"It
never ceases to amaze me that intelligent, well-educated, and ambitious
individuals frequently overlook the #1 skill that is guaranteed
to position them ahead of the crowd ... ... namely the ability to
speak eloquently in public." As speech coach to many Silicon Valley executives, I have stopped being surprised at the common mistakes so many of them make. Here are a few of the misconceptions I keep running into. Do you share any of them? How to Build Your Organization's Reputation and Yours Even if you are NOT the CEO of your company, every time you open your mouth at a networking event, call a client's company, or speak up at your own meetings, you are enhancing - or diminishing - both your own reputation and that of your company. In February, for the second time, I attended and spoke at the Ragan Speechwriter Conference. Both times, I found it one of the most fun and educational events of the year. Carol Ballock of CEOGO.com described some impressive research from Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations and public affairs firm. It found that in 1997, CEOs' reputations made up 40% of the reputation of the organization they run. By 2003, that number had reached 50%. Years ago, I spoke in Las Vegas at a Century 21 convention. Paul Harvey, also on the program, told the audience: "For a company's advertising program to work, it has to be handled not only corporately but also individually." I could not have said it better. More and more organizations are now recognizing this wisdom and the need for their people at all levels to seek out speaking engagements. Much of my time now goes to helping executives design their presentations. Here
are a few tips I give them that you may find helpful. If you...spend hours crafting a speech or sales presentation, or have no idea where to start...save time, add more impact, build your confidence...call Fripp! If you...realize speaking engagements are a way for you to gain exposure in your community or industry...call Fripp! If you...have just been promoted and realize it will adversely affect your career unless you receive training to improve your speaking skills...call Fripp! If you...desire the caliber of presentations at your meetings and conventions to improve dramatically...call Fripp! How can she help you? Patricia simplifies and demystifies the process of designing a presentation for anyone who needs to speak in public. Executives, sales teams and even high-fee professional speakers undergo nothing less than a transformation in their presentations from both a content and delivery standpoint. Patricia can successfully coach you on the three essential aspects of presentations: structure, developing material, and delivery. After the Fripp training and coaching, audiences of all sizes will be mesmerized by your performance.
"If
you want to become a dynamic communicator who leads and inspires
with the power of your words, then you MUST hire Patricia Fripp
as your personal executive speech coach. She is one of the most
creative, innovative, and practical coaches I have ever experienced
in my 25 years as an executive. Don't
waste your money buying tapes from any other speaking guru. Spend
your dollars with Fripp, and you will receive a 10-fold return.
Trust me, even if you have great content, it's only 30% of what
you need to deliver a memorable keynote. The other 70% is the organizing,
wordsmithing, tweaking, polishing, and rehearsing that you'll do
with a consummate professional. Your presentations can be memorable,
dynamic, and persuasive—IF Fripp helps you. This could be your
best investment for your company and your career." "Patricia
Fripp is far and away the finest executive speech coach I have ever
worked with in over 20 years in business — and I have interacted
with more than a dozen different coaches. My speech is always immeasurably
better within five minutes after she and I start working. The executives
I have referred to her all feel the same way. She makes you and
your team more effective right from the start." "As an industry expert, for many years I have been asked to speak at national conference in keynote slots to very large audiences. My reviews have always been exceptionally good. Many of my associates thought it pointless to seek out a speech coach. However, Patricia Fripp had the reputation of taking expert speakers from good to great! Patricia worked with me for less than fifteen minutes before I thought 'Wow, I can't believe anyone ever asked me to speak a second time!' Although
I am the master of my content, she changed my presentations to be
more precise, pointed, and powerful. In a few hours, Patricia gave
me to confidence to make my stories more dramatic. The next step
was to 'Frippnotize' the entire Starker organization. In small office
settings, one-on-one coaching, and keynoting our company conference
she always gets great results, rave reviews, and requests to 'Bring
her back!' I recommend Patricia Fripp with no reservations. If you
want to be the best...call Fripp. If you are lucky enough to get
on her schedule you will consider it a great investment." "As COO with McDonald's, I had plenty of opportunity to give speeches and was considered a great speaker. However, when I had to prepare a convention speech with a considerable fee attached, the pressure increased considerably. Thank you for your assistance. I didn't realize how valuable a speech coach of your caliber could be. Your skill in drawing out the best in me was exciting. What you taught me about content, process and communication skills are better than anything I learned in university. Our training sessions were long, but rewarding. Working with you, I really discovered that public speaking requires engaging the audience emotionally and intellectually. I will be a better speaker for having spent this time with you. The additional resources you bring to the experience are a big help. The diagrams, sample tapes, role model speakers, the expert video producer, and the web sites to study are most helpful. Beyond the coaching, your generosity of experience and resources made the time saved on research well worth the investment. I
am now a 'Fripp Fan!'" Click to read more comments from Fripp's executive speech coaching clients. Patricia
Fripp, Executive Speech Coach
"Boy,
have I been Frippersized! Your speaking school was an awesome, incredible
two-day experience in which I learned more than I ever imagined.
It was non-stop and a whole lot of fun!" "Perhaps
you already know that anyone who delivers a podcast needs your keynote
expertise. I never appreciated how relevant your skill-set is until
I received a panic call from a client today. She and her colleague
were working on the opening feature for their first podcast and
knew it wasn't right. "It
was a pleasure spending the day with you and your genius mind. I'm
looking forward to implementing all of the strategies and reaping
the rewards from our coaching!" Patricia
Fripp, Executive Speech Coach |
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Waiting
until the last minute - So many executives don't start preparing
their message early enough to get the impact and results they want.
They overlook what a dynamic difference a great speech can make
to morale and their stock price.
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© 1995 - 2008 Patricia Fripp,
CSP, CPAE - A Speaker For All Reasons - All Rights Reserved.