Day one of January "Art of Dynamic Presentations." Next dates, March 16 and 17, 2020

It is amazing to work with talented, dedicated professionals.


Learning with and from each other.

The Courage To Change our PPT Culture

Last week,I urged my client to put fewer words on his powerpoint slides. Dan liked the idea but wondered if his company would allow it. I suggested that he could have two different decks, one with mostly images - for his presentation, and an “after the event” deck with the complete text of his message. Today we got the bad news, Dan’s boss wanted slides that the “audience can read” while Dan gave his presentation. Unfortunately, this seems like a common reaction. We’re afraid that audiences won’t get the message if it isn’t printed on the powerpoint slide. But multitasking in this way – reading while listening – leads to more distraction and less engagement with the speaker. Even if we learn best practices for presentations, if our companies resist any changes from “how things are done,” slide decks can continue to get in the way of dynamic presentations. What do you think of using two types of ppt decks? 

© 2020 Laura Lewis-Barr all rights reserved

Small tweaks lead to big changes in our presentations.

Join us!

You’re standing in front of a group telling a story. You can feel their delight, they’re leaning towards you, curious and fascinated. You’re nearing the end and you know you’ve got them. This group understands your insight, or product, or request.

Next week, January 9 and 10 is our next “The Art of Dynamic Speaking.” Join us for this immersive deep dive into storytelling, organizing your ideas, speaking without notes, building executive presence and more. You CAN inspire and motivate your colleagues, clients, and community. Call Laura for more info: 630-531-0000

© 2019 Laura Lewis-Barr all rights reserved

Checklist for dynamic speaking

These elements combine together to create our dynamism. In our workshops, even small tweaks of volume and posture lead to large changes in executive presence. Let 2020 be the year of changing small habits to make big changes in our communication and career. © 2019 Laura Lewis-Barr all rights reserved

Practicing can often feel very uncomfortable but this coming year, push through the discomfort and you'll discover your own inner genius.

A football player in one of my classes said, "I used to throw the football for hours everyday.  I'm amazed that I never practiced my presentations but expected them to be successful."  

Practice!  It's a key factor in successful presentations.

© 2019 Laura Lewis-Barr all rights reserved

Public Speaking Dread Transforms to Excitement

Hi Laura,

 

Thank you for emailing the links.

More importantly thank you for helping me getting better with presentations. I have learned a lot during these two days.

You are such a good instructor. Please continue to teach this class.

Again thank you for sharing your knowledge with presentations.

Zena

Methods to Bring us into Your Story

Brain research says that a well told story creates similar brain patterns between the listener and speaker. Here's a reminder of ways to keep a story vivid for your listener.



© 2019 Laura Lewis-Barr all rights reserved

New Year's Resolution? Take two days for the most important career skill

Aaron was great with his customers but he hated giving presentations and often read his powerpoint slides. He felt like he was missing many sales because he couldn’t find a way to relax.

Jenny often got feedback that she talked too fast or ran over time during her presentations. She was told that her voice sounded too young and that she didn’t have the “enough gravitas” for the executive team. 

Martina had to lead quarterly meetings but she wasn’t sure how to organize her ideas or make them compelling. 

In two days, these three cheered each other on during challenging exercises that helped Jenny find her own “executive presence,” while Aaron learned that he loved telling short client stories that were funny and powerful. During day two, Martina had a breakthrough, she understood how and why she needed to simplify her ideas and how doing this would help her audience enjoy and remember her presentation.

We’ve seen many students transform in two days. Come join us for our next group in January. Fun, interactive, and guaranteed to meet 

your public speaking goals -- at your location or in Chicago near O'Hare.

© 2019 Laura Lewis-Barr all rights reserved

For presentations of several hours, ditch the PowerPoint!

In these digital days, working without PowerPoint is a refreshing change from the norm. Flip charts can give your audience something to look at and keep our presentations both simplified and organized.

If I'm speaking for half a day or less, this is a great option. If you choose to use flip charts, make sure to fill them out before the event.

The fabulous Viceroy hotel in Chicago delivered flip chart paper to my hotel room before my event last week. Made that task much more comfortable.  In addition to the large, visible text, we can make small pencil notes that only we can see. These can help us remember a story or necessary transition.

© 2019 Laura Lewis-Barr all rights reserved

More reviews from last week's class.

"Thank you for sending the videos, Laura. I really enjoyed having you at our meeting. Lots of fun and learned a bunch."

--E.J.

Kind words from an attendee

From this week's onsite training: "What an amazing experience Laura, thank you so much for taking the time with us! I’ll be working on polishing my stories for the rest of my life now thanks to you. :)"

--Chris R
















© 2019  Laura Lewis-Barr all rights reserved

I was a little nervous but skipping the PowerPoint was fantastic

Fantastic half-day training today on storytelling and executive presence.
I took my own advice and skipped the PowerPoint. Old-school flip charts are a fantastic way to create rapport and keep things simple yet powerful. 

