It’s that time of year again when Christmas presents get gingerly peeled open, assaulted with total abandon or unwrapped with business-like efficiency.

How people unwrap their gifts, unwraps their preferred learning style.

Which style are you? And if you’re creating and delivering learning, whether it’s on top leadership skills or improving communication skills, what can you do to cater for these learning styles?

Want to be a better writer? Keen to know how to make your audience keep reading your words? Help is here.

And it’s not what you think, trust me, but it will make you a good writer.

Emotional triggers. Grinning madly. Then welling up moments later. Giving a crap about something. Excitement. Every minute dripping with glamour. A few laughs.

There’s one show on the telly right now that's nailing all of these.

Whether it's acing interviews, engaging with audiences, or crafting stories to boost your brand, we're all in the business of communicating these days. And how we use our words matters.

How much can you fit into 30 mins about speaking with impact and using your words well? It turns out, quite a lot!

I was a guest on Gillian Whitney’s LinkedIn Live recently and we had a great conversation about…

“I’m almost ready. I’m just going to put on a bit of an earring” I said to my husband.

To be clear I didn’t go out with one boot on. Or with my jacket half on. Or wearing one earring.

I’ve been around for a while and have got the getting dressed thing figured out. But my husband knew what I meant when I made the comment.

Looking for a way to introduce yourself?  That won’t have people plastering a polite but not interested smile on their face? And instead instantly start to build rapport and connection?

Here’s how.

Chances are when you give a presentation at an event, you’ve got something prepared for how to introduce yourself to your audience. Do you have this kind of introduction for other audiences?

There’s just the two of them and it’s raining and dark. They’re in shock. And the look they share is intense. It’s clear there’s a history here. And still very much a sizzle.

And this is in the opening episode.

There’s a new thrilling series in town. 

Going to be speaking to a group of folk? Want to engage with your audience? Add more energy to how you present?

Do this.

First up, you’ll need a bunch of coloured pencils.

She takes a step forward and the crowd goes wild. It‘s a moment of huge celebration. And yet also of danger.

When we think of public speaking we think of the what.

Do you have a headful of dreams but leadership causes you some trouble? Do you need something to help fix you? Something that's magic? Look no further, you'll be on the up and up before you know it with these leadership lessons from Chris Martin.

I saw Coldplay last weekend. It was a recording of their concert from the night before in Buenos Aires shown in the cinema. What was it like? Well, it ticked a few boxes.

Lying, relaxing floating on a blissful cloud with an “Oooh” and an “Ahhhhhhh.” Versus, lying with every muscle taught waiting for the moment when there’s pain followed by a series of sharp intakes of breath.

There’s a street in Amsterdam which has a gorgeous, nurturing massage place next door to a waxing shop. I’m not making this up. I’m wondering how that works.

Do you write as part of your job? How do you engage with your readers and make sure that you’re meeting their needs?

Read on to discover one simple trick to do to keep your reader upper most in your mind as you write.

Writing and listening makes you a better writer. We all have that voice in our head and when we read that voice speaks the words in front of us.

Before you press send on your next piece of writing, read out your writing and ask yourself these questions:

What are you doing to meet your audiences’ needs? How would you rate your connection with them? And what happens when you don’t get them and they don’t get you?

The short answer is that you look a bit daft and it teaches you to laugh at yourself. Here are two occasions when I did not do my homework about who was sitting in front of me.

We are all public speakers. Whether it’s show and tell at school, being put on the spot at work to “just say a few words” or facing a sea of expectant faces from a stage. Here are ten top tips to help you.

It covers a range of topics from storytelling to the power of pauses, and why clarity, editing and learning the needs of your audience are your best friends when you’re preparing what you’re going to say.

You've an audience in front of you and your role is to motivate them. Here's a simple 5 piece structure to help you do just that.

We know Mickey Mouse and M&Ms have shaped American culture, but what about Alan H. Monroe? I'll give you a few clues. He invented something in the 1930s. You'll know his work. It might have brought a lump to your throat. It made you care. It made you want to take action. Any ideas? Read on…