Blog posts

"Talk with Your Hands: The Italian Secret to Zoom Success!"

Submitted by Jack Milner on August 28, 2024

Presenting virtually on Zoom or Teams can feel like talking to a wall—except the wall sometimes glitches, mutes itself, or asks if you’re still there. To keep your audience from falling into the dreaded “Zoom coma,” you’ve got to bring some pizzazz to your presentation, and one of the best ways to do that is with your hands. Think of yourself as starring in La Dolce Vita — arguing about food and love - your hands should be flying!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yemwISZiv9k

Advice on Impromptu Speaking!

Submitted by Jack Milner on July 30, 2024

(In the style of Raymond Chandler)

I was nursing a house merlot in the back row, in the back room of the swankiest book-shop in Leicester Square.

In came  a writer -  Philip Gwynne Jones, the man who had transformed Venice into a web of mystery.

How to Make Your Presentation Memorable: The Sticky Secrets

Submitted by Jack Milner on July 22, 2024

My daughter showed me a short film of herself talking to camera from a few years ago. It was from when she was going through a really tough time and it instantly brought back a wave of memories and emotions in one very powerful hit. 

Does Humour Have a Place in Business?

Submitted by Jack Milner on July 1, 2024

“Does humour really have a place in business?” 

I remember going through agonising contortions of worry when setting up my speaker business Free Your Funny freeyourfunny.com. Is this a real business solution, or is it a solution looking for a problem. It took lengthy coaching (therapy) with renown speaker consultant Maria Franzoni, to convince me that freeing an organisation’s funny was crucial to not just their communication, culture and creativity, but also the well-being of their people.

The Power of Humour on Mental Health

Submitted by Jack Milner on June 24, 2024

My teenage son’s school quite rightly priorities the mental health of students and staff. They are enlightened and genuinely care. But even then my son will roll his eyes at the solemn dullness of it all. This solemnity when discussing mental health is seen across most  organisations, not just in the discussions but also in the treatment.  And it’s bad for us. Of course we must take the subject seriously but not if that gravitas is at risk of turning off the very people it’s aimed at helping. 

How to Use More Humour in Your Every Day Communications

Submitted by Jack Milner on May 28, 2024

This morning I received an email from my excellent website provider, Ready Steady Websites. The previous day they’d offered a free masterclass on May 12th.  Realising their mistake they immediately sent this follow up. 

“You may have noticed the email we sent yesterday said that Ekaterina's masterclass is on 12th May. Now, she's got a lot of skills but time travel probably isn't one of them. The masterclass is actually on 12th June.”