http://www.exec-comms.com/blog "...a new favorite blog for professional excellence in public speaking, speech-writing, and executive communications." - The Register, May 24, 2008 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 01:12:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 2006-2009 ian.griffin@exec-comms.com (Ian Griffin) ian.griffin@exec-comms.com (Ian Griffin) posts 1440 Speech, speechwriting, business, communications, presentations A forum for professional excellence in public speaking, speechwriting and executive communications. Ian Griffin Ian Griffin ian.griffin@exec-comms.com No no http://www.exec-comms.com/Pictures/0209_exe-comms_141.png http://www.exec-comms.com/blog 144 144 http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/07/24/interview-allison-massari-ignites-rebirth-vitality-and-renewal/ http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/07/24/interview-allison-massari-ignites-rebirth-vitality-and-renewal/#comments Sun, 25 Jul 2010 01:12:55 +0000 Ian http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/?p=2618 http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/07/24/interview-allison-massari-ignites-rebirth-vitality-and-renewal/feed/ 0 3:58 Museum artist Allison Massari found peace, purpose and happiness after overcoming two extraordinary personal tragedies. In 1998, Massari survived a near fatal 60 ... Museum artist Allison Massari found peace, purpose and happiness after overcoming two extraordinary personal tragedies. In 1998, Massari survived a near fatal 60 mph car crash where she was trapped and burned severely. Just three years later, she was hit again at 60 mph and sustained a brain injury. The level of betrayal she felt from life seemed insurmountable. She became determined to create an amazing life. Taking a long, steep climb from ashes into recovery, she learned very clearly how to navigate her way to true healing and to a life beyond anything she could have dreamed possible. The award-winning painter and sculptor added a new medium to her inventive workmdash;the written and spoken word. Her rededicated mission is to share her story of transformation and revitalization to activate visionary change in people and the organizations that nurture and inspire them. Allison Massari is passionate about igniting the human spiritmdash;the core of her message is courage, heart, happiness and redefining the impossible. ldquo;I've come to a place where my heart pounds with excitement instead of fear. If I could do this with my own life and under such extreme circumstancesmdash;imagine what you can do with yours.rdquo; As a member of the National Speakers Association, Massari's message is expertly relayed through inspirational keynotes, workshops, audio programs and coaching. Massari effectively weaves awe-inspiring stories and her compelling art images as metaphors for her most powerful insights. Her professional career is rich with diverse achievements. In 1998 Massari founded programs for teens with severe burn injuries which continue at the Adaptive Sports Center in Crested Butte, Colorado. For over 15 years she has been creating, selling and placing fine art with international collectors and Fortune 500 clients such as General Mills, US Airways and Lockheed Martin. She holds a Masters of Arts degree from School of Visual Arts in New York City and a Bachelor of Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design. The Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, Florida displays her collage work in its permanent collection. Look for her in the forthcoming international documentary film ReSolvemdash;teaching solutions for those coming through post-traumatic stress. Pro-Track Profile Allison carefully researched the National Speakers Association of Northern California before deciding to join. It was the reputation of Pro-Track which convinced her that her already thriving speaking business would benefit from the tips and techniques she learns in the monthly meetings. To hear Allison's discuss her speaking business and the way in which she's finding ways of expressing the essential messages she expressed as an artist in words, click on the podcast icon below. Podcasts,,Public,Speaking Ian Griffin no No http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/07/23/interview-marsha-egan-inbox-detox/ http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/07/23/interview-marsha-egan-inbox-detox/#comments Sat, 24 Jul 2010 02:20:50 +0000 Ian http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/?p=2731 http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/07/23/interview-marsha-egan-inbox-detox/feed/ 0 8:12 Celebrated keynoter, facilitator, author and ICF-certified business leader coach, Marsha Egan is on a quest to help others save thousands of hours and reclaim ... Celebrated keynoter, facilitator, author and ICF-certified business leader coach, Marsha Egan is on a quest to help others save thousands of hours and reclaim their lives due to email mismanagement. She has been a featured guest on ABC Nightly News, FOX and Friends, and NBC talking about the 12 steps to curing email addiction now outlined in her best selling book Inbox Detox - a guide to shifting your e-mail habits that shows you how to take charge of your inbox, your workday, and your life. Marsha rocketed to national prominence after publishing a simple e-book on curing email addiction. Requests for media appearances flooded in from around the world, as she shared her insights on changing our email culture, one inbox at a time. I sat down with Marsha at the recent National Speakers Association Convention in Orlando and asked her the details about what she tells audiences about the steps to free up and time and attention from email. In the podcast (click on the icon below) you'll hear Marsha: Share shocking stats on how much time an average employee wastes on email - and what this translates to in terms of the bottom line. How much is wasted annually by needless email interruptions (hint: it's greater than the GDP of 38 nations in the world). Suggest one effective tip on reclaiming your life from email addiction. Let us in on the secret as to how many emails she reads a day! Now, if only there was a similar