I was a demanding member of the audience in physics and chemistry lessons. I wanted the materials to put on a spectacle for me. And unless the teachers were good narrators, things like Einstein’s special theory of relativity would glance off my brain, never to be seen again. It’s science show time. So the stars… Read more
Nervous about networking? Try a journalistic approach.
This is strange but true. I am happy to interview a business leader in front of an audience of 200 people. But put me in a room where I have to network face-to-face and – horror of horrors – sell my skills… Well, then, it’s time to skedaddle. At least, that’s how I used to… Read more
Be clear about your company’s future. Tell your stages story.
When you’re running your own company it sometimes feels like you’re hacking your way through a jungle. You’re not quite sure where you are or what you will encounter next. It would be nice to have a scout who knows the route and could warn you about the low-hanging snake 500 metres ahead. Even though… Read more
How to write memorable copy. Try mnemonics.
My daughter is at primary school. She’s navigating her way through the Kingdom of Rote. Learning by heart endless combinations of numbers and letters. I feel for her. When I was that age, I never relished my 9 times table. Or my 7s or 8s, for that matter. (To see how I overcame my jittery-ness… Read more
A festive personality test for your website: is it a pickpocket, pianist or panto baddie?
I have spookily long fingers. A villain? They are so long, that the eight year-old daughter of a colleague once asked her mother, in hushed tones, whether I was a witch. A proper witch like the ones in Roald Dahl’s The Witches – with wigs, clawed hands, large nostrils and no toes. For the record,… Read more
Help yourself. I find it invaluable. You will too.
In the course of a normal working day, I get through a hell of a lot of words. Some I write myself; others I read. I’ve been stockpiling countless books and articles about the best way to communicate. Now I’m in ‘New Term Decluttering’ mode and you’ll benefit. As I clear out my hard drive… Read more
15below – a master-class in audience appreciation.
“We could do this!” “Yes, and we could do that!” It’s easy to get carried away with new business ideas. The only danger is that, when you’re concentrating on what you’re selling, you sometimes forget what your clients really want to buy. I’ve been there, done it and bought the XL T-shirt. Audience neglect. Call… Read more
