Whenever you step in front of a group to present, you’re being judged on your confidence and competence. Your audience is immediately sizing you up. They are watching you closely to determine if you have command of your business and command of the stage. Carmine Gallo is the author of “Talk Like TED”and “The Storyteller’s Secret” and says …
Author: John Stevenson
Make it Herb, if you would
Southwest Airlines would not exist today if not for the inimitable and indomitable spirit of Herb Kelleher, it’s founder and retired CEO. Kelleher is famous for his straight talk and warm humor, but also his personal and professional eccentricity. At the age of 87, he is an unapologetic Wild Turkey drinker, cigarette smoker, and lawyer turned airline …
Eight is enough
Mind-numbing meetings are the quickest way to drain energy and morale from any team. But there are steps you can take to improve productivity and ensure healthy outcomes. Clear agendas, timely starts, and defined goals are the most commonly discussed fundamentals of meeting science, but it turns out the invite list is another key component …
Phrases to overcome friction
Conversations, relationships and negotiations all have their ups and downs. Interactions and transactions – large and small – occur constantly in our daily lives. Sometimes you’re negotiating which restaurant to go to. Sometimes you’re buying a car. Sometimes you’re buying a business. And some go quite smoothly. While others do not. But at some point, …
Dreaming small
Last Sunday, as dozens of pro golfers were starting the final round at the U.S. Open in Southampton, New York, retired touring pro and TV analyst Paul Azinger made a special comment. He said that while playing in and being in contention for a U.S. Open title might be the biggest dream of any pro golfer, winning …
Communicating with kids
While it’s nice to be recognized today for being a father, it also seems like a natural time for some continuing education as well. Knowing how to talk naturally with children – at any age – is a valuable skill. It shows interest, empathy, and kindness. It makes them feel that you really care. Here …
Managing uncertainty
Evolving business models, changing technology, and tightening labor markets are enough to cause any company (or individual) to take pause. It’s natural. The instinctual reaction to uncertainty is to freeze. (Hence, “deer in the headlights.”) But inaction can’t be a default response. Retired U.S. general and former CIA director David Petraeus knows how to handle uncertainty …
Jobs to be done
We spend most of our time here at the Snippet sharing ideas about the softer skills of business life: communicating, persuading, listening, speaking, inspiring and motivating. But this Snippet is squarely focused on the nerdier disciplines of innovation, product design, marketing and sales. If that’s not your cup of tea, you can stop here this …
On being a great listener
My listening skills need work. A lot of work. I’ve known about it for 30 years. And I’ve no doubt paid for it in hurt feelings, lost opportunities, and avoidable mistakes. I start conversations and meetings with the best intentions, but then I can’t help myself. I interrupt. I talk over people. I think about …
Stop trying to do business in coffee shops
It’s been convenient and cool for a long time now to set up new business meetings or meet & greet’s at coffee shops. And I’ve had a lot of meetings in coffee shops. From 2011 to 2013, as I was establishing ClientKudos, I probably had well over 250 meetings in coffee shops. I was driving all …