“Unlavator” Speech / Pitch

June 5th, 2010 Posted in Blog

aka:  Elevator Speech

What do you think…

I’m proposing that we banish the elevator speech and replace the name with Unlavator speech.

Yes, you’re likely asking why, but deep down you know – you’ve been the victim of that 30 second spit and polish; and you’ve even spewed a few yourself.

Now really, do you think that when you have that chance meeting with Richard Branson and you espouse that perfectly polished speech that Richard will not break out into his famous belly laugh – full on – with pearly whites flashing at you?

Sir Richard will be thinking does this bloke or blokess not have any creativity or originality? Insert eye roll here. If this poor nob has to memorize who he is – well enough said.

Now, you want the deliverable. Right?

It is as easy as this:

1) Know who you are!

  • Your core values and beliefs
  • Dig deep – your mother is watching

2) Be excited and share it!

  • Are you not passionate (not my favourite word but scratching my head for a replacement) about who you are and what you do?
  • Crow from rooftops – share that cool thing you do and what you bring to the table

3) Take cues from the person you are meeting! *Hint – find out who they are and what interests them first.

  • Here is where you will need to do some nimble thinking. Yes you can! What would they find interesting about you?
  • How could what you bring to the table align with their needs or how are you a solution to their problem?

When you have the opportunity to introduce yourself – relax – you are who you are. Be proud and be excited to share. Be interested in who you are meeting.

As my colleague Sam says, “It’s the secret sauce”.

*Photo Credit: David Lat, New York

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Donald Sutherland Made Me Cry

February 28th, 2010 Posted in Blog

We are humble folks us Canadians. But also conflicted. We struggle to keep our politeness and manners but want to engage the world on its global stage.

This past two weeks Vancouver and Whistler have hosted a party like no other. I live in Yaletown which was smack dab in the middle of the action. The streets have been teaming with Olympic fans ~ I’ve never seen anything like it. It was the energy. What a vibe. I believe that we have shown the world who Canada is and given them a glimpse into our mettle.

Donald Sutherland was interviewed on CTV this morning and he made me cry. FYI he is Keifer Sutherland’s dad and has a long lineage in Canada that roots back to Tommy Douglas the father of our notorious all embracing medical system.

Sutherland shared the story of a tribal elder who spoke to his community about the good and evil in all of us. A young member of the tribe asked, “Who wins?” The elder said, ” The one who is fed the most.”

Sutherland explained, “Canadians have a history of feeding their good side and they have given the world a glimpse into their respect for themselves and others.” “They have shown the world that a country can work when it is peaceful and respectful.” I choked and the tears streamed down my cheeks.

It was not only Sutherland’s words but his emotion and passion while he spoke. His Canadian heart was proudly exhibited on his sleeve.

Something Canadians aren’t often caught doing.

We are a humble lot.

Image attribution: Bartek Ambrozik


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Why Being Yourself and Passionate Trumps Distracting Habits

December 11th, 2009 Posted in Blog

Can you remember a presentation that has long stayed with you? What was the secret power that it held? It likely was the passion of the speaker. The presenter was perhaps someone you would consider a good candidate to be a friend – just one of us ‘normal’ folk.

I found a clip of a speech given by Senator Diane Savino speaking on gay marriage legislation that is/will be voted on by members of the New York State Senate. The clip extends seven minutes. I watched the entire clip. This is unusual for me because usually I get bored and turn off clips within a minute.


What makes Senator Savino different? She speaks with passion and believes in her cause. And her passion outstripped her fidgeting and gesturing. The clip received over 327,000 views and over 1300 positive comments.

This comment was one of the few that was negative:

Comment on YouTube from:Monkeysniffer08
wow…. she has some horrible speaking habits…..- pen clicking- fidgeting- rubbing her ear- holding her pen and flinging around with it.

Monkeysniffer noticed and so did I. But I didn’t care.
Her message outshone les faux pas.

Which proves you do not have to be a perfect speaker — just a speaker who speaks with passion and believes in your own words.

Next post I will write about Senator Savino’s speech and her use of rhetorical persuasion.


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Does Your Audience Wear Executioner’s Clothing?

November 11th, 2009 Posted in Blog

This post digs deep and gets personal. Both for me and if I touch a nerve, with you. Are the hairs on the back of your neck at attention? Do you think public speaking is a fate worse than death?

When you drill down, your fear is not of public speaking, the problem is confidence in yourself. And yes, I battled it too.

My dirty little secret is I batted my eyelashes to escape all public speaking assignments in high school. Anyone who knows me knows I don’t flaunt my sexuality to garner favours. It’s not in my DNA. It was the fear of public speaking that caused me to stoop that low. It seems that I’m not alone.

My Twitter feed for public speaking spits out streams of anxiety, fear, terror…etc. Try Googling public speaking. How many of your hits return someone who will help you overcome fear, anxiety, or nervousness? Enough to make the knot in your stomach grow exponentially. This advert will likely make you run and hide under your bed.

The best advice I have received on my now defunct fear of public speaking was from a wise Scotsman who blustered, “There is no fear of public speaking, there is only lack of confidence in yourself”. Yes, it was blunt and cut to the bone, but true.

Erika Liodice’s interview with John Zimmer describes the fears that he himself has overcome to be a consummate public speaker. To listen and watch John, it appears he is just a natural speaker. That he does not need to practice and does not get adrenaline butterfly’s in his stomach just before presenting. But he, like most of us, needed to gather his confidence — his advice: don’t ponder, just take action.

If you are confident in your subject, if you know your presentation inside out, and if you passionately believe in what you are speaking, there is no fear. If you are obsessed with the vision of your beliefs, you’ll want to crow from rooftops and tell anyone who will listen about your passion. It isn’t a secret — it is that simple. Marion Chapsal nails it with her rules of four P’s. She critiques Cat Lainé’s riveting presentation. Cat draws you in with her passion and she captures you into feeling what she feels.

Here is the part where you need to dig deep. What are you really afraid of? Are you afraid of appearing stupid — then do your research. Are you afraid of forgetting — practice. Are you afraid of appearing unprofessional — stand tall, project, and dress for the occasion. Harsh, yes, but it’s not about public speaking it is about you.

Sage words from my lovely Scotsman, “What is it you would do if you weren’t afraid?”

Image Credit: Maria Li


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