2019-10-30 18:15
A falsehood that's been circulating for years holds that 55% of what we learn is through what we see and hear; 38% of learning is through what we see, and only 7% is through what we hear.&nb&hell…Read More
Blog Directory > Business Blogs > Management Blogs > Opening Keynote management Blog >
Opening Keynote Blog
openingkeynote.com
identifying and developing a dynamite speaking topic, enlivening your presentations with humor, movement, and stories, positioning and marketing your speech, winning and negotiating speaker contracts, building groundwork activities leading up to the performance, and inspiring audiences
2019-10-23 18:55
Many people ask if rehearsing in front of the mirror is a good idea. Doug Stevenson, noted speaker coach, says that it is not."Rather than looking outside of you to see what something looks… Read More
2019-10-06 13:52
As a speaker, every once in a while you encounter a meeting planner who doesn't give you the fundamental information that you need to be successful. This happened to me at a speech in Winnip… Read More
2019-09-28 17:00
Workers waste more than two hours a day on average by surfing the Web, conducting personal business, chatting with co-workers, and just zoning out, according to an online surveys Read More
2019-09-20 22:21
Log onto any major search engine on the Internet, type in the word "speaker," and you'll get hundreds of hits. It's not difficult to identify speakers on all topics, from all geographic loca… Read More
2019-09-14 20:08
Some meeting organizers fear that a speakers bureau representative can't know enough about the industry, the audience, and the particulars to find the right person. Among the larger bureaus… Read More
2019-09-02 14:11
Epinephrine and norepinephrine, which are neurotransmittors, play a large role in converting short-term memories into long-term memory. They are released when you subject yourself to physica… Read More
2019-08-28 16:57
Here are notes from Sam Horn's session on Concentration from September 15th, 1981. Still great advice to this day!* Concentration defined; voluntarily focused attention.* Discipline of ignor… Read More
2019-08-18 19:53
Science suggests that your brain works best when it gives sharp attention in one direction, such as when you practice doing only one thing at a time. If you doubt that this is sound advice… Read More
2019-08-10 22:23
The most effective way to manage your time is to stay in control of it, to protect yourself from unwanted intrusions. What would your life be like if you had more breathing space? Read More
2019-08-04 12:33
The best speakers have all their supporting materials readily available:Undoubtedly, before your scheduled event, you'll need a biography, an introduction, a write-up of the presentation, an… Read More
2019-07-28 16:05
On any given day, each of us is so sorely bombarded by the number of advertisements, commercial messages, and information streaming our way that it is no longer practical to discuss "getting… Read More
2019-07-19 14:51
This study contends that group interaction is vital today to: successful meetings Read More
2019-07-12 14:43
Near end of a speech, slip this into your presentation: "This is the only July 12, 2019 there will ever be. We will never meet again as a group just as we are meeting today. Someone will be… Read More
2019-07-06 20:55
Nancy Lazarus, writing in meetingnewsresearch.com years back observed that “the process of picking a speaker, while not as universally feared as public speaking itself, still has an as… Read More
2019-06-29 19:02
You can tell about a potential speaker's responsiveness early on. From the first time you made contact until the time the speaker is to actually make the presentation, to the follow-up, is… Read More
2019-06-20 20:03
What is the telephone call that you must make or the appointment that must be made -- the one that you keep putting off? Who is the person that you have to speak to -- the one that you're af… Read More
2019-06-12 21:24
Packing the day looks good in the conference brochure but wears on attendees. Give them a mid-morning and a mid-afternoon break of 20 to 30 minutes. The day and whole conference will go bett… Read More
2019-06-01 14:23
More people live alone in the U.S. than at any time in history, and the trend is beginning to take hold in Europe and other parts of the industrialized world. The average number of occupan… Read More
2019-05-24 11:07
Why Would You Want to Use a Speaker Bureau?* because the agents are dedicated professionals and among the tops in the field.* because they work with only the best speakers who do a consisten… Read More
2019-05-12 13:01
Dateline 2007, with dramatic overtones twelve years later:"Americans are far more socially isolated today than they were two decades ago," says Shankar Vedantam, a Washington Post staff writ… Read More
2019-05-10 15:19
In the New York Times, columnist Veronique Greenwood writes: "You’re holed up with colleagues in a meeting room for two hours, hashing out a plan. Risks… Read More
2019-05-07 21:27
For any large meeting you’re holding, the responsiveness and availability of the AV staff can be crucial:* Is the staff immediately accessible and located on the meeting floor?* Is the… Read More
2019-04-17 14:01
Even if mobile devices prove to be safe in the sky , from an interruption standpoint making them freely available during flights is a terrible idea, infringing on the rights of O… Read More
