KELLCOMM

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (Change for Leaders) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 62

2012-01-22T06:48:00.003-07:00

Hi,

The face of the first US President, George Washington appears on the US one-dollar bill. The image was based on a portrait by Gilbert Stuart, which he never finished. He had kept the original, and he sold copies of it for $100 each. Stuart remarked of the portrait: "When I painted him, he had just had a set of false teeth inserted, which accounts for the constrained expression so noticeable about the lower part of the face." The work is often referred to as The Athenaeum because it was owned by the Boston Athenaeum for over 150 years. They had bought it from Stuart's daughter after he died in 1828.

It is said that the fact that an unfinished portrait of a president appears on a note of currency symbolises a lesson for leaders everywhere. Just like the unfinished portrait, every country and every business is an unfinished piece of work. They are works in progress that are subject to the Darwinian economics that has rattled the world’s economy and the desire and skill of their people to work together. The minute a leader pauses to say a country or company is complete is the day that they put them into reverse. The portrait of the US’s first president symbolises the fact that nothing is ever complete, and the only thing that ever remains constant is change itself.

That is what makes the role of a President and a leader a 24 hour a day, seven days a week job. Because nothing is ever finished.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version out January 31st.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square,Leeds,LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (An inside story) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 61

2012-01-21T09:23:00.005-07:00

Hi,

I was asked this week what is the greatest joy I received from the book so far. It is not the fact that it reached number 2 on iTunes UK. It comes from a personal letter I received from a lady in Detroit to say that the book has changed her life. She mentioned the new skills she learned for speaking in public, but there was something deeper. The book features a personal tribute to my dad who passed away in 2006. It is my dad’s story, but people tell me they have rewritten it to insert the people they loved too. I love the fact that iTunes considered it a self-development book as well as a business book. My writings have a social element because I believe we all have a duty to make this world better than it was before we entered it. When I write, it reminds me of my duty. To know that the words that highlighted my dad’s life have inspired people across the world is just mind-blowing.

On Sunday, I will reveal what Obama’s Presidency and every business can learn from a US one-dollar bill.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version out January 31st.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (It's not water under the bridge) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 60

2012-01-20T02:17:00.011-07:00

Hi,

Let us look at how panic statements in a crisis can magnify a leader’s problem. In 1990, Perrier Chairman Gustave Leven told the world that “Perrier is crazy” after it recalled its bottles of water due to benzene contamination in some isolated bottles. The line was from a French TV ad, but the rest of the world didn’t know that.

Perrier made two big blunders. They did not have an effective crisis plan so they allowed the media to take over the story. It got worse for the company because the media was offered two conflicting viewpoints from their operations in America and France. This example of poor communication damaged the credibility of a company that once dominated the bottled water market.

The main lessons here are that you must

• build teams that communicate with each other instead of around each other
• have a proactive plan for any crisis. A reactive approach never works

Tomorrow, I will reveal another exclusive behind the scenes story about writing the book.

On Sunday, I will reveal what Obama’s Presidency and every business can learn from a US one-dollar bill.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version out January 31st.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (A Pepsi Challenge) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 59

2012-01-19T11:19:00.007-07:00

Hi,

This is the kind of story that offers a leader a major challenge. In 1993, a man in the USA claimed he had discovered a used syringe in a can of Pepsi after he drank it. He said he noticed the syringe as he emptied the final contents of the can into his sink. Other people came forward within a week to make similar claims.

Craig E. Weatherup was the CEO of Pepsi-Cola in North America at the time. Weatherup provided a lesson for any CEO who faces a crisis born out of malice. Firstly, he ensured every Pepsi employee was kept up to date with the strategy being executed by the crisis team of four people. Secondly, Weatherup allowed the media to come inside the company so he could show the world how Pepsi was canned. With the help of the FDA, he proved that it was impossible for a syringe to enter a Pepsi can. Weatherup decided to be proactive with the media, and he appeared on high profile shows such as Larry King Live. He also decided to place full page ads in over 200 newspapers to reassure customers that the Pepsi brand was safe to enjoy.

Tomorrow, I will reveal how panic statements in a crisis can magnify a leader’s problem.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version out January 31st.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square, Leeds,LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (The Customer is Number 1) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 58

2012-01-18T09:50:00.012-07:00

Hi,

How would you feel if seven people died as a result of using your company’s product? How would you react to the news that someone had maliciously laced your product with cyanide? How would you feel if your sales dropped by 90% in just three months as a result? This is what happened to Johnson and Johnson after their Tylenol product was contaminated in 1982.

Their response is a lesson that BP should have noted after their oil spill in 2010. Johnson and Johnson looked at their issue with human eyes instead of financial ones. Their chairman, James Burke, formed a seven-member strategy team. Burke said its aims were first, "How do we protect the people?" and second "How do we save this product?" They recalled 31 million bottles of Tylenol, and they motivated their employees to tour the USA to meet with others in the healthcare profession to rebuild the brand. They lost over $100 million, but they knew their priority was to engage with people to show they cared. The return to profit was phenomenal, and Johnson and Johnson grew stronger from that year on.

Why didn’t BP's Tony Hayward adopt the same approach that James Burke took with the media? Maybe BP didn’t possess the Credo that has guided Johnson and Johnson since 1943. See here.

http://www.jnj.com/connect/about-jnj/jnj-credo/

We shouldn’t be surprised that the United Nations awarded Johnson & Johnson the Humanitarian of the Year Award 2011 for its leading role in its Healthy Mother, Healthy Child initiative. It really is the kind of company you would want to work with or for. It is certainly a company you would feel like buying from.

Tomorrow, I will discuss how Pepsi communicated after it had its own challenge in 1993.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version out January 31st.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (Obama and the BP crisis) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 57

2012-01-17T10:02:00.012-07:00

Hi,

When a company faces an unexpected crisis, it is only natural for its leader to feel surprise and a loss of control. Their focus must switch from normal strategy to repair and redevelopment. Many leaders make the mistake of offering a response that deals only with the short term pressure they are under. Great leaders take the longer view, and I will discuss one such example tomorrow.

Today, I would like to talk about how a leader’s words can magnify a crisis and cause more pain for its victims. In 2010, when former BP leader Tony Hayward paraphrased Winston Churchill in his response to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the world stopped in shock. The man known as the ‘Bumbler from BP‘ said, "We are going to defend the beaches. We will fix this." However, Hayward failed to convince anyone that he possessed the authenticity of Churchill.

It seems that Hayward did not understand the gravity of the situation, and how his self-centred conversations with the media were reducing confidence in BP, and further tainting its reputation and finances. No one expected him to turn into Stallone or Schwarzenegger and save the day, but he owed the victims and their families so much more. He said, “There's no one who wants this over more than I do. I'd like my life back.” Hayward really missed the point when he said he should have gone to drama school. While I agree that media training is essential, you should not need an acting lesson to put human concerns above profits. I find it hard to believe that a leader of a company as big as BP did not practice for any possible crisis. JFK called CBS television in 1952, and he asked them for media training. That was eight years before he ran for President.

Every time Hayward spoke; he made the situation more painful for everyone. When he said, “The Air France airplane that fell out of the sky off of Brazil did not stop the aviation industry," he put profit over people again.” No one was surprised when Barack Obama said, "He wouldn't be working for me after any of those statements." The people at BP decided Obama was right.

If you decide to take any media training, please feel free to call me.

Tomorrow, I will discuss why Hayward and the team at BP should have studied Johnson and Johnson’s response to the Tylenol recall of 1982.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version out January 31st.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square,Leeds,LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (A Leader's Media Mess) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 56

2012-01-16T07:44:00.008-07:00

Hi,

In 2008, Bear Stearns CEO, Alan Schwartz appeared on CNBC to dent a claim that the bank had a liquidity problem. Its stock was down 17% over the previous five trading sessions, and a rumour stated that Goldman Sachs was about to abandon Bear Stearns. If the rumour was true, it would tell the world that Bear Stearns trading partner did not respect its ability to trade.

Alan Schwartz had two choices. He could hide and let the rumour grow or he could defend his company’s reputation and reassure the market of its liquidity. What happened was an example of how a leader can help destroy his career and his company through poor communication.

Schwartz’s responses to CNBC’s David Faber’s questions were full of “em’s” and “eh’s,” and he used the words “not aware” twice. He showed investors and the media that he wasn’t really on top of things. His leader’s role that day was to instil confidence in everyone around him. Schwartz failed to calm the storm and his poor communication skills only led to further problems for Bear Stearns. The end was near for the 85-year-old investment bank.

In Schwartz’s defence, he may say that Faber’s leading question came from a rumour from an unnamed source. He could say that the information should not have been used to ask a leading question. However, I noticed from the video that Schwartz did not appear in the CNBC studio. He did not do the interview in Bear Stearns headquarters either. He did it live from Palm Beach, Florida. Was that a wise thing to do when his investors, staff and the media were looking for answers to the speculation and fear?

There is a lot more to appearing in the media than just turning up and being you. You must learn from a coach that understands the media and the world of business. Don’t make the mistake or your career could suffer?

Tomorrow, I will reveal what I believe was the reason Tony Hayward became a PR disaster for BP.

Take care,

Darren

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version out January 31st.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square,Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (A Lesson From GW Bush) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 55

2012-01-15T08:03:00.016-07:00

Hi,

Can you imagine having to motivate a team of extraordinary but crestfallen heroes while standing on the crushed remains of a fire engine? That was the task that faced GW Bush after 9/11 as he inspired his country while speaking through a megaphone at Ground Zero. Bush and New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani proved that passionate words at desperate times can be the simple fuel to inspire and reassure people. However, Bush generally struggled when he faced the media, and that was his fault or the training he received. It was definitely a “midsunderestimation” of the art of public speaking.

His defenders may claim that a great public speaker does not equal a great person. It could be said that Steven Hawking’s inability to speak clearly does not represent his intelligence and Adolf Hitler’s ability to persuade was not a sign of his integrity. However, leaders are judged at times by their public speaking skills. Sadly for Bush, he always looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights when he read from a teleprompter. Obama admitted that he likes Bush for his emotional intelligence and his ability to lead with conviction. It’s interesting to note that Obama understands that you can admire qualities in people you completely disagree with.

So with Bush’s speaking skills so weak, I often wondered how Al Gore did not romp to victory in the presidential election in 2000. I thought he would have beaten Bush with or without the Florida voting scandal. After all, Bill Clinton had left the economy in very good shape. I also wondered how Bush beat John Kerry in the 2004 race. After all, the war in Iraq wasn’t going well, oil prices were high and Bush was being lampooned on every democratic leaning TV channel.

Let’s look at Gore, firstly. If you watch the TV Presidential debates with Bush in 2000, Gore came across as too high brow and too aggressive. He was impatient with Bush and argumentative. Bush looked like a guy in control, and the sort of guy Joe Public would enjoy a pint of beer with. Well, Bush doesn’t drink anymore, but I hope you know what I mean. He spoke in everyday language, and he simplified and personalised his message. Gore offered convoluted evidence that suited the ears of a Harvard Professor rather than an average voter. Gore also made the fatal mistake of invading Bush’s space in an aggressive manner. Bush remained calm and dismissed the approach. In the week before the election, Bush wore an Al Gore, Halloween mask on the Jay Leno TV show. Once again, Bush came across as open and he proved he didn’t take himself as seriously as Gore. There is a difference between taking your job seriously and taking yourself too seriously.

