Unforgettable Presentations

“I never planned on a career in the world of public speaking”, says UK-based Simon Bucknall, speaker/author/trainer/consultant serving prestigious universities like Oxford and Cambridge as well as advising leaders of major corporations and private equity companies. Today he shares with Darren and Mark how an abysmal failure inspired him to master his craft and propelled him into the world of public speaking. He also expounds on the simple but successful techniques that have endeared him to his audiences, and which can make you unforgettable. Snippets:

• Be vulnerable and dig deep to tell your stories
• All you need is one WOW moment to be unforgettable
• Create a circle of trust, people whose expertise you value
• Talk TO your audience; don’t present AT them
• Never confuse the written with the spoken
• Revisit memorable moments and you will find the unforgettable

How does one go from being a shy child to 3-time South Africa Skateboarding Champion to the only 5-time winner of the Southern African Championship for Public Speaking? In this heart-to-heart with Mark and Darren, professional speaker, author, talk-show host, and business consultant Douglas Kruger breaks down many of the life lessons that made that life journey possible…lessons he now shares with his global audiences, readers, and listeners. A fierce audience advocate, Douglas reveals how caring deeply for your audience can help you provide excellent value and make you unforgettable. Snippets:

• Out-care the competition
• Write the speech YOU want to hear
• Don’t do to your audience that which you don’t want done to you
• Keep your mental feelers (antennae) switched on
• It’s about the audience and their benefit
• Find your audience’s struggle, and find their value

How can you inspire the best people to work with you and collaborate with you? There’s nothing wrong with promoting your track record of achievement. However, you may have an untapped resource sitting right in front of you…or in a virtual office space in a remote location. They are the individuals on your team. In this second episode in a 2-part series, Darren and Mark focus on ‘Lucy Lawyer’s legal team and the power of THEIR stories in the recruitment process. Learn how your team tell can provide the validation that will attract top talent just by telling THEIR story. Snippets: • Your team’s stories are powerful testimonials • Promote your company culture with your team members’ stories • Team member stories are excellent 3rd-party validation

Any business owner can list their credentials and unleash their CV to promote their products and services. Many do just that on their website and in their promotional materials. How can you stand out? Tell YOUR business story. Mark and Darren share nuggets from their experience teaching ‘Lucy Lawyer’ and the legal team of her growing law firm how to use HER unforgettable story to grow her client base and expand her business. These are lessons you can use to make your business unforgettable.

Snippets: • Share the WHY behind your business • Let your prospects learn about YOU • Dig deep into your past to uncover and reveal your true motivation • Use the MOMENTS in your story to connect with your audience

High-energy Las Vegas headliner Jeff Civillico is also a dynamic speaker and professional Master of Ceremonies (Emcee). He talks with Mark and Darren about the lessons he learned since he began performing at the age of 7. He also dispenses solid advice on confidence, industry and commitment…key ingredients in any formula for taking your performance to the NEXT LEVEL and becoming unforgettable.   Snippets: • Generate presence with energy shifts

• Presence and confidence come from repetition
• When you interact with your audience, slow down; don’t miss the moments
• To get next level performance, seek advice from other professionals
• Go all in; triple down on your commitment
• Confidence comes from knowing your stuff. KNOW YOUR STUFF!

Dr. Nido Qubein, a true speaking legend, has inspired audiences across the globe for almost 50 years. As he chats with Darren and Mark, he dispenses wisdom on a range of principles…from communication techniques to providing real value to faithful courage. Filled with ‘snippets of sagacity’, this conversation is a veritable masterclass for anyone who aspires to be an unforgettable presenter.   Snippets: • The Law of Identification: When something becomes personal it becomes important

• Speak from your mind, heart and soul, with kindness and love
• Don’t just help people out; help them up
• Be meaningfully distinctive
• Be substantive and substantial
• Be responsive and responsible
• Your communication skills are the currency of your success
• Be enablers of learning for your audience

Speaking, is the first Grenadian to take that stage. He gets up close with Mark and Darren, revealing the motivation behind messages. He also explains how discipline, humility and an audience focus can make a presentation unforgettable. Snippets: • Be a voice for the voiceless • Take criticism. You aren’t always as good as you think

• Your stories are personal; your messages must be universal
• Be humble and stay grounded
• Make your message about your audience
• Be disciplined; everything takes a process

Imagine believing that you lack the heart, brains and courage to take the Yellow Brick Road of public speaking, so it takes you SIX MONTHS to give your first speech in your second language…to a friendly audience. Nitay-Yair Levi has a conversation with Darren, Mark and guest host Mike Davis about his journey to the 2021 World Championship of Public Speaking, where he finished in 2nd place. He expounds on his unforgettable technique of using the video camera to transform his virtual stage, the tremendous amount of work it took to deliver his messages, and his continuing journey along his Yellow Brick Road. Snippets: • Create an emotional reset • Don’t focus on your ego • Be ‘intelligently naïve’ and question why

• Your Speech: Deliver what it MUST be, not what it SHOULD be
• Be a servant to your message
• Use a foundational sound and a foundational gesture
• Your level of success is directly linked to your level of discomfort

We all know how to use descriptive language to create scenes in the minds of our audiences. Today Mark and Darren reveal the secret to setting the MOOD of a story scene. This powerful technique will enable you to transform your visual scene into a sensory experience, establish a strong emotional connection with your audience, and make your message memorable. Snippets: • Reveal one small, relevant detail without being overly descriptive • Dialog is an excellent way to depict the mood of a scene • Setting the mood intentionally can create a sensory experience • Scenes must be emotionally relatable for your audience

• You don’t need the same experience, just the same emotion
• The audience that relates emotionally to the ‘THEN’, will want the ‘NOW’

Imagine that 25 years of your life story includes writing songs as a teenager in Cape Town, South Africa, singing professionally in Nashville, Tennessee, acting on television and in movies, building a professional speaking career, and becoming the 2021 World Champion of Public Speaking. It would be a great read…and Verity Price has lived it. She chats with Darren and Mark, elaborating on her unique journey and revealing her secrets to being unforgettable. These include getting coached, focusing on your message, seizing opportunity, and listening to your instincts. Snippets: • It’s not “Who will pay me?”; it’s “Who needs my message?” • Say “Yes” to opportunities • Your story doesn’t change, but your message can shift • Listen to your coach, but listen to your instincts as well

• Your STRUGGLE: you must be able to laugh about it before you can talk about it.
• Is your story being written FOR you, or BY you?