Update: I counted over ninety business professionals in the packed conference room. The calm blue of the Pacific provided a stunning backdrop. We met in a slice of paradise called Point Loma Nazarene University nestled near the ocean just west of downtown San Diego.

The one-day 2nd Annual School of Public Speaking was in session. Authors, coaches, consultants, a humorist, a voice trainer and an improv guy contributed their expertise. They shared their stories and lessons. We went away with their knowledge and experiences.

I'm a big believer in personal performance and training. If you want to get good at any one thing, it's ideal to learn from those who are already successful in that field.

Feature Article: Joni and the King

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Copycats...

It comes as no surprise: there's a lot of borrowing out there. Legal or otherwise. The Internet has paved a way for pirates to easily steal and use someone else's, maybe even YOUR copyrighted materials.

I spoke with a consultant the other day and she admitted a consultant colleague she knows casually edits and pastes stuff off the Web for personal use. That's plagiarism. It's more common than you think. I hope she copies the typos also.

If you've spent money producing your marketing messages, the last thing you'd want to see is your materials/messages replicated or stitched together by your competitors or some rogue blogger. Talk about being violated!

And do you know what really frosts me? Some of these pirates teach high ethics, karma and the Law of Attraction. Don't people have consciences anymore?

Joni and the King

Dear Associate,

She was sitting alone out in the lobby awaiting her turn to speak. She's an international voice coach, speaker, and author with almost two decades of training voice with clients from children, to grandparents, to business executives in major corporations. She has been a TV talk show host, performed at the Comedy Store, and at one time, the opening act for Elvis.

I wanted to meet her since she was the major reason I was attending the all-day training. She was reviewing her notes. And since I tiptoed out to get some air, this would be the perfect time to introduce myself.

"Hi Joni... nice to meet you."

"How do you do?"

"I see you're speaking next."

"Yes. But how on earth do you follow Marilyn? This is my first presentation using PowerPoint and mine pales in comparison to hers."

Incredible. We've never met before and yet, we're already talking like colleagues. I've only known Joni through her website.

Marilyn Snyder is the "PowerPoint Lady." She reinvents PowerPoint slides for her clients and makes them come alive. She showed us the pros and cons, the old and new methods to deliver with impact using this Microsoft tool.

But I was taken aback...

Why would a voice coach use PowerPoint? I'm sure she could shatter glass if she wanted to—as in the vintage Memorex commercials. I found out later that prior to this event, Joni was still a fan of the overhead projector. This got a few chuckles from the audience.

I quickly had a thought I wanted to share with her:

"Be so good—the audience forgets the previous speaker."

You should have seen the look on her face. It's as if she never heard that phrase from anyone before. For one distinct second, she had this look of surprised approval.

"Oh my god! I've never thought of that before," she exclaimed.

It goes back to the key of owning the stage. You are so good the audience is with you. And you with them. In the moment. And nothing can steal your moment together.

Joni gave a masterful presentation. Everyone was glued to her interactive talk. No one had time to notice her prehistoric PowerPoint background templates.

And yes this was really her first PowerPoint presentation. She kept pointing and clicking the remote at the screen. But so what? It still worked and she didn't miss a beat.

Now, I believe I know what you're thinking. Did she really need my fabulous insight?

Probably not...

She has mastered her message and could give her talk without hi-tech help. What that tip did was help her forget about comparing her PowerPoint presentation with Marilyn's. It helped her refocus. It reminded her that SHE owned the stage.

I hope that every chance we get, we can share some tip or idea that will benefit someone else. I believe when we send prosperity out to others, we receive it back in blessings. Bless you.

Warm regards,