success looks and feels like long before they enter the room. Visualisation is simply the process of creating images in your mind The subconscious mind cannot distinguish between[…]