book for Twitter and Blogging addiction! Business,Communication,,Marketing,,Podcasts,,Public,Speaking Ian Griffin no No http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/07/22/interview-rory-vaden-selling-with-social-media/ http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/07/22/interview-rory-vaden-selling-with-social-media/#comments Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:07:47 +0000 Ian http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/?p=2700 http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/07/22/interview-rory-vaden-selling-with-social-media/feed/ 3 7:56 Rory Vaden is a Self-Discipline Strategist who relates profound truths coupled with humorous anecdotes empowering professionals to conquer their fears and take immediate action ... Rory Vaden is a Self-Discipline Strategist who relates profound truths coupled with humorous anecdotes empowering professionals to conquer their fears and take immediate action in their businesses and their lives. Consulting with organizations, companies and individuals on leveraging self-discipline to create extraordinary performance, he has shared the stage with John Maxwell and conducted special programs for both Dave Ramsey and Zig Ziglarrsquo;s companies. His insights on overcoming procrastination, creative avoidance and personal setbacks have been shared on shows such as Oprah radio with Dr. Oz and featured in print media such as SUCCESStrade; Magazine. As the Co-Founder of the multi-million dollar public training company, Southwestern Consultingreg;, his pragmatic advice has been field tested by thousands of professionals from all different industries and he has personally coached clients such as Chad Goldwasser, the former #1 Keller Williams Real Estate Agent Worldwide. In 2007, Rory became the World Champion of Public Speaking first runner-up for Toastmasters International out of 25,000 entries worldwide. He is the author of the book No Laughs Know Laughs How to Be Funny to Make More Money, and the audio series entitled, "The Audience is NOT in their Underwear: How to Craft Truly Compelling Presentations and Deliver them Like a Champ". His groundbreaking book "Take The Stairs ndash; Success Means Doing Things You Donrsquo;t Want to Do" is set for tentative release in within a year. Today in addition to being an author, speaker, and entrepreneur, Rory is leading a rapidly growing international social movement called the Take The Stairs World Tour in which he is raising money for charity by climbing the 10 tallest buildings in the world. Combining a hilarious and compelling delivery with unprecedented expertise, Rory energizes audiences into action with his signature program: Take the Stairs ndash; Success Means Doing Things You Donrsquo;t Want To Do. Selling with Social Media Rory's presentation at the 2010 NSA Convention was titled Selling with Social Media ndash; Nine Techniques for Using Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to Get Coaching Clients, Book Deals and Keynotes. Now that the social media craze and rush to popularity is here, the question remains, how do you actually make any cash from all this hoopla? Rory shares practical advice, pragmatic techniques and straightforward methods for maximizing your time online. He shows clients how to get referral business on LinkedIn and how to use Facebook to turn fans into coaching clients. In this podcast interview I asked Rory where he sees social media going over the next year or two, what it means to generation X/Y and, finally, why anyone in their right mind would want to climb the 10 tallest buildings in the world. To find out why, click on the podcast icon below. Public,Speaking,,Social,Media Ian Griffin no No http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/07/21/interview-michelle-cullison-event-sponsorship-with-social-media/ http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/07/21/interview-michelle-cullison-event-sponsorship-with-social-media/#comments Thu, 22 Jul 2010 06:32:07 +0000 Ian http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/?p=2692 http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/07/21/interview-michelle-cullison-event-sponsorship-with-social-media/feed/ 0 5:59 Michelle Cullison is a social media speaker and an expert in web technology. Together with her colleagues Myra Corrello, PhD and Jennifer Ledet she presented ... Michelle Cullison is a social media speaker and an expert in web technology. Together with her colleagues Myra Corrello, PhD and Jennifer Ledet she presented at the 2010 National Speakers Association Convention on How Social Media Can Help You Successfully Co-Produce a Major Public Event. Michelle successfully uses social media and technology tools to organize and plan events, secure strategic partners and sponsors, generate product, gain long-term publicity and attract attendees. Michelle knows what it takes to recognize and understand how these virtually free communication tools can help you coordinate, collaborate, promote, connect, publicize, recognize and, ultimately, monetize your time and investment. As she tells it, it all comes down to the numbers. Social media allows, as never before, event planners to demonstrate in clear quantitative terms the reach a sponsor will have for each level of sponsorship. In this podcast interview I asked Michelle to outline the precise advantages of social media to gain event sponsorship, how she employed the tools, and what she would do differently if she had to do it all over again. She tells me about the one indispensable tool she now recommends as the key to success in social media. To find out what this is, click on the podcast icon below. Podcasts,,Social,Media Ian Griffin no No http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/06/02/interview-christine-robinson-winning-toastmaster-part-2/ http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/06/02/interview-christine-robinson-winning-toastmaster-part-2/#comments Wed, 02 Jun 2010 14:11:35 +0000 Ian http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/?p=2290 http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/06/02/interview-christine-robinson-winning-toastmaster-part-2/feed/ 0 6:00 How does someone prepare for