The Courtesy of a Bit of Context
Posted On May 17, 2021 BY Hannah Morris
This post was written by Hannah Morris, Director of Assessment & Advancement at The Latimer Group. It’s easy to live inside our own heads. We know what we know. As a result, we sometimes start talking, telling a story, asking a question, making a statement, and then realize that the person we’re talking to has no idea […]
Are You Using PowerPoint Incorrectly?
Posted On May 10, 2021 BY Dean Brenner
Let me know if this sounds familiar… you have a presentation to give. You immediately begin thinking about your slide deck. You pull out the last presentation you gave on the topic, you dust it off and realize that some of the same slides will work. So you are on your way. Then you look […]
Brevity, According to Winston Churchill
Posted On April 30, 2021 BY Dean Brenner
My colleagues and I speak and write all the time about the importance of getting to the point. We talk about the importance of respecting your audience’s time, managing their attention span, and how our fast-paced 21st century world makes this skill a critical one. It turns out that a pretty famous guy, Winston Churchill, […]
Speaking Tips: Build Your Message in Three Acts
Posted On April 28, 2021 BY Dean Brenner
At the heart of almost everything we teach is the concept of intentionality… preparing and communicating with intention and purpose. Great communication skills don’t just happen. Not without some thought, effort, planning, and yes, intention. In addition to being intentional about your message’s main points, we also encourage being intentional about the structure, sequence and […]
What Makes Your Garden Grow?
Posted On April 23, 2021 BY Dean Brenner
I love to garden. Anyone who regularly reads this blog knows that. I write about it all the time. Its relaxing, gets me outside breathing the fresh air, and there is a distinct sense of satisfaction that comes from creating something and watching it grow. I also love the rhythm of the seasons with gardening. […]
Five Solutions to Classic Communication Problems
Posted On February 24, 2021 BY Dean Brenner
If your communication problem is time, then brevity is your friend. Make sure to shorten your message significantly. Reduce your information to a list of “three things,” so that your message is easier to remember. If your communication problem is attention span, then a “hook” is your friend. Work hard to connect with your audience with something […]
Use Your Voice to Help Others Find Theirs
Posted On February 12, 2021 BY Dean Brenner
Before you start your day, take a moment and walk with me… a quick, figurative one. I know you are busy and you have a lot to do today. Just a few minutes, is all I ask. Pause for a moment, and think about your life, and your journey to get where you are right […]
You Control The Story You Tell
Posted On February 10, 2021 BY Dean Brenner
Do you ever have to participate in a standard, regularly-scheduled meeting within your company, where you (or someone you work with) presents updated data and information on the business/project? (Most of you have either led such meetings, or at least sat in on them.) Do these meetings end up feeling like the same meeting over […]
The Best Email I Have Ever Received
Posted On November 10, 2020 BY Dean Brenner
Writer’s Note: We continue our focus this week on uplifting stories, meant to make you smile. Today, we are reposting something I wrote almost exactly one year ago, about an email I received from my son. I hope this post works as intended, and that it puts a smile on your face. Enjoy! Every once […]
Hear Her Roar
Posted On November 9, 2020 BY Dean Brenner
Writer’s Note: Our focus this week on The Latimer Group blog is uplifting stories that will make us smile. And we will start off our week by reposting one of our favorite and most popular posts ever, about my daughter and a morning ritual. Enjoy! This is one of those simple, personal stories that I […]