tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515Sun, 18 Oct 2009 04:45:42 +0000Packed with down to earth ideas & techniques for for improving your public speaking, presenting and influencing skillshttp://lllm.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)Blogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-4178263293780918344Mon, 19 Nov 2007 10:36:00 +00002007-11-19T10:40:43.363ZAll new posts on this blog can now be found at www.inter-activ.co.uk/blogIf you are an subscriber and want to continue to receive the latest hints and tips on presentation and selling skills please re-subscribe using the links on the new blog.Sorry for the inconvenience however I believe that the move will allow me to provide a more flexible and attractive format for these tips.Please take a lookhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/TNxXxnIqxqA/important-notice-were-moving.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)6http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/11/important-notice-were-moving.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-1808416825277732787Mon, 12 Nov 2007 18:41:00 +00002007-11-12T18:45:07.591ZDeath by PowerPointI recently came across this presentation via Google and I knew imemdately that you would appreciate it. It's thought provoking and extremely relevant in today's presentation saturated culture. View Upload your ownFighting death by PowerPoint... How to make a presentation and not to bore your audience to death.SlideShare Linkhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/uVqAzE5-Ak0/death-by-powerpoint.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)3http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/11/death-by-powerpoint.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-8828603330093004030Wed, 31 Oct 2007 18:31:00 +00002007-10-31T18:45:10.850ZstorytellingPresentation SkillsPublic SpeakingToday, I was mind mapping another session at a conference and once of the speakers stood out head and shoulder above the rest because of her enthusiasm and passion but...She started of well, coming away from the lectern and standing centre stage. She used no visual aids and she challenged the accepted norms of her audience. She had something really important to say and she said it with http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/YnUEi5ae1Fw/when-passion-isnt-enough.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)2http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/10/when-passion-isnt-enough.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-3158868317449229005Wed, 31 Oct 2007 06:26:00 +00002007-10-31T06:29:35.441ZPowerPoint TipsI've been mind mapping the proceedings of the annual APM conference in London and there has been some excellent content. The only problem is that far too many of the speakers use too small a font on the slides! It may be readable on your laptop, but from the back of a conference hall it ain't! I recommend a minimum of 20 point Ariel and Verdana to ensure readability!http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/TGS8F0dmMlw/quick-tip-use-bigger-font-size.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)0http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/10/quick-tip-use-bigger-font-size.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-3612979485768578534Mon, 29 Oct 2007 08:39:00 +00002007-10-30T00:22:31.024ZLast week I started to talk about the power that limiting beliefs to make us 'Reluctant Presenters'. In Part 2 of this article I want to share with you a simple yet practical technique for defusing your old limiting beliefs and empowering your new resourceful ones...NB:If you haven't done the exercises in part 1 of this thread, I suggest you go back and do it first as the rest of this post will http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/B38XdgzTFgY/how-to-develop-resourceful-beliefs-part_29.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)0http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/10/how-to-develop-resourceful-beliefs-part_29.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-1461744470419582811Mon, 29 Oct 2007 08:22:00 +00002007-10-29T08:38:46.984ZPresentation SkillsThe latest advances in computer technology allows us to produce high quality video content for a fraction of the cost of just a few years ago. How important is it that we jump on the video bandwagon and start utilising video clips in our presentations...Last week I was fortunate to listen to a presentation by a video producer friend of mine, in which he outlined the use of video on the Internethttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/eKQLHKhrh60/multi-media-in-presentations.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)0http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/10/multi-media-in-presentations.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-3841949781844558932Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:15:00 +00002007-10-22T17:31:45.524+01:00Presentation SkillsMany reluctant presenters have one or more limiting beliefs that hold them back from developing their full potential. If you'd like to learn some simple ideas to break through this self imposed barrier, read on....What we believe about ourselves can imprison us or set us free. It's a choice. Typical limiting beliefs of Reluctant Presenters include:I'm not good enoughI'm a poor presenterI'm http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/y8_dtAaBU2c/how-to-develop-resourceful-beliefs-part.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)0http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/10/how-to-develop-resourceful-beliefs-part.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-526833267980690403Mon, 22 Oct 2007 08:00:00 +00002007-10-22T09:17:46.496+01:00Public SpeakingLike it or not, all the great presenters I have met have one thing in common. They practice their craft. Do You?So many people who come on my presentation skills workshops admit that they don't practice enough. When I ask them why I get a range of excuses including.I don't have the time.I like to be spontaneousThere's nobody to practice onI don't make presentations often enough to justify the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/5LYi2OSrtJY/practice-makes-perfect.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)0http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/10/practice-makes-perfect.