Let us look at 2004. John Kerry served his country with distinction, but he too missed the point about how to win against Bush. His language was colourful and his points were extremely valid, but you needed a manual at times to understand his beliefs. Bush shows us that an audience will forgive mistakes if they feel a connection with the speaker. Keeping things simple is a great way to maintain the connection. I don’t mean simple as in basic. I mean the art of taking a complex issue and making it simple to understand. Bush reminded us that when you speak in public, use your emotional intelligence and unlike Gore and Kerry, keep it simple.

Starting tomorrow, for seven days, I will reveal the major PR disasters that could have been less harmful if the person speaking to the press had communicated more effectively. I start with Alan Schwartz of Bear Stearns on Monday and Tony Hayward of BP on Tuesday.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version out January 31st.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds,LS1 4HY

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (Don't get caught out) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 54

2012-01-14T09:05:00.009-07:00

Hi,

I was given a test at a recent keynote address about the Obama book. An audience member asked me what separated Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton from the previous First Ladys of America. I responded that they all had degrees. The person who asked the question seemed disappointed that I knew the answer.

I honestly revealed the only reason I knew the answer was because it appeared on a quiz on Bill O’ Reilly’s show on Fox News. Another question from another audience member followed. What would I have said if I did not know the answer? I would have owned up to my ignorance, but I may have questioned the source of the trivia. If it had been a question on a serious issue, I would have delayed my opinion until I was confident of the facts. I have seen many speakers take an audience's facts as gospel and get lured into replying in ignorance. It is normally the things you didn’t mean to say that get you in trouble. It’s important you never feel pressured into saying something that can harm your career or cause.

If the issue is a serious one

• always question the source. Do not proceed unless the source is credible.
• promise a reply on full disclosure of all the reliable facts
• stay true to your promise of a follow up

Tomorrow, I would like to show the one communication skill that helped GW Bush win two elections against Obama’s party. This analysis will help you succeed in any presentation or speech you make.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version out January 31st.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square,Leeds,LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (The Emotional Leader) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 53

2012-01-13T08:53:00.008-07:00

Hi,

Before I started writing ‘How To Give A Better Speech Than Obama and change your world’ I decided not to read his two books first. I wanted to see if I could enter his mind through his speeches and through the thoughts of those closest to him. When I compared my book and his books afterwards, I found a remarkable consistency in conscience and values from the day he became a Senator. There was no spin and no desire to believe the media’s image of a political superman. What I found was a very humble, apologetic, patriotic and thankful person whose vision for fairness and equality was cemented in his work.

I finished reading ‘Dreams From My Father’ recently. It is simply superb because Obama opens his heart and soul to reveal his mistakes, his pains and his positive attitude despite the challenges he faced as a child and teenager. He takes you to Hawaii to reveal his upbringing, and the selfish father who left him. He takes you to Indonesia where his mum and step father made a new home with an ape called Tata. He chronicles his return to America and his journey to Harvard. You also feel his joy and pain when he visited Kenya to meet the family he never knew. His relationship with his half-brother Roy was one of deep understanding and love, and his relationship with his half-sister Auma was one of loving fun and big brother concern.

On page 429, Obama's words at his father’s grave reinforced my view of what is important in life. He said, “Words of encouragement. An embrace. A strong true love. For all your gifts- the powers of concentration, the charm – you could never forge yourself into a whole man by leaving those things behind.” Despite small-town and big-city politics, Obama’s book proves that most people have a need to be respected for their dreams and hopes. They want to be listened to and understood. They want to be loved. Obama understands that it is logic that makes us think, but it is emotion that makes us act.

Tomorrow, I will reveal what separates Michelle Obama and the last two First Lady’s from every other First Lady.

On Sunday, I would like to show the one communication skill that helped GW Bush win two elections against Obama’s party. This analysis will help you succeed in any presentation or speech you make.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version out January 31st.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (RFK - Courage of a Leader) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 52

2012-01-12T12:31:00.011-07:00

Hi,

Great leaders know that you can only display true integrity and courage after you have paused for a moment of self-awareness. This moment challenges a leader to discover what may have been holding them back from their potential. Many of the people I admire are flawed individuals who decided to renew themselves by learning new skills and correcting old habits. I believe it takes real courage to admit a mistake and decide that maybe the Satellite Navigation for your life was calling out the wrong directions.

One of the people I admire most is Robert F Kennedy or Bobby to his family and followers. He lived in pre Satellite Navigation days, but his direction and drive were changed after he lost his brother, President John F Kennedy in 1963. For many years, he lived in the shadow of John. He managed John’s campaign to become president and worked alongside him in the post of Attorney General. When John was shot in Dallas in 1963, Bobby lost a brother, a friend, a soul mate and a boss. He sank into a depressing spiral, and his mind harboured a deep resentment for President Lyndon Johnson. Bobby could not accept that the new President gained praise for the Civil Rights Act that John had proposed. His anger and resentment found its biggest target – himself. He was alone politically, and his life lost direction.

Bobby eventually decided to forge his own political career and on March 16, 1968, he announced his intention to run for President. As he stepped out of his brother’s shadow, he found his true voice. He examined the errors he made while working with Joseph McCarthy’s anti-communism attacks. He reflected on his part in the 'The Bay Of Pigs' fiasco and his support for war in Vietnam. Bobby also revisited his once youthful ignorance of the plight of racially segregated people. He had achieved many great things, but he wanted to rectify a few errors and create a new vision for the American journey. It was Jackie Kennedy, who introduced him to the writings of Aeschylus and Sophocles. Their work had a profound effect on his decision to fulfil his own purpose. He was also greatly inspired by former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who said that courage is "the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all others." America’s crisis called for a leader, who was unafraid, who could bring together divided communities that feared and hated each other. Bobby developed the courage to change and the courage to lead. His courage allowed him to authentically challenge his followers to put their own self -interest aside to create a fairer society. Today,Obama possesses much of the sensitivity, integrity and glamour that Bobby possessed. Bobby was certainly not a natural speaker. Even the confidence of his family’s riches and the love of his audience couldn’t calm his nerves. Many people noticed his left leg shaking while he spoke in public. However, he eventually became a great speaker because of his character. Beautiful rhetoric and personality can help hold an audience's attention during a speech, but its character that creates a spirit to spirit connection that moves people to action.

Bobby gave his finest speech was on April 4, 1968 upon hearing the news that Martin Luther King had been shot and killed. The police advised Bobby not to speak, but he knew his country needed words that would heal rather than wound and divide. His five-minute speech was given at the back of a truck, and Bobby had no time to prepare and be briefed by his scriptwriters. He told his audience that he shared their anger, frustration and sadness because his brother was also killed by a white man. This was the first time he had spoken so deeply about his brother’s death. Bobby poured comfort into the hearts of black America while promoting the work of King’s mission for a peaceful and united America. He reminded them that King wanted an America where violence should have no place. While the killing of King sparked riots and unrest in over one hundred cities across America, but for Bobby’ speech, it could have been worse. He borrowed some words from his favourite poet Aeschylus, when he said, “Even in our sleep, pain, which cannot forget, falls drop by drop upon the heart, until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.” It must be remembered that Bobby was qualified to speak to King’s followers because his beautiful words were validated by his genuine commitment for racial justice.

Less than two years earlier, Bobby visited South Africa at the height of Apartheid and when he entered the airport, he noticed there was white and black segregation. He approached the black people first and this set the tone for a five-day visit that epitomised what is missing from so many speakers. Bobby showed that all great speakers are great listeners first. It is simply impossible to become a great speaker if you are not a great listener.

Bobby educated himself on the plight of a segregated people in South Africa so he could help them and help himself understand the struggles of black people in America. In his “Day of Affirmation” speech at the University of Cape Town, he spoke about the importance of standing up for an ideal to defeat injustice because those ripples have the power to spread everywhere.

Nobody can ever say that Bobby Kennedy didn’t stand up to make the world a better place. Bobby was shot dead in California in 1968, aged only 42. The audacity of Martin Luther King’s dream inspired Bobby’s “Ripple of Hope” and lives in Obama’s “Audacity of Hope,” and indeed, all our hopes.

Bobby Kennedy will be remembered as a family man who loved his wife Ethel and his children very deeply. He had a boyish charm that people adored, and he also proved that not all great leaders need a title to be remembered for their courage.Obama has a title and now his courage as a leader will be tested like never before.

Tomorrow, I will share with you my thoughts on Obama's greatest book.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version out January 31st.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square,Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (Obama's communication challenge) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 51

2012-01-11T01:23:00.005-07:00

Hi,

Mitt Romney’s Republican primary success in New Hampshire has many people believing there will be a change in the White House soon. However, it might not be Romney, and we must remember that Democrat Obama lost New Hampshire to Hilary Clinton in 2008, and he still got his party’s nomination. Romney still hasn’t persuaded enough people in his own party that he is the man to lead them, so perhaps Obama should worry about someone stronger entering the race. When Margaret Thatcher was ousted from power, many people expected Michael Heseltine to become Prime Minister until an unassuming John Major entered the contest. Politics is a funny old game.

Obama is obviously worried about re-election and rumours in Washington suggest that Hilary Clinton may replace Joe Biden as Vice President. Clinton’s approval rating in the US is higher than Obama’s and even Oprah Winfrey’s. In 2008, the media loved the fresh faced and inspiring Obama, and Clinton was painted as old school and out of touch. Things have changed so don’t be surprised if before Election Day, Obama decides that the US needs its first female Vice President. It would certainly help his chances of re-election. Politics is a funny old game!

Obama’s communication skills will face their toughest challenge in 2012. He must communicate in a way so that people listen, understand and believe his message. He must also ensure they remember that message on Election Day.

Tomorrow, I will discuss why Robert F. Kennedy is my favourite US speaker of all time. I will reveal what the modern leader must learn from Kennedy's example.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version out January 31st.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square,Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (Obama's decision making tip) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 50

2012-01-10T08:17:00.006-07:00

Hi,

On November 2, 2006 Barack Obama offered the world an insight into his leadership skills on ‘Talk of The Nation’ in the US. All leaders must make tough decisions at times, and this interview offered us an insight into Obama’s decision making mind-set. He said, “If it’s something consistent with my broader values and is just a matter of tactics – having to take half a loaf - then that’s something I’m comfortable with.” He said that if his decision violated his core beliefs, then it would not be worth it.

It seems Obama operates with a win-win mentality where he wishes success for both sides of an issue. He admitted he had the courage to seek compromise if the longer-term picture demanded it. Compromise is not a weakness but courage to see past the quick-fix gain that may offer more harm down the road.

Obama highlighted a truth in our own lives that when we make a decision that is contrary to our values of integrity, we may pay a big price. That price may be a broken business or personal relationship that cannot be repaired. When we make a decision without values, we have to live with the harmful consequences that may run free from our control.

Tomorrow, I will discuss why Obama’s chances of winning the election this year are getting more difficult.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version out January 31st.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square,Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (Cameron, Miliband and Obama gaffes) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 49

2012-01-09T10:35:00.017-07:00

Hi,

In the last seven days, PM David Cameron made a remark about Tourettes and Shadow Leader Ed Milliband turned Blockbusters into Blackbusters in a twitter tribute to a TV legend. There was uproar on both sides of the political divide as members of parliament saw their opportunity to take a shot.

Cameron said that facing a certain member of the opposition was like facing somebody with Tourettes. He defended his remark as being "off the cuff," but he deeply offended people with the disability. Cameron is normally sensitive to people with disabilities. His son Ivan suffered from cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy before he passed away in 2009, aged six. Perhaps the real issue is that he became complacent in his language. Many leaders face a battle to bury the childhood banter of the college hall or sports dressing rooms, and they let it slip in times of complacency or anger. Cameron’s remark was appalling because it showed a lack of understanding and respect for people with Tourettes. Tourettes syndrome is an inherited neurological disorder characterised by tics - involuntary, sudden and rapid movements.

