Rob Biesenbach 
There, I said it. It feels good to get that off my chest. When I do presentations, I get all kinds of feedback, from the eye-opening to the mind-bending. But until recently I’d never been accused of being a mindless tool of the capitalist agenda. Estela and the Candy Factory It was during a webinar when … Read more
If you want to break down walls with an audience and influence them to act, nothing beats a well-told story. To create that story, simplicity is key: you need three basic elements: Character Goal Challenge Now you can make it as complicated as you want, layering on other elements like a turning point or a … Read more
I was talking last week with my next awesome client about the problem of Death by PowerPoint, and why so many people still don’t get it. Our conversation led me to a realization about why smart people continue to give bad presentations. Dull Slide Decks, and the People Who Use Them We were mainly discussing the … Read more
If you’ve been waiting with bated (or baited) breath for my next post on confusing word pairs, today is your day! It was almost three years ago that I first set out to make the world a better place by ending once and for all the misuse of “jibe” and “jive” and “hone” and “home,” among others. … Read more
The more this Brian Williams story plays out, the more ridiculous it seems. Unless NBC knows something the rest of us don’t, a six-month suspension seems pretty draconian. (But not draconian enough for those demanding he be fired.) I don’t really have a dog in this fight. I don’t watch the NBC Nightly News (or any … Read more
I love giving presentations, but I recognize I’m in a unique position: I get to choose the topic, the time and the place. So I really feel for those in the corporate world who find themselves staring at the screen trying to figure out what to say for some presentation they’re obligated to give. It … Read more
My book, 11 Deadly Presentation Sins, is officially one-year-old this Saturday. Like any toddler, it’s caused me more than a few sleepless nights. And, like parenthood, no matter how much you prepare, the process is still full of surprises. Even when you’ve done it before. But this book was different, since I decided to publish … Read more
If you’re the kind of person who plans things out carefully, beware: that strength could also be your biggest weakness, if it keeps you from being in the moment. That’s a lesson I’ve learned the hard way, and something I intend to work on in the new year. Planning Only Takes You So Far I consider … Read more
Fifteen years ago this fall I struck out on my own, leaving a job as a vice president at Ogilvy PR to work independently. I started out doing what I’d been doing at the firm: corporate communications work for a variety of clients. Over the years, I added three other lines of work: acting (in … Read more
We’ve all heard that “93 percent of communication is nonverbal.” But like a lot of conventional wisdom, that figure is a myth. But because so many people accept it as gospel, they almost literally tie themselves up in knots in presentations, job interviews, speed dates and other important moments. Here’s what you need to know about … Read more