Speeches and presentations

A longtime client recently asked me to lead a “train the trainer” workshop for subject matter experts – in accounting, IT, credit, purchasing and other business services – so these folks could improve the content and delivery of their professional presentations. All 40 of these experts-turned-presenters shared the same goal: To persuade their audiences to […]

A great speech is far more than a fleeting moment on stage. Instead, a great speech has the power to set a ripple effect in motion, creating a profound impact not just today, but in the weeks, months and even years ahead. The ripple effect you create with your next great speech might be felt […]

Do you speak in public – at your company, for your industry or in your community? Are you eager to share a great idea that will create a new future for everyone in your audience – if only you can convince them to act? Here are top tips and advice for public speakers who need […]

Do you avoid public speaking because you sometimes experience stage fright? Is your fear of stage fright holding you back on the job? Do you want a simple fix to solve stage fright forever? If so, take advice from an executive public speaking coach who once suffered from stage fright – and then discovered the […]

Even the most polished executives on a panel or fireside chat can lose an audience if they slip into bad habits – like diving deep into complexities, giving long-winded answers and delivering responses that sound like lectures. Strategic communication for executives is essential if you want to shine on panels and fireside chats. In this […]

Human decision making is emotional – not logical. If you want your strategic messaging to change the way your audience thinks or behaves, logic alone will never cut it – no matter how many proof points you have. The way ahead is to create emotional connections with your audience so that people care, remember what […]

Last week, 20 executive communication professionals from across the U.S. earned a certificate in strategic executive communication from the Executive Communication Council. I was one of these 20 fortunate professionals in the inaugural class of March 2025. We became Leadership Communication Academy-certified after absorbing and internalizing 16+ hours of disciplined, structured, rigorous instruction delivered by […]

Speeches created and delivered as part of a leader’s strategic executive communication often pave the way for change – just like these three historical speeches did. Chances are you’ve never heard of the speeches below, even though the speakers who delivered them are well-known. Take a look at what can happen in the world when […]

The decision is daunting: “Precisely HOW should I open my speech? “What should I say first? “How can I engage the audience – and make an impact – right upfront?” Study the opening lines of these award-winning speeches from the Cicero Speechwriting Awards competition to learn five strategies often used by speechwriters delivering custom speechwriting […]

Thirty-five years ago today – Oct. 30, 1989 – I received my first signed contract to deliver professional communications services, officially establishing Zumwald & Company in Ohio. As I tell people today, it was an experiment that has never ended. Looking back, there have been many milestones and lessons learned that seem appropriate to reflect […]