Ed Miliband paid tribute to the late Bob Holness, who presented Blockbusters for many years. It was unfortunate that his critics jumped on his mistake of tweeting Blackbusters instead. That was obviously a simple typo error. The real crime came when the post was blamed on an office junior. This raised a bigger question. Does the Shadow Leader not send his own tweets? If not, why tweet at all? It is almost like phoning the man next door and asking him to tell your wife that you love her. If you want to tweet, you should do it yourself, and never blame somebody else for sending it. Twitter is after all a personal communication tool.

The danger of the above mistakes is that they may force other people to stop communicating for fear of making an error that could cost them their career and position in society. The golden rule is that you should speak what you feel as long as it is within the law and within the spirit of decency. However, you must admit your error and apologise when you fall short. Cover ups and weak excuses didn’t save Richard Nixon’s job or save Bill Clinton’s reputation. Cover ups and weak excuses force people to create a blame culture and to make the problem worse. An honest apology to an audience that understands the weakness of human nature works best when it is delivered with sincerity.

Sometimes people in public life try to be funny when they shouldn’t. It is easy to judge their mistakes, but we must understand the pressure these people are under. Can you imagine if your every word was analysed, compared, contrasted, dissected and magnified every day? Would it be fair to say that we have all made an error in our choice of words or structure of phrases? Yes, these leaders have to be more careful, and perhaps we need to be more forgiving.

Barack Obama has been quick to seek forgiveness for the gaffes he made in his career. Obama once joked about Ronald Reagan’s wife Nancy having séances in the White House. Nancy Reagan had in fact consulted astrologers, and Obama quickly apologised for the insensitive gaffe. Obama also attempted to use humour about disabled people on the Jay Leno TV show. He quickly called the Special Olympics to apologise. All great speakers make gaffes that make them wish the ground would swallow them up. That is why a novice to the world of media should always engage in Media Relations training. If the practiced politicians can make mistakes, what chance does a novice have without training?

Tomorrow, I will share the words of Obama on key issues that will affect his re-election this year.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version out January 31st.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (The Iron Lady on Europe) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 48

2012-01-08T12:59:00.005-07:00

Hi,

On 20 September 1988, 'The Iron Lady’ delivered a speech to define her party's view on Europe at the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium. She was attacked before the speech for not committing Britain to the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM). 'The Iron Lady’ made the speech to dampen the attack that was being orchestrated by Jacques Delors, the European Commission’s president, and to show that Britain wanted to be a part of Europe.

The aim of the speech was to make five points. She believed

• the best way to build Europe was through a willing and active cooperation between
independent and sovereign countries
• the Community policies must tackle present problems in a practical way
• the Community should help enterprise grow
• the Community should not be protectionist
• European countries should have greater control over defence issues

'The Iron Lady' appeared to approach her speech with a desire to achieve a win-win solution. She began her speech with self-deprecating humour and respect for Britain’s European partners. She compared her invitation to speak like "inviting Genghis Khan to speak on the virtues of peaceful coexistence. “ Then she challenged the key attack against her when she said, "I want to start by disposing some myths about my country Britain and its relationship with Europe." She praised Europe's influence on British culture, and she spoke about a "common experience.” However, ‘The Iron Lady’ was quick to refer to the "special way" in which Britain contributed to Europe, and she reminded her audience that the "liberation of Europe" was mounted from the UK. She stressed that the history of the relationship was proof of "our commitment to Europe’s future." Her fun and warm introduction opened her audience up to receive the well-structured logical part of her speech.

‘The Iron Lady’ stressed that the European Community is "only one manifestation of European identity. “ She claimed that the founding fathers of the Community thought the USA was a perfect model, but she said Europe was a different model. She urged each nation to retain its uniqueness so that France could be France, Spain could be Spain, and Britain could be Britain. ‘The Iron Lady’ pointed to the failure of the Soviet Union to run things from the centre, and she stressed that Europe must preserve different traditions, powers of parliament, and national pride. She pointed out that it was not "right that the total community budget was being spent on storing and disposing of surplus food." ‘The Iron Lady’ warned that a state controlled economy would not work and a "free enterprise within a framework of the law would offer “better results.” She said it was plain common sense not to abolish frontiers so that citizens could be protected from crime. ‘The Iron Lady’ offered thanks to NATO for a “peace that has been maintained over 40 years.” This started her attempt to encourage the continuance of a vigilant approach to maintain peace in Europe.

The thrust of her speech was that Europe could "get there one step at a time" rather than by "utopian goals." She also said that it was ok to "relish our national identity and our common endeavour" at the same time. While Europe was looking inward to unite, she suggested it must continue to look outward as well. It is worth noting that ‘The Iron Lady’ gave her vision on Europe on mainland Europe. Tony Blair did the same thing in Ghent, Belgium in 2000. This added to the respect of the words spoken, and proved that the phrase “location, location, location” applies to great speeches as well as property.

This post is not written to show whether 'The Iron Lady' was right or wrong in her views on Europe. I do believe, however, that her speech was not as anti-European as her critics proclaimed. A study of her speech and Blair’s speech show many similarities of thought.

‘The Iron Lady’s’ speech showed how you can deliver your views with a reasonable argument that is effectively structured and supported by facts and comparisons. This was not a rant, but an authentic conversation with conviction, courage, and respect.

Tomorrow, I will discuss the recent gaffes by the PM David Cameron and the Labour Party leader Ed Miliband, and I will offer you some Obama gaffes too.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version out January 31st.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (The Iron Lady and Tony Blair) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 47

2012-01-07T08:50:00.006-07:00

Hi,

I compared Tony Blair's communication skills to those of to ‘The Iron Lady’ in a previous post, but I would like to highlight the one thing that he learned most from her. If you study many politicians at Prime Ministers Question Time, you will notice the speed at which the leave their seat before they speak. Many act like they cannot wait for their words to escape their mouths. ‘The Iron Lady’ and Blair gave their public speaking an extra air of charisma by working at their own pace. Blair was a master at leaving people waiting for his next sentence. He would build anticipation by using the power of a pause, and by gently smiling at the opposition’s jibes. He could remain calm, and he had the confidence to wait for his opponents roars to die down before he said what was on his mind. It was almost like he had created a confident protective sphere around his body and mind that was impenetrable. ‘The Iron Lady’s’ calmness, composure and collected thoughts were always evident, and she only fired off her big attack when she desired. This is what powerful, communicators do. When they are under attack, they buy themselves time with their confidence, so they can respond in relation to their thoughts and values. They never allow anyone to intimidate them or force them into reacting emotionally against their will.

I watched Blair on the American TV show, David Letterman. He said that he still gets a feeling on the back of his neck at three minutes to twelve every Wednesday. He said it was a nervous experience when he had to face his opponents who were only eight feet away during the debate. It highlighted the fact that even great communicators suffer from nerves speaking in public, but they make sure their audience never knows.

Tomorrow, I will analyse 'The Iron Lady's' speech about ‘Europe’ in Bruges in 1988. I will also analyse the reaction to that speech in the UK.

Take care,

Darren

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version out January 31st.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds,LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (The Iron Lady, Obama and Marilyn Monroe) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 46

2012-01-06T09:08:00.008-07:00

Hi,

Former Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann compared herself to ‘The Iron Lady’ recently. She told a crowd of supporters in Iowa “We need another Margaret Thatcher, another Iron Lady.” Republicans were thrilled when ‘The Iron Lady’ came to power in the UK in 1979 because it helped them believe that the conservative candidate Ronald Reagan could become President. Times have changed and while I have analysed some of ‘The Iron Lady’s’ great communication skills, I must also highlight her weaknesses. There were times when she handed her critics a plate of venom to throw back at her. Francois Mitterrand once said, "Mrs. Thatcher has the eyes of Caligula and the mouth of Marilyn Monroe."

I will refer to three examples where ‘The Iron Lady’ did herself no favours. I will compare her style to Obama’s for greater understanding.

1 When you see Obama under pressure in a media interview, he keeps his energy levels intact. When ‘The Iron Lady’ was attacked verbally by a reporter, her annoyance was always obvious by her aggressive body language. Her steely eyes revealed her thoughts before she opened her mouth.

2 When Obama receives a personal attack, he responds with dignity because he understands that retaliation makes him look bad. He uses his legal skills to break the criticism down and respond with a very structured and intelligent viewpoint. ‘The Iron Lady’ had no problems with fighting fire with fire. Her views were delivered as if no thought was given to the depth of the question. While this may seem strong to some people, it showed a weakness of self-control to others.

3 When Obama appeared on The Oprah Winfrey show recently with his wife Michelle, he admitted that his communication during the election campaign was far better than since he took office. He admitted that the American people have not received the story of the journey for recovery. He understands that like all leaders in business, he got bogged down in the paperwork and failed to communicate with the people who really drive the economy. This he said would be rectified. Did ‘The Iron Lady’ ever openly admit any such mistakes?

Tomorrow, I will reveal some of the things Tony Blair learned from ‘The Iron Lady’

Take care,

Darren

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version out January 31st.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (The Iron Lady's first speech as PM) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 45

2012-01-04T23:34:00.003-07:00

Hi,

When Barack Obama gave his most famous speeches,he faced audiences that loved and praised his work. However, it is impossible to always face an audience that adores you. There will be times when your audiences are sceptical or worried, and you must use your greatest skills for such challenges. But what if your audience is abusive? When Obama was called a liar by Congressman Joe Wilson during Obama’s speech in the Senate in 2009, I smiled because there was much consternation over the attack. It made me ponder the differences between American and British politics. While American politics is more vicious in its negative campaigning, it does adopt a more respectful approach to discussions in the Senate. British politics is not as personally cruel in the campaign for votes, but life in the House of Commons can be a rowdy affair. When you speak in the House of Commons, you have to deal with the negative energy and barrage of insults that your opponents deliver. Even a rhinoceros would admit that their skin is not thick enough to deal with such criticism.

The Iron Lady’s first speech a Prime Minister was delivered on the steps of No. 10 Downing Street. As she spoke, you could hear the screams of abuse from her opponents who stood at the gates of Downing Street. It’s interesting to note that she kept her composure, focussed on her message, and she concentrated on delivering her beliefs to the public watching at home. It was a lesson in how to give a speech under pressure.
I listened to the Tony Livesy show on BBC Radio 5 Live last night. The discussion was on ‘The Iron Lady’, and whether you could admire somebody you disagreed with. The opinions were divided and proved once again that the debate on ‘The Iron Lady’s’ legacy could go on forever. I have noted some of her exceptional communication skills in this blog, but tomorrow, I will reveal her biggest weakness.

Take care,

Darren

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version out January 31st.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (The Iron Lady's humour) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 44

2012-01-04T01:59:00.010-07:00

Hi,

William Pitt, who was prime minister from 1766 to 1768 famously remarked, “I know that I can save this country and that no one else can.” ‘The Iron Lady’s’ memoirs suggest a similar conviction. Even the former Labour leader Neil Kinnock admired her guts and tenacity to become a female Prime Minister and win three consecutive elections. Opinions over ‘The Iron Lady’ are divisive but the scale of her achievement’s still fascinates many people.

I posted yesterday that I would reveal some of ‘The Iron Lady’s’ most famous humorous quotes. I received messages last night from some of my followers who expressed their favourite quotes from ‘The Iron Lady.’ I decided to compile a list of the top five so I can include some of my followers in the post.

