Every so often I watch a film that proves to be a fantastic source of learning and inspiration as well as entertainment.

Recently I saw the Kings speech and it really moved me.     Afterwards I started to wonder what it was that made it so powerful.

The acting was superb and believable.   The Prince’s frustration with his inability to speak fluently in public was palpable, and this made a wonderful contrast with the closing [...]

Life lessons from the movies is a post from: Inter-Activ Presenting and Influencing

The most engaging presenters are those who are both knowledgeable and passionate about their content. We can tell that they are passionate because of things like their animation, energy, vocal variety, eye contact and enthusiasm.

But what about when you have to present information that you are not passionate about?    Well in an ideal world I would be tempted to say don’t present it at all.   Of course this may be  unrealistic, especially the presentation is part [...]

Developing a passion for what you are presenting is a post from: Inter-Activ Presenting and Influencing

A  recent comment to one of my earlier posts by Stephen Hendren prompted me to review some of the research on positivity and performance. Thanks to his post, I found a great video interview by Positivity researcher Barbara Fredrickson.  I thought you might like it so I have included it in this post.  Dr Fredrickson’s key message is that there is a proven 3:1 “positivity ratio” needed to generate the positive emotions required to enhance self esteem and personal performance.

Positivity and presentation confidence [...]

Positivity and presentation confidence is a post from: Inter-Activ Presenting and Influencing

When I ask the people who attend my workshops what is the difference that makes the difference between and average speaker and a great speaker they often come up “presence”. When I go on to ask them to be a bit more specific about what they mean by presence, they tend to struggle.

So what exactly is presence? And more importantly how can anyone develop this quality in themselves? Well I am not sure I know all the answers but [...]

How do you develop presence? is a post from: Inter-Activ Presenting and Influencing

Why is it that so many business presentations are dry, dull and innefective? Well it could be the presenter’s delivery style or it could be the tedious and wordy powerpoint slides they insist on using but I think there is an even more dangerous principle at work here.

I think that most business presenters think that emotions are left at the door when one walks into the office. People want facts right? Disspassionate, rational arguements supported by [...]

Presentation emotion – the key element! is a post from: Inter-Activ Presenting and Influencing

This video clip serves four purposes for students of presentation and public speaking skills:

Enjoy

Watch this presentation and put your “big ears” on is a post from: Inter-Activ Presenting and Influencing

Watch this presentation and put your “big ears” on is a post from: Inter-Activ Presenting and Influencing

I have just returned from a camping holiday in Dorset and whilst away I had the delight of lighting and then tending a camp fire every evening.   As I was gazing into the embers one evening it suddenly struck me that there are a number of similarities between lighting a camp fire and developing someone’s presentation or public speaking confidence.

As anyone who has tried to light a fire will know it is not always an easy job.   If the sticks [...]

How Do You Build Confidence in Nervous Presenters and Speakers is a post from: Inter-Activ Presenting and Influencing

Today I was phoned by a guy who I have met on a couple of occasions at local networking events.  he works for a company called the disc directory, a local on-line business directory covering Portsmouth and Southampton.

Now I’m pretty hard on tele-sales people but his approach was so refreshing that I just had to post on it.   He called me up, started by saying something like ” Remember the good looking guy who’s been bumping into  you around [...]

A cheeky sales approach that worked is a post from: Inter-Activ Presenting and Influencing