Is Practice Part of Your Communication Routine?
Posted On October 11, 2016 BY Dean Brenner
It is early on a Tuesday morning, and I am up early preparing for a couple of weeks of Executive Communication Skills workshops with our largest client. The participants will come from all over Europe, and the Middle East. I have advocated many times in the past that we all should “know our audience.” And […]
The Difference Between Good and Bad PowerPoint Slides
Posted On August 2, 2016 BY Dean Brenner
My colleagues and I see a lot of PowerPoint slide decks. More than we can count, actually. So we have a deep reservoir of context on what makes a good slide deck and a bad slide deck. And very often, people make a critical mistake when thinking about slides, and how to make them better. […]
Why You Should Make Time to Prepare for Meetings
Posted On April 13, 2016 BY Dean Brenner
One of the most frequent questions or objections we hear in our workshops, usually delivered right about the time we are teaching our Latimer Group Model for Persuasion, is this… “I don’t have the time to do the things you are telling me to do. I know I need to, but I just don’t have […]
Know Your Audience… AND Their Organization
Posted On March 30, 2016 BY Dean Brenner
My colleagues and I preach the importance of “knowing your audience” all the time. We believe it is a critical component of persuasion. But knowing your audience requires knowledge on multiple levels, beyond just the individual. Here is what I mean… if you are pitching someone on your product or service, and trying to sell […]
Soundwaves: Why You Should Be More Than a Messenger
Posted On February 22, 2016 BY Dean Brenner
We talk about this subject VERY often in our workshops and keynotes at The Latimer Group. We think it’s a hugely important step toward gaining competitive edge in the workplace. The next time you speak in a meeting, or make a presentation, be MORE than a messenger. Make that presentation more than “just giving an […]
Video: What Your Audience Will Never Say
Posted On February 17, 2016 BY Dean Brenner
We talk all the time in our workshops — and write all the time on our blog — about the things you’ll never hear your audience say when you speak or present. So, because we GUARANTEE your audience will never say these things, you’ll have absolutely NO reason not to be clear and simple in […]
Soundwaves: Controlling the Voice Inside Your Head
Posted On February 8, 2016 BY Dean Brenner
We recently published a couple blog posts about the “inner voice” that often creeps inside us, and attempts to shake our confidence before a big meeting, speech, or presentation. We included some strategies about how to quiet that voice, and help alleviate some of the self-doubt and negativity that comes when that voice gets loud. […]
How to Survive in a Noisy World
Posted On December 2, 2015 BY Dean Brenner
Quick thought for the day, and a theme we discuss all the time here at The Latimer Group. Wow, is it ever noisy out there! And the best way to get the attention of your colleagues, the best way to be heard, is not to yell louder. The answer is not to combat noise with […]
Speaking Tip: Think in Periods, Not Commas
Posted On November 30, 2015 BY Dean Brenner
Have you ever sat through a meeting, listening to someone who just rambles on and on and on? Brutal, isn’t it? You are looking at your watch or your phone, trying to wish the time forward and each time you look you realize it is only 48 seconds since the last time you looked. It […]
Be More Than a Messenger
Posted On November 18, 2015 BY Dean Brenner
We talk about this theme often here at The Latimer Group. But as with any important theme, it merits multiple mentions. When we are communicating in the workplace, we need to make sure we have the correct mindset. And that mindset is this… be more than a messenger. We need to be thinking about doing […]