Blog | Mandel Communications

Avoid Slide Projection Snafus When Presenting

by Steve Mandel

If you've given presentations in places other than networked conference rooms, you've probably used an LCD projector hooked up to your computer, to project your slides. You may not realize, however, that there are slide projection snafus to avoid, as well as ways to use a projector to improve the quality of your presentations.

by Steve Mandel

In-Person Presentations, PowerPoint, Presentation Skills, Presentation Slides, Slide deck

Are You Ready for Your Video Close-Up?

by Brad Holst

While organizations are increasingly using video to educate, entertain, and train employees and customers, many people are still uncomfortable presenting on camera. Fear not, because anyone can learn how to effectively communicate on video — and develop a level of comfort doing so. Over the next few weeks, I'll use my own experience recording videos for Harvard Business Publishing to highlight important ways you can prepare for and improve your presentations on-screen and off.

by Brad Holst

Presentation Skills, Video

Improve How You Communicate Next Year

by Steve Mandel

Have you ever made communication resolutions? As the New Year approaches, I always like to reflect on what I’ve done well and what I could improve next year when it comes to communicating with my colleagues, employees, and clients. You may be surprised at how much doing so can strengthen your relationships with the people around you.

by Steve Mandel

Conversation Skills, PowerPoint, Presentation Skills, Virtual Presentations, Vocal Energy

When You Have to Give the Same Presentation Over and Over Again…

by Brad Holst

If you think delivering the same presentation over and over again can get boring and monotonous, you’re right...it can, IF you let it. The bottom line? If you sound bored giving your presentation, you can bet your audience is bored, too. Here's how to keep it fresh...it's another lesson from Disneyland's Jungle Cruise.

by Brad Holst

Presentation Skills

Text-Laden Slides Sink Webinars

by Brad Holst

Want to ensure your next virtual presentation won’t sink under the weight of text overload? Here are three actionable tips you can implement immediately to help you grab ahold of and keep your audience's attention.

by Brad Holst

PowerPoint, Presentation Slides, Slide deck, Virtual Presentations, Webcasts

Making a Thank You More Meaningful

by Steve Mandel

Expressing thanks not only makes you feel good, it makes the recipient of your thanks feel seen, heard, and valued. Saying "Thank you" is a small act with a potentially big impact. It can help you build rapport and make your future interactions with people, both, more memorable and rewarding. In business, this can be especially helpful. Today, I thought it fitting to share a few tips for making a “thank you” as meaningful as possible.

by Steve Mandel

Conversation Skills, Messaging Skills

Where’s the Fire in Your Belly?

by Steve Mandel

When you present to senior executives, you expect scrutiny. You know they'll be evaluating whether what you have to say is of value to them. But, there's something else they're looking for from you.... And, it's further proof that when the stakes are high, both what you say AND how you say it can make all the difference.

by Steve Mandel

Conversation Skills, Executive Presence, Messaging Skills, Presenting to Executives, Sales Readiness, Selling Skills

Communication Skills as a Wildlife Conservation Tool

by Steve Mandel

Can conversation and presentation skills save wild lions, zebras, and elephants? Recently, I traveled to Kenya to conduct training workshops for people who work with the wildlife conservation groups Ewaso Lions, Grevy's Zebra Trust, and Save the Elephants. These organizations focus a lot of their efforts on global education, outreach, and collaboration with governments and local people. Their ability to communicate well is essential to their success.

by Steve Mandel

Conversation Skills, Presentation Skills

Entering the (Executive) Lion’s Den

by Brad Holst

Many people feel like they're being sent into the proverbial lion’s den when they have to present to senior executives. While there's reason to be wary, take a lesson from Androcles: Find the thorn and pull it out. Here's how to turn scary lions into career-building advocates.

by Brad Holst

Conversation Skills, Executive Presence, Messaging Skills, Presenting to Executives

Will Cool Tools Change the Customer Conversation?

