Ohne Call-to-action geht nichts!

Why aren’t they doing what I say?

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Nothing works without a call-to-action!✨ “This is a medication. Read the package insert or ask your pharmacist!” — Does that ring a bell? 🎯 Exactly! That’s the legendary final sentence of every medication advertisement.

But what does this have to do with presentations? 📊 A lot!

👉 Why a call-to-action is important:

Your audience needs clarity. Without clear instructions? 🧟‍♂️ Zombie mode activated.

With a clear call to action, you show: “I know what you should do now.” And yes, this builds trust! 🤝

🚀 How to smartly end your presentation:

“Visit my website and get the free e-book!” 📚

“Connect with me on LinkedIn!” 🔗

“Sign up for my newsletter!” ✉️

❌ No Thanks, that’s all without added value.

✅ Always a next step for your audience.

 

💡 What’s your best call-to-action? Let’s exchange ideas in the comments! 👇

Here’s the link to the video: https://youtu.be/s_0rEBHDjz0

You can find more tips and tricks from the series “100 Seconds for More Attractive Presentations” at www.52redetipps.ch.

 

Thomas Skipwith

Mr. TNT for PNP (Tips and Tricks for Presentations and Pitches)

Score with a strong first sentence!

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The first sentence counts.💡 Did you know that people spend more time taking selfies than reading books? 🎯 Boom! Attention secured.

A strong opening line is like a perfect selfie – it sticks in your memory. 📸 But how do you achieve this in your presentations, speeches, or pitches?

Here are 3 simple tips to make you a master of attention:

🔹 Start with a bang: A provocative question or surprising fact immediately draws your audience in. No room for clichés like “Ladies and gentlemen…” 🚫

🔹 Memorize your opening: Your first sentence must flow smoothly and confidently. Practice makes perfect – and ensures you appear poised. 💪

🔹 Make an impression in the first 7 seconds: First impressions count. Make sure it’s unforgettable! A clear message + strong voice = wow effect. ✨ 🤔

Here’s the link to the video: https://youtu.be/U-z7RC_tNW0

What was the best opening line you’ve ever heard – or said yourself?

Share it in the comments! 👇

Let’s learn from each other and improve together! 🚀

 

You can find more tips and tricks from the series “100 Seconds for More Attractive Presentations” at www.52redetipps.ch.

 

Thomas Skipwith

Mr. TNT for PNP (Tips and Tricks for Presentations and Pitches)

Führungskraft hält eine Weihnachtsansprache

Five golden rules for an impressive Christmas speech for executives

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Executive giving a Christmas addressThe Christmas season is a special opportunity to share your appreciation and your vision for the coming year with your team. A successful Christmas speech is more than just words – it’s a moment that stays in memory. To help you shine in your company’s internal Christmas speech, I have compiled five proven tips for you: ________________________________________

  1. Start with a personal touch

Greet your team warmly and begin with a brief, authentic story from the past year. Personal insights create closeness and show that you’re speaking not just as a boss, but as a person. ________________________________________

  1. Express heartfelt thanks

The Christmas season is the perfect time to express gratitude. Acknowledge the achievements of your team and individual departments. Be specific – it comes across as sincere and motivating. ________________________________________

  1. Look optimistically to the future

After looking back on 2024, turn your gaze to 2025. Share your vision for the coming year and inspire your team with a clear, positive message. ________________________________________

  1. Short and sweet

A Christmas address should touch the team, but not tire them. Keep it brief (maximum 5-7 minutes), speak in clear sentences, and avoid technical jargon. The core message should be easy to understand and memorable. ________________________________________

  1. End with an emotional high point

Conclude your speech with a wish, a quote, or a heartfelt greeting that captures the Christmas spirit. A sentence like ‘I look forward to writing the next chapter of our shared journey with all of you’ leaves a lasting impression.

 

With these five tips, your Christmas address will become a highlight that not only impresses your team but also inspires them. I wish you much success with your speech and a peaceful Christmas season! Best regards

 

Thomas Skipwith

Mr. TNT for PNP (Tips and Tricks for Presentations and Pitches)

Humor in Geschäftspräsentationen

YouTube video

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It might sound unusual, but humor has its place in the business world too! 🧐 Presentations don’t have to be dry and boring. A well-placed joke can break the ice, lighten the mood, and make your audience smile. 😄

David JP Philips put it perfectly: When people laugh, the brain releases endorphins. These make the audience more receptive to your message. 🎯

What’s the best type of humor? You’ll find out in the YouTube video.

