Tag Archive for 'professional development'

Delivering powerful, effective presentations

Published on May 13, 2011 in Business. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

presentation skillsphoto © 2010 o5com | more info (via: Wylio)I don’t know anyone who enjoys delivering presentations.  A solid sales pitch can bring in a new client or be a driver for inter-departmental support on a new project.  And surviving the session selection process for conferences can help you build a name for yourself amongst your professional peers. But no matter how many times you stand up in front of a crowd there’s always a moment when your stomach drops and you worry that your slide deck and talk aren’t going to captivate the audience.

On a recent G5 Leadership webinar, Connie Dieken, author of Talk Less, Say More, shared her tips on how to “fight presentation bloat” and take your audience from their various starting points to the conclusion you want and need it to reach.  Whether you’re seeking a commitment of time, money or social capital, you need to put your focus on generating the desired impact through the following 3 steps: connect, convey and convince.

Connect

You’ll lose an audience quickly if you can’t demonstrate why listeners should care.  Start strong and “frontload your message” so that “what’s relevant to the audience comes first”.  Don’t work through the details to get to your point; drive it home first and then dig in.

Speak to them in their language and cover their concerns.

Convey

The presentation shouldn’t include everything and the kitchen sink; use “portion control”  Only include the must-know information; you can follow up and distribute other information as the need presents itself.

Interestingly, Dieken pointed out that the brain processes visual stimuli ten times quicker than text, so a great graphic can be more effective than a slide full of text.   I’m particularly fond of the cartoons developed to support Annie Leonard’s Story of Stuff.  The stick figures and other doodles illustrate a lot of information in a very engaging way.

Convince

Body language is more than half the battle.  You need to look and sound as if you know what you’re talking about and believe in the efficacy of whatever action you’re pushing.  Because if you don’t believe what you’re selling, why should anyone else?

There’s always a doubting Thomas in the room, so your best bet is to take preventative action beforehand and turn potential naysayers into allies.   Schedule time with such parties to get their feedback and work the resolutions into your presentation; a colleague that might otherwise torpedo your efforts becomes an ally with a stake in making the project succeed.

What steps do you take to ensure you take your audience from A to B?

For information on upcoming G5 webinars, check out their event calendar.  They offer several 90-minute, online classes each month taught by best-selling business authors who’ve set their sights on enhancing your soft skills.  For $129 per year, you can have access to their complete roster of trainings plus workbooks, slide decks and recordings for review at a later date.

Membership incentives for NYC chapter of Step Up Women's Network

Published on October 13, 2008 in Shopping. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

I’ve blogged on several occasions about my fondness for Step Up Women’s Network. (Here Here and Here)

If you live in NYC, it’s time to benefit first hand from the networking, community service opportunities, and professional mentorship program offered through SUWN. . .

Join, renew, or upgrade your membership in NYC by October 31st and be entered in a 10th anniversary sweepstakes featuring a variety of prizes. Same deal if you (as a member) refer a friend who joins; make sure she puts your name in the referred by box, and you’re entered too.

They’re offering 7 randomly prizes and will randomly select winners for each.

  • The Grand Prize: 2 round trip Southwest Airlines tickets to anywhere in the U.S. ($800 value). **The Grand Prize will be awarded to the Member with the most friend referrals!
  • 2-night stay at Gansevoort South in Miami. Double room with oceanview. ($1,050 value)
  • Saltaire black lightweight nylon taffeta pea coat – size small ($348 value)
  • Kerastase Express Treatment plus Color and Cut at Chris Chase Salon, the exclusive stylists of Prada and Calvin Klein models ($400 value)
  • Harlem Vintage private wine tasting with light catering for 15 people ($450 value)
  • Gucci Sunglasses in chocolate brown ($300 value)
  • A limited edition “You Are My Inspiration” Necklace, with gold pendant and chain ($50 value)

Note: 90% of dues are tax deductible!

Sweepstakes Rules: Each woman is only eligible to win one prize. Contest runs between July 28, 2008 – October 31, 2008. Winners will be notified on November 14, 2008. No purchase necessary to win. Women will be automatically entered to win after each online transaction. Others may mail a business card with the word “sweepstakes” on the back to the Step Up national headquarters.

A Los Angeles sweepstakes run through October 15th!

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Cool prizes and an awesome organization in Los Angeles

Published on October 6, 2008 in Shopping. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

I’ve blogged on several occasions about my fondness for Step Up Women’s Network.

Over at Shakeville, I’ve shared Step Up’s successes working with underserved teen girls (90% live below the poverty level) in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City.

You’ve learned about new skills I developed through my volunteering with Step Up.

And I’ve also shared the power of networking via Step Up’s events.

Now’s your chance to get in on the action! If the networking, community service opportunities, and professional mentorship program aren’t enough for you. . .

Join, renew, or upgrade your membership in Los Angeles by October 15th and be entered in a 10th anniversary sweepstakes featuring a variety of prizes valued at over $9000. Same deal if you refer a friend who joins; make sure she puts your name in the referred by box, and you’re entered too.

They’re offering 12 randomly prizes and will randomly select winners for each.

The Sports Club/LA
Get fit with a one-year health membership to The Sports Club/LA in West Los Angeles or Beverly Hills. Recognized as the finest sports and fitness complex in the world, The Sports Club/LA features over 40 different sports and fitness options under one roof. Value: $3,300

Linnea Lenkus Fine Art Portrait Studios

Experience a creative studio portrait session with Los Angeles photographer Linnea Lenkus and receive a 24” x 30” framed portrait. Value: $2,100

Kate Somerville Skin Health Experts

Make your skin glow with a signature Ultimate Kate treatment package and Glow Kit from Kate Somerville Skin Health Experts. Value: $635

Max&Co.

