“When we are selling our ideas, the audience must first buy us.”
―Peter Coughter, The Art of the Pitch: Persuasion and Presentation Skills that Win Business

Whether you’re a sales exec looking to win a client over, a board member needing to persuade your fellow directors to adopt a new plan, or even a general manager tasked with convincing subordinates of the merits of a new workflow managment system, you’ll do well to polish up on your pitching skills.

Joining Andile Masuku and I on the show this time is Dave Duarte. Thanks to Dave’s solid personal brand and extensive network, he rarely has to pitch for business these days. Nonetheless, he certainly knows a little more than a thing or two about what it takes to craft and deliver the perfect pitch.

Many thanks to Dave for taking a little time out of a busy schedule that includes sitting on several boards including that of the Mail & Guardian and Endeavor’s Venture Corps, collaborating with the Ogilvy Digital Marketing Academy (which he founded), and running a successful consulting business called TreeShake.

Be sure to listen right through for practical pro-tips I’ll be sharing that are sure to help you make the most of what’s left of pitch season.

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Narratives have been told through out the ages in every culture as a means of entertaining, educating and transferring values. On the latest episode of The Presentation Fix, Andile Masuku and I have drawn inspiration from a fairly well-known TED Talk by prolific Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, entitled The Danger of a Single Story. We’ll unpack some key elements demonstrated in Chimamanda’s talk, and chat about how stories can be used to communicate complex ideas and illicit the buy-in of an audience.

We’re also pleased to feature the insights of Musa Kalenga— who is currently Africa Client Partner at Facebook, as well as Head of Brand for the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) South Africa. Over the last twelve years or so, Musa’s made quite name for himself through crafting messaging for leading multi-national firms and even governments. His current role at Facebook sees him apply himself to promoting the efforts of arguably the most prolific story-telling medium of the modern age.

Be sure to listen right through because in the Your Presentation Fix segment I’ll  be sharing practical advice you can use to immediately start improving your storytelling game.

The post The Power of Storytelling appeared first on Beth Ann Galvin.

I’m convinced that even the most naturally gifted personalities often harness a cultivated ability or skill set they might not even realise they possess– which they use to project a confident and deeply affecting image.

In this episode of The Presentation Fix podcast, we discuss the “Power of Personal Presence”— also known as the the X Factor. Andile Masuku and I chat about whether it’s something one is born with, or an quality that can be acquired. The challenge is that many of the attributes of this so-called ‘presence’ are non-tangible, and difficult to describe.

But I’m convinced that even the most naturally gifted personalities often harness a cultivated ability or skill set they might not even realise they possess, which they use to project a confident and deeply affecting image. I really do believe that is something anyone willing to put in the time and effort can acquire and master over time.

Listen in to hear me share a shocking let-down I encountered on YouTube, and to hear Andile and I reference one of South Africa’s finest exports— a young man who is the epitome of how to harness the power of presence. (Hint: He’s incredibly funny.)

Most importantly, I will share three useful tips that, if followed, are sure to help you develop and hone your own personal presence. We aim to inspire you to engage in the kind of personal “maintenance” over the holidays that will position you to ‘kill it’ in 2016.

Happy Holidays!

The post Do You Have The X Factor? Here’s How To Get It appeared first on Beth Ann Galvin.

The mind is a powerful thing. It can take you through walls. –Denis Avey

This is the first of many Presentation Fix podcasts (which we will be publishing once a month) in which my co-host Andile Masuku and I will be teaming up to empower you with the knowledge and skills to make an impact every time you speak or present in public. I intend to tap my on-going experience as an executive presentation coach, trainer and speaker to offer you practical guidance on how to become the best speaker possible— distilling everything I’ve learnt during the last 30 years of working in this industry. 

You can also expect to learn a lot from Andile. He is a respected broadcaster and entrepreneur with nearly 15 years of experience writing, producing and presenting for television, radio, and live events, as well as working in new media— blog, social, online video and podcasting. He no doubt knows a thing or two about communicating effectively.

That said, Andile and I are both active professionals who are keen on upping our game. And so, the learning never stops. We look forward to sharing notes with some of South Africa’s leading communicators who we’ll invite to join us on the show from time to time to deliver insights.

Joining us to get the show on the road is master climber, speaker and businesswoman, Deshun Deysel— who will share, among other things, how she’s channeled her love of climbing very tall mountains into a thriving business and speaking career. Your Presentation Fix is here. Do listen in!

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Not only have my team and I been busy getting my new website all set up, but I was delighted to be invited to feature on broadcaster and entrepreneur, Andile Masuku’s popular #AndilesTake podcast. He’s working on an episode in which he explores the influences that have contributed to the professional communicator he is today.

He asked me to chat to him about a blog I’d written that had caught his attention– The Rise of Julius Trump, as well as to share some useful tips on how to present like a pro.

Andile has this really smart, cool and humorous way of engaging with people on the mic. He showed me a great time and created a great vibe, which I’m sure you’ll pick up on. Take a listen:

Even more exciting for me is that I will be partnering with Andile to launch my own monthly podcast called The Presentation Fix soon. We plan to deliver lively commentary and conversation that is chock-full of proven business presentation tips and strategies, as well as insights gleaned from some of Africa’s leading presenters who we’ll feature on the show from time to time.

Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to be the first to know when the podcast is ready, and to have other useful updates and resources sent straight in your inbox.

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