Category Archives: Speaking

Outlook 2012

Posted by on January 2, 2012 Comments Off
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Jeff Thredgoldby Jeff Thredgold, CSP

The U.S. Economy

What we now call the Great Recession officially began in December 2007 and ended in June 2009.  It was the longest, the deepest, and the most painful recession since the Great Depression.

By my count, that suggests that the current U.S. economic expansion is now reaching the two-and-a-half year mark.  The current expansion has been less than satisfying both statistically and emotionally, with major headwinds still in play involving weak residential and commercial real estate markets, uncomfortably high unemployment, major European financial risk, and elevated levels of anxiety about the direction of the federal government. Read more »

Zoe Presenter Spotlight: Jayne Gnadt

Posted by on November 7, 2011 Comments Off
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Jayne Gnadtby Zoe Training staff

Jayne Gnadt, a seasoned professional with an extensive background in project management, is also an energizing and memorable keynote speaker who shared some insightful gems with us in this interview.

What’s your favorite topic(s) to present on? Why?

I love to speak on motivational and rather “edgy” topics because my greatest thrill from a speaking perspective is to have everyone laughing and smiling from ear to ear!

3 words that describe your presentation style:

Energizing, Fun, Engaging

What’s the most unusual location (or circumstances) you’ve presented in?

I’m actually getting ready to facilitate a class in Broken Bow, Neb., at the country club as there isn’t any other place in town large enough to hold a class for 25 people!! Read more »

Money, Money, Money

Posted by on August 1, 2011 Comments Off
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D.J. Vanasby D.J. Vanas

I often hear people say that money is the root of all evil.  However, this oft-misquoted biblical text actually says it’s the “love of money” that can be our undoing.  Few subjects are as emotionally charged as the concept of money – earning it, spending it, investing it, losing it, dreaming about it, wanting it… needing it.

We live in a society that is oftentimes contradictory, and at other times absurd, in the way we view money. If we pay a person $25 million a year to play a game, we don’t bat an eye.  But if a teacher gets more than $50k a year, they are accused of being in it for the money.  We love it, we hate others with it, we get inspired by it, we dream about it, fear for a lack of it, and yet have problems we could have never imagined when we suddenly get lots of it (study the Lottery effect and how many families are torn apart through feuding and fighting once a family member wins the lottery). Read more »

Breaking the Ice

Posted by on July 11, 2011 Comments Off
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Sarah Michelby Sarah Michel

Recently a brilliant friend and colleague described to me how she felt attending a professional meeting where she didn’t know anyone sitting around her as being, “awkward and painful,” when she found herself at a loss for how to break the ice with someone she doesn’t know.  Here was someone who has so much to offer anyone lucky enough to engage in conversation with her but her reluctance to initiate interaction caused her to avoid eye contact and retreat inward and miss out on the potential network relationships sitting around her.  These are the people that keep me up at nights.

I have had a life-long fascination with people who have a natural preference for introversion and think that they’re really bad at breaking the ice and talking to people they don’t know.  These people (you know who you are) also think they’re bad at networking, which couldn’t be farther from the truth.  In my experience, they may not work the room and come away with the most business cards but the few people they do meet they will make a meaningful connection with that actually has a high chance of continuing on after the first meeting.  That is how you build a great network – one relationship at a time. Read more »

Zoe Presenter Spotlight: Traci Brown

Posted by on July 5, 2011 Comments Off
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Traci Brownby Zoe Training staff

A body language expert and teacher of unconscious persuasion skills, Traci Brown shows participants how to use her techniques in all sorts of business negotiations and in interactions with personal clients, and has even adapted the skills to talk herself out of an embarrassing number of traffic tickets. Traci shares some personal insights and words of wisdom in our latest Zoe Spotlight interview.

Words that describe your presentation style:

Engaging and laugh-out-loud funny.

What’s the most unusual way you’ve been paid to speak?

When I first started out and was just getting my feet wet, once I was paid for a speech with fireworks.  It was a nonprofit group and they didn’t have cash, so I took them and had lots of fun. Read more »

Zoe Presenter Spotlight: Tamara Kleinberg

Posted by on June 19, 2011 Comments Off
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Tamara Kleinbergby Zoe Training staff

Imaginibbles…Chief Imaginator…Creativi-Tees…these are words that originated from the creative mind of Tamara Kleinberg – an idea tinkerer, serial entrepreneur, nationally published author, innovation artist, and martial artist. She is also a speaker and trainer who helps organizations and associations looking to ignite innovation, provoke new ideas, and challenge people to unlock their creative potential.