a Toastmasters International Speech Contest? In the second part of my podcast interview with Toastmasters District 57 winner Christine Robinson, we ... How does someone prepare for a Toastmasters International Speech Contest? In the second part of my podcast interview with Toastmasters District 57 winner Christine Robinson, we discuss the upcoming 2010 Toastmasters International Convention. Very few women have ever won the World Championship, and Christine is only two speeches away from that possibility. Every one of us at Christine's home club, the Speakers Forum in Concord, CA, is doing all we can to help her prepare and practice a new speech for the final round of the contest. To hear how she plans to prepare for the event, click on the podcast icon below. Podcasts,,Public,Speaking,,Speech,Showcase Ian Griffin no No http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/06/01/interview-christine-robinson-winning-toastmaster-part-1/ http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/06/01/interview-christine-robinson-winning-toastmaster-part-1/#comments Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:09:06 +0000 Ian http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/?p=2288 http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/06/01/interview-christine-robinson-winning-toastmaster-part-1/feed/ 0 6:27 How are winning Toastmasters speeches created? I asked Christine Robinson, whose speech The Empty Chair won the District 57 Spring Conference May 8, 2010, held at ... How are winning Toastmasters speeches created? I asked Christine Robinson, whose speech The Empty Chair won the District 57 Spring Conference May 8, 2010, held at the California Maritime Academy in Vallejo California. In this podcast interview, Christine discusses the original motivation for the theme of the speech and then shares the mechanics of writing and practicing the speech. Her speech is rooted in the passion and conviction for the topic: "It had it's own vitality...it is time, now more than ever, to fill our chairs, to be present for others." Tomorrow, I'll share Part 2 of the interview, where Christine talks about the upcoming contest in Palm Desert. To hear Part 1 of the interview, click on the podcast icon below. Podcasts,,Public,Speaking,,Speech,Showcase Ian Griffin no No http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/05/27/interview-matt-upton-wisdom-coach/ http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/05/27/interview-matt-upton-wisdom-coach/#comments Thu, 27 May 2010 16:00:18 +0000 Ian http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/?p=2160 http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/05/27/interview-matt-upton-wisdom-coach/feed/ 2 4:58 Matt Upton's employment career has taken him from selling cards and lawn care to flipping burgers, folding tacos, selling knives, air conditioners, home insulation, to ... Matt Upton's employment career has taken him from selling cards and lawn care to flipping burgers, folding tacos, selling knives, air conditioners, home insulation, to overseeing housing developments, to leading a sales force in five western states for a food manufacturer, leading various for profit businesses as well as non-profit businesses. The common thread has always involved public speaking. As a professional speaker, writer, wisdom coach, and trainer Matt has conducted over 3000 presentations both throughout the United States as well internationally. His background in small groups and large group setting presentations has positioned him as an authority the area of business, personal and relationship growth. He brings to the audience participants his successes and failures with humor and professionalism allowing them to learn while enjoying their invested time. Matt works through the theme On the Move hellip; FORWARD. This has enabled individuals as well as businesses both small and large advance forward to the next level of success. His work takes him across the United States and internationally. Pro-Track Profile Matt is enrolled in the 2010 Pro-Track class sponsored by the Northern California Chapter of the National Speakers Association. He has experience speaking internationally in Bulgaria, to hear about his adventures there and his impressions of the Pro-Track program, click on the icon podcast below. Podcasts,,Public,Speaking Ian Griffin no No http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/05/11/interview-shel-holtz-business-communicator/ http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/05/11/interview-shel-holtz-business-communicator/#comments Tue, 11 May 2010 23:27:30 +0000 Ian http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/?p=2122 http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/05/11/interview-shel-holtz-business-communicator/feed/ 1 5:20 Having spent 30-plus years in organizational communications in Fortune 500 companies, consulting firms, and as an independent consultant since 1996, Shel Holtz, ABC, brings a ... Having spent 30-plus years in organizational communications in Fortune 500 companies, consulting firms, and as an independent consultant since 1996, Shel Holtz, ABC, brings a depth of experience to his engagements. Shel has worked with online communications since the mid-1980s; he currently focuses on the application of social media to strategic business communication. Shel also provides counsel and guidance on traditional online communication and conventional media. Shel is the author of five books, including Public Relations on the Net, Corporate Conversations, Blogging for Business and the recently released How to Do Everything with Podcasting. (Along with co-author John C. Havens, Shel is currently writing "Web 2.Open," addressing the role communications play in organization efforts to attain transparency.) He has also written countless articles for magazines and journals. He is in demand as a speaker at conferences and workshops around the world. Shel keynoted at the Ragan Corporate Communicators Conference in Detroit. I asked him what was new in his world. To hear what he told me, click on the podcast icon below. Business,Communication,,Podcasts,,Social,Media Ian Griffin no No