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-2221945350313703984Wed, 17 Oct 2007 17:24:00 +00002007-10-17T18:34:13.601+01:00Presentation SkillsPublic SpeakingAs an NLP Master practitioner, I am ialways interested in modelling excellent presenters to uncover what is the difference that makes the difference between the medioce and the best. Recently I was reminded that some of the best presenters present naked...Hope I've got your attention now. Naked presenting? Has Gavin finally lost his mind. Well no, not really. What I mean is that the best http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/5OXFMxHpsvc/strip-off-to-present-better.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)1http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/10/strip-off-to-present-better.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-262682597687699545Mon, 15 Oct 2007 19:31:00 +00002007-10-15T20:41:48.780+01:00PowerPoint TipsIf your PowerPoint presentation is a disaster don't blame PowerPoint...It seems these days that everyone is condemning this powerful tool without taking any responsibility for the fact that they created and delivered the slides that put their audience to sleep !As a child I was taught that "A good workman never blames his tools" and to me PowerPoint is just a tool to help me deliver my messages. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/x2P-levbiQk/dont-blame-powerpoint.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)0http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/10/dont-blame-powerpoint.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-2837452351960119759Sun, 14 Oct 2007 07:48:00 +00002007-10-14T08:58:27.868+01:00 Hello again.As part of the launch of my new brand 'Reluctant Presenter.com' I have updated this blog with a fresh look and feel and added a special offer of a free booklet. I hope you like it. As ever your comments are always welcome.I have also got a special offer for all you 'Reluctant Presenters' out there - A free booklet with the essential tips for improving your presentations.All you have http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/rW_ElByxcJc/new-name-and-free-presentation-tips.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)0http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/10/new-name-and-free-presentation-tips.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-3724824717166301515Sun, 14 Oct 2007 07:07:00 +00002007-10-14T08:30:51.563+01:00Presentation SkillsNervesPublic SpeakingMany reluctant presenters (and many experienced ones too!) make the simple mistake of placing all their attention on themselves as presenters. Effective communicators on the other hand do it differently...When you are presenting to an audience, be it one person or a thousand, you must remember who the most important people are. Who are the protagonists in your story? Who is taking the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/ToidlrjALsI/its-audience-stupid.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)0http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/10/its-audience-stupid.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-2934368176230575732Mon, 08 Oct 2007 11:01:00 +00002007-10-08T12:13:47.179+01:00Public SpeakingNo matter how good your public speaking techniques, if you aren't passionate about your subject your talk is likely to fall flat. This message was brought home loud and clear to me last week at a networking meeting where one of the members had prepared a 10 minute talk on themselves and their business.Brian (his real name) engaged us right from the start with his enthusiasm and energy both for http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/R7VPagtZy9Y/public-speaking-share-your-passion.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)2http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/10/public-speaking-share-your-passion.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-6953379476989206736Mon, 08 Oct 2007 07:21:00 +00002007-10-08T08:46:25.177+01:00Sales TechniquesSelling skillsSales Techniques.Many of my clients say that the hardest part of their job is getting in front of their prospective clients. In this article I'd like to share three tips with you that have worked for me and my clients.The number one complain I get is about the so called gatekeepers. The Secretaries and PA's who seemed to be oblivious to the salesman's charms and who refuse to pass on messages, reply to emailshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/pupoWdlI7MA/getting-past-gate-keeper.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)0http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/10/getting-past-gate-keeper.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-1292413202419888407Fri, 05 Oct 2007 07:58:00 +00002007-10-05T09:04:54.492+01:00Presentation SkillsSales TechniquesAttitudeHow often do we forget to smile. We are so caught up in our thoughts that we miss the opportunity to engage with those around us be they customers, colleagues, clients or complete strangers.Today, when I arrived at the Business Design Centre in Islington London, the venue for the presentation skills workshop I am running, I was greeted by Derek.Derek is one of the concierges and he is always onhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/1gF3orEe1tM/dereks-smile.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)0http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/10/dereks-smile.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-864842296312616430Tue, 02 Oct 2007 23:36:00 +00002007-10-03T00:51:28.264+01:00PowerPoint TipsDid you know that your PowerPoint Presentations don't have to be linear. Using the hyperlinking feature built in to PowerPoint 2003 you can jump back and forward between slides with ease.Yes its true, you can turn a boring one slide by slide presentation into a flexible presentation network that allows you to jump seamlessly from one idea to another just like on a website.All you have to do is http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/4JXJ916s_ag/powerpoint-tip-hyperlinking.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)0http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/10/powerpoint-tip-hyperlinking.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-8703152428603025575Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:41:00 +00002007-10-01T20:13:17.754+01:00Presentation SkillsPublic Speaking I recently heard a great speaker who blew his chance by failing to answer one simple question in the first couple of minutes of his talk... Would you like to know how to avoid this mistake?Whenever we start to listen to a speaker, we silently ask one question - "Why should I pay attention to this - how is it going to benefit me?" And if we don't get the answer it within the first couple of http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/4EQUfkL6cCA/public-speaking-does-your-intro-pass.