I was so happy to reconnect with Kwame Christian of the American Negotiation Institute. We sat down to talk about why prepartion matters, and how it can be the difference between a strong, confident, persuasive speech, and a weak, unprepared one.

Your speaker bio (aka, your Introduction) serves 3 purposes: 1) To establish cred. Your audience wants to know that you know what you’re talking about. What’s your background? Why are you the person to speak about this? How do we know you bring…

I’ll never forget the worst bridal toast I ever sat through. It was a July wedding. My husband was the best man. I was his date, seated at another table. I, of course, helped my husband plan and prepare his speech. We made sure it was heartfelt, kind, and succinct. The maid of honor did not do the same.

As my client’s responsibilities and visibility grew, he began to struggle in public speaking scenarios: leading meetings, presenting to the C-Suite, or speaking at an event. He struggled with both prepared and impromptu presentations.

Whiteboards are the unsung heroes of the classroom and the board room. They are low-key and low-tech. Anyone can use them. They allow you to make a point without having to spend hours creating a chart or an elaborate powerpoint or deck of slides.

I love telling stories, all the time. At work, with friends, at home, with clients. Honestly, sometimes I think I spend too much time telling stories. Storytelling can be an effective business tool. Stories add impact to you presentations, speeches, and even your negotiations.