1.“I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left."
Tom Allen, Brisbane

2. “Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't.”
Marie Chavenz, Los Angeles

3. “If my critics saw me walking over the Thames, they would say it was because I couldn't swim.”
Paul Benson, London

4. “In politics if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman.”
Niki Zudoski, Berlin

5. “Of course it's the same old story. Truth usually is the same old story."
Rick Merril, New York

Tomorrow, I will reveal an insight into ‘The Iron Lady’s’ first speech as Prime Minister in 1979.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version out January 31st.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (The Iron Lady's Lesson from Labour) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 43

2012-01-03T03:12:00.012-07:00

Hi,

I would like to share the former Labour Party leader, Neil Kinnock’s words to the Welsh Labour Party conference in May 1987. Kinnock’s words hit me like an oncoming train because they brought realism, respect and understanding to my own life. I was a normal teenager in 1987 who thought that he could take on the world. I thought I knew it all, perhaps partly because I had achieved more schooling than my ancestors. My ancestors worked in the dockyards of Dublin and on farms across Ireland. They worked long hours for little pay and no security. As a teenager I wondered why they didn’t achieve more for their determination and skill.

Kinnock’s words made a silly teenager internalise the respect and gratitude that was owed to his parents and his ancestors. Kinnock's words also internalised my view that everybody should have access to a “platform.”

These are some of Kinnock’s words.

"Why am I the first Kinnock in a thousand generations to be able to get to university? Was it because our predecessors were thick? Does anybody really think that they didn't get what we had because they didn't have the talent or the strength or the endurance or the commitment? Of course not. It was because there was no platform upon which they could stand."

No matter how eloquent or skilful ‘The Iron Lady’ was, it was these particular words from Kinnock that made the biggest impression on me. Obama’s Vice President, Joe Biden was a Democratic presidential candidate for the 1988 U.S. election. Do you think his speech in 1987 was similar to Neil Kinnock’s speech?

These are some of Biden’s words.

"Why is it that Joe Biden is the first in his family ever to go to a university? ……. Is it because our fathers and mothers were not bright? ...Is it because they didn't work hard? …….It's because they didn't have a platform on which to stand."

If you had heard Biden’s words, you would have been impressed. When you discovered the similarities to Kinnock’s, you would have thought differently. The lesson here is that when you copy another person’s words, it is only right that you acknowledge their work. The better option is to write and deliver your own words.

I would like to reiterate that my book on Obama is not a political book. Obama once said that America is divided into Republicans and Democrats, but the majority of people’s politics lies somewhere in between. This book analyses the speeches and words of leaders from many political ideologies.

Tomorrow, I will reveal ‘The Iron Lady’s’ humour during her Labour Party battles.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version out January 31st.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (The Iron Lady v The Heckler) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 42

2012-01-02T10:24:00.012-07:00

Hi,

At the 1980 Tory Party Conference, a heckler entered the arena and shouted abuse at Margaret Thatcher as she gave her keynote address. ‘The Iron Lady’ responded in a way that showed how great communicators deal with interruptions. When somebody interrupts your speech, there is no point avoiding the issue. You are better off incorporating their words or actions into your speech. However, you must display some humour or understanding that does not belittle your heckler. ‘The Iron Lady’ responded by saying, “Never mind, it’s wet outside. I expect they want to come in. You can’t blame them; it’s always better where the Tory’s are.” ‘The Iron Lady’ acknowledged the interruption but chose to use it to motivate her party instead of belittling the heckler. It showed her speed of thought, her sense of humour, and her ability to move on quickly from the incident.

You must expect interruptions from people in your audience who have a different agenda to you. How you respond to it, says a great deal about you as a speaker.

Tomorrow, I will analyse what I believe was the Labour Party’s greatest speech against ‘The Iron Lady’.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version out January 31st.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds,LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (Get Your Facts Right!) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 41

2011-12-29T07:32:00.015-07:00

Hi,

If you make a statement that is factually incorrect you look incompetent at best and it can cost you the respect of your audience. When the United States 38th President Gerald Ford faced Jimmy Carter in the presidential TV debate in 1976, he made a comment about Eastern Europe that had everybody scratching their heads.

Ford said “There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe, and there never will be under a Ford administration.” In one sentence Ford was able to destroy his chances of achieving a second term in the White House.

I discuss Obama's power for using correct facts in the book. I hope you like it.

Tomorrow, I will start a seven-day blog to celebrate the release of ‘The Iron Lady’ movie. The blog will be titled 'The Iron Lady V Labour' (The Labour Party in the UK). I will feature some of her greatest speeches and debates with the opposition. This will be a ‘warts and all’ look at the great and not so great communication skills of ‘The Iron Lady’.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version in January 2012.

PPS: This post was written in advance to ensure continuity during holiday time.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - ('Stand Up, Speak, Sit Down ) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 40

2011-12-29T07:31:00.006-07:00

Hi,

The United States 32nd President Franklin D. Roosevelt once said. "Be sincere; be brief; be seated."

One of the biggest mistakes a speaker can make is to talk too long. The Technology Education Design talks, which feature many experts in business, health and science vary in length, with the longest I found being only 22 minutes. Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, recognised as one of the greatest speeches of all time, is only 265 words long. Sometimes, the toughest decision while preparing a speech is to be honest and to take things out that may strangle your message.

If you look at some of Obama's speeches on YouTube you will notice how long they are. Many of his speeches are designed to change America and the world. They are not as long as you would think. The greatest speakers understand that brevity is a necessary art for any speaker.

Tomorrow, I will discuss the need to avoid factual errors in your speech.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version in January 2012.

PPS: This post was written in advance to ensure continuity during holiday time.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - ('The Iron Lady' and Obama - Voices of Power) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 39

2011-12-29T07:30:00.011-07:00

Hi,

On January 2nd, I will start a seven-day blog to celebrate the release of ‘The Iron Lady’ movie. The blog will be titled 'The Iron Lady V Labour' (The Labour Party in the UK). I will feature some of her greatest speeches and debates with the opposition. This will be a ‘warts and all’ look at the great and not so great communication skills of ‘The Iron Lady’.

Today, I would like to write about her vocal range. When you heard 'The Iron Lady' speak she used her voice like a musical instrument. She could take her voice from a lower range when she discussed a challenge and let her voice fly to a higher pitch as she offered a solution. When you hear Obama speak you cannot help but be drawn to his powerful voice too. Many speakers deliver in a monotone voice or speak too fast, while others are too quiet or too loud. Your aim should always be to sound like the best natural you. Obama’s voice is clear and strong, and it contains an assertiveness that has warmth. He uses his voice with the same variety and force that Martin Luther King did but in a more reserved way. Like King, he likes to change the volume in his voice. Can you imagine King’s "I Have a Dream” speech delivered in a monotone voice? Can you imagine Obama’s “Yes We Can” speech with a monotone delivery?

Take care,

Darren.

Tomorrow, I will discuss the art of brevity.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version in January 2012.

PPS: This post was written in advance to ensure continuity during holiday time.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (The Iron Lady's and Obama's Convictions) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 38

2011-12-29T04:12:00.006-07:00

Hi,

When you listen to a great speaker, you develop a strong feeling about their words too. You sense that they believe in what they are saying. Their speech is normally free of “ums” and “errs,” and other words that weaken their message. Their body language and eye contact reaffirms the authority and honesty of both their message and their belief in it. ‘The Iron Lady’ was a compelling speaker who drew people to her because of her conviction. She once said, “I am not a consensus politician. I am a conviction politician." Was it complete arrogance on her part or just the leadership communication style of the day?

That style of communication does not work today because open communication is essential for consensus before conviction. If we remove ourselves from the theological and political argument, we discover a refreshing thought that says opinion polls and media spin will not divert me from what I believe. No doubt Thatcher possessed utter conviction in her thoughts and words. Whether people liked or disliked her policies, they believed her words.

This post is neither an attack nor a defence of Thatcher as a person or politician. I am simply highlighting one of her finest traits that made her an excellent communicator.

Obama Care or Health Care Reform has divided America. Obama once said the cost of healthcare weighed down the economy and conscience of America and caused a bankruptcy every 30 seconds. Whether people accepted his view or not, they accepted that he believed in his words. Obama knows that like Lincoln, JFK and ‘The Iron Lady’, you don’t always get it right, but your ability to speak in public is weak if you don’t have conviction in your thoughts and words.

Tomorrow, I will analyse 'The Iron Lady's' vocal delivery.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version in January 2012.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (The Iron Lady, Churchill and Hollywood) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 37

2011-12-28T04:02:00.006-07:00

Hi,

The Oscar winning actress Meryl Streep said Margaret Thatcher left an "indelible impression" on her at a lecture at her daughter's university. The actress recently praised Thatcher for achieving success against the odds. ‘The Iron Lady’ movie, directed by Phyllida Lloyd ("Mamma Mia") has come in for some stinging criticism. Some say its purpose is to win an Oscar. Others say that it is riddled with poetic license, and they claim scenes like Thatcher wearing a hat in the House of Commons at Prime Ministers Question Time are ridiculous. However, fans of the movie say that it goes beyond policy to reach the personality, and shows the spiritual, mental and physical energy that kept Thatcher in power for so long.

Meryl Streep said that she is astounded that a woman could become Prime Minister at all. At the time, top jobs for women existed in fashion but not in a man’s arena. A serious question raises its head once again. Why are male leaders like Winston Churchill still lauded by many people when ‘The Iron Lady’ receives criticism for similar views and actions? Streep suggested recently that many people were and still are uncomfortable with a female leader.

You don’t have to be a fan; you don’t have to agree with her policies, and you don’t have to like ‘The Iron Lady’. However, even her harshest critic cannot deny that she normalised female success at the highest level. Thatcher possessed the same hope that Obama had in the south side of Chicago when he was told that nothing could be done. She possessed the same hope that Churchill possessed when France surrendered. It was that same unsupported hope that convinced her that a woman could rise to the top. If you like Thatcher, I suggest you look beyond the Hollywood view and just enjoy a movie about the human spirit. If you dislike her, I suggest that you do the exact same. We are all guilty of admiring and borrowing traits from the people we like and love the most. However, isn’t it true that sometimes people we have not connected with can teach us something too?

Tomorrow, I will share with you the number one trait that made ‘The Iron Lady’ so compelling as a speaker.

Take care,

Darren

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version in January 2012.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (The Iron Lady v The First Lady) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 36

2011-12-27T05:12:00.005-07:00

Hi,

When I watched Barack Obama and his wife Michelle on one of Oprah Winfrey’s last ever TV shows, I noticed honest steel in the First Lady’s words. When she spoke about her opinion of Facebook for her children, cleaning chores in the White House and the challenge of real-world politics, I always felt I was getting the truth. There were no hesitations in her replies as she searched for appropriate answers to court public opinion. There was an openness that endeared her to her audience. The role of First Lady is not a simple role of ceremony and pomp. It takes great understanding and skill, and each First Lady likes to leave The White House with the knowledge that she worked hard for change that was productive. Michelle Obama has many causes, including a desire to reverse childhood obesity.

Michelle Obama, like Thatcher is certainly a woman who knows her own mind and like Thatcher,” is not for turning.” She is the strength behind Barack Obama’s rise to the top of world politics. She shares his values, supports his cause, and she manages the chaos that the world of politics can dump on a family. She communicates her views and vision with a clarity and warmth that leaves no one in doubt as to her intentions and beliefs. She is also unafraid to discuss her disappointments and doubts. Her politics may differ from Thatcher’s, but they share the same self-belief.

However, nothing a First Lady will ever achieve can compare to the challenges of leading a major country as ‘The Iron Lady.’ But don’t be surprised if one-day Michelle Obama returns to The White House to achieve a feat that will shatter the glass ceiling of politics just like ‘The Iron Lady’ once did. Could Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama become the first female president of the U.S.A. in years to come? I wouldn’t bet against it!

