"Executive speech coach Patricia Fripp is my 'secret weapon.' After working with her for many years, and watching her in action with our senior management, sales professionals, and engineers I am constantly impressed.

There is no speaking situation that Fripp does give me the right advice and exact words almost instantaneously. Patricia Fripp is the Steven Spielberg of executive presentations.

In my role as the Group Vice President of Customer Advocacy of Business Objects, a SAP company, I frequently have to deliver important presentations to our employees and valued customers. The size of the audiences are as large as 1500 people and from all over the world. It is not unusual to have a couple of hours notice before delivering a major speech. Knowing Patricia Fripp's cell phone number is all I need to build my confidence. Her advice is priceless."
—Scott Bajtos, Customer Advocacy Group Vice President of Business Objects, An SAP company, San Jose

Mistakes my executive speech clients used to make...
Do you make them too?

As speech coach to many Silicon Valley executives, I have stopped being surprised at the common mistakes so many of them make. Here are a few of the misconceptions I keep running into. Do you share any of them?

Waiting until the last minute - So many executives don't start preparing their message early enough to get the impact and results they want. They overlook what a dynamic difference a great speech can make to morale and their stock price.

Unfocused thinking - Often they can't explain what they want to say in a clear and concise way.

Weak starts - They start their presentations by waffling around and not getting to the point fast enough.

Not recognizing the big picture - Once they have developed their script, or at least a strong outline, they think they are done. Until they meet me they don't realize the appropriate thoughts, structure, and wording are just the beginning.

Not rehearsing - Very few of my clients appreciate the importance of adequate rehearsal. I promise them, the more they rehearse, the more they can relax and enjoy their performance. And every presentation IS a performance.

Letting visual aids dictate contents - They prepare their PowerPoint® before they work on their specific message and appropriate wording.

Not using stories - They fear their speech won't be seen as "high content" if they illustrate key points with compelling stories and metaphors. Actually, they are the best way to make complex points.

Closing with answering questions - This is good to do before you close, not as the close. Remember, your last words linger. They should present a key theme, a call for action, or a motivational challenge. When in doubt, I always suggest going back to the opening and closing with the same thought or idea.

Not getting help - The biggest mistake ever...so many Silicon Valley executives just don't realize how close the help they need is. Why not pick up the phone and call? Let's talk about your next presentation. The chances are my office is within 38 miles of your headquarters.

How to Build Your Organization's Reputation and Yours

Even if you are NOT the CEO of your company, every time you open your mouth at a networking event, call a client's company, or speak up at your own meetings, you are enhancing - or diminishing - both your own reputation and that of your company.

In February, for the second time, I attended and spoke at the Ragan Speechwriter Conference. Both times, I found it one of the most fun and educational events of the year. Carol Ballock of CEOGO.com described some impressive research from Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations and public affairs firm. It found that in 1997, CEOs' reputations made up 40% of the reputation of the organization they run. By 2003, that number had reached 50%.

Years ago, I spoke in Las Vegas at a Century 21 convention. Paul Harvey, also on the program, told the audience: "For a company's advertising program to work, it has to be handled not only corporately but also individually." I could not have said it better.

More and more organizations are now recognizing this wisdom and the need for their people at all levels to seek out speaking engagements. Much of my time now goes to helping executives design their presentations.

Here are a few tips I give them that you may find helpful.

The PowerPoint® comes last! Design your message first...add visuals only if needed.

Tell the stories you entertain your family and dinner guests with.

Talk about what you are most passionate about, and find the metaphor for the subject of your speech.

Ahead of time, interview some of the audience members—your customers, associates of your firm, or other leaders in your industry—and quote them in your talk.

Don't try to say too much. Say less, illustrate it well, and stop.

Shake hands and talk to some of the audience in advance. The more personable they see you are, the more attention they will give you.

Get comfortable in the room where you will be speaking. Practice before anyone arrives. Make friends with the stage, platform, or front of the room.

Start early! Get your concept, content, and scripting together and practice. If you walk or get on the treadmill, that is a great time to "talk to yourself." Get comfortable with the words. Your goal is to know it so well you can forget it. As Michael Caine says, "Rehearsal is the work, performance is the relaxation."