2019-04-15 02:38
When it comes to selling and effective human relations, promise only what you can deliver and always deliver more than you promised. It's so easy to get into an over-promise situation and… Read More
2019-03-29 15:29
A reminder for all conference attendees who travel by plane...Here's A good reason to have all carry on luggage, if at all possible -- hidden cameras reveal airport baggage handl… Read More
2019-03-24 14:27
Patrica Kitchen, writing in Newsday reported years back that some celebrities over-use filler language such as "likes," "umms," "ya knows," "I means." Britney Spears, was caught uttering 73… Read More
2019-03-14 16:26
I was discussing with a flight attendant supervisor why air travel was so exhausting, even though we're just reading, napping, or eating while in flight. After covering the usual stress of d… Read More
2019-03-06 11:17
When distributing handout material for attendees, offer a second copy to everyone and, in a short note, invite them to share the information with someone who could benefit from it. Tell att… Read More
2019-02-26 13:14
Attracting people to your meeting can be a challenge. Have you critiqued your own marketing literature of late?* As you read your Web content, blog, brochure, or other marketing literature… Read More
2019-02-20 20:09
Never forget the value of a catchy name, advertising, and promotion. Pikes Peak is actually only the 25th highest mountain in the American Rockies, but it is the one that everyone refers to… Read More
2019-02-12 14:35
Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE offers vital tips for being more effective as a speaker:Why do you sometimes like a killer in the movies? Because Hollywood builds in the likeability factor, so tha… Read More
2019-02-05 11:32
An astounding one half of all American adults spend $1000 on coffee every year. So, it appears that long and generous coffee breaks at conferences are likely to prove popular Read More
2019-01-28 13:55
Need help with your next meeting? Here is a roster of reasons why people volunteer:1. Fill time2. Repay a perceived indebtedness3. Because someone they love benefits4. To set an example for… Read More
2019-01-09 21:22
On the phone, do you want to reduce how long you're put on hold, or are forced to push an endless series of buttons? Visit www.gethuman.com for dialing short cuts to all the top airline, h… Read More
2019-01-05 01:42
Does your conference speaker have a pre-speech questionnaire, which is usually a document of two to four pages that he/she submits to you far in advance of the presentation? While you might… Read More
2018-12-27 17:22
I had the most pleasant opportunity to work with Mike Frick of Speakers Platform based in San Francisco. Mike is a consummate professional when it comes to handling all details between the m… Read More
2018-12-19 18:55
The late Steve Jobs could hold an audience's attention. A decade ago, writer Carmine Gallo assessed how Jobs made sterling presentations:1. Set the theme.2. Demonstrate enthusiasm.3. Provide… Read More
2018-12-12 22:31
The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association (HSMAI) offers educational opportunities and business-building opportunities specifically for meeting planners at events across the U.S. To… Read More
2018-12-07 18:40
Randy Pennington is the author of On My Honor, a book which proclaims that integrity is the key to effective business relations. Pennington is an intelligent, articulate presenter who mixes… Read More
2018-11-28 19:43
Event Planning by Judy Allen Planning Successful Meetings and Events by Ann Boehme Complete Idiot's Guide to Meeting and Event PlanningHow to Start a Home-Based Event Planning Busi… Read More
2018-11-23 13:27
Americans schedule an average of 14 vacation days a year, the average Englishman schedules 24. Americans typically don't use 3 of those days, giving back time to their employers Read More
2018-11-17 21:29
Undoubtedly you’ll find something here to lighten your load as the end of the year beckons:* WorkLaughs * TeacherLaughs * ParentLaughs Read More
2018-11-08 16:36
In a keynote speech it is better to present one key idea four different ways than it is to cram your keynote full of material that is guaranteed to miss the mark with 75% of the audience Read More
2018-10-27 11:37
I'm lying on my bed during a rainy day in November, decades ago, in a rut. I've been unemployed for four months and I'm waiting to hear on several job opportunities but nothing has come thr… Read More
2018-10-20 22:08
Best Practices among meeting planners; * Complete the speaker's pre-program questionnaire well in advance.* Avoid over-scheduling their meeting attendees.* Produce a professional, accurate f… Read More
2018-10-19 12:36
Multi-tasking: time saver or time waster? You've got a big conference coming up, so you double-up on tasks, and why not: multitasking is promoted as an efficient way to meet the co… Read More
2018-10-19 12:35
Is managing rapid change a challenge for you? Everywhere you look there are life-long career professionals losing confidence in their ability to stay competitive in our rapidly changing soc… Read More
2018-09-26 15:17
Notes from The How of Wow by Tony Carlson* According to Tony Carlson only 1 in 500 speeches is good enough to be remembered. To be among those remembered, Carlson says you need to give audie… Read More
2018-09-21 21:21
