Andy Lopata – a brilliant speaker and author – was once invited to speak at an event for a hairdressing company. He wasn’t a hairdresser. He didn’t know the industry. But instead of guessing what might resonate, he did something simple – and smart. He asked to meet five people who would be in the audience. He spoke with them and asked questions. He learned what mattered to them and what challenges they faced.
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In this episode, Eric Ries explores why leadership communication often breaks down inside organisations. He explains how incentives, decisions and pressure shape what people believe – and how leaders can align their message with reality to build lasting trust. Leaders spend a lot of time trying to communicate clearly. They define a mission. They share values. They repeat key messages.
Continue ReadingI’ve worked with many marketing agencies that pitch proposals to potential clients. In most cases, the clients already have the written proposal. They’ve seen the decks. They’ve read the numbers. The information is there. The same thing happens in investment pitches. So why ask for a presentation? Because facts alone don’t close deals. When a client or an investor invites you to present, they’re looking for trust. They want to see how you think and how you communicate. They want to know if they can work with you. They’re asking: “Can I trust these people with my brand, my budget, my money, my goals?”
Continue ReadingThere’s always room to improve. Whether you’re new to public speaking or have delivered hundreds of talks, you can still sharpen your opening, tighten a story, clarify a message or use a pause with more intent. Some of the best speakers I’ve worked with are the ones most open to feedback. They don’t assume they’ve “arrived”. They keep refining – even after years on stage. That mindset keeps you sharp. And it helps you keep growing.
Continue ReadingA few years ago, I watched a speaker freeze just seconds into their talk. They looked down at their notes, then back up – but nothing came out. After a long pause, they managed to start again. By the middle of the talk, they were clear and confident. But the rocky start had already shaken the room – and probably their own nerves too. Nerves hit hardest at the beginning of a presentation. That’s when the pressure feels highest. All eyes are on you, and your brain is racing.
Continue ReadingKeynote speaker and author, Lee Warren gives a talk titled ‘Grown Ups Don’t Use PowerPoint…’ Those three dots matter. They suggest something deeper: professionals don’t rely on PowerPoint instead of preparing well. They don’t use it instead of rehearsing. And they definitely don’t let it replace thinking about the audience. PowerPoint isn’t the problem. The problem is how people use it. Too often, I see presenters open PowerPoint as their first step. They start dragging in slides before they’ve decided what they want to say or who they’re saying it to. It’s like naming your baby before you’ve been on a date.
Continue ReadingA client once asked me to help with a workshop on slide design. The original title was ‘Slide Design Workshop’. It was accurate. But it wasn’t memorable. We changed it to something that reflected the tone and sparked curiosity: ‘How to Make Your Slides Look Less Sh*t’. People showed up with a smile. The energy was different before we even began. Your presentation title is your first impression. It creates curiosity and sets expectations. Yet most people default to something flat like ‘Q3 Business Update’ or ‘Marketing Plan Review’.
Continue ReadingWhen I first started presenting online, I watched a recording of one of my sessions – and I was shocked. I thought I’d been animated and expressive. But on screen, I looked flat. My voice sounded dull. The energy I’d felt just didn’t come through. That’s when I realised: presenting on camera drains about 10–15% of your energy. There’s a screen between you and your audience, and it acts like a filter. What feels lively in person can come across as muted online.
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