by Kathleen Redd

What effect will Internet of Things devices and technology have on how you talk with your customers? How will this technology change the way you plan for your customer engagements or briefings? I’m reminded of an adage from my youth: “The more things change, the more they remain the same.” Here's why you should never lose sight of time-proven principles for engaging customers.

by Kathleen Redd

Collaboration Skills, Conversation Skills, Presentation Skills, Virtual Presentations

To Innovate, Resonate and Differentiate

by Brad Holst

Success or failure happens in just the first two minutes of any presentation. When you're laying your most innovative ideas on the line, here's how to stand out and win the attention and respect of your audience.

by Brad Holst

In-Person Presentations, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills

How to Build (and Avoid Breaking) Rapport

by Steve Mandel

When you break rapport, you've communicated that you don't have your listener's best interests at heart. And when that happens, you lose your ability to keep his or her attention or to influence his or her thinking. So this week, I thought I’d focus on ways people break rapport and how to avoid them.

by Steve Mandel

Conversation Skills, Executive Presence, Sales Readiness

How Many Slides Should My PowerPoint Be?

by Brad Holst

When it comes to creating PowerPoint® slides, less is more. Why, then, are so many presentations too long? Because presenters make the same mistake I once did. This week, I'll tell you about my experience and give you a simple recipe for creating short slide decks that help you get your message heard.

by Brad Holst

Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills, Presentation Slides, Slide deck

Why You Were Born to Tell Stories

by Steve Mandel

Sharing a meaningful story or anecdote can be nerve-wracking, especially in a business setting. Every time you do it, you’re putting your ideas and your credibility on the line. But you don’t have to fear it. In fact, you were made for it. Learn why storytelling works and how to make it work for you.

by Steve Mandel

Storytelling

Winging It Is Not a Good Webcast Strategy

by Heather Muir

The webcast is a more difficult medium to master than most assume. Mastering virtual presentations takes experienced coaching, structured practice, and developmental feedback. But, there are things you can do right now to improve your delivery and head off a virtual disaster.

by Heather Muir

Presentation Skills, Virtual Presentations, Webcasts

How to Prevent Projects from Failing

by Steve Mandel

It’s time for businesses to stop squandering resources, time, and money on a project management problem that is entirely preventable. Communication skills, rather than a saboteur of success, can be an agent of outperformance.

by Steve Mandel

Project Management, Technical Professionals

What Every Businessperson Can Learn from an Entrepreneur

by Brad Holst

By necessity, entrepreneurs understand something that other professionals can take a lifetime to learn. Learn this lesson early, and it could make the difference between career success and failure.

by Brad Holst

Executive Presence, In-Person Presentations, Messaging Skills, Presenting to Executives, Storytelling

Your Audience Is Sitting Where?!

by Steve Mandel

Where and how your audience members are seated can have a major impact on what you must do to connect with them during your presentation. Each type of seating arrangement presents unique advantages and disadvantages. Here's how to best manage three of the more common set-ups.

by Steve Mandel

In-Person Presentations, Presentation Skills

Mom Was Right: Why Good Posture Matters

by Steve Mandel

Whether you're presenting standing up or sitting down (in a live meeting or presenting virtually), using good posture is important. We all remember mom's admonitions, “Sit up straight” or “Don’t slouch.” Well, she was right, especially when we communicate with others! After all, your posture is one of the first things people notice about you. What do you want it to communicate?

by Steve Mandel

Executive Presence, In-Person Presentations, Presentation Skills

Selling Up: What Executives Want

by Steve Mandel

Even though you yourself might not be an executive, you must come across in a manner that demonstrates you're confident, credible, and someone who understands the executive's world. Here's how to project executive presence when selling up.

by Steve Mandel

Executive Presence, Presenting to Executives, Selling Skills

Does Your Focus on Details Turn People Off?

by Steve Mandel

Could your meticulous focus on the details be off-putting to others? What can you do to avoid this? Here are a few simple things you can do to better communicate with non-analyticals and big-picture people, so that they feel more connected and satisfied in their interactions with you.

by Steve Mandel

Conversation Skills, PowerPoint, Technical Professionals

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