Tomorrow, I will discuss ‘The Iron Lady’ v Churchill (A View from Hollywood).

Take care,

Darren

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version in January 2012.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (The Iron Lady under pressure) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 35

2011-12-26T09:34:00.009-07:00

Hi,

On November 13, 1990 a former Chancellor and Foreign Secretary in Margaret Thatcher's government delivered a speech in The House of Commons that rocked 'The Iron Lady'. Geoffrey Howe was a former barrister who Thatcher demoted in 1989 from Foreign Secretary to Leader of The House of Commons.

Howe highlighted his reasons for resigning from 'The Iron Lady's' government despite sharing 700 meetings over 18 years and 400 hours at 30 international summit meetings. Howe was upset by Thatcher's negative views about joining a single European currency, and he felt that he had no choice but to resign. The speech mirrored the style of Mark Anthony's speech in Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Caesar’. Howe started his speech with a respectful tone, and he built it towards a crescendo of disappointment and disagreement that encouraged other people to turn on 'The Iron Lady'.

Just like Mark Anthony described Brutus and Cassius as “honourable men,” Howe paid tribute to the character and successes of his leader. Like Mark Anthony, he delivered his words in a tone that suggested more concern for what was right, than concern for revenge. He spoke about ‘The Iron Lady’s’ intransigence over the single currency issue by using words like “damage,” “ tragedy,” “ a serious error,” “very serious,” “worst possible outcome,” “ tragic,” “ serious risks,” “very real tragedy,” “ sadness” and “dismay.” He supported his words by quoting Harold McMillan and Winston Churchill's support for a more unified Europe. Howe made it clear that his views were born of the "true interests of the nation." ‘The Iron Lady’ responded to Howe’s words by saying her feelings lay "more in sorrow than in anger" However, Howe’s words helped topple a leader, who had brought the party three consecutive electoral victories.

Meryl Streep described the movie ‘The Iron Lady’ as “King Lear for Girls.” Just like Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’, the movie deals with the truth that power eventually diminishes in all its aspects. It also highlights the fact that it is the words of those closest to us that wound the most. Howe’s words rocked ‘The Iron Lady’ and proved that behind every image is a human being with the frailties that we all possess.

Tomorrow, I will discuss how ‘The Iron Lady’ compares to America’s 'First Lady', Michelle Obama.

Take care,

Darren

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version in January 2012.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds,LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (The Iron Lady - Powerful Words) Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 34

2011-12-25T07:13:00.022-07:00

Hi,

Because today is Christmas Day, this post has been prepared in advance to enable me to enjoy every second of the festive fun. The live posts will begin again tomorrow!

Great speakers have an incredible ability to communicate in the shortest amount of words. I would like to share with you some phrases 'The Iron Lady' spoke to describe her critics, her 'Iron Lady' label, and other subjects like, success, decision-making and productivity.

1. Critics

"If my critics saw me walking over the Thames, they would say it was because I couldn't swim."

2. Reaction to her 'Iron Lady' label

"If you lead a country like Britain, a strong country, a country which has taken a lead in world affairs in good times and in bad, a country that is always reliable, then you have to have a touch of iron about you."

3. Success

"What is success? I think it is a mixture of having a flair for the thing that you are doing; knowing that it is not enough, that you have got to have hard work and a certain sense of purpose."

4. Decision making

"The wisdom of hindsight, so useful to historians and indeed to authors of memoirs, is sadly denied to practicing politicians."

5. Productivity

"Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It's not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it's when you've had everything to do, and you've done it."

Obama also understands the power of simple and succinct phrases that capture logic and emotion. After all, he used three simple words to motivate his supporters to elect him president in 2008. When he was defeated by Hilary Clinton in the New Hampshire Primary that year, he rejuvenated the hearts and minds of his followers when he said, "Yes We Can."

Tomorrow, I will share with you the speech that rocked 'The Iron Lady'.

Take care, and please accept my sincere wishes for a wonderful Christmas.

Darren

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version in January 2012.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (The Iron Lady - Reagan eulogy) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 33

2011-12-24T09:37:00.010-07:00

Hi,

When I heard Martin Luther King’s eulogy for the martyred children of Birmingham, Alabama in 1963, I was struck by the power his words offered the bereaved families. King used his empathy and choice of words to place the four young girls in the best seats in heaven. Ronald Reagan achieved the same spiritual beauty when he spoke after the Spaceship Challenger exploded in 1986. Those two tragedies were unforeseen events that shocked the world. In 2004, after Ronald Reagan died at his home in Los Angeles, it was time for someone to offer a eulogy for him.

It was Reagan’s wish that Margaret Thatcher participated in the service, and she didn’t let him down. ‘The Iron Lady’ proved that she could be soft- hearted, even if she was not soft-headed. She delivered a eulogy at the state funeral service which was conducted at the Washington National Cathedral on June 11, 2004. Thatcher had been advised by her doctors not to speak in public so her eulogy was videoed. She was present and watched her amazing tribute from her seat in church. This was a master class in offering a eulogy, and it poured comfort into the hearts of the Reagan family and the people of America. Why was it so good?

Her eulogy was more than just a tribute. It was a journey into the mind of her friend, and how his private world gave him the strength for his public life. Thatcher revealed some of Reagan’s words from their private conversations. Reagan once told Thatcher, “Nancy came along and saved my soul.” Can you imagine how beautiful those words sounded to Nancy Reagan? Can you imagine how Reagan’s children felt when Thatcher called him “a great president, a great American, a great man and a dear friend?” Can you imagine how his supporters felt when she said his “cheerful and invigorating style” healed the spirit of America? Thatcher offered us an insight into the humour and strength of Reagan that the cameras did not see. She described Reagan’s response to an attempt on his life. The former President told the doctors, “Whatever time I’ve got left belongs to the big fella upstairs." Thatcher showed us how his diplomacy and honest communication helped end the cold war without fighting. She revealed that he told Mikael Gorbachev, “Let me tell you why it is we don’t trust you.” Reagan won the respect of his enemy and led his enemy to peace.

‘The Iron Lady’ quoted the words of Bunyan, “that 'all the trumpets sounded on the other side.” This placed her friend Ronnie in a place of happiness, just like he did for others in 1986 and just like Martin Luther King did in 1963.

Obama will have seen and heard the eulogy for Reagan, and I do wonder how much it inspired the Senators eulogy for Rosa Parks in 2005. Obama spoke in the same tones as Thatcher when he praised Parks private and public life and her effect on his life. Obama said, “I think it is fair to say, were it not for that quiet moment of courage by Mrs. Parks, I would not be standing here today. I owe her great thanks, as does the Nation. She will be sorely missed.” Thatcher and Obama proved that a eulogy’s power comes from its honesty; it’s freshness of information and its ability to describe a person’s inner and outer life. What makes it even more special is when the speaker proves the effect the person had on their life.

Tomorrow, I will share with you five straight talking phrases spoken by 'The Iron Lady'.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version in January 2012.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square,Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (The Iron Lady - Part 2) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 32

2011-12-22T13:56:00.009-07:00

Hi,

Margaret Thatcher once said that Ronald Reagan used humour to achieve a purpose more meaningful than humour. He used it to make people feel comfortable and to break any tension during tough negotiations. Thatcher was no stranger to humour, as her first speech inside the White House in 1979 demonstrated.

'The Iron Lady' achieved rapport with her audience with her gentle joke about George Washington being a British subject for the first 40 years of his life. She also admitted that U.S. and U.K. relations could have gotten off to a better start.

Thatcher sent her audience into a fit of giggles when she apologised for ruining the U.S. Secretary of State’s day. When she arrived at the airport, he was watching the Washington Redskins play the Dallas Cowboys. Thatcher blamed herself for the Redskins loss. After she won her audience over, she discussed the serious issues of the day before ending her speech with more gratitude.

The movie, 'The Iron Lady' shows Thatcher wearing a hat in the House of Commons. The people who worked with her say she never wore a hat in the House of Commons. Expect the usual Hollywood drama and exaggeration in the movie. However, her speech in 1979 inside the White House had all the dazzle that many speakers miss today.

Thatcher does not feature in the book because she is British, or because she is a woman. She features in the book because she could be an excellent communicator when she wanted to be. This book is not a book about policies and personal failures. If it was, even Obama might not have made it into it. ‘How To Give A Better Speech Than Obama and change your world’ is a book that offers you a look inside the words of great communicators so you can learn the good parts. I hope you take those good parts so you can change your world. When you change your world, I know that you can do your bit to make the world a better place for the rest of us.

Tomorrow, I will reveal the moment 'The Iron Lady's' words brought America to tears and what Obama learned from that moment.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version in January 2012.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (The Iron Lady) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 31

2011-12-22T03:58:00.005-07:00

Hi,

The movie ‘The Iron Lady’ will be released in cinemas from January 6th in the UK. It was Winston Churchill who coined the phrase, the ‘Iron Curtain’, and a Russian newspaper responded years later with the words ‘Iron Lady’ to describe Margaret Thatcher. Oscars winner Meryl Streep plays the Tory leader who was both loved and loathed.

While I believe Obama is the finest communicator of the last 30 years, I still believe that Thatcher had some brilliant traits too. She possessed the credibility and understanding of logic that Aristotle wrote about. However, her ability to empathise has been criticised. Her very first speech in The White House in 1979, during President Jimmy Carter's reign shows that she could possess empathy and humour when she wanted to. She is remembered though for the many speeches she gave with no empathy or humour.

In the book, I discuss how all great leaders borrow speaking skills from other leaders and other people. Thatcher’s famous phrase, ‘The lady’s not for turning’ was borrowed from a Christopher Fry novel called ‘The lady’s not for burning’. When I watched Obama deliver his ‘American Jobs Act’ speech this year, he possessed an air of authority and passion that brought back memories of Thatcher. He said, “Pass this jobs bill now,” 15 times. Obama, like Thatcher, understands the importance of repetition in a speech. When Thatcher spoke to The House of Commons in 1990 about Jacques Delors' desire to centralise power in Europe, she loudly proclaimed, “No, No.No." In 1997, Tony Blair looked John Major in the eye and said, “Weak, Weak, Weak.” Leaders are never afraid to cross sides when they spot a skill, phrase, word or style that can help them communicate their message.

Tomorrow, I will discuss the Thatcher speech that made America smile, and offer a deeper comparison to Obama.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version in January 2012.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (My Audacity of Hope) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 30

2011-12-21T02:30:00.012-07:00

Hi,

When I finish reading any book, I always think about the nuggets of information I can use in my life. Bill Clinton’s book, ‘My Life’ revealed that Alan Lakein’s book, ‘How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life’ changed his life. I bought Lakein’s book and it really changed mine. Stephen King‘s book,‘On Writing’ taught me that I have a long way to go, but that I should pay no attention to the same sort of critics who poured scorn on the very successful John Grisham. ‘The Road Less Travelled’ by Scott Peck helped me deal more effectively with my disappointments in life.

I decided not to read any of Obama’s books before I wrote this book because I did not want my mind influenced by his inner thoughts. After all, the book is about speech making and his ability to connect with other people. After I wrote my book, I picked up The Sunday Times, and The Guardian recommended ‘The Audacity of Hope’. I learned more about Obama, America, the world, and a lot more about myself.

I learned that I’m just like any other parent when I hold my daughters' hands and play with them. I accept that I do have this desire to preserve “every gesture” as Obama put it. I see them growing up so fast, and at times it does frighten me. It’s not that I know I’m getting older. It’s just that I love being a Dad so much. Being a parent is such a precious gift, but it’s also one that’s full of worry, and it’s ok to feel that way.