http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/04/21/interview-roberta-guise-marketing-consultant/ http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/04/21/interview-roberta-guise-marketing-consultant/#comments Thu, 22 Apr 2010 05:47:46 +0000 Ian http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/?p=2063 http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/04/21/interview-roberta-guise-marketing-consultant/feed/ 0 5:46 Roberta Guise, MBA, advises small business owners, consultants and non-profits on how to make best use of their marketing dollars and resources. She shows them ... Roberta Guise, MBA, advises small business owners, consultants and non-profits on how to make best use of their marketing dollars and resources. She shows them how to build a profitable stable of customers, and through precision planning, promotions, branding, and placements in the media, be visible and get known. Roberta also advises and develops deeply knowledgeable, ambitious experts, especially women, who want be known as a go-to thought leader or authority in their field of expertise. She swims in the frigid waters of San Francisco Bay, which she says is an apt metaphor for how she helps clients navigate extreme business issues and cross currents that can swirl around them at any time. An award-winning marketer and PR consultant, Roberta writes and speaks on how to get a distinctive marketing edge and be extraordinarily visible. Her consulting practice, Guise Marketing PR, is headquartered in San Francisco. Get a piece of Roberta's mind at her website and blog. Check out her podcast profiles of influential women. Connect with her on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To hear what she shared with me about her services, and to hear what she's enjoying about the National Speakers Association Pro-Track class, click on the podcast icon below. Business,Communication,,Podcasts Ian Griffin no No http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/03/25/interview-david-mariant-bipolar-survivor/ http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/03/25/interview-david-mariant-bipolar-survivor/#comments Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:30:04 +0000 Ian http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/?p=2053 http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/03/25/interview-david-mariant-bipolar-survivor/feed/ 1 3:59 David Mariant is an author, speaker, life coach, and founder of The Bipolar Coach and Surviving Bipolar. David reaches thousands by radio in over ... David Mariant is an author, speaker, life coach, and founder of The Bipolar Coach and Surviving Bipolar. David reaches thousands by radio in over 30 countries worldwide. He is a sought after speaker who is recognized by mental health professionals and bipolar sufferers alike as a top expert on overcoming Bipolar Disorder. Having overcome his own struggle with bipolar, he fully understands, with great compassion, the struggles of others. David is available for motivational and informative speaking engagements, keynotes, workshops and bipolar life coaching for individuals with bipolar and their families. He is a member of the Santa Clara County Mental Health Board of California, working to insure quality mental health care for people who suffer with mental illnesses of all types. David's Story "Since first being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and after my own brush with death, I have become a passionate student of bipolar disorder. If you are interested in the truth about bipolar disorder and how to live with its hidden dangers, then I am your guy. I am a certified life coach for anyone, but specializing in coaching individuals with bipolar disorder. I equip bipolar sufferers and their families with awareness by teaching them mental and physical strategies that they will need in order to help them survive, overcome the illness, and thrive. Medicine alone is rarely enough. My Surviving Bipolar Disorder Made S.I.M.P.L.E. Seminar and Workshop, has changed many peoplersquo;s lives, giving them a new and successful way to live with this challenging illness." Pro-Track Profile David is a member of the Northern California Chapter of the National Speakers Association Pro-Track class of 2010. He shared with me the story of his life and work and how he came to find out about the Pro-Track opportunity - with the help of NSA/NC founding member Patricia Fripp. To hear what he told me, click on the podcast icon below. Podcasts,,Public,Speaking Ian Griffin no No http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/03/06/interview-vickie-sullivan-branding-queen/ http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/03/06/interview-vickie-sullivan-branding-queen/#comments Sun, 07 Mar 2010 03:40:43 +0000 Ian http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/?p=2012 http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/03/06/interview-vickie-sullivan-branding-queen/feed/ 1 8:31 Vickie Sullivan is internationally recognized as a top market strategist for experts. Specializing in branding for high-fee professional speaker markets, she has launched ... Vickie Sullivan is internationally recognized as a top market strategist for experts. Specializing in branding for high-fee professional speaker markets, she has launched thousands of thought leaders since 1987. Vickiersquo;s groundbreaking work has earned her an appointment on the Womenrsquo;s Leadership Board for the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. In that capacity, she presented three times to the Harvard student body on personal branding and prominence. On Saturday she presented to a somewhat less august institution than Harvard. She rocked the house at the meeting of the Northern California Chapter of the National Speakers Association. Her presentation, Brand It And They Will Come: Build a High-Fee Brand When You Are Not Famous, was short on fluff and long on street-wise detail to help the average $1,000 - $5,000 speaker in the audience stand out from the crowd. An era of practicality With meeting expenditure down, even as the number of meetings are trending higher, clients are doing more with less. Unlike the go-go days of the boom period, we are now living in an era of practicality. Executives