Communication Blog | Varga & Associates

Business Consulting: Vision engagement and why it matters

Nov 26, 2014 | business strategy, Communication, Employee Engagement, Leadership | 0

If your company or organization wants to embark upon or has recently undergone a significant change, it is vital that you know how to make your employees become your best ambassadors and not your worst enemies through the process. Chicago communication consultants will tell you that the success and effectiveness with which you navigate your employees through new waters is crucial to how the business or organization will fare after the changes are implemented.

Connect with your audience before stepping on the stage

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…”

Overcoming the “Ta Da” Dilemma

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…”

Catch a Breath and Captivate your Audience

Oct 16, 2014 | Brand You, Communication, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership, Presentation Skills | 0

Engaging an audience is a balancing act of many things. You must educate and entertain. You must have well-organized content and good delivery skills. All these elements are important but perhaps the most over-looked and under-appreciated technique for captivating an audience’s attention is to catch a breath and CREATE SPACE.

What can business speakers learn from comedians?

Oct 8, 2014 | Brand You | 0

I have become a fan of Jerry Seinfeld’s popular new vehicle, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. The show features Seinfeld driving to pick up a fellow comedian to get coffee – all the while having an interesting conversation about the nuances of comedy.