Presentation Skills | Varga & Associates

Simone Biles and the Hero’s Journey

by maripat | Jul 29, 2021 | Presentation Skills, Storytelling, Uncategorized | 0

The gymnast, Simone Biles, has often been called the GOAT (greatest of all time). Her...

Find story-telling inspiration from teachers in your midst

by maripat | May 27, 2021 | Presentation Skills, Storytelling | 0

We all have something to teach, and we all have something to learn. I treasure the teachers in my...

Persuasion in action during COVID-19

by Varg_Admin | Apr 7, 2020 | Coaching, Communication, Influence, Leadership, Personal Development, Persuasion, Presentation Skills | 0

On a call this week with a not-for-profit organization I work with we discussed everything from...

And they’re off! Calling a horse race uses classic story-telling technique

by Varg_Admin | Dec 30, 2018 | Communication, Presentation Skills, Storytelling | 0

Everyone loves a good story. Stories are what anchor your listeners to the main point you want them to remember. A technique that is often used to craft compelling stories is what is called “The Hero’s Journey”. It is an archetypal story pattern, common in ancient myths as well as modern-day adventures.

In essence, it includes three stages:

Departure: The Hero leaves the familiar world behind.
Initiation: The Hero learns to navigate the unfamiliar world of challenge and adventure.
Return: The Hero returns to the familiar world in victory to share the lessons learned.

Over the holiday break, I found myself watching an episode of the Netflix series: 7 Days Out which tracks seven days leading up to some of the world’s biggest events. As a native of Louisville, KY. I decided to tune into the episode on the Kentucky Derby. While I am very familiar with all the pomp and circumstance connected to the Derby, I learned something new.

Make your deficit your greatest asset

by Varg_Admin | Jun 27, 2018 | Career Development, Communication, Interpersonal Skills, Job interview skills, Jugaad, Leadership, Personal Development, Pitch, Presentation Skills | 0

Have you ever struggled with identifying what unique qualities and characteristics you bring to...

Business Presentations – Is the real story just underneath the surface?

by Varg_Admin | Apr 1, 2018 | Communication, Presentation Skills, Uncategorized | 0

In the world of work, we often are called upon to report project updates, milestones and progress...

Why is my WERQ instructor smiling?

by Varg_Admin | Feb 18, 2018 | Career Development, Coaching, Communication, Influence, Interpersonal Skills, Media, Pitch, Presentation Skills | 0

How to lead and influence through expression “Smiling stimulates our brain’s reward mechanisms in...

3 Convention Speakers & What We Can Learn From Them

by Varg_Admin | Aug 1, 2016 | Coaching, Leadership, Presentation Skills | 0

I am admittedly a speech nerd and as such I watched just about every speech at both the RNC and DNC forums. While doing my own analysis I was struck by something that NY Times columnist and PBS commentator, David Brooks said. He remarked that at the conventions he found that speakers generally fit into one of three categories:

Improve your Presentations with an Actor’s Moves

by Varg_Admin | Jun 29, 2016 | Brand You, Career Development, Communication, Effective meetings, Personal Development, Presentation Skills | 0

When we go to the theatre and see actors on the stage communicating a story we get wrapped-up in the action and forget that the lines that are spoken are scripted and the movement on stage is choreographed. If the production and talent are good it all looks and feels organic and yet it was orchestrated well in advance.

Ali: The Go Big or Go Home Communicator

by Varg_Admin | Jun 7, 2016 | Communication, Personal Development, Pitch, Presentation Skills | 0

Muhammad Ali was a triple threat. He had personality, passion and principles – an unbeatable knock out punch in any ring. I grew up in Louisville, KY. where Muhammad Ali was an ever-present reminder of the impact of...

Lead with a Headline: Remove Presentation Static

by Varg_Admin | Feb 15, 2016 | Career Development, Presentation Skills | 0

head·line noun – a head of a newspaper story
or article usually printed in large type and giving the gist of the story or article that follows.

They-Begged-Me-Not-to-Write-This-Twitter-Headlines-to-Change-Your-Life

It is no secret that living in the digital age means we are bombarded with information. Some of it is important and relevant but most is a great source of distraction – or static. Static is that crackling or hissing noise we might hear when we have a bad connection to one of our telecommunication devices. It is annoying and causes communication fatigue.

Overcoming the “Ta Da” Dilemma

by Varg_Admin | Oct 22, 2014 | Communication, Presentation Skills | 0

I recall with dread the many times I was positioned backstage or seated at a table close to the stage waiting for my name to be called to present. I could hear the introducer reading my bio and suddenly, “Ta Da!” – here she is Mari Pat Varga… I would bound onto the stage full of energy but I could instantly tell that my audience wasn’t quite there with me yet. They had already heard a bunch of other speakers and now me – someone they really didn’t know from Adam. Because of that, they spent the first few moments of my presentation checking me out. “Boy, she’s tall…” “I don’t recognize her name…who is she?” “I love that suit but not so crazy about the shoes…” “I hope she’ll be good…”