I learned that it’s important to express my honest views without worry that they may come back to haunt me one day. Obama wrote about how each vote in his Senate days could come back to haunt him. However, he realised that such thinking paralyses progress. When I write, train or speak,I know my heart is in the right place to help other people

I learned that I must remind myself daily of how lucky I am to live in a place called Yorkshire. I appreciate the people, but I must stop more often to appreciate the moors, the cities and everything else that makes it such a wonderful place. Obama wrote about meeting a woman after Hurricane Katrina. She told him that she had nothing before the hurricane, and now she had less than nothing. Martin Luther King once said that people get excited about neon lights, but they never stop to look at the sun rise. What can be more powerful than the sun? Not even the world’s greatest technology could compare with its strength, beauty and power.

I learned through Obama's insight into Rosa Park's funeral that statues and commemorative stamps may not be the best way to pay tribute to heroes of the past. The best tribute we can offer is to adopt a tiny part of their wisdom and greatness, and ensure that we improve on what they offered us.

‘The Audacity of Hope’ makes it into my all-time top ten books. I hope with a certain audacity that you find a nugget or two in my book that will ‘change your world’ too.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version in January 2012.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (Churchill and the final edit) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 29

2011-12-20T02:03:00.005-07:00

Hi,

Winston Churchill said, “Writing a book is an adventure. To begin with, it is a toy and an amusement; then it becomes a mistress, and then it becomes a master, and then a tyrant. The last phase is that just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster, and fling him out to the public.”

I find Churchill’s words rush to my mind after every time I pass the stages of idea discovery, research and writing. It is true that you create the book, but then the book actually controls you. Let me give you one example.

After I wrote ‘The World’s Greatest Sales Lesson’ I sat reading ‘The Sunday Times’ newspaper on a warm Sunday afternoon. I noticed an article on Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft. The article mentioned a magazine article that inspired Bill Gates. The name of the magazine was different to the one I had written about in the book. Had I got it wrong? I never let things I cannot change affect the present moment so I calmly switched off from the subject to enjoy my family barbecue. The interrogation of my facts could wait until Bank Holiday Monday morning. I awoke at 7am the next morning and googled the subject on my mobile phone. I was pleased that it was the newspaper and not me who had made the error. This was good because the book had been released a month earlier!

After I finished ‘How To Give A Better Speech Than Obama and change your world’ I listened to it one last time. I placed the CD in my car stereo and within eight minutes I knew something wasn’t right. I felt the introduction was too long, but I knew the information was also very valuable. I believed that I had cut as much as I could. There was a moment when I thought about not releasing the book in its present form. Then I had the idea that actually made the book flow better.

I decided to take the piece about a major Obama inspiration and see where else it could fit. This took me another five hours to change. However, it was worth it, and I am glad that my instinct proved right. I am often asked if I am happy with the book. I always respond by saying, “I’m as happy as I can be. “ If Obama questions his own words and cringes sometimes at his own oratory, who am I to feel satisfied with mine. My greatest joy from the book comes when people send me messages from the USA, Australia, New Zealand, around the UK and other countries to say that they learned something valuable and enjoyed the process. That feeling washes away my inner critic.

Tomorrow, I will share with you the number one lesson you will take from the book.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version in January 2012.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (A Lesson for Lawyers) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 28

2011-12-19T00:41:00.008-07:00

Hi,

When I wanted to seek an opinion of ‘How To Give A Better Speech Than Obama and change your world’ there was one person I had to contact. I didn’t know this man, but I had read about his work.

The Washingtonian magazine's list of "Washington's Best Lawyers" ranked Bob Barnett at number one, and The National Law Journal called him one of the "The 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America."

According to the website of Williams and Connolly, Bob represents major corporations in litigation matters, corporate work, contracts, crisis management, transactions, government relations, and media relations. He has worked for McDonald's Corporation, General Electric, Toyota, Deutsche Bank, Revlon and many others.

Bob’s clients have included Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Shania Twain, Barbra Streisand, Queen Noor of Jordan, The Prince of Wales, Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan, and many others, including journalists, novelists, business leaders, sports stars, politicians, and others. His expertise in the field of litigation and communication is first class. Bob played a major role on the U.S. presidential debate preparation teams in 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 2000, 2004 and 2008. He joined Williams & Connolly LLP in 1975 and has been a partner since 1978.

When I decided to contact Bob, I did not expect a reply within five hours. I suppose I expected a response from his secretary saying he wasn’t interested in my work or no response at all. After Bob and I’s exchange of words I started to think about the legal profession.

If one of the world’s most successful lawyers could engage someone they didn't know, doesn’t it offer a lesson to all people in the legal profession? Competition is global, thanks to the revolution in technology. The loss of manufacturing overseas has devastated parts of the UK, but aspects of the services industry are easier to move overseas. Many services can be transferred worldwide with the press of a button. It’s perhaps arrogance and ignorance to expect clients will not seek the best services elsewhere. How will law firms combat the competition from within the UK and abroad? They must understand what Bob understands. The requirements to work for Bob’s firm Williams and Connolly are

• outstanding academic records
• a high degree of intellect
• initiative
• creativity
• excellent interpersonal skills

The first four skills put you on the playing field, but the last requirement drives your success. As Bob knows, interpersonal communication is the key.

Tomorrow, I will tell you about the car journey that halted the books completion.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version in January 2012.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (A Lesson for Fundraisers) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 27

2011-12-18T04:15:00.003-07:00

Hi,

These are tough times for charities. They have to work harder to receive every donation and communicate more effectively why their cause is more deserving than another. Do you work for a charity? Perhaps a lesson from Obama can inspire you to step up your ability to raise the money necessary to fund the great cause you serve. There are two points I would like to cover.

Motivation and Communication

1. Motivation

When Obama ran for the Senate, he competed against a candidate with more money, more prestige and better support. Did he sit by the phone and hope for good luck, or did he climb the steep and unforgiving path to success? In 'The Audacity of Hope', he wrote about the countless unreturned phone calls, the gentle rejections, the harsh rejections and the sight of his opponent spending small fortunes on his campaign. However, he accepted the heat of the challenge and picked up the phone, asked for donations and overcame the fears and hurts of rejection. Obama’s lesson for fundraisers here is that many people will give if you just get to work and find them.

2. Communication.

As you can imagine, my research for the book has been exhaustive. I started with a study of Obama’s speeches, and then I read his books and articles written about him. I also decided to look closer at the Obama election and re-election campaigns. Here is a fundraising lesson from Obama’s Deputy Campaign Manager, Julianna Smoot.
In a recent email to me, Julianna wrote more about me than Obama. It is an interesting lesson for fundraisers. Do you speak only about you and your cause, or do you invite your potential donor to see your world through their senses? Let us look at the words Julianna used to personalise her very short message.

You - 10 times
You’d - twice
Your - four times
You’ve - once
You’ll - once

As I always say, communication is everything.

On Monday, I will reveal my conversation with Obama’s agent, one of the USA’s Top 100 Lawyers and what people in the legal profession can learn from him.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version in January 2012.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square,Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (A Lesson for Accountants) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 26

2011-12-17T03:42:00.015-07:00

Hi,

Some people say that facts and figures speak for themselves, but is that really true? Doesn’t the philosophy fail to take into account that we are emotional creatures who think mainly in pictures? Shouldn’t facts and figures be communicated with personal and relatable pictures to be effectively received and understood?

Obama is a legal man by trade, but he understands how complex numbers can ruin communication. Let us take a look at his ‘New Energy for America’ speech in 2008. He spoke about the cost of creating new energy when he said, “To do this, we will invest $150 billion over the next ten years and leverage billions more in private capital to build a new energy economy that harnesses American energy and creates five million new American jobs.”

Here Obama mentioned the sum of money required, but he made the figure relevant by describing the number of new jobs it would create. The average person cannot comprehend $150 billion, but they do understand 5 million jobs because that affects them. So when you take your facts and figures, you must show how they relate to the person you are talking to.

You could argue that he could have made the figure, 5 million people more relatable too. He could have said, that’s enough people to fill the Washington Redskins, FedEx stadium over 60 times. Or if he was a British leader, he could have said that five million people are enough to fill Wembley stadium 50 times over. (Wembley is Europe's second biggest football stadium and can accommodate just over 100,000 people).

Let us look at how you can make a statistic more relevant. If I said 85% of people love eating fatty foods that may mean nothing to you. However, what if I added that it leads to one in four illnesses and will most likely affect someone in your family or circle of friends? How does that make you feel about the statistic now? Is it more relevant?

The problem with accountancy is that there are too many numbers whizzing around for anybody to bother how to communicate those numbers. There is an art to this, and accountants must adopt the Steve Jobs philosophy of cross pollination. They must step outside their profession and learn new and more effective ways to communicate with their customers. Some people still think rapport and being interesting are tools of entertainment only. If they maintain this philosophy, they will find themselves lagging behind a new breed of accountants who understand that style facilitates substance.

Accountants must realise that as Obama knows, the facts and figures don’t speak for themselves.

On Sunday, I will reveal what Fundraisers can learn from Obama.

On Monday, I will reveal my conversation with Obama’s agent, one of the USA’s Top 100 Lawyers and what people in the legal profession can learn from him.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version in January 2012.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square, Leeds,LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (A Lesson in Customer Service) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 25

2011-12-15T23:57:00.011-07:00

Hi,

When I was researching my iTunes bestselling book ‘Love Your Customer Grow Your Business', I completed a study of 100 people to gauge their reaction to the customer service ethos of companies in the UK, USA, Ireland and Australia. I took price out of the question, and I asked them what issues upset them most. These are the results which featured in the book.

Business to Business

1. The broken promise.
2. Lateness.
3. Poor product or service knowledge.
4. Untruths about capabilities.
5. Poor communication.
6. Arrogance.
7. Failure to accept responsibility to rectify mistakes.

Business to Customer

1. Treating a customer as an inconvenience.
2. A Returns Policy that treats a regular customer like a criminal.
3. The closed checkout.
4. Offering personal negativity in conversations with a customer.
5. The broken promise.
6. Unhelpful attitude.
7. Poor product or service knowledge.

Many people are frustrated about the poor state of customer service today. It is like they have resigned themselves to a life where customer service means rudeness, recklessness and lack of concern. The guilty companies always wonder why their business shrinks, and they fail to understand what they have done wrong. The answer lies in their inability to communicate effectively on a logical and emotional level with their customers.

Obama certainly understands people’s emotional needs, and why they feel the way they do. We can learn from his ability to connect with other people. From his days in Chicago when he spoke to an audience of one person, to his speeches of today, he has always maintained decorum, respect and endearment for his audience. Obama has a mind-set that says the connection will always be the same quality no matter how big or small the audience is. Why is that? There are three reasons.

1 He knows that no matter how famous he is, there will always be somebody hearing him for the first time.

2 He knows that one poor performance can destroy his reputation for consistency.

3 He genuinely cares.

Obama's character does not allow negative aspects of any day to affect his performance because his audience always comes first. He knows that you cannot please everybody but he knows that you have no chance of success if you won’t even try?

The questions for all people in business today are these.

1. Do you open your business every day with your customers' concerns first?

2. Do you take them into a world of excellent customer service or dump your negative experiences on them?

3. Do you make them feel special?

Tomorrow, I will reveal what Accountants can learn from Obama.

On Sunday, I will reveal what Fundraisers can learn from Obama.

On Monday, I will reveal my conversation with Obama’s agent, one of the USA’s Top 100 Lawyers and what people in the legal profession can learn from him.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version in January 2012.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (A Lesson for Leaders) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 24

2011-12-15T00:35:00.004-07:00

Hi Everyone,

There was a time when leaders could make thoughtless remarks and avoid the consequences, but those days are long gone. We live in a world of social media where words can be transferred around the world in a second. Words said to shareholders can be read by customers seconds later. Words said in one media can be dissected and interpreted differently in another media. Never before has the need for leaders to communicate authentically been greater.