We asked Tamara what motivates her to maintain that quirky, creative edge, and to inspire the same in others.

What are your most popular presentation topics?

“Think Sideways” and “Playing on the Fringes.” “Think Sideways” gives people a rich understanding of how imagination is the competitive advantage as well as dozens of tools to strengthen the imaginative spirit and get into a creative state of mind daily. It’s for people who want the courage to dream big and act entrepreneurially. “Playing on the Fringes” is about the expectations of the new economy and the top tools for breaking free from old patterns of thinking. It gives participants a road map to the fringes for unique and ownable ideas. Read more »

Zoe Presenter Spotlight: Brad Nieder, MD

Posted by on June 5, 2011 Comments Off
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Brad Niederby Zoe Training staff

There are thousands of doctors and thousands of professional speakers, but few of them are both a doctor and a speaker. Brad Nieder, MD, is one of them. Brad combines his humor-filled doses of medicine with wellness advice to entertain audiences from the healthcare industry across the country.

As The Healthy Humorist®, Brad knows laughter in the workplace can enhance communication, aid creativity, and improve productivity. And his therapeutic presentation, “Laughter is the Best Medicine,” is quite effective at teaching audiences how humor can reduce stress, manage pain, and boost the immune system.

In this interview, Brad delivers some insightful answers about his presentations and personal life. Read more »

Are You Too Cheap?

Posted by on May 31, 2011 Comments Off
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Don Cooperby Don Cooper, The Sales Heretic™

Not long ago I received a menu in the mail from a local Chinese restaurant. On the front of the tri-fold mailer is a proud proclamation in large type: “$1.38 Chinese Food.”

Sure enough, all of the appetizers and most of the entrees listed inside are indeed only $1.38.

My first thought?

This stuff must really suck.

Seriously, if they’re charging less than a buck-and-a-half per item, they must be using the cheapest, lowest-quality ingredients possible. And that’s not what I want to eat. Read more »

Zoe Presenter Spotlight: Avish Parashar

Posted by on May 23, 2011 Comments Off
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Avish Parasharby Zoe Training staff

Did you know that unleashing your creative side helps bring about a new way of looking at life and business? As a speaker, improv teacher, and stand-up comedian, it’s Avish Parashar’s objective to show audiences how they can learn a lot about themselves and their potential for professional excellence – while having fun in a creative format. For Avish, teaching improv is all about helping participants learn how to respond to unplanned challenges, for with all things in life – no matter how well things are planned out – things tend to go wrong or the unexpected usually happens, and it’s good to know how to maintain your sanity and achieve success during those moments the Universe throws you a curve ball.

What’s your favorite topic(s) to present on? Why?

“Ding Happens! How to Deliver Great Leadership, Service, and Teamwork – Even When Things Goes Wrong”

This topic lets me combine everything creative I love – improv comedy, stand-up comedy, and storytelling – with content and a message that resonates with audiences. I get to be funny and creative while helping people do better both professionally and personally. It’s awesome! Read more »

Zoe Presenter Spotlight: Debra Fine

Posted by on March 28, 2011 Comments Off
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Debra Fineby Zoe Training staff

A sought-after expert on conversation skills and business social networking techniques for use at networking events and social functions, Debra Fine’s media appearances include: the Today Show, the Early Show, NPR, CNN, Fox Business News, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Men’s Health Magazine.

The formerly shy, tongue-tied “enginerd” is the author of the best-selling book, “The Fine Art of Small Talk.”

What’s your favorite topic(s) to present on? Why?

“The Fine Art of Building Relationships: Face to Face Interactions in an Online World.” Every individual and organization is looking to enhance relationships with potential as well as current clients/customers and gain increased visibility in the marketplace. This may mean making the most of out of networking occasions or simply turning every conversation into an opportunity. In addition, skills offered during my presentations benefit internal relationships with teams, mentors, C-Suite, staff and colleagues. This program is my favorite because it supplies tools that can be instantaneously implemented with immediate rewards. Read more »

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