Biesenblog
Riveting Insights on Communication, Storytelling and Presentation Skills
How to Shoot a Selfie Video in 6 Easy Steps
In a camera-phone world, there is still a time and place for a professionally shot and edited video. But on occasion, a DIY approach is good enough — and even preferable. I've done it for professional purposes once — and, as with so many things, that makes me feel...
What to Do When Your Speaking Time is Cut Short
I've done a couple of speeches where events beyond my control cut seriously into my allotted speaking time. If you're ever in that situation, here's what to do and what not to do. The Best Laid Plans ... I construct my presentations meticulously. If I've got an...
The Power of Emotion: A Lesson from Star Trek
What is it that made Mr. Spock one of the most beloved TV characters of all time? It certainly wasn't his logical side. If he were all-Vulcan, all the time, that would get old fast. No, what made viewers love Mr. Spock was the occasional glimpse of humanity he showed...
It’s True: I Am Not a Communist
There, I said it. It feels good to get that off my chest. When I do presentations, I get all kinds of feedback, from the eye-opening to the mind-bending. But until recently I'd never been accused of being a mindless tool of the capitalist agenda. Estela and the Candy...
How to Structure a Story in 3 Easy Steps
If you want to break down walls with an audience and influence them to act, nothing beats a well-told story. To create that story, simplicity is key: you need three basic elements: Character Goal Challenge Now you can make it as complicated as you want, layering on...
The Leading Cause of Death by PowerPoint
I was talking last week with my next awesome client about the problem of Death by PowerPoint, and why so many people still don't get it. Our conversation led me to a realization about why smart people continue to give bad presentations. Dull Slide Decks, and the...
10 Confusing Word Pairs Everybody Gets Wrong
If you've been waiting with bated (or baited) breath for my next post on confusing word pairs, today is your day! It was almost three years ago that I first set out to make the world a better place by ending once and for all the misuse of "jibe" and "jive" and "hone"...
Brian Williams: Cats, Dogs, Mass Hysteria!
The more this Brian Williams story plays out, the more ridiculous it seems. Unless NBC knows something the rest of us don't, a six-month suspension seems pretty draconian. (But not draconian enough for those demanding he be fired.) I don't really have a dog in this...
How Long Does It Take to Write a Speech? 30 Years
I love giving presentations, but I recognize I'm in a unique position: I get to choose the topic, the time and the place. So I really feel for those in the corporate world who find themselves staring at the screen trying to figure out what to say for some presentation...
7 Surprising Self-Publishing Lessons
My book, 11 Deadly Presentation Sins, is officially one-year-old this Saturday. Like any toddler, it's caused me more than a few sleepless nights. And, like parenthood, no matter how much you prepare, the process is still full of surprises. Even when you've done it...
Why Being a Planner Could Be Your Downfall
If you're the kind of person who plans things out carefully, beware: that strength could also be your biggest weakness, if it keeps you from being in the moment. That's a lesson I've learned the hard way, and something I intend to work on in the new year. Planning...
One Year, Four Careers: Blood, Sweat & Tears
Fifteen years ago this fall I struck out on my own, leaving a job as a vice president at Ogilvy PR to work independently. I started out doing what I'd been doing at the firm: corporate communications work for a variety of clients. Over the years, I added three other...