are micromanaging meetings down to the level of choosing the theme and seating arrangements. They are sending interns to do first-round interviews with prospective speakers. Many speakers are not only competing with each other for gigs, they are competing with the authors, bloggers and social media mavens who will speak for free in order to pimp their books and consulting programs. So what's a novice speaker to do? First, lose the obsession with presentation skills. Being able to present well is table stakes. Next, realize meeting organizers divide the world into speakers who are nice to have and those they gotta have. In order to fall into the latter camp the information you offer has to overlap with the buyers perceived needs and beat out the other options being considered for the meeting agenda. You have to stand out from the crowd by uniquely branding yourself. Getting hired requires you create a vivid picture in the client's mind of what they will get when you speak at their event. Craft your brand in a way that appeals to the buyers emotions and creates an image of you in a category of one. Vicki goes into more detail on the importance of differentiation in this Special Report on her website: If branding is the promise you make to the market, then differentiation is the stage you use to deliver on your promise. The Three Keys to a High-Fee Brand One: A Successful Story Your compelling story is only useful to the extent it teaches others. Sports hero's have a problem on the speaking circuit if their motivational stories don't connect with the couch potatoes in the audience. We can connect with the audience by telling stories that break with the expected and bring opposites into play, compare unexpected things or roles or reveal a Eureka moment. Vickie's website has an article on writing Stories That Create The Emotional Drive To Buy. Two: A Point of View Build a point of view around hot issues. Focus on a Big Idea. Make the invisible visible. Tell people things they've not heard before. Three options that help build a unique point of view: Predict the Future - what can we expect that will impact the audience's world in unexpected ways? In my world, I'm seeing a growing backchannel of communication using PDA's and social media to converse about the speaker while they are still onstage. Sound the Alarm - what does the audience need to know that will save their skins? Again, in my own world, too much information is being crammed into presentations by subject matter experts. Someone else in the audience today shared how middle managers in Silicon Valley technology companies are addicted to the corporate crack of repeatedly launching projects to boost their career without realizing they are burning everyone out with their 7x24 demands. She realized she could develop... Business,Communication,,Marketing,,Podcasts,,Public,Speaking Ian Griffin no No http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/02/20/interview-jack-sramek-land-banker/ http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/02/20/interview-jack-sramek-land-banker/#comments Sat, 20 Feb 2010 20:14:48 +0000 Ian http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/?p=1982 http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/02/20/interview-jack-sramek-land-banker/feed/ 1 4:50 Jack Sramek is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and a former Marine Corps Fighter Pilot. He flew 125 combat missions in ... Jack Sramek is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and a former Marine Corps Fighter Pilot. He flew 125 combat missions in Vietnam as a member of the famous "Blacksheep Squadron" and served as the personal aide to Lt. General Lewis W. Walt, commander of all Marines in Vietnam. Upon leaving the Marine Corps, he continued flying as a pilot with Trans World Airlines, completing a 30 year career. In parallel with his position at TWA, he obtained a California Real Estate Brokerrsquo;s license in 1974. Remembering his parentsrsquo; experience as owners of a 50 acre farm near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which they sold at retirement for 100 times more than they had initially paid for it, he began a career in Land Banking. He watched Orange County and the San Jose area go from agricultural land to what they are today, as urban growth multiplied land values. Bob Hope, Gene Autrey, Roy Rogers and others built huge fortunes by buying and holding land in the path of growth. Strategic land banking has been the best kept secret in the investment community. Few people are aware of how, why and where to take advantage of this simple supply and demand option or the fact that they can use their IRA, 401(k) or other investment funds to acquire pre-development land. With one out of every eight people in the United States living in California, Jack is on a mission to teach people how to use this vehicle for diversification, college educations, retirement or general wealth accumulation. He frequently speaks professionally on the subject, is honing his skills at Pro-Track and is presently completing a book on how to use land banking to "hatch a million dollar nest egg." Jack can be reached at Jack@StirlingSP.com His website is www.StrategicLandBanking.com. To hear what he told me about his background and his reasons for enrolling in Pro-Track, click on the podcast icon below. Podcasts,,Public,Speaking Ian Griffin no No http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/01/25/interview-frauke-schorr-centered-leadership-coach/ http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/01/25/interview-frauke-schorr-centered-leadership-coach/#comments Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:07:00 +0000 Ian http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/?p=1878 http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/01/25/interview-frauke-schorr-centered-leadership-coach/feed/ 2 3:32 In order to gain a competitive edge it is essential for professionals to strive for both professional and personal excellence. Frauke Schorr's work focuses ... In order to gain a competitive edge it is essential for professionals to strive for both professional and personal excellence. Frauke Schorr's work focuses on professionals