Kudos to the fantastic group at Vertiflex.  I'll be sending you your videos soon. 2019 Laura Lewis-Barr all rights reserved

© 2019 Laura Lewis-Barr all rights reserved

The Relief Of Conquering Public Speaking Fears

We love traveling throughout the Midwest, helping professionals organize their ideas, speak without notes, and tell great stories. 
Some participants are filled with glee after conquering their speaking fears and they get a little silly in our final photos.  Here's a brief note from a student in Milwaukee -- 

"Laura- thanks for spending 2 days with us, I got a lot out of it!" Graham

© 2019 Laura Lewis-Barr all rights reserved

Cyber Monday Super Sale

Cyber Monday Super Sale. Claim $260 off our 2 day workshop, January 9-10. Send email to lauralb@training4breakthroughs.com for your link to this amazing deal!

Brain Science Confirms -- Our Challenging Workshops Lead to Breakthroughs

Finding the right amount of challenge is key.  Our participants have many breakthroughs in public speaking.  Join us this January.


Here is some more research that says our mistakes and struggles make our brains grow.  Yea!

Build a More Creative, Agile Mind For Speaking Brilliantly With Less Prep

Can we create a period of time in our next meeting where no idea can be criticized -- even internally by ourselves?  One method is to advocate a “my first thought is the best thought” period of time.  It will probably be hard.  We will probably say, “I have no ideas.”  But we do.  It’s just that a part of us is shooting them down before we can even recognize them.  Improvisers learn to trust their brains to produce interesting ideas.  One of the ways they do this is by learning how to turn off the inner critic. 

Our inner critic is a wonderful ally when we are making finishing touches on any kind of presentation or project.  Our ability to analyze, scrutinize, and edit ideas is vital. But too often, our critic wants to be in charge all the time.  This inner voice can then destroy creative moments that require some risk as we open ourselves up to new mindsets. 

I’ve found that most of the intelligent, successful people I meet have a tough time asking their inner monitor to take a break.  I’ve also found that my clients get much better at this with practice.  In my public speaking seminars this is vital, toward helping my clients feel comfortable answering questions or otherwise speaking without much prep. 

If you’d like to find more creative ideas and be better at thinking on the spot, take periods of time where you run with your first thought.  Brainstorming in this way, “my first thought is the best thought…. at least for now,” helps us create more novel connections between different parts of our brain.  Your inner critic may think these ideas are “stupid, obvious, politically dangerous, or impossible.”  That’s ok. During this short practice period, our critic is on a forced sabbatical.  We can then exercise our minds to build greater creative abilities. 

© 2019 Laura Lewis-Barr all rights reserved

Give the most important career gift -- skills in public speaking

If you Google billionaire Warren Buffet you will find many articles about his belief in public speaking training. In one interview he said, "That public speaking course gave me the most important degree I have. It’s certainly had the biggest impact in terms of my subsequent success." 

Looking for a career-related holiday gift? Give the gift of a life-changing workshop! https://lnkd.in/dbdWtkE  

There are lots of advantages of a workshop over private coaching. Here's one: 
Managing nerves: We’ll take you through progressive exercises that reveal your strengths. As you present to partners and the entire room, you’ll gain confidence for more challenging exercises. You’ll see that you can manage your nerves and even speak without notes! There is nothing like speaking in front of a group to simulate the challenges of actual presentations. One on one coaching can’t replicate this. Working within a supportive group is the fastest way to conquer nervousness. 

Join us in January!

 © 2019 Laura Lewis-Barr all rights reserved

The Power of Story

Over the last few years I’ve been teaching myself how to make stop motion films.  It’s the perfect way to learn my camera since my Barbie actors are very patient with me. I  also can be extremely precise in my storytelling since I can control every frame as I edit. 

I’m still a beginner in all technical elements but I have a huge advantage in this competitive field since I’ve been studying stories all my life, starting in grade school. 

My first two stop motion films were recently accepted as official selections in two film festivals.  I was so thrilled to see my films on the big screen that I flew out to Idaho and drove to Milwaukee.  It was great fun to spend those weekends watching movies and analyzing them. 

No matter the budget (there were some Hollywood type films in the mix), the most important element of a film (or book or play) is the story.  Some films followed story conventions (immerse us in the struggle, avoid detours that don’t make sense) and I could feel how deeply they impacted the audience.  Some lost their way and were far less effective.

After my screening, many audience members gave me a “thumbs up.”  Many talked about how the story had impacted them.  I’m sure that was the only reason I got into the festival.  My films are still flawed technically.

My passion for fictional storytelling is a perfect complement to my work with individuals.  Their goals – sharing their mission, their product, or their resume – can be achieved through the right story, told in the right way.

Won’t you join me in exploring the art of storytelling?  Next class in Chicago is January 9-10, 2020. © 2019 Laura Lewis-Barr all rights reserved