Here's an insight for the new year: Taking your time to speak lowers blood pressure."Talking fast, that classic Type-A personality trait, may put you at greater risk for heart disease," acco… Read More
2018-09-08 22:23
The most effective way to manage your time is to stay in control of it, to protect yourself from unwanted intrusions. What would your life be like if you had more breathing space? Read More
2018-09-04 14:11
Quick ways to sprinkle in humor:* Add a completely incongruous slide to your A/V presentation.* Prepare a ready list of comical "blooper comebacks" for possible miscues.* Offer a funny "Top… Read More
2018-08-20 12:51
In Results Rule! Build a Culture that Blows the Competition Away, author Randy Pennington offers what he's learned from over 20 years of helping leaders and organizations build cultures foc… Read More
2018-08-13 13:42
As a professional speaker, I have had the privilege of working with many outstanding bureaus. Among the many traits that excellent bureaus have in common, these seem to show up often: they r… Read More
2018-08-05 22:58
If you have yet to visit my other two blogs start the day off right by clicking below:* for the time-pressured: www.breathingspaceblog.com* for the constantly distracted: www.interrupt… Read More
2018-07-26 15:42
A service from iParadigms is available that protects writers everywhere as well as helps meeting planners to ensure that a speaker’s material is his own. From its own website: "iParadi… Read More
2018-07-21 13:00
Prior to my speech to a group of managers in Bangkok, Thailand, I was told that audience members would periodically be leaving the room to take cell phone calls. To my surprise, every single… Read More
2018-07-15 19:23
A friend of mine in the speaking business had just finished giving a presentation and, characteristically, many people lined up to speak to him. One woman asked him a question, in the form o… Read More
2018-07-06 14:50
Here are five advantages of working with a speakers bureau for meeting planners:1) Should the situation arise in which you are not happy with the speaker's performance or any other aspect of… Read More
2018-06-28 20:47
One afternoon, while I was speaking on the phone to a mentor, he mentioned that he needed to "get some breathing space." I wrote down those words.The phrase became one of the powerful guidin… Read More
2018-06-23 15:10
Conference follow-up is as rigorous as anything else for a meeting planner! When the convention is over, in addition to addressing hundreds of details, you scamper back onto the plane or int… Read More
2018-06-07 17:20
Making deeply pronounced choices is an efficient way to get in control of life. An essential choice for all meeting planner is choosing to feel worthy and complete, especially at the height… Read More
2018-06-01 15:04
Based on a study undertaken at the University of New South Wales, people touch their eyes mouth or nose, all entry points for infection, an average of 45 times per hour. So, at conferences… Read More
2018-05-29 20:56
Nobel-prize winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman has shown that recollection of past experiences is almost entirely determined by two things: 1) how the experience felt when it was at its pe… Read More
2018-05-22 18:42
A lot of technical training doesn’t work according to Techno Stress authors Larry Rosen, Ph.D and Michelle Weil, Ph.D. because the instructor is an eager and early adopter, talks too f… Read More
2018-05-19 18:24
To-do lists are often the most critical component to planning. They keep meeting planners on track by serving as a constant reminder of what needs to be done and when it needs to be comple… Read More
2018-05-08 13:16
Some meeting professionals fear that if they book speakers through a bureau they will lose the interpersonal contact that is so crucial for assuring success. As the client, however, you larg… Read More
2018-04-28 14:30
When a speaker is making a presentation to an audience there are three observable indicators of effectiveness:1. Reaction -- How do audience members respond to the speaker while the presen… Read More
2018-04-19 21:48
In light of outburst by athletes at one venue after another, I am reminded of a young man with humility: Returning home from a presentation at Wintergreen Resort in Virginia, my car blew a t… Read More
2018-04-12 13:31
Whether you plan meetings or speak at them, here's a long term development that you can't ignore:Only 3% of professionals get eight hours of sleep every night of the working week. According… Read More
2018-04-02 14:06
The Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) credential was developed to increase the professionalism of meeting professionals in any component or sector of the industry. The Professional Conven… Read More
2018-03-28 17:07
Many speakers and authors make a variety of claims, some substantiated, some not. Even in the absence of intention to deceive, it’s easy for speakers and authors to fall into the trap… Read More
2018-03-20 11:30
If you're overwhelmed by what crosses your desk, it's worth considering the benefits of having a file folder for each month of the year and a file folder for each day of the month. This idea… Read More
2018-03-11 21:38
To make your desk and office environment support you, invest in yourself. If you need them, room dividers and sound barriers are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and can impro… Read More
2018-02-27 16:02