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)0http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/10/public-speaking-does-your-intro-pass.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-8577413318166637024Sun, 30 Sep 2007 19:42:00 +00002007-09-30T21:02:57.714+01:00Sales Techniques.At the weekend, Best selling author and trainer, Peter Thomson and shared a simple tool with me that could seriously increase our wealth. Peter calls it the magic Matrix because it is it works like magic. To be honest, I couldn't believe that I had never heard this little gem before but I quickly stopped beating myself up and have already started to use it to good effect in my own business.Such ahttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/L7jGcsJAsPw/double-your-profits-from-existing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)1http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/09/double-your-profits-from-existing.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-669749877430277568Thu, 27 Sep 2007 06:56:00 +00002007-09-27T08:13:27.087+01:00Sales TechniquesDo your customers or clients see you as an authority in relation to the product, service or idea you are trying to persuade them to accept? Here are some simple ideas ton increase your AQ (Authority Quotient) and win more business.Cast your mind back to many of the adverts you see on TV or in the press. You've probably noticed that many of them feature an "expert" endorsing the product or http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/KUZpsintfhE/selling-influencing-tip-authority.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)0http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/09/selling-influencing-tip-authority.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-7724716501059469855Wed, 19 Sep 2007 08:40:00 +00002007-09-19T15:43:44.513+01:00Following on from my last post, I have produced a short video tutorial showing how you can use PowerPoint to produce effective handouts without comprimising your visuals. Check it out and let me know what you think. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/Axp9eZS4nvI/using-notes-page-view-video-tutorial.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)0http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/09/using-notes-page-view-video-tutorial.htmlhttp://www.blogger.com/video-play.mp4?contentId=3b3fda1f21f596ad&type=video%2Fmp4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-758021020250740816Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:00:00 +00002007-09-18T18:47:55.681+01:00PowerPoint TipsThe reason that most people give for putting too much text in their slides is that I print them out as handouts. In this post learn how to banish this problem once and for all.The bad news is that Visual Aids are aids and handouts are handouts. The are separate entities that have completely different functions.Slides are there to support your verbal messages in a visual manner. (See my last post http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/8NQc668b3Ts/unlock-power-in-powerpoint-learn-to-use.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)0http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/09/unlock-power-in-powerpoint-learn-to-use.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-2836222186186843011Mon, 17 Sep 2007 19:17:00 +00002007-09-17T20:59:09.881+01:00Presentation SkillsPublic SpeakingAnnoying mannerisms can be a real turn off to audiences no matter how good your content. Here are some pointers on how to recognise and avoid two of the worst.... 1) Repeating the same phrase over and over again:I was listening to presenter this morning and what they had to say was really good. The only problem was that they had the irritating habit of saying "is this making sense?" at the endhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/nSm1AKg4Amc/improve-your-public-speaking-by.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)1http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/09/improve-your-public-speaking-by.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-3867972764879976675Sun, 16 Sep 2007 18:42:00 +00002007-09-16T20:00:40.022+01:00Last week I gave you an example of how one marketeer used the "scarcity principle" to influence potential customers to take action.Today we'll be taking a look at another of Dr' Robert Cialdini's principles of influence - Social proof.I was reminded of this recently during the lunch break from a course I was running. The delegates went off to choose a cafe from the many that were located close http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/sK4YGEQaGxE/selling-inflencing-tips-social-proof.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)0http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/09/selling-inflencing-tips-social-proof.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-141031222903529995Fri, 14 Sep 2007 07:19:00 +00002007-09-14T08:36:27.497+01:00Presentation SkillsNervesPublic SpeakingFear of public speaking is the number one reason why people avoid having to stand up and speak in public. The good news is that this is a natural reaction and that it can be conquered and that nervous energy turned into a resource.I have posted elsewhere on this site about this topic but on reviewing my posts I realised that I had omitted a few tips that I still use myself and recommend to othershttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/lj8aErrMOWM/use-your-body-to-manage-your-nerves.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)0http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/09/use-your-body-to-manage-your-nerves.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34701515.post-3423332939273321344Tue, 11 Sep 2007 09:53:00 +00002007-09-14T08:19:05.339+01:00AssertivenessToday I'd like to pass on three simple tips for improving your own assertive communication through choosing and using your language more appropriately.Don't over apologise or over justify.Minimise the use of hesitant language.Know when to shut up.Tip one: Don't over explain or over apologise.Here I would like to concentrate on the language you use when you are standing up for yourself. Perhaps http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LearningLaughterLightBulbMoments/~3/rxgjCzSgDh4/assertive-language-tips.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gavin Meikle, Trainer, Speaker & Coach)0http://lllm.blogspot.com/2007/09/assertive-language-tips.html