Blog posts

How to avoid boring so people want to listen

Submitted by Jack Milner on July 4, 2017

Jack Milner

We’ve been there haven’t we, the lights have dipped, highlighting the opening PowerPoint slide; someone has shuffled awkwardly onto the stage holding their pointer, introduced themselves, something along the lines of, “I’m here today to talk to you about…” and we’re away. The second slide emerges in the gloom, possibly an agenda or a list of bullet points. Then you take out your sharpened pencil ready to stab it into your leg about 20 minutes into the presentation.

May lost the election but Corbyn could have done so much better

Submitted by Jack Milner on July 4, 2017

Jack Milner

For the UK elections on June 8th, communication or non-communication  played a massive part in the result. He would say that, says you. Well this time I really believe it to be true. May’s traditional ‘maybot” strong and stable, which soon translated to dull and tired versus Corbyn’s initially shambolic but increasingly confident normal guy. As regards the way it relates to business communication, particularly leaders, then there is much we can learn.

How comic’s use authentic body language to win over an audience

Submitted by Jack Milner on October 5, 2015

Just as a good sales person takes charge of the “conversation” so a good comic has to boss their audience. You have to let them know you’re in charge. But clearly running on stage and shouting, “who’s the Daddy?” is also unlikely to endear you to your audience (and that’s doubly true in sales.) There’s a balance.

"Trust in me"

Submitted by Jack Milner on October 1, 2015

"Trust in me," sang Kaa the snake from Jungle Book, while of course being splendidly untrustworthy. 

Buried

Submitted by Jack Milner on September 25, 2015

“Buried,” was the reply of the lady to my left. I’d asked one of those questions, born of some dim and distant NLP guru, “Describe you in one word.”

How do you deliver a speech with no prep?

Submitted by Jack Milner on September 15, 2015

I was having lunch with my very lovely and remarkable mentor (and remarkable not just because he’s happy to be my mentor). I asked him for feedback on some ideas I have for a book.