Here are observations by author Dan Sullivan, from his book The Laws of Lifetime Growth:Always make your:Law 1: future bigger than your pastLaw 2: learning greater than your experience… Read More
2018-02-22 11:43
Humorist Gene Perret tells of the time he was addressing his daughter's elementary school and offering one of his presentations. When finished, on the way out of the auditorium, he passed… Read More
2018-02-11 16:57
Here are notes from Sam Horn's session on Concentration from September 15th, 1981. Still great advice to this day!* Concentration defined; voluntarily focused attention.* Discipline of ignor… Read More
2018-02-02 12:30
What do bureaus seek when working with speakers? * They respond to a unique approach and unique material. * They prefer an audio book or web link. Books g… Read More
2018-01-29 19:08
In our hectic, fast-paced society, most of us have so many things competing for our attention that it's relatively easy to lose sight of the goals we set for ourselves, even big important go… Read More
2018-01-21 20:27
The most effective presentations are offered to the audience participants in the “middle,” not at the extremes. Let me elaborate:When I worked with Domino Pizza's distribution co… Read More
2018-01-18 15:56
Donald Kirkpatrick's Four Level Evaluation Model training programs was published in 1959 in the Journal of American Society of Training Directors and is still highly valid today:* Reaction … Read More
2018-01-02 13:52
It might be semi-comforting to retain a speaker who's very busy. After all, if many other groups are hiring this speaker, he or she must be good, right?If the speaker doesn't arrive the nigh… Read More
2017-12-22 17:47
Here is a wonderful roster of speaking tips and related websites: www.aresearchguide.com/3tips.html Read More
2017-12-16 14:42
Today, every audience requires at least some form of a tailored presentation. There are no more off-the-shelf programs that fit every audience every time, even when the topic is as generic a… Read More
2017-12-06 23:03
Great moments in meeting planning history: … Read More
2017-12-02 16:17
Matthew Blakeslee, writing for Discover says, "If old dogs haven’t been able to learn new tricks, maybe that’s because no one has known how to teach them properly. Until quite re… Read More
2017-11-30 14:14
Here a few ideas from EffectiveMeetings.com on the topic of staying on time:* State that the meeting will begin promptly at the scheduled time and that all participants should be on time.* S… Read More
2017-11-24 12:33
The best speakers have all their supporting materials readily available: Undoubtedly, before your scheduled event, you'll need a biography, an introduction, a write-up of the presentation, a… Read More
2017-11-14 12:30
If you're flying mid-day, wear your sunglasses because ultraviolet rays from the sun are more potent: especially if you're flying above the clouds. To read, lower the window cover and use… Read More
2017-11-02 15:00
Noted speaker, author, and High Point University president Nido Qubien has observed that "Barriers resulting from audience resistance fall into two categories: external factors that cause pe… Read More
2017-10-29 19:53
A strong positive reaction from the audience members and the visible exhibition of learning are desirable outcomes for any speaker. A larger question, however, is "what impact did the presen… Read More
2017-10-17 13:43
Emily Sorenson, Education Outreach Specialist at www.csccr.org offer these selected resources for communications, writing etiquette, and public speaking... and observes that these resources… Read More
2017-10-11 13:44
As recently as a few years ago, 30% of white-collar workers still had private offices, based on a poll of 9,300 people by office furniture maker Steelcase. However the typical office has shr… Read More
2017-10-03 13:41
When I was retained to speak on board a cruise ship to the National Association of Women Business Owners, I was surprised and pleased to discover that I was the only male presenter on board!… Read More
2017-09-27 15:00
Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE offers insights for communicate like a corporate rock star:In an era of tough competition, presentations that persuade, educate, motivate, and inspire give you a co… Read More
2017-09-18 20:25
Work-life balance -- the term is referred to so often, you'd think that most people know what it means. In my presentation I identify and expound upon the six supporting disciplines: &n&hell…Read More
2017-09-13 17:33
In seminars and workshops I offer on having more Breathing Space, invariably someone poses a personal dilemma: "No matter how conscious I am of saving time throughout the day, I still find m… Read More
2017-09-07 14:41
A World of Unusual Speaking Experiences!In the course of speaking to 940 audiences around the world, I have encountered my share of unique engagements. For example, when I spoke to the Burea… Read More
2017-08-25 22:21
Log onto any major search engine on the Internet, type in the word "speaker," and you'll get hundreds of hits. It's not difficult to identify speakers on all topics, from all geographic loca… Read More
2017-08-17 19:59
The demise of paper has been predicted for a century, but the end is nowhere in sight, and it quite okay to offer paper handouts at conventions, conference, speeches, and seminars Read More
Subscribe to Opening Keynote
Get updates delivered right to your inbox!