Some leaders hide because of this fear and do themselves more damage. Because of social media and a more engaged society every leader has become a broadcaster. Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, Lee Iacocca, Irene Rosenfield ( Kraft Foods),Indra Nooyi ( Pepsi) and Andrea Jung (Avon Products) are just some of the leaders who understood this early in their careers. Even Mark Zuckerburg from Facebook is currently transforming himself from a computer geek to a media darling. Why is he doing this? He knows that customers do not want a faceless corporation with a slick marketing campaign. They demand to know the soul of the organisation they are dealing with. Would you rather see a press release from Facebook about privacy settings or see Mark Zuckerburg look you in the eyes and explain his vision?

When I researched my Obama book, I called 50 people from states that supported Obama in the last election and 50 people from states that didn’t. I did this to gauge an opinion of the man I believed was authentic. The response was overwhelming. While many disagreed with his policies, no one doubted his integrity. It was this reason that propelled me to use Obama as my guide to help people connect with other people.

Has Obama made mistakes? Yes. He has made many. In 2005, he was featured in The Wall Street Journal under the title, ‘Conceit of Government’. Ronald Reagan’s former speech writer, Peggy Noonan accused Obama of comparing himself to the great Abraham Lincoln. This stemmed from an article Obama gave to Time magazine in which he did compare his own struggles to those of the United States 16th President. Even Obama in his book, The Audacity of Hope said the criticism was “not entirely undeserved.” In the acknowledgements section of the book, Obama wrote about how easy it is to stray from your own voice and slip into the jargon no one understands. This proves that even when you are being authentic; your communication skills may make you look and sound anything but authentic. That is not good for you or your business.

If Obama understands this, why don’t many leaders get it too? Maybe they just haven't met the right coach! This book takes you inside the art of communication that is authentic and consistent. If you give the book your time and energy, I believe it will repay you thousands of times over in your career. I say that because I believe we know that communication is everything in business and in life!

Tomorrow, I will reveal the number one trait that customer service people can learn from Obama.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version in January 2012.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square,Leeds,LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (A Lesson for Salespeople) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 23

2011-12-14T00:11:00.009-07:00

Hi,

Every salesperson must learn to discipline their disappointments. If you are in sales, you will have heard the word "no" far more often than "yes." It is simply impossible for everyone to love and respect your work. Approximately, 450 million people worldwide have bought a Harry Potter book. Does J.K. Rowling fret over the rest of the world's 7 billion plus population? Obama won 52.9% of the vote in the Presidential election in 2008. He accepts that you cannot get every vote.

One of the greatest ways to deal with disappointments and rejections is to develop a sense of humour. There is no point beating yourself up over past failures and rejections. If you do, you inadvertently take those negative experiences into every human interaction you have. That is not good for you or your business. From the moment Obama wakes up every morning, he faces criticisms, rejections of his plans, reminders of his previous words, divisions in his party and so much more. It is like he has to drive every day with the handbrake on.

However, Obama understands the need to smile, laugh and look at the bigger picture. In his 'Take Back America' speech in 2006, he told his audience that when he first got involved in politics, people would laugh at his name. They would call him "Alabama" and "Yo Mama." He regularly uses self-deprecation to belittle himself as the weaker parent in the Obama family. You must look for the humour in your life. It is one of your best friends when dealing with the stresses of chasing targets and servicing customers. You will always sell more when you are in a positive and cheerful mood. If humour works for Obama,it can work for you too. I discuss how you can develop your natural humour in the book.

Tomorrow, I will reveal the number one trait that leaders must learn from Obama.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square,Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (A Lesson for Marketers) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 22

2011-12-13T01:28:00.005-07:00

Hi,

I mentioned in a previous blog that speech writers only use a speaker’s words to write a speech. They never try to put words into a speaker’s mouth because it never works. It makes the speaker look and sound false and uncomfortable. Obama has a very engaging style, and much of this is achieved through the clarity and simplicity of his words.

Let us look at the words Obama used in 2004 when he spoke at the Democratic National Convention. He used words like “opportunity, dreams, generous, genius and precious.” Would you agree that these words are simple but very powerful? Great marketers study great speeches, so they can easily see the words that connect with people on both a logical and emotional level. Great speech writers also study great marketers!
Simple and powerful words can be transformed to an even higher power through various techniques, including repetition and alliteration. Obama loves to inject alliteration into his speeches just like John F. Kennedy did. Alliteration, or words that start with similar sounds, give bounce and colour to any speech. An example of alliteration is “don’t play politics with poverty.” Another example is “Shall we share a society of hope?” George W. Bush had his moments when he rewrote the dictionary, but his powerful and simple words after 9/11 lifted the spirit and resolve of the American people. He said, “These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.” In the book, I analyse the power of repetition, which includes a study of Martin Luther King’s, 'I have a dream speech'. I also show you other techniques to turbo charge your words for any speech you may give.

Simplicity is often derided, but it is essential to create rapport and understanding with any audience. Steve Jobs understood this when he created the iPod, iPhone and iPad. He also understood this when he presented and marketed every Apple product. Obama is now marketing himself for another term in the White House. There may be no "i" in "Yes We Can," but the same marketing philosophies for selling an Apple product will be used to sell a President in 2012.

Tomorrow, I will reveal what sales people can learn from Obama.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (Churchill's lesson for modern speakers) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 21

2011-12-12T09:47:00.005-07:00

Hi,

When I am asked who was Britain’s greatest ever speaker; I reply with the name, Winston Churchill. Before I explain why, let us look at the average speech given by a busy executive or politician. Many executives or politicians feel stressed before they give a speech. They may be nervous, have other work on their minds or they may be ill prepared. Many of them fail to put enough importance into their speech, and in doing so, lose their audience’s trust, support and understanding. It’s never good for them or for their business or the people they serve.

Was Churchill born a great speaker? The answer is no. Churchill’s early speeches were weak and unstructured, but he quickly learned from the greatest ever leaders. He discovered that Abraham Lincoln memorised Shakespeare and the King James version of the bible. Lincoln studied these works to discover words that were both majestic and easily understood. Churchill did the same, and he added colour by improving his vocal delivery. It was his Irish American friend Bourke Cochran, who taught him how to use his voice like a musical instrument.

Many speakers fail to understand the brilliance of Churchill’s words. They claim his rhetoric was too dramatic and poetic. They sadly miss the greatest lesson from Churchill’s speeches. His majestic words matched the mood and mentality of a nation that craved hope because hope was all it really had. Churchill turned hope into possibility and possibility into victory. He never hid the danger Britain was in during World War 2, but he used the danger to inspire togetherness and a backs to the wall victory. Churchill was a magical speaker because his words were free from the synthetics of many off-the-shelf speeches. The former Bricklayer, Painter and Nobel Prize-winning author understood that a great speech required careful construction and attention to detail in both its colour and its words. Speakers of today should learn from his words, and adapt his techniques for a modern audience.

The Churchill speeches of May and June 1940 will never be forgotten. Even listening to them today puts the greatest motivational speakers in the bottom half of the speakers’ league. Churchill’s speeches prove that his thoughts were far more precise, proactive and positive than many other leaders. Can Obama learn from Churchill? I promise to reveal that in the book.

Tomorrow, I will reveal what marketers can learn from Obama.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square,Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (Obama and Lionel Richie) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 20

2011-12-11T04:09:00.006-07:00

Hi,

I have been very lucky to have had the pleasure of interviewing some of the world’s biggest stars. One of the most down to earth stars I ever met was Lionel Richie. His enthusiasm, concern for other people and love of his profession was evident in every word he spoke. I was intrigued about a line from his worldwide hit 'Hello', and I asked him how he wrote the words “I’ve been alone with you inside my mind.” Richie's response was an honest “I don’t know. It just happened.” When I created the chapters’ layout for my Obama book, it just happened too.

As I planned my book, I stared at the name Obama on my computer screen. The O was the biggest letter, and two words popped into my mind. Orange because it is my favourite fruit and Organisation because I know it is fundamental to all success. Suddenly, every other letter in Obama linked to what I was about to write. This is the Chapter 1-5 list.

O is for organisation to cover planning, research, writing, arrangement of words, storytelling and more.

B is for Body language. This includes confidence, movement, the effects of the body on vocal delivery and more.

A is for Accuracy of information so you appear credible and trustworthy. This includes checking the facts and avoiding any confusion.

M is for Memorable so people will never forget your message. This covers adding some glitter to your speech, including the ways you can use humour and other ways to create an unbreakable bond with your audience. It also includes the art of message reinforcement and more.

A is for Action because your words should inspire, motivate or lead people to improve themselves and the world.

My goal was to make the art of speaking in public as enjoyable and interesting as possible. Like a Lionel Richie hit song, I wanted it to be simple yet powerful. Next time you have to deliver a speech, you just have to think about the Obama guide to create a successful connection with your audience.

Tomorrow, I will reveal my favourite British speaker of all time.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (Rory Mcllroy and Barry White) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 19

2011-12-10T09:23:00.005-07:00

Hi,

Please allow me to explain why I used the phrase “and change your world” in the title of the book. The world changes for the better when a person's words inspires and motivates other people to do great things. Our words can have a powerful and positive impact in our social, personal and business lives. I would like to share with you three moments where words created a positive ripple effect in the world.

In April, 2001, a young golfer from called Rory Mcllroy lost the Masters on the final day. His dejection turned to hope after a conversation with the legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus. Nicklaus’s words of advice injected calmness and confidence into the mind and heart of the future champion. When Nicklaus told Mcllroy, “I’m expecting big things of you” he knew at that moment he was helping create a golf hero. In June 2011, the young golfer won the US Open. Nicklaus’s words helped Mcllroy unleash a determination to create a victory that brought happiness to golf fans around the world.

In 1960, a young gang leader sat in his Los Angeles prison cell pondering his future. He heard a song on the warden’s radio and it changed his life in a moment. When Elvis Presley sung ‘It’s Now Or Never’ a young Barry White let the words of the King of music pierce his heart. White decided that it was time to fulfil his true destiny and let his music bring joy to the world.

When I heard Barack Obama’s speech 'Yes We Can', I was moved to write my iTunes No.1 book, ‘The World’s Greatest Sales Lesson’. The speech turned despair into hope and anger into peace. It created the template for success through skill and consistency. I still receive messages from people worldwide who tell me how it changed their lives in business and in social occasions. I am pleased, but I wonder if I would have written it, had I not heard Obama’s speech.

So when I say ‘and change your world’, I hope you can use your words to get that job you want, achieve that promotion you crave , promote that charity you love or motivate and lead people to achieve things they never thought were possible.

Tomorrow, I will reveal the moment I decided to use the letters of Obama to create the chapters in the book.

On Monday, I will reveal my favourite British speaker of all time.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square,Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (US Vice President emails me) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 18

2011-12-09T04:25:00.008-07:00

Hi,

When I opened my emails last week, I noticed a message from Joe Biden. I wondered if it really was the US Vice President emailing me. My mind flashed with a few possibilities. I wondered if he had heard the audio version of my Obama book or if he had a read a preview edition of the text version. I wondered if he liked or disliked the book.

The email, started with a pleasant hello and an eye catching statement. Joe said, “I need to ask you something.” As I continued to read, I knew that Joe really needed my help and that he valued my opinion and expertise. He urged me to stop doing what I was doing and to support the 2012 campaign.