who struggle and need outside expertise to bring their careers, businesses, and teams to the next level. As part of her PhD in Organizational Psychology Frauke interviewed highly accomplished entrepreneurs and leaders on their experience of becoming successful. She found that the most successful leaders hold the mindset of a Centered Leadertrade; - They had a continuous curiosity to learn something new, challenge themselves, and stretch their boundaries while being grounded in a frame that was uniquely build on their personal values, beliefs, and passions. They also had the distinct ability to translate this frame into a company culture. They were, as Frauke describes it, leading from the inside-out. Podcasts,,Public,Speaking Ian Griffin no No http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/01/11/interview-phillip-van-hooser-president-national-speakers-association/ http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/01/11/interview-phillip-van-hooser-president-national-speakers-association/#comments Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:37:16 +0000 Ian http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/?p=1842 http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/01/11/interview-phillip-van-hooser-president-national-speakers-association/feed/ 1 6:56 "We must always remember that the act of speaking professionally is only a part of our individual journeys. It is not a destination." - Phillip ... "We must always remember that the act of speaking professionally is only a part of our individual journeys. It is not a destination." - Phillip Van Hooser The Evolution of a Professional Speaking Career Since 1988, NSA President Phillip Van Hooser, CSP, CPAE, has spoken, written, coached and consulted on leadership and service professionalism issues with groups and organizations around the globe. On Saturday January 9, 2009, he presented at the NSA Northern California Chapter meeting. His talk, Uncommon Business Practices That Will Help You Re-Think, Re-Position and Re-Tool Your Way to Speaking Success, reviewed the evolution of his own speaking career and the lessons this holds for other professional speakers. Van Hooser stated that there are five distinct stages in a typical speaking career: 1. The dream is born Some fall into a speaking career by chance. But Phil has dreamed of being a professional speaker since he was very young. His grandmother was an early influence who told the eight-year-old he would become a Baptist preacher. That didn't happen, but he did became enamored with natural orators: the preachers, teachers and politicians of his Kentucky childhood. 2. The journey begins By age 15 he had started keeping a notebook on public speaking. He recorded what the speakers he heard said, then progressed to noticing how they said what they said #151 the ways in which they delivered their material. 3. A business materializes Every speaker must choose a moment to declare themselves a professional. For Van Hooser, that moment was the afternoon of April 7, 1988 when he quit his corporate job. With the "confidence born of ignorance" he started his business with no prospects or speaking material. He did, however, enjoy the support of his wife Susan who has been his business partner for the past 20 years. Now #151 2,800 paid presentations later #151 Phil's advice to others considering a career as a speaker is not to quit the day job until you have material developed and clients lined up. 4. The work expands Speakers need to stay current. Changes in technology and the economy mean that what worked at the start of our careers will not continue to work. We need to evolve personally and professionally. The secret, Phil says, is to listen to the audience. As speakers we might think we know what people like, but the audience will let us know what they actually benefit from. 5. Reflection is inevitable Many older people, looking back at their lives, wish they had taken more risks. They also wish they had taken time out to reflect, slowing down the weeks and months that otherwise pass by in a blur. Many wish they had contributed something to the world that would outlast their own lifespan. As speakers, we must take the risk of stepping outside our safety zone and learn from our mistakes. We must invest ourselves in the people in our audience, and reflect on the unique opportunity we have to make a difference to thousands of people. Finally, when we speak with passion and conviction, we'll see the light bulb go off in people's eyes and know that we have connected with them. We never know when something we say in a presentation will change someone's life. It's this possibility, Van Hooser says, that makes the hard work of being a professional speaker worthwhile. Grandmother Van Hooser clearly saw something in young Phillip that has now benefited tens of thousands of people. Podcast Interview To hear what Phil told me about his role as President of the National Speakers Association, how American speakers are perceived internationally and why professional speaking is the hardest job he's ever had, click on the podcast icon below. Phil can be contacted at phil@vanhooser.com. Business,Communication,,International,Communication,,Podcasts,,Public,Speaking Ian Griffin no No http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2009/12/28/interview-janet-hebert-american-cancer-society-speaker/ http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2009/12/28/interview-janet-hebert-american-cancer-society-speaker/#comments Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:09:40 +0000 Ian http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/?p=1822 http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2009/12/28/interview-janet-hebert-american-cancer-society-speaker/feed/ 1 6:43 Janet Hebert has been a ranch hand (her parents raised prunes on over 100 acres in the Coyote Valley), an elementary school teacher, a full ... Janet Hebert has been a ranch hand (her parents raised prunes on over 100 acres in the Coyote Valley), an elementary school teacher, a full time single mom for her two children Katie and Jeff, and a caregiver for her own mother. Janet has been speaking for the past 15 years. She has been a frequent