💡 Pro tip: Situational comedy works wonderfully too. Take a close look at your surroundings or your audience and use what’s happening right now. (Recommendation: Check out Max Amini.)

So, the learning of the day: Laughter is the most direct path to your audience’s hearts! 💥

TV-Duell Kamala Harris gegen Donald J. Trump

🎤 TV debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris from 10.09.2024 🎤

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Even though it was politically heated, there are exciting **rhetorical** lessons that we can use for our own presentations!
🚀   🔹 **Preparation pays off** Kamala Harris spent several days preparing intensively – and it paid off! 💡 Preparation is the key to success for any presentation or pitch, especially when it comes to important messages.

🔹 **Teamwork is key** Harris had a whole team of experts behind her. 👥 We often prepare presentations on our own – but it’s worth having someone else look over the content! That way you get valuable feedback.

🔹 **Free speech = more eye contact** Both candidates spoke without a cheat sheet, but only Kamala Harris really used the **eye contact** with the camera and the audience. 👀 Fewer notes and slides can make a presentation much more powerful.

🔹 **Gestures make all the difference** Both Trump and Harris used their hands purposefully, especially the right hand, to symbolically “hammer in stakes.” ✋💥 A powerful gesture can reinforce the message.

🔹 **Repetition as a stylistic device!** Kamala Harris deliberately used repetition, e.g. at minute 11:00: “Donald Trump left us…” 🔄 This technique, the anaphora, brings clarity and emphasis.   In conclusion: Harris completed her sentences – Trump often didn’t.

🧐 A clear structure ensures that the message gets through. 👉 To the YouTube video.

💬 **What rhetorical techniques will you use in your next presentation? Share it in the comments! 👇😊

——————–

If you also want to present more attractively, e.g. in a business environment, then let me support you. For example from me. I have been supporting my clients as a speaker, trainer and coach for presentations and pitches since 2002. Let’s talk: https://thomas-skipwith.com/kontakt/

Auto mit Lego-Motor

Spice up presentations: 5 AI tools for professional images in seconds

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Attention is the be-all and end-all of successful presentations. And what could captivate the audience more than really strong visual impressions? But let’s be honest, finding the perfect images and graphics for your next pitch in a stressful working day is really not easy, is it?

That’s where the AI comes in! With the right AI tools, you can conjure up impressive visual content in no time at all that will really take your presentations to the next level.

Whether you work in sales, product development or marketing – these AI applications have the right AI images for every industry:

  1. Copilot (as part of the Edge browser) – the thing for really chic graphics and illustrations. Simply enter a few key points and voilà, Copilot spits out 4 design suggestions. The best thing about it? It’s even free to use! Examples: A technician repairs the dishwasher. A Lego car. An exploded view of a motor.

Technician repairs dishwasher Car with Lego motor Exploded view of motor

2 Canva – the all-rounder for quick images and layouts. Canva is perfect for creating social media posts, storyboards and presentation slides in no time at all. Example: A billboard.

52 Speaking tips Billboard

3. NightCafé – also free of charge, but you have to collect credits. The app uses various AI models, including Dall-E 3. Example: A managing director.

Managing Director

4. adobe firefly – the cool thing about it is that you can move or simply delete elements from a photo. Here is an example: There was a car in the parking lot. Adobe Firefly removed the car in a few seconds at my request. This is much better and easier than it used to be with Adobe Photoshop.

Parking lot car removed with Firefly

5. midjourney – the creative booster par excellence for captivating metaphors and concepts. Midjourney transforms your ideas into impressive visual worlds. Just the right thing to inspire your audience. However, you first have to open an account with Discord for Midjourney. Then you have to decide on a subscription.

With these 5 AI tools for image creation, there are no more limits to your imagination. Surprise your audience with original visual concepts and increase the impact of your message. Just try it out at your next presentation!

Good luck!

 

Thomas Skipwith

Book recommendation

Book: To catch fish, use the right baitIn the following book, you will find the tools, systems, and tips that will make you a persuasive speaker. So that you need less time for preparation, present more understandably and with more confidence.

Reto B. Rüegger, Thomas Skipwith: To catch fish, use the right bait. Scoring as a speaker with Power Presentations

If you want support for a speech or presentation, please let me know (+41 41 630 39 90).

If you would like to have tips and tricks regularly by e-mail (in German), then sign up to the Trainingletter – but it’s confidential:-).
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Mädchen trägt Weihnachtsgedicht vor

Language magic at Christmas time: Your guide to an unforgettable Christmas poem!

