Children in grade school are giving presentations. High school students are doing them with PowerPoint. In every company, organization, social gathering, and team meeting, there are more opportunities and expectations to speak in front of a group. Some fear presentations. Others just need help in how to give a presentation that engages the audience and achieves its goal.
It’s not that hard, but there are many steps. Write a clear key message. Develop the outline. Generate the content of your presentation, create your visuals, carefully consider your conclusion, rehearse your opening, then edit and practice.
Posted on March 4th, 2011 by Diane
Filed under: Communication, Conferences, Presentation Skills | 1 Comment »
These are the individuals who organize and plan every function from conventions to luncheons and although the uninitiated may think this profession is glamour incarnate, the reality is very different. Military precision, troubleshooting par excellence and enough detail to drive an actuary crazy all define the professional Event Planner’s day.
During the training program, I gave a menu-planning workshop. Here’s a behind the scenes look at what we covered.
Posted on February 13th, 2011 by Diane
Filed under: Conferences, Dining Etiquette, Food, Special Events, Weddings, Workplace Etiquette | No Comments »
Public speaking is fundamental to my profession. Every week, without fail, I’m in front of an audience. Size and location vary — from a dozen people in a corporate boardroom to several hundred at a convention centre. Regardless of the size or scope or topic, I generally make sure there’s time provided for questions from the floor.
Many people are reluctant to ask a question. Call it inhibition or self-consciousness, bottom line; it’s good old-fashioned fear — getting in the way. On the other hand, there are folks just waiting to hear the sound of their own voices. Often “specialists” in one-upmanship, they tend to monopolize the time allowed, making everyone uncomfortable.
I’ve compiled a guide to help increase the comfort zone for everyone, so question periods become effective and useful tools.
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 by Diane
Filed under: Business Etiquette, Communication, Conferences | 2 Comments »
Everyone’s an expert on etiquette. Especially when it comes to introductions. Yet many so-called published experts don’t get it right. They fail to explain the rules of introduction — how to introduce your boss, your colleagues, even your grandmother— succinctly and correctly.
Often, these experts’ published guides devote pages and pages to introductions — how to address royalty, or protocols for meeting a diplomat from a foreign land. Good and helpful information if you move in those circles, most of us don’t.
Posted on September 8th, 2009 by Diane
Filed under: Body Language, Business Etiquette, Communication, Conferences, Etiquette, Social Etiquette, Workplace Etiquette | 2 Comments »
Two key points: Attention to detail and attentive listening On April 28, 1999, just eight days after the Columbine massacre, 17-year old Jason Lang was brutally killed in a so-called copycat shooting. This random act of violence took place at Jason’s high school in the small town of Taber, Alberta. He had never met the [...]
Posted on June 23rd, 2009 by Diane
Filed under: Conferences | 1 Comment »
Last month, I attended a conference on Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation in Montreal. As you may know, this is a cause I am passionate about. Serious business is an understatement. And yet, I found myself consistently engaged, even entertained, by speakers who clearly shared my heartfelt feelings, but managed to convey their [...]
Posted on June 11th, 2009 by Diane
Filed under: Conferences | 4 Comments »
