Rob Biesenbach 
In my last post I talked about the importance of telling original stories. One of the best ways to be original is to tell personal stories derived from your own experience. Some of my clients are reluctant to do this. They’ll say that nobody wants to hear their stories. Which isn’t true. Especially if you’re … Read more
Everyone wants to stand out from the crowd, but you can’t do that by telling the same old stories people have heard a million times. That’s why it’s important to tell original stories. Our stories are what set us apart as individuals. They communicate who we are and the values we hold dear. They make … Read more
Last year I attended a conference breakout session on a topic that really interested me. The room was packed with like-minded people, all hoping to get something of value from the program. Then the presenter kicked things off by talking about himself, and only himself, for what seemed like 10 minutes. He walked us through … Read more
When I lead storytelling workshops, someone inevitably says their work or their business is too complex to capture in a story. That’s when I point them to Malcolm Gladwell, author of Blink, Tipping Point and other bestsellers. I once watched Gladwell keep a ballroom full of people on the edge of their seats with an hour-long … Read more
A smart presenter is prepared for absolutely anything. There are so many details to manage, some of which can make or break your presentation. Why leave anything to chance? That’s why I create checklists. Lots of checklists. I have checklists for: Things to do months and weeks in advance (research audience, create handouts, confirm logistics … Read more
If you’re a fan of Bob Dylan or Patti Smith (or both) this video is must viewing. But even if you’re not, it’s worth watching for some important lessons on how to keep calm when things go off the rails during a presentation. If you hadn’t heard, singer/poet/artist Patti Smith went to Stockholm this weekend … Read more
If your PowerPoint decks are still stuck in the last century (dull, ugly and wordy), audiences may think your ideas are stuck there, too. Don’t sweat it. I’ve got a fix for you. This year I debuted a new talk that has already helped hundreds of conference attendees modernize their slides so they can deliver … Read more
I’ve been traveling the country the past couple of months training a client’s sales managers on their presentation skills — by the time I’m done I’ll have trained nearly 100 people. Interestingly, I’ve found that the more I teach, the more I learn. I’m discovering tons of great lessons I almost forgot I knew! So … Read more
A speaking coach I know says 95% of her clients talk too fast. Which is a pretty understandable reaction to the often surreal experience of getting up in front of a bunch of people to speak. But talking too quickly makes it harder for your audience to understand you. And your key points don’t “land” … Read more
I usually kick off my presentation skills workshops with the story of the worst presentation I ever saw. But the only thing worse than sitting through a terrible presentation is being the one at the front of the room delivering that terrible presentation. So here is the story of the worst presentation I ever gave. … Read more