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It’s the time of year for Christmas poems. Anyone who recites their poem well will make the eyes of young and old light up.

This is a particularly successful way to recite your Christmas poem:

  1. Emphasis and expression: Make sure you recite the words of your Christmas poem with appropriate emphasis and expression. Don’t just rattle off the text of the poem. Emphasize important passages to underline emotions and capture your audience’s attention.
  1. Speak slowly and clearly: Avoid speaking too quickly. Take your time with each line so that the listener can grasp the beauty of the words. Clear pronunciation helps to ensure that every word is understood and that the atmosphere of the poem comes across better.
  1. Maintain eye contact: Make eye contact with your audience during your presentation. The easiest way to do this is to memorize the poem. Eye contact creates a personal connection and allows you to feel the reactions of your audience. Eye contact also conveys self-confidence and authenticity.
  1. Set appropriate pauses: Deliberately use short pauses between the sections of your poem. This allows the audience to process what they have heard and reinforces the emotional impact of certain passages. Pauses give the performance a rhythmic structure.
  1. Create the right atmosphere: Make sure you create the right atmosphere for your Christmas poem. Dim the lights, maybe light a candle and create a cozy environment. An atmospheric setting enhances the emotional resonance of your words.

With these tips, you can ensure that your Christmas poem leaves a lasting impression not only in terms of content, but also in terms of its presentation. Good luck with your presentation! And Merry Christmas.

Book recommendation

Book: To catch fish, use the right baitIn the following book, you will find the tools, systems, and tips that will make you a persuasive speaker. So that you need less time for preparation, present more understandably and with more confidence.

Reto B. Rüegger, Thomas Skipwith: To catch fish, use the right bait. Scoring as a speaker with Power Presentations

If you want support for a speech or presentation, please let me know (+41 41 630 39 90).

If you would like to have tips and tricks regularly by e-mail (in German), then sign up to the Trainingletter – but it’s confidential:-).

Jahresabschlussrede

Master your year-end speech: 5 tips for managers

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As the end of the year approaches, so does the time for the end-of-year speech. To ensure that your speech is particularly effective, you should consider one or more specific points in addition to general tips:

1: Review of the year with gratitude

Take time for a brief review of the past year. Emphasize not only the successes, but also the challenges and the hurdles that were overcome together. Show gratitude for the efforts and successes of your team.

2: Outlook for the future

Take this opportunity to provide a brief outlook for the coming year. Share the company’s goals and plans to motivate your employees and get them in the mood for the common future.

3: Incorporate personal points of contact

Make the speech personal by sharing personal experiences or anecdotes from the past year. This creates an emotional connection to your team and strengthens the sense of community.

4: Express appreciation

Use the end-of-year speech to explicitly recognize the achievements and commitment of your employees. Sincere appreciation strengthens motivation and a sense of togetherness.

5: Strengthen a sense of community

Emphasize team spirit and cooperation. Emphasize how important the joint effort is for the success of the company and motivate your team to achieve great things together in the coming year.

With these tips, your year-end speech will not only be effective, but also tailored to the special requirements of this special occasion.

Book recommendation

Book: To catch fish, use the right baitIn the following book, you will find the tools, systems, and tips that will make you a persuasive speaker. So that you need less time for preparation, present more understandably and with more confidence.

Reto B. Rüegger, Thomas Skipwith: To catch fish, use the right bait. Scoring as a speaker with Power Presentations

 

 

 

If you want support for a speech or presentation, please let me know (+41 41 630 39 90).

If you would like to have tips and tricks regularly by e-mail (in German), then sign up to the Trainingletter – but it’s confidential:-).

Herausforderungen für MINT-Fachleute

What are the 5 biggest challenges for STEM professionals?

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Question: What are the 5 biggest challenges for STEM professionals when presenting?*

Answer: It depends :-). It varies from person to person. But what I see over and over again in my training and coaching practice are the following challenges:

Adapt to the audience.

STEM professionals often find it difficult to present in a way that is generally understandable and tailored to the audience. Technical details often do not interest laymen. Therefore, do the grandparent test: If you give your presentation in such a way that even your grandparents understand what it’s about, you’re on the safe side.

Present in a structured way.

Those with training in one of the STEM subjects take a chronological rather than a dramaturgical approach. A clear outline with introduction, main part (body) and conclusion helps the audience to follow the presentation. This outline can also be found in movies, e.g. James Bond. The film starts with an exciting scene, increases the tension in the main part and ends with the resolution.

