How Does the 80-20 Rule Apply to Presentations? By Joey Asher Category: Content, Practice In the late 1800s, Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto observed that 20 percent of the peapods in his garden yielded 80 percent of the peas. He also noted that 80 percent of the land in Italy was owned by 20 percent [...]
Speak Like an Introvert By Joey Asher Category: Content, Practice There’s an interesting book out called “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking.” In the book, author Susan Cain explains how today’s world overvalues extroverts and undervalues introverts. And certainly extroverts get lots of credit for being natural speakers. [...]
Use the Holidays to Master the Lost Art of Conversation By Joey Asher Category: Networking, Body Energy, Voice Energy I was at a seated holiday dinner party this week and decided to play one of my favorite games. It's called, "How long can I get my dinner partner to talk by asking one question?" I [...]
By Joey Asher Category: Content Why do so many data-driven presentations stink? They’re boring. They’re confusing. They’re stuck in the weeds. They fail to provide context. They fail to tell a story. So, if you want to learn how to give a great presentation using data, learn the keys to telling a riveting story. And [...]
Category: Networking With families gathering for the holidays, you just might have to give a toast. And if you want to do it well, think FSP: Focus, Story, Passion. Focus: Remember that people don’t like long rambling toasts. Make one point about the person that you’re toasting. “I want to make a toast to our [...]
Public Speaking Tip from Bruce Lee By Joey Asher Category: Tips from Celebrities "Simplicity is the key to brilliance." Those are the words of martial arts legend Bruce Lee. While he may not have been speaking about public speaking, he certainly could have been. Great speakers focus on doing just a few things well: keeping the [...]
By Joey Asher Category: Practice This article is adapted from Joey Asher’s new book Riveting Data: How to Make Any Presentation Exciting Using Hollywood Storytelling Techniques. Why do so many data-driven presentations stink? They’re boring. They’re confusing. They’re stuck in the weeds. They fail to provide context. They fail to tell a story. With that in [...]
Spotlight on Our Coaches: Kim Cunningham By Joey Asher Category: Other Speechworks coach Kim Cunningham understands the importance of speaking with credibility. For years, people relied on her weather forecasts to plan their days. And when she was in the Air Force, pilots relied on her to help plan their combat missions. “Getting the forecast [...]
Category: Content You’re speaking to the board of directors, trying to win approval for a large capital improvement. Do you give them a detailed analysis of the reasons to approve the project? Or do you hit them with a few key messages supporting your position? You have a better chance of winning their approval if [...]
By Joey Asher Category: Nerves I had an English professor in college who said, "If you write a really great story, you're screwed." He meant that the best storytellers have the courage to open up their personal lives and tell the truth about themselves, even if the truth is embarrassing. Similarly, if you want to give [...]
