Improving Connection in Conversation
At Point Taken, we talk about the importance of eye gaze that every presenter has with their audience. Sustained eye contact connects us to each member of our audience, and [...]
Talking Like TED
Here at Point Taken, we have worked with lots of speakers who are preparing to give TED talks, or who just want to give a TED-like talk. (Don't know TED? [...]
Why Story Telling Works
Think about the last presentation you attended. Do you remember any specific data presented? Having trouble? Well, what about a story the presenter told? For most of us, it is [...]
Handling the Stress of Presenting
Grace under pressure... As all presenters know, it’s easier said than done. The feelings that most people have before presenting, whether described as butterflies in your stomach or pure panic, [...]
Four Ways to Manage Nervousness
All presenters get nervous, but some know how to manage their emotions and perform through the fear. The real question is not "how can I learn to not be nervous?” [...]
What Will You Learn this Year?
If you started a new exercise routine on January 1st, statistically this is the week you give it up. Here at Point Taken, we have been working on a way [...]
10 Reasons to Take a Communication Skills Workshop in the New Year
With 2014 behind us and a fresh start in front of us, tis the season for adjusting our budgets, returning to the gym and re-assessing our personal and professional goals. [...]
Reaping the Harvest
Apple picking is one of my favorite fall traditions. We trek up the hill to the orchard with bags that start out empty, but after an hour they are so [...]
Struggling with Brevity
How many times have you heard the words “to make a long story short” only to have that followed by the very drawn out and detailed account? In the age [...]
Demonstrating Grace under Fire
Imagine you are in front of 700 people, you have been billed as the ‘headliner’ of the conference and your slides just aren’t displaying, no matter what you try. Pretty [...]