Edit your notes to an outline with bullet points. Do NOT read your speech or remarks. You want to be personable, not perfect.

Make sure the type face on your notes is large enough so you can glance down and read it easily. I use 22pt type!

Watch the word "stuff." It is not specific and diminishes the power of what you are saying. When my clients say this as we develop their remarks, I always ask, "Specifically, what do your mean?"

Delete most of the "today's" out of your remarks. Start listening to how overused that word is in most business presentations. It is used to mean "this time in history" and "right now." Everybody knows you are in the room now. Stop "todaying" your audience. One executive I watched used the T word 28 times in his 4 minute welcome. Even if his audiences were not counting them as I was, they would perceive him as less articulate than he was expected to be.

You may or may not be a CEO—yet—but being perceived as a charismatic speaker will help your ambitions and reputation!

If you...spend hours crafting a speech or sales presentation, or have no idea where to start...save time, add more impact, build your confidence...call Fripp!

If you...realize speaking engagements are a way for you to gain exposure in your community or industry...call Fripp!

If you...have just been promoted and realize it will adversely affect your career unless you receive training to improve your speaking skills...call Fripp!

If you...desire the caliber of presentations at your meetings and conventions to improve dramatically...call Fripp!

How can she help you?

Patricia simplifies and demystifies the process of designing a presentation for anyone who needs to speak in public. Executives, sales teams and even high-fee professional speakers undergo nothing less than a transformation in their presentations from both a content and delivery standpoint.

Patricia can successfully coach you on the three essential aspects of presentations: structure, developing material, and delivery. After the Fripp training and coaching, audiences of all sizes will be mesmerized by your performance.

Yes, I'm serious about speech coaching and presentation skills training. I'm ready for a conversation with Patricia.

Fripp coaching on public speaking and presentation skills in her San Francisco office.

"If you want to become a dynamic communicator who leads and inspires with the power of your words, then you MUST hire Patricia Fripp as your personal executive speech coach. She is one of the most creative, innovative, and practical coaches I have ever experienced in my 25 years as an executive.

Fripp has an excellent command of platform skills and knows how to teach, coach, and guide you in ways you never imagined, making your keynote or presentation come alive VISUALLY for any audience.

Don't waste your money buying tapes from any other speaking guru. Spend your dollars with Fripp, and you will receive a 10-fold return. Trust me, even if you have great content, it's only 30% of what you need to deliver a memorable keynote. The other 70% is the organizing, wordsmithing, tweaking, polishing, and rehearsing that you'll do with a consummate professional. Your presentations can be memorable, dynamic, and persuasive—IF Fripp helps you. This could be your best investment for your company and your career."
—Richard C Putz, CEO of Cambridge Institute of Applied Management, Former CFO of C-bridge, Former VP of Oracle Strategy, Former CEO of Security Federal Bank & Trust

"Patricia Fripp is far and away the finest executive speech coach I have ever worked with in over 20 years in business — and I have interacted with more than a dozen different coaches. My speech is always immeasurably better within five minutes after she and I start working. The executives I have referred to her all feel the same way. She makes you and your team more effective right from the start."
—John Johnson, Johnson and Johnson, Company Group Chairman, Biopharmaceuticals Worldwide

"As an industry expert, for many years I have been asked to speak at national conference in keynote slots to very large audiences. My reviews have always been exceptionally good. Many of my associates thought it pointless to seek out a speech coach. However, Patricia Fripp had the reputation of taking expert speakers from good to great! Patricia worked with me for less than fifteen minutes before I thought 'Wow, I can't believe anyone ever asked me to speak a second time!'