Then I noticed the number one word on Joe’s mind. It started with a D and it wasn’t Darren. Joe wanted me to donate to the cause. He told me that Barack Obama and he were just two guys, and I had all the power to decide the election. Joe told me that donating was incredible if I decided to do it. I thought it couldn't be any more incredible than his online marketing.

Then he kindly gave me an online link to donate. My book is a book on public speaking and not on political allegiance so I emailed Joe my response. I also praised the smiles he has given the world with his legendary bloopers. He will see them in the text version of the book. Joe is the man who once called JOBS a three letter word and renamed his President as Barack America. Many of his other bloopers will certainly put a smile on your face.

Tomorrow, I will reveal why I featured the phrase ‘and change your world’ in the title.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square,Leeds,LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (Steve Jobs- Apple) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 17

2011-12-08T06:17:00.007-07:00

Hi,

I would like to share an insight into the talent of the sadly departed Apple founder Steve Jobs. He was a great speaker and presenter for many reasons. Please let me explain one of those reasons.

Jobs always looked natural and comfortable on stage because he practiced for many hours. An average speaker or presenter is either unskilled or wings it, but Jobs rehearsed to win it. He had charisma, but he also had polish. Like Obama, he learned these skills because he knew that nobody is born with this talent. Jobs was primarily concerned with how his customers processed and remembered his information because this was the necessary skill required to excite them and lead them to action. This attention to detail required planning and rehearsal. Like his friend, Ross Perot, Jobs adopted Winston Churchill’s attitude that preparation pays off.

On 1 March 1955, the year that Jobs was born, Winston Churchill gave his last speech to the British Parliament. His private secretary, Grace Hamblin said that Churchill, in his 81st year, spent 20 hours preparing the speech. Churchill chose his words, anticipated reactions, and created a message that resonated. Churchill understood that success requires passion and preparation, and never happens by accident. Jobs adopted the same philosophy and Obama lives by this rule too.

Tomorrow, I will share with you the email I received from the White House, signed by US Vice President Joe Biden.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds,LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (Obama's Media Relations Skills) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 16

2011-12-07T05:29:00.005-07:00

In today’s business world, leaders face fierce scrutiny for every big decision they make. Sometimes they have to defend themselves against a trial by media. In February 2011, Obama sat opposite America’s toughest News Anchor, Bill O’Reilly and gave a lesson to CEO’s on how to conduct an interview about serious issues while under pressure. The Irish American News Anchor is the most popular star on FOX News TV in the USA. You could forgive Obama for shying away, but he received the plaudits for handling the interview with grace, intelligence and controlled emotion. Obama gave a lesson in how to handle a direct and provocative approach from an argumentative Anchor.

O Reilly started off with a thank you to the President for the Government's protection of some journalists in Cairo. The niceties ended quickly, and O’Reilly launched into a series of statements, posed as questions, regarding President Mubarak in Egypt. The aim of this style of interview was to force Obama to accept O'Reilly's views as fact and to try to override his time to think clearly and cleverly. Obama was too intelligent for that, and he managed to frame his answers to suit his opinions and not O’Reilly’s opinions. Obama called the Anchor "Bill" despite O’Reilly having previously launched various attacks on Obama's performance as US President. In doing this, Obama demonstrated an ability to dismiss previous verbal bashings so he could concentrate on creating a connection to disarm O’Reilly.
O Reilly continued to challenge Obama this way, with questions about healthcare reform, but he failed to cut through Obama’s calm. O'Reilly upped the ante by trying to have the last word, and he refused to allow Obama to finish his answers. Obama remained in control, and his body language was comfortable whereas O’Reilly’s body language was tense throughout the interview because he failed to puncture Obama's cocoon of composure.

Obama won against a bullish O'Reilly because he didn’t allow the Anchor’s energy and style of questioning to dictate his thoughts. He was confident, he communicated with clarity, and he displayed a respect for O’Reilly that was not returned. Obama looked and sounded like a great leader should.

Tomorrow, I will reveal the lesson that great speakers must learn from Steve Jobs career.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (JFK and Super Confidence) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 15

2011-12-06T00:55:00.009-07:00

Hi,

I would like to share two of the many heart-stopping moments I had when I wrote the book. My research took me to places I never imagined. The first was the discovery that JFK was given the last rights in 1947, 1951 and 1954. He kept his illnesses a secret because he didn’t want pity from anyone. It is said that these events caused him to appreciate life more than most. JFK embraced every day like it was his last. He connected and communicated with people on an almost spirit to spirit level. This ethos helped him understand the need for honesty after the Bay of Pigs fiasco. His speech led to a jump in the polls for his presidency. Communication with other human beings is one the greatest gifts we have. I’m not talking about a text or an email or a Facebook posting. I’m talking about a face-to-face connection. I believe no virtual connection will ever replace that. Obama shares many traits and skills with JFK, and I hope you enjoy discovering them in the book.

Another heart-stopping moment was my discovery that great speakers really do understand that super confidence is the key to everything. Please don’t confuse confidence with arrogance. I’m talking about a confidence that allows a person to be humble, respectful, grateful and generous. Confidence is a bit like love. The more you have, the more you can give away. Great leaders and great team players have super confidence. Nelson Mandela is an excellent example of this. That is why I feature his, 'I am the first accused' speech from the dock in 1964 and his inaugural speech 30 years later. I also discuss how you can build your confidence in the book.

Tomorrow, I will offer an Obama, Media Relations lesson for Leaders everywhere.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (The Irish Influence) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 14

2011-12-05T02:08:00.006-07:00

Hi,

Daniel O'Connell was an Irish nationalist leader of the early nineteenth century. O'Connell Street, Dublin's main thoroughfare was named after him in 1924. O’Connell’s statue stands at the lower end of the street, facing the River Liffey. He was born in 1775 in County Kerry and was elected to the British parliament in 1828. O'Connell refused to take the Oath of Allegiance to the English crown and with the backing of 6 million followers, he won the right for Catholics to vote in 1829.

In 1845, he befriended an African-American slave called Frederick Douglass. Douglass, concerned that his former American owners might try to seek to recover him as their property travelled to Ireland where, slavery was illegal. His reception in Ireland brought him great happiness. He said, “I gaze around in vain for one who will question my equal humanity, claim me as his slave, or offer me an insult. I employ a cab - I am seated beside white people - I reach the hotel - I enter the same door - I am shown into the same parlour - I dine at the same table - and no one is offended... When I go to church, I am met by no upturned nose and scornful lip to tell me.”

Douglass was greatly influenced by O’Connell’s beliefs and his wonderful speaking skills. He said this of the Irishman, “His eloquence came down upon the vast assembly like a summer thunder-shower upon a dusty road. He could stir the multitude, at will, to a tempest of wrath, or reduce it to the silence with which a mother leaves the cradle side of her sleeping babe. Such tenderness – such pathos – such world-embracing love! ” Frederick Douglass is greatly admired by Obama and through his study of Douglass, Obama discovered O’Connell. Obama has acknowledged the inspiration O’Connell offered him, and he has highlighted how O'Connell's example that change can come from discussion is a lesson for everyone.

The Irishman’s belief in non-violent passive resistance also provided the template for change that inspired Gandhi and Martin Luther King.

Tomorrow, I will tell you about some heart-stopping moments I had when I wrote the book.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square,Leeds,LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (Your Body Language) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 13

2011-12-04T00:27:00.007-07:00

Hi,

‘How To Give a Better Speech Than Obama and change your world’ is divided into seven chapters.

A Note from Darren
Chapter 1. Organisation
Chapter 2. Body Language
Chapter 3. Accuracy (of information)
Chapter 4. Memorable
Chapter 5. Action (includes Obama and me)
Chapter 6. Better Than Obama
Chapter 7. Hidden Bonus (available in the text version)

If you asked me what the most important chapter in the book is, I would say Chapter 2, Body Language. Why?

Can you please think about a great conversation you had recently with a friend? Try to remember their body language. Were they animated? How enthusiastic were they? How sincere was the exchange?

Dr. Albert Mehrabian said our communication is judged in three ways. He said 55 per cent of our communication is our body language; 38 per cent is how we say something, and 7 per cent is the words we use. So if we take the famous Dr’s advice, Chapter 2 is the most important chapter in the book.

When you think that Charlie Chaplain was funny without saying a word, it backs up Mehrabian’s studies that your expressions, gestures and movements are more important than your words.

On Monday, I will reveal the Irish man who inspired Obama to become a great speaker.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square, Leeds,LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (No room for Bill Clinton) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 12

2011-12-03T03:05:00.006-07:00

Hi,

It is a tragedy that Bill Clinton’s presidency was tainted by the Monica Lewinsky scandal. As a result, some people forget his good work as President and some diminish his current worldwide charity work. A friend of mine worked with Clinton and told me this story. My friend sat beside Clinton during a dinner for over thirty people in New York. When the main course was finished Clinton skipped dessert to greet each member of the delegation. He enquired about their well-being and the lives they lead. My friend told me that his team of delegates were impressed by Clinton's genuine concern. I asked my friend if it was a genuine concern or just a politician’s act. He said, “Darren, the bloke loves people, and he really cares.”

This book is a book on public speaking, and I can only judge Clinton on that. There is no doubting Clinton’s charisma and his ability to make people feel special. However, if your audience doubts your words, they will never take you truly to their hearts.

When Clinton answered allegations over the Lewinsky affair, he looked into the camera and denied anything happened. People believed him. When he later relied on the legal side of his statement to varnish over the truth, he lost the trust of everybody. It is sad that people will always wonder whether he will hide behind legal jargon or communicate with openness. That is why Clinton does not feature in the book.

Tomorrow, I will reveal the most important chapter in the book.

On Monday, I will reveal the Irish man who inspired Obama to become a great speaker.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!

Take care,

Darren.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square,Leeds,LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (Betty Ford) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 11

2011-12-02T03:48:00.007-07:00

Hi,

A journalist asked me last week why I paid respect to two First Ladies in the book. Please let me refer to one of the ladies.

Betty Ford was the wife of Gerald Ford, who was US President after Richard Nixon resigned. She was articulate and clever and loved for her honesty. When Betty Ford told the world about her pain of breast cancer and her challenge of dealing with it, the world stopped to applaud, respect and support her. Her use of the words breast and cancer has undoubtedly saved many women’s lives around the world.

Breast cancer was considered a taboo subject and a terrible secret until brave Betty Ford told women it’s ok to cry and seek support. When she spoke about her diagnosis and treatment and the subsequent mastectomy, she offered women in pain a voice.

Years later Betty Ford told the world about her addiction to prescription pills and alcohol. Her husband Gerald quit drinking alcohol to support her, and the world offered her support too. She stepped up her fundraising efforts, and she used her own pain to create the non-profit Betty Ford Center in 1982 with Leonard Firestone. The Center is an Alcohol Addiction and Drug Addiction Treatment hospital located in California. The Center’s aim is to support people who suffer from the pain of addiction and to offer support for their despairing families.

Betty Ford showed the world that honesty and self-deprecation endear any speaker to any audience.

Tomorrow, I will reveal why Bill Clinton did not make it into the book.

On Sunday, I will reveal the most important chapter in the book.

On Monday, I will reveal the Irish man who inspired Obama to become a great speaker.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square,Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (The Speech Writer) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 10

2011-12-01T01:04:00.009-07:00

Hi,

Behind every great speech is a great speech writer. Obama has Jon Favreau; JFK had Ted Sorenson, and the world’s most successful ever CEO; Jack Welch had Bill Lane. You may think that is cheating, but even Barry Manilow didn’t write the song 'I write the songs'.

Jon Favreau is the Director of Speechwriting for Obama. He worked for John Kerry’s Presidential campaign