Biesenblog
Riveting Insights on Communication, Storytelling and Presentation Skills
United Pilots Show Power of the Human Touch
An erstwhile statesman once said, "Corporations are people, my friend." And while he was making an entirely different point and the line was deservedly mocked, there is a core truth to the statement. Companies are ultimately made up of people, so they should...
11 Deadly Presentation Sins: “Quick, Fun and Practical”
I was very excited to wake up this morning to another positive review for 11 Deadly Presentation Sins, this time from Nick Morgan, who's a renowned expert on public speaking and communication. He's counseled CEOs and presidents, has authored several books, and writes...
Presenters: Are You Cheating on Your Audience?
I've thought a lot about why people continue to give such terrible PowerPoint presentations. Certainly lack of time is an issue for many. And some feel they don't have the skills to do better. And others clearly don't care—they just don't think it's that important to...
All the Workplace is a Stage: 10 Tips for Career Success
Want to get ahead in the world? Put down that dull business book and take an acting class instead. Not only will it will help you succeed in your career, it will be a lot more fun. It’s true. You may have made fun of those goofy theater people in high school or...
Can You Make a Bad Speaker Good? (And 6 Other Questions)
I'm thrilled with early reactions to my new book, 11 Deadly Presentation Sins (in case you hadn't heard). It's always fascinating to hear other perspectives on something you're so close to and immersed in. So I've put together the top seven questions that have been...
11 Deadly Presentation Sins: On Sale NOW!
The day has come. My new book, 11 Deadly Presentation Sins, is here and on sale now at most of the usual places. Whether you're a regular public speaker, a hardcore PowerPoint user or an occasionally terrified presenter, this book offers your path to redemption. The...
Answers to 7 Common Questions About Public Speaking
As I prepare for the launch of my new book, 11 Deadly Presentation Sins, I've been thinking about the most common questions audiences ask me about public speaking. Here are my answers, along with links to further reading —here on the blog and elsewhere. 1. Which is...
Public Speaking Lessons from Martin Luther King
We rightly marvel over the genius of Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech. But when you know the backstory, the accomplishment is even more impressive, and carries powerful public speaking lessons for anyone who has to get up in front of an audience. A...
Storytelling and the Brain: A Marriage of Lies
I hate to be the one to break the news, but your brain lies to you. Constantly. The good news is, you can use that knowledge to your advantage in telling your story. And storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to engage your audience and get them to act, whether...
Public Speaking Lessons from the Michael Bay Meltdown
Like everyone else, I was mortified when I saw the now-infamous video of Michael Bay melting down onstage the other day. I consume a lot of public speaking blogs and the reaction from professionals has been a good deal less voracious than from the public in general....
The Only New Year’s Resolution You’ll Ever Need
I've never been a big fan of all the motivational quotes that get passed around Facebook and Twitter, but this time of year brings a bumper crop of them as people work on their New Year's resolutions. (Actually, I've never been a fan of New Year's resolutions, either....
Quitting Facebook: Why I’m Shutting Down My Business Page
Now that Facebook has finally confirmed what everyone's long suspected—that they're throttling posts from business pages—I've decided to suspend my business page. Here's why. What Is Throttling? First, if you hadn't heard, throttling means that posts from business...