A stunning MAX&Co. shiny black leather hobo bag with a $300 gift card to splurge at the MAX&Co. boutique located on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood, CA. Value: $775

The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey

Spa-tacular Package: Accommodations in a deluxe guest room for one night. Choice of 30 minute massage for two guests or 60 minute massage for one guest. Special spa welcome amenity included. Value: $699

The Container Store

Those dreams of an organized closet, pantry or garage will soon be realized thanks to elfa® and The Container Store! elfa® is the premier wire shelving and drawer system and will help you gain control of the clutter in any area of your home or office. Meet with one of our design experts in-store to create a customized storage solution for your home with $500.00 in elfa® products. Value: $500

THERESA kathryn

Tote your laptop computer around in style with the fashionable “Domenica” Laptop Brief by THERESA kathryn. Perfect for travel, the Domenica Bag is smart, sophisticated and sure to turn heads. It includes all the features a woman needs to stay organized. Value: $350

Hotel Angeleno

Set the city of angels aglow with a one-night delux accomodation at the Hotel Angeleno including dinner for two at WEST. Value: $400

Iduna Medical Aesthesis

Pamper yourself with an anti-aging Iduna Signature “Golden Veil Facial” and a basket of skin products. Value: $300

Sheila Kelley’s S Factor

Enjoy a private S Factor class for you and 10 girlfriends. Learn a groundbreaking movement technique that will help you discover a great new way to workout and an inspiring body attitude. Value: $550

Tiffany & Co.
Dazzle in a gorgeous pair of silver earrings, accompanied by a classic Tiffany crystal box. $450

Los Angeles Conservancy

The Los Angeles Conservancy’s award-winning tours explore the historic architecture and history of the city of Los Angeles. Enjoy a private 2 ½ hour walking tour of the city for a group of friends led by knowledgeable, enthusiastic docent. Value: $150

Note: 90% of dues are tax deductible!

The fine print:

*Sweepstakes Rules: Only current Step Up members are eligible to win. Each woman is only eligible to win one prize. Contest runs between September 9, 2008 – October 15th, 2008. Winners will be notified on October 20, 2008. No purchase necessary to win. Women will be automatically entered to win after each online transaction. Others may mail a business card with the word “sweepstakes” on the back to the Step Up national headquarters.

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Part 2: The Personal and Professional Benefits of Philanthropy

Published on July 6, 2008 in Society. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

photo by mickyates

In Part 1, I discussed how volunteerism is cool again.  In this post, I will share some of the direct personal benefits of community service.

A long term commitment to volunteering for a cause you believe in is more than a line item on your resume. Here are 5 reasons you should find a 501c3 to support with your time and energy.  Since there are almost 2 million of them in the US, there’s at least one that matches your interests.

Networking

There’s no better opportunity to meet friendly people in your community.  If you’re new to town, charity work introduces you to locals with at least one thing in common with you — your own cause celebre.

While volunteering, you also might find yourself crossing paths with others in your industry.  While tutoring underserved teens or teaching Fido to sit before adoption day, you might meet someone at a competing firm with an opening that peaks your interest or find another client for your business.  If you’re exceptionally ambitious, you might research where key executives (at your company of choice) volunteer, so you can intend to make their acquaintance over your “shared” love of Hungarian culture.

Leadership skills

I’ve already discussed the implication of early and steady development of leadership skills in part one.

Since non-profits rely on volunteers to keep the mission alive,  these students would have real world, quantifiable experiences. Imagine helping raise $1 million to fight cancer or doubling membership numbers for an organization before the age of 21.  Accordingly,  it might give college graduates a chance to bypass the entry level grunt work that yields corporate churn and help allay Boomer concerns about inexperienced twenty somethings looking for a fast track to management.

New and existing skills put to use

Volunteers typically look to apply skills they already have. If you work in PR, you can hone your pitching skills garnering some media coverage of local charity events.  If you’re in business development, perhaps you can offer to cultivate potential cause marketing relationships and other partnerships.  Sales professionals might just find they can help with fundraising if they apply their schmooze skills to corporate giving decision makers.

I’ve found the opportunity to learn new skills even more satisfying.  Knowing I wanted to move out of research, I looked for gaps in the offerings of Step Up Women’s Network, an organization I regularly volunteer with.  In focusing on how to extend their brand on the web, I put together a proposal looking at the best sites to target and how competing groups use the space.  Since then, I’ve worked to implement some of those proposed ideas.    So I now have a great example of my ability to identify a weakness, strategize potential solutions and implement the best ideas using limited resources.

And who can’t benefit from improved communication skills.  Volunteering at events turns you into an ambassador for the organization.   Successful liasing with guests and members could yield important donations and sponsorships for the organization.  These interactions make you more prepared to handle clients and senior management at the work place.

Local recognition

People like to be validated for their efforts.  That’s why the local chamber of commerce, leadership groups, and, very likely, your favorite charity acknowledge the contributions of community members throughout the year.  Just being nominated means an invitation to the festivities swirling with potential business contacts.  Whether or not you take home a certificate, your name is out there as someone committed to the ideals of the group.  And being associated with a commitment to philanthropy and improving your community is NEVER a bad thing.

Feel good fuzzies

At the end of the day, it just feels good to do something positive.  Trust me, you’ll sleep better knowing that you’ve brought a smile to a cancer patient’s face or that those three dogs that would have been euthanized have new homes because you sold their adoptive parents on the joys of pet ownership. Being a Big Brother or Sister to a kid living on the poverty line helps you to count your own blessings and put your problems in perspective.

Sure, being altruistic can seem selfish at times, but all the best relationships are two-way streets.

How has volunteering impacted your life?

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