(In the book“To catch fish, use the right bait” you will learn how to structure a presentation using the Power Presentation Model PPM).

Use visualizations.

It is bad when you hear the sentence: “As you can see here”, but I as a listener can see little or nothing because of the large amount of numbers and/or text.

Complex relationships should be illustrated with graphics, diagrams or examples. It is easy to overwhelm the audience with text and numbers only.

Speak freely.

Many presenters with STEM backgrounds read off their slides. This is boring. Instead, you should speak freely and with eye contact to the audience. Especially online, this is not clear to many. Online, the mnemonic phrase of a colleague from the USA, Terry Brock, is: “Love your lens”.

Pay attention to body language.

An open attitude, gestures and facial expressions help to captivate the audience. Anyone who hides behind his laptop quickly loses the interest of the audience. Use the lectern exclusively as a repository for your notes. Move freely on the stage.

 

What are your challenges?

 

Here’s to attractive presentations!

Your

Thomas Skipwith

 

* STEM: science, technology, engineering and mathematics

Book recommendation

Book: To catch fish, use the right baitIn the following book, you will find the tools, systems, and tips that will make you a persuasive speaker. So that you need less time for preparation, present more understandably and with more confidence.

Reto B. Rüegger, Thomas Skipwith: To catch fish, use the right bait. Scoring as a speaker with Power Presentations

If you want support for a speech or presentation, please let me know (+41 41 630 39 90).

If you would like to have tips and tricks regularly by e-mail (in German), then sign up to the Trainingletter – but it’s confidential:-).

Festrede Von Viola Amherd zum 1. August 2023 in Luzern

August 1 Speech: Viola Amherd speaks no matter what.

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On July 31, 2023, Europaplatz in Lucerne became a special place. Federal Councillor Viola Amherd appeared before the audience and left a lasting impression.

In her concise ten-minute speech, Viola Amherd emphasized Swiss values and the sense of community. Despite the serious content, there were also light-hearted moments. The core message: Switzerland is solid as a rock.

Amherd made use of tried and tested rhetorical devices, among others

a) Humor

A little humor never hurts and makes you likeable. Despite two cancellations due to Corona and a broken elbow, Viola Amherd came to give her speech. After all, the organizers were just as persistent – they invited her three times.

b) Perseverance

A broken elbow would have kept many from giving a speech. But not Viola Amherd.

c) Amherd’s humorous, spontaneous replica

The gift from Andrea Gmür, member of the Council of States, was remarkable. She presented the Federal Councillor with two bottles of wine – one non-alcoholic and one with alcohol. Quick-wittedly, Amherd replied: “Just to clarify: my accident was before we had drinks”.

d) Memorable analogies

Amherd stressed that security and independence are deeply rooted in the Swiss DNA.

For Amherd, the Swiss Constitution of 1848 is the blueprint of our country.

In the “ground station” Switzerland, natives and immigrants live together peacefully.

She stressed the need for the European protective umbrella.

e) reference to a local person

A special moment was the mention of Emil Steinberger, a local personality from Lucerne.

 

What could she have done better or differently, in the view of presentation trainer Thomas Skipwith?

a) Punctual start

The 40-minute delay should be avoided in the future.

b) Memorable end

“Thank you very much for your attention. is an run-of-the-mill closing. Recommendation: An appeal, e.g. with the words: “To democracy, continuity and peace. “To our Constitution of 1848. To the birthday of Switzerland”.

c) Dialect

She spoke in easily understandable High German. As a Valaisan, a short interjection in the Valaisan dialect would certainly have gone down well.

 

Recommendations to the organizers

The audience from the 2nd row on could hardly see Mrs. Amherd. An elevation or platform for the speaker would be recommended.

Conclusion

It was worth the trip to Lucerne to hear Mrs. Amherd’s keynote speech. Also as an example of what you can do right in a keynote speech.

 

To attractive speeches!

Your

Thomas Skipwith

 

P.S.: Last minute checklist for your speeches: In this blog post.

Book recommendation

In the following book, you will find the tools, systems, and tips that will make you a persuasive speaker. So that you need less time for preparation and present with more confidence.

Reto B. Rüegger, Thomas Skipwith: To catch fish, use the right bait. Scoring as a speaker with Power Presentations

If you want support for a speech or presentation, please let me know (+41 41 630 39 90).

If you would like to have tips and tricks regularly by e-mail (in German), then sign up to the Trainingletter – but it’s confidential:-).