competitor in Toastmasters District 4 ndash; progressing to the Division and District contests several times, and all the way to the Regional level in the International Speech Contest in 2000. It was in the process of attending the Toastmasters contests that she met her husband Paul, also a winner at the District level. Janet is a 16-year breast cancer survivor. For the past 15 years she has been speaking to audiences large and small on behalf of the American Cancer Society, helping raise awareness and inspire action for individuals and groups. While listening to Janet, audiences learn about cancer in general, how to detect it early, and what help is available when cancer is discovered. Listeners learn not only the facts - they learn about the compassion and human warmth behind the work of the American Cancer Society. Her engaging style, candor and deep commitment to helping others - as she herself was helped - make her a preferred presenter for ACS. She enjoys the opportunity to share information and her story, believing with each talk that she may be helping to save someonersquo;s life. Pro-Track Profile The 2010 Pro-Track program kicks off on Saturday January 23 at the Burlingame, CA, Hilton Hotel. Janet is excited to be a part of Pro-Track. She is pursuing her dream of becoming a professional speaker and impacting many more lives with both her unique perspectives and heartfelt good will. I talked with Janet on the phone about the origins of her interest professional speaking and what she is looking for in the Pro-Track program. To hear what she told me, click on the podcast icon below. Janet can be reached at (408) 226-8283 or by email at janet@costaclan.com. Podcasts,,Public,Speaking Ian Griffin no No http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2009/12/10/interview-krim-stephenson-the-branding-implications-of-social-media/ http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2009/12/10/interview-krim-stephenson-the-branding-implications-of-social-media/#comments Fri, 11 Dec 2009 01:30:38 +0000 Ian http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/?p=1797 http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2009/12/10/interview-krim-stephenson-the-branding-implications-of-social-media/feed/ 0 6:05 I met with Krim Stephenson who presented at the December lunch of the Silicon Valley Chapter of the IABC on the topic of social media ... I met with Krim Stephenson who presented at the December lunch of the Silicon Valley Chapter of the IABC on the topic of social media - beyond the hype. Krim is a principal in the Arlington Mill Group. A former journalist with Bloomberg News and communications leader at Microsoft, he focuses on helping clients find the best expression of their brand and message for success online. He has led strategy, outreach and brand initiatives at companies including Visa, Oracle and Chase. I asked Krim about how social media has affected branding by large companies. He shared his thoughts on how branding has changed since the era of the MadMen when ad agencies and marketing departments exercised control over all branding elements. Krim explains why social media is opening up new forms of communication to enliven brands. To hear his thoughts, click on the podcast icon below. Business,Communication,,Social,Media Ian Griffin no No http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2009/11/25/interview-laura-delizonna-phd-choosing-happiness/ http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2009/11/25/interview-laura-delizonna-phd-choosing-happiness/#comments Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:36:02 +0000 Ian http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/?p=1786 http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2009/11/25/interview-laura-delizonna-phd-choosing-happiness/feed/ 1 6:42 Speaker, Author, Positive Psychologist and Life Coach Dr. Delizonna is an expert in sustainable happiness. She coaches individual clients, conducts workshops at companies and nonprofits, and ... Speaker, Author, Positive Psychologist and Life Coach Dr. Delizonna is an expert in sustainable happiness. She coaches individual clients, conducts workshops at companies and nonprofits, and presents keynote speeches. She also teaches popular happiness and emotional intelligence courses at Stanford University. Recognized as an authority in happiness, Dr. Delizonna trains mental health professionals and serves as a board member of nonprofit organizations including The American Happiness Association and Project Happiness. For as long as she can remember, Laura has wanted to do something that has a big impact on society. She has found her niche helping people build happier, more fulfilling lives. She sees it as part of the world peace movement. When people become happier, they not only infect others with their positivity, but they treat others more kindly, have stronger relationships, and are more altruistic generous, and compassionate toward others. Two decades ago, she began her quest to find the keys to happiness. She started with herself and vowed that one day she would teach what she learned to others. She harvested teachings from everyone she could find who had something to say about happiness. From taxi drivers, to Maasai warriors, to researchers at top universities, she listened. She reflected on her own life lessons, earned her doctorate in clinical psychology, and learned from her experiences as a therapist treating people with depression and anxiety. Now Laura feels she understands what it takes to be truly happy. She views happiness as emerging from having an ability to respond to each moment with skills. For the last five years, she has been teaching this skill set to others. She wrote a manual for increasing sustainable happiness which is calls "The 5 Habits of Happiness." She teaches workshops for individuals, businesses, and organizations on how to increase happiness and well-being. She adds that businesses are becoming more interested in employee happiness because they realize that it affects the bottom line. Pro-Track Profile Laura has spoken internationally in South Africa and soon Vietnam as well as presents keynotes and workshops locally on how to increase sustainable