Ever wondered why Costco gives out free samples? Because it builds trust and helps credibility. Credibility is how you get people to believe that you are as good as you say you are. So, how do you build your credibility in your workplace? How do you gain trust in the…
You probably didn’t even know all the things you could do with the calendar invite, did you? Just put the link and send it, right? Wrong! Have you ever wondered how to stop your meetings from being boring? How do you keep your meetings focused on one topic? The answer…
Creating presentation slides is a delicate art. Too much, and your audience won’t focus on you. Too little, and your audience is confused. How do you strike that balance?! In this quick-fire TWO-minute episode, Stanford GSB Professor and host of the Think Fast, Talk Smart podcast, Matt Abrahams, shares FOUR…
Presentations are stressful. And neglecting your presentation voice skills only makes it worse. But voice preparation for public speaking doesn't happen overnight. It's a marathon, not a sprint. In this short video, Matt Abrahams (and his animated student, Johnny) will show you how to increase vocal stamina. After you're done…
Be ready, stay grounded, and communicate clearly — no matter what’s at stake. Communicating under pressure isn’t just a useful skill — it can be the difference between escalation and resolution. For Chris Voss (https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/christopher-voss/) , former FBI hostage negotiator and CEO of The Black Swan Group, it’s a daily…
Great communication isn’t just about what you say — it’s about what your audience remembers. That’s why Jim Szafranski, CEO of Prezi, believes that visuals and storytelling are key to making ideas stick. For more than 15 years, Prezi has been reimagining the way we share information, helping communicators move…
Great communication isn’t just about what you say — it’s about what your audience remembers. That’s why Jim Szafranski, CEO of Prezi, believes that visuals and storytelling are key to making ideas stick. For more than 15 years, Prezi has been reimagining the way we share information, helping communicators move…
Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick. Great communication isn’t just about what you say — it’s about what your audience remembers. That’s why Jim Szafranski (https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/jim-szafranski/) , CEO of Prezi, believes that visuals and storytelling are key to making ideas stick. For more than 15…
Reinventing your life or career starts with reflection and conversation. Making the leap — to a new career, to the next stage of a relationship, or to a different version of yourself — requires honest communication. For Ilana Golan, being “leap-ready” requires that we answer three questions: Why me? Why…
Making the leap — to a new career, to the next stage of a relationship, or to a different version of yourself — requires honest communication. For Ilana Golan, being “leap-ready” requires that we answer three questions: Why me? Why this? And why now? Golan knows all about these leaps,…
Back to Basics Day 30: Engaging Your Virtual Audience. 💭 If you find yourself questioning audience engagement during virtual presentations, this video's for you.
Back to Basics Day 29: Creating Lasting Impressions. 🌟 How can I make my words resonate with others beyond my presentation?
Back to Basics Day 28: Creating Good Slides. 👍 In the last part of this mini-series on digital communication, Matt shares some reminders on what truly makes good slides.
Back to Basics Day 27: Animating Your Slides. 🔔 Matt shares some helpful tips on making your slides more engaging.
In the digital age, it’s critical to craft communication that fits the context. Like it or not, algorithms now decide whose messages get heard. “If you want to communicate effectively,” says Adam Aleksic, “you need to be exactly aware of what that medium is doing.” Aleksic is a linguist, author,…
Back to Basics Day 26: Designing Effective Slides. 💻 How do I keep my audience engaged during my slides presentation? Matt shares some tips.
Like it or not, algorithms now decide whose messages get heard. “If you want to communicate effectively,” says Adam Aleksic, “you need to be exactly aware of what that medium is doing.” Aleksic is a linguist, author, and educational content creator with millions of followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.…
Back to Basics Day 25: Agenda Setting. 📄 An agenda allows your audience to remain focused, Matt says.
Back to Basics Day 23: Communicating Virtually. 💻 Some important tips from Matt, especially in the digital communication world we're living in.
Back to Basics Day 21: Audience Variability. 🗣️ Why is it important to know your audience?
Why modern communication still relies on ancient words and narratives. All communication and connection depend on one thing: language. That’s why Laura Spinney says understanding language — where it comes from and how it evolves over time — can help us use it more effectively. “Language is incredibly powerful,” says…
All communication and connection depend on one thing: language. That’s why Laura Spinney says understanding language — where it comes from and how it evolves over time — can help us use it more effectively. “Language is incredibly powerful,” says Spinney, an author and journalist published in the Atlantic, National…
By lightening up your communication, you can build serious connections. Humor in communication isn’t all fun and games. According to Alison Wood Brooks and Naomi Bagdonas, levity is one of the most serious tools we have in building successful connections. Wood Brooks and Bagdonas, both teachers, authors, and experts in…
Hi. Matt here. I am super excited to announce our next Live Event. Join the Think Fast Talk Smart community for a live recording to mark the start of Fall and Spring on September 16th at 8 AM Pacific. What to expect: Matt will deliver a short talk called “Listen…