“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.

The post The Perfect Pitch 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.

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.

The post It’s A Podcast Party! appeared first on Beth Ann Galvin.