Author and keynote speaker Debra Fine began her career as an engineer, an occupation that allowed her to maintain her natural shyness and avoid situations that required social and personal interactions. Debra designs her presentations and researches her books (Hyperion) to teach technically-oriented professionals conversation skills and networking techniques that help in developing business relationships, improve visibility, and gain referrals.

Debra's fast-paced, informative, and entertaining presentations offer insightful and informative conversation techniques and networking tips on how to:

• Strike up conversations and keep them going
• Avoid conversation "killers"
• Develop business relationships
• Come across as composed and self-assured when interacting at events, meetings, networking functions, and other business-related gatherings.

Debra's newly released (2008) The Fine Art of the Big Talk: How to Win Clients, Deliver Great Presentations, and Solve Conflicts at Work (Hyperion) is her second in the "Fine Art" series following her best-selling book, The Fine Art of Small Talk: How to Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills-and Leave a Positive Impression.

Debra is a 15+ year member of the National Speakers Association, presenting her programs to hundreds of audiences around the world to clients that include General Electric, Hensel Phelps Construction, Lockheed Martin, Alaska Forum on the Environment, American Bar Association, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, Credit Suisse First Boston, and New York University Stern Graduate School of Business. Her best-selling first book, "The Fine Art of Small Talk" was met with excellent reviews in the Library Journal, USA Today, and Entrepreneur Magazine. Her recent media appearances include The Today Show, The Early Show, NPR Morning Edition, Fox Business News, and CNN.

Debra's Programs

The Fine Art of Small Talk (short presentation) - This fast-paced, interactive, and entertaining presentation will leave participants with insightful and informative conversation tips and techniques on how to strike up conversations and keep them going, avoid conversation "killers," exit conversations with grace, and develop business relationships. They will also discover how to turn every meeting or conference, interaction with a client or colleague, and networking event into an opportunity for success.

The Fine Art of Small Talk (longer presentation) - Participants will experience the same content as above, as well as learn how to come across as composed and self-assured when talking to people at meetings, presentations, and seminars, working and interacting with clients or attending networking events and other business related gatherings; and turn every conversation, hospitality suite, chamber, civic or association event, conference, or banquet into an opportunity for success.

The Fine Art of Small Talk (workshop format) - This fast paced, interactive session will help participants:

• Engage anyone in conversation with poise and confidence
• Revive a dying conversation
• Come across as composed and self-assured when talking to people or entertaining clients at conventions, trade shows, and other work related functions
• Become an "active" listener
• Overcome communication barriers
• Handle awkward situations
• Come up with topics to discuss
• Avoid conversation "killers"
• Develop business friendships
• Prepare for successful conversation
• Remember names and use them properly
• Exit conversations with tact
• Feel more at ease at parties, banquets, receptions, and networking events