happiness and enhance emotional intelligence. She is writing a self-help book and teaches positive psychology and emotional intelligence courses at Stanford University. She was a member of the NSA Northern California Pro-Track class of 2009. Her website is ChoosingHappiness.com. I talked with Laura on the phone about the origins of her interest in happiness, how public speaking fits into her professional life, and what she thought of the Pro-Track program. To hear what she told me, click on the podcast icon below. Podcasts,,Public,Speaking Ian Griffin no No http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2009/11/20/interview-bob-houlston-st-albans-uk-guitar-teacher/ http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2009/11/20/interview-bob-houlston-st-albans-uk-guitar-teacher/#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:59:44 +0000 Ian http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/?p=1766 http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2009/11/20/interview-bob-houlston-st-albans-uk-guitar-teacher/feed/ 2 3:03 During my University of Hertfordshire presentation on Social Networking I interviewed local guitar teacher Bob Houlston. He offers relaxed, informal, supportive but professional one-to-one ... During my University of Hertfordshire presentation on Social Networking I interviewed local guitar teacher Bob Houlston. He offers relaxed, informal, supportive but professional one-to-one guitar tuition at his home in St. Albans. Bob's mission is to promote Community Development via free internet distribution of guitar playing musicianship and craft skills information. He caters for every level, from beginners to gigging guitarists. His website offers free guitar tips + tabs with no strings attached! To hear what Bob told me about his plans to use Social Media to advertise his business, click the podcast icon below. Podcasts Ian Griffin no No http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2009/11/07/interview-jason-kersten-author-and-journalist/ http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2009/11/07/interview-jason-kersten-author-and-journalist/#comments Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:02:52 +0000 Ian http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/?p=1747 http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2009/11/07/interview-jason-kersten-author-and-journalist/feed/ 0 5:18 The afternoon session of Saturday's Northern California Chapter of the National Speakers Association (NSA/NC) meeting featured a conversation between Craig Harrison and journalist ... The afternoon session of Saturday's Northern California Chapter of the National Speakers Association (NSA/NC) meeting featured a conversation between Craig Harrison and journalist and author Jason Kersten. An author and journalist since 1998, Jason has written features for numerous national magazines, including Rolling Stone, Menrsquo;s Journal, and Maxim. His first book, Journal of the Dead: A Story of Friendship and Murder in the New Mexico Desert, was selected as a New York Times Notable Book of 2003. He has appeared as a guest and commentator on CNN, Fox News, TruTv, NPR, and numerous regional TV and radio shows. His works have been optioned for both film and television. A native Californian, Kersten was raised in Marin County and the Santa Ynez Valley. In 1996, he earned a masters of science from Columbia Universityrsquo;s Graduate School of Journalism. He lives in New York City. In his conversation with Craig, Jason shared a number of his interviewing tips and read from his latest book, The Art of Making Money: The Story of a Master Counterfeiter. The Smell of a Bank After the event ended I asked Jason to share his insider's perspective on the ways professional journalists approach an interview and why he would even think of asking a subject to describe "the smell of a bank." To hear what he told me, click on the podcast icon below. Business,Communication,,Podcasts Ian Griffin no No http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2009/10/17/interview-pro-track-profile-susan-thaxton/ http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2009/10/17/interview-pro-track-profile-susan-thaxton/#comments Sat, 17 Oct 2009 19:17:02 +0000 Ian http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/?p=1706 http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2009/10/17/interview-pro-track-profile-susan-thaxton/feed/ 2 6:00 Susan Thaxton has learned the meaning of resiliency and the power of transformation. Susan has had two full careers and is moving into ... Susan Thaxton has learned the meaning of resiliency and the power of transformation. Susan has had two full careers and is moving into a third. After completing an internship at UCSF, she worked as a Registered Dietitian in long term care and as a Clinical Nutrition Manager in acute care hospitals. In the mid-nineties she took advantage of a massive layoff, changing careers to become a successful sales representative in commercial printing. Combining her sales background and her experience as a consulting dietitian, Susan is embarking on a new career as a consultant in the world of senior housing. As a speaker, Susan plans to spread the message to Baby Boomers and beyond that where you live tomorrow depends on what you plan for today. Her new book on "Living where I want to live: A guide to helping aging parents" is in the works. Pro-Track Profile Susan has been a cyclist for almost 30 years. She joined the National Speakers Association Northern California Chapter's Pro-Track program with the intention of speaking about fitness and nutrition for women over 40. After a series of personal challenges this year, including supporting her husband through cancer and learning that her mother is in the early stages of dementia, Susan changed her focus to address the question, "What will happen to me?" Susan credits Pro-Track for keeping her "sane" during an otherwise tumultuous year and for giving her the courage to transform her personal experience into a meaningful message. She can be reached at sdthaxton@comcast.net To hear what Susan told me about her future plans, click on the podcast icon below. Podcasts,,Public,Speaking Ian Griffin no No