Biesenblog
Riveting Insights on Communication, Storytelling and Presentation Skills
7 TV Interview Tips Nobody Tells You
There's plenty of advice to be found on how to prepare for a TV interview. Talk in concise soundbites. Look at the interviewer, not the camera. Don't wear crazy patterns. But sometimes it's the little things they don't tell you that can make or break the interview....
The Secret to Finding Your Soulmate: Show, Don’t Tell
From finding the perfect mate online to delivering a killer presentation to nailing a job interview -- it's all about "show/don't tell." Here I break it down for Stefan Holt on NBC Chicago this past weekend. With references to The Office, Ricky Gervais, Steve Jobs,...
Nail That Job Interview — the Ricky Gervais Way
A job interview, like every other interaction, is a performance. If you want to succeed, you need to put your heart and soul into it. As usual, Hollywood provides a lesson in how to do that. Among the many classes I took at Second City's training center was a course...
Adele and The Secret to Writing a Great Speech
Can speechwriting be taught? To an extent, yes. But the key ingredient that separates a good speech from a great speech will always be elusive. I was reminded of this by an NPR story this morning. It described a concept called appoggiatura, which one expert says is...
Chrysler CEO Shows the Power of Emotion
All week the message of the Chrysler "Clint Eastwood" commercial has been drowned out by politics, something that took the car company by total surprise. And the criticism offended the dealers, too, who took the step of releasing a statement, denying that there was...
The 7 Habits of Highly Incompetent Editors
We hear the complaint all the time — most often, it’s about “the kids these days” — that nobody knows how to write anymore. We can blame bad parenting or inadequate schooling or text messaging, but there’s at least one thing we can do about it: help them improve. It’s...
You Can’t Stand Out By Fitting In
When it comes to "Communication Don’ts," lawyers are the gifts that keep on giving. Now I’ve got nothing against lawyers. I’ve worked with hundreds of them – literally. But they are, by nature, conservative and risk-averse. They go for the safe choice. They seek to...
The Worst Match.com Cliches and Your Business
If you've spent any time at all on match.com ... well, I feel for you. Don't worry, I've been there, too. My point is, you've probably noticed that a lot of the profiles sound alike. People enjoy long walks, thunderstorms, snuggling on the couch, etc. Human nature, I...
The Dirty Secret of What Your RFP Says About You
The RFP process is a terrible way to start a business relationship. It signals from the outset that you're looking for a vendor instead of a partner. It's one of those things that communicates without you even being aware you're communicating. Mostly it communicates...
Five Reasons Your Stories Put People to Sleep
Most of us know what goes into a compelling story. Relatable characters, dramatic conflict, high stakes. But sometimes the difference between a well-told story and one that puts listeners into a coma is not so much what you put into is as what you leave out. After...
The Secret to Being Irresistible at Parties
The key to being interesting is to take an interest in other people. Years ago I was at a party in New York where I didn't really know anybody but my then-girlfriend. At some point we each went our own way and I found myself next to the bar with one of her friend's...
Is Fear Holding You Back?
Fear of standing out. Of looking different. Of being laughed at. That, I believe, is the source of most of the bland, uninspired websites and videos and other tactics we see. Several years ago I was working with a small law firm. The newer, younger attorneys wanted to...