Although I am the master of my content, she changed my presentations to be more precise, pointed, and powerful. In a few hours, Patricia gave me to confidence to make my stories more dramatic. The next step was to 'Frippnotize' the entire Starker organization. In small office settings, one-on-one coaching, and keynoting our company conference she always gets great results, rave reviews, and requests to 'Bring her back!' I recommend Patricia Fripp with no reservations. If you want to be the best...call Fripp. If you are lucky enough to get on her schedule you will consider it a great investment."
—Rochelle Stone, President, Starker Services, Inc., Los Gatos

"At the recent Business Objects annual sales meeting, Patricia worked closely with our CEO, Bernard Liataud, on both the content creation and the content delivery of his keynote address. She also coached several other members of his senior staff on their respective presentations. We made the decision to engage Patricia for two major reasons: we wanted to improve the quality and impact of our most important presentations, and we wanted to invest in our senior people as part of their professional development. We believed that this investment would continue to provide benefits that would far outlast any motivational impact that an outside speaker could create.

The results were very positive. Our feedback mechanisms (surveys taken on-site and on-line surveys conducted a week later) indicated a definite improvement in both the quality of the presentations and the impact of those presentations. Our CEO was particularly pleased with the results he achieved through his commitment to the coaching process and his diligence in taking those lessons to heart. Those presenters who made themselves available to Patricia for one-on-one coaching scored significantly higher than those who did not.

I would recommend Patricia and her services to anyone who is considering working with a speech coach because I believe she brings great experience, a dynamic personality, and a tireless work effort to each and every project she undertakes."
—Pat Wynne, Vice President, Human Resources, Business Objects

"As COO with McDonald's, I had plenty of opportunity to give speeches and was considered a great speaker. However, when I had to prepare a convention speech with a considerable fee attached, the pressure increased considerably. Thank you for your assistance. I didn't realize how valuable a speech coach of your caliber could be.

Your skill in drawing out the best in me was exciting. What you taught me about content, process and communication skills are better than anything I learned in university. Our training sessions were long, but rewarding. Working with you, I really discovered that public speaking requires engaging the audience emotionally and intellectually. I will be a better speaker for having spent this time with you.

The additional resources you bring to the experience are a big help. The diagrams, sample tapes, role model speakers, the expert video producer, and the web sites to study are most helpful. Beyond the coaching, your generosity of experience and resources made the time saved on research well worth the investment.

I am now a 'Fripp Fan!'"
—Ed Rensi, Chairman, Team Rensi Motorsports, Former Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Operations Officer World Wide, President and CEO McDonald's USA, 1984-1998

Click to read more comments from Fripp's executive speech coaching clients.

Yes, I'm serious about speech coaching and presentation skills training. I'm ready for a conversation with Patricia.

Patricia Fripp, Executive Speech Coach
415-753-6556
PFripp@ix.netcom.com

"We would all like to thank you again for your excellent coaching and help. Our meeting went very well. Feedback was very much on point and our key messages did come through loud and clear. We are thinking of ways that we may work with you in the future."
—Mark Bernardi, Founder, Expressworks International

"Boy, have I been Frippersized! Your speaking school was an awesome, incredible two-day experience in which I learned more than I ever imagined. It was non-stop and a whole lot of fun!"
—Steven B. Reed, Executive Vice President Union Hospital Health Group

"Your class was a 10 across the board. You're a first class act. I'm planning on attending next year and bringing a couple of people with me."
—Rod Whitson, President, Townsend Inc.

"Perhaps you already know that anyone who delivers a podcast needs your keynote expertise. I never appreciated how relevant your skill-set is until I received a panic call from a client today. She and her colleague were working on the opening feature for their first podcast and knew it wasn't right.

The give-away to me was how they were having trouble finding the 'right voice.' Just like a keynote, a podcast has to engage the audience, yet there wasn't a single 'you' in the entire piece. It started with dull introductions. In fact, as I started to work through it, I noticed that your guiding principles are essentials for a good podcast. Making simple changes had a huge effect on the excitement level/drama we created.

You made me a star and saved the day for my client. Thank you!"
—Claudia Gere, President, Gere Publishing

"It was a pleasure spending the day with you and your genius mind. I'm looking forward to implementing all of the strategies and reaping the rewards from our coaching!"
—Dave Lindahl, President, R.E. Mentor, Inc.

Yes, I'm serious about speech coaching and presentation skills training. I'm ready for a conversation with Patricia.

Patricia Fripp, Executive Speech Coach
415-753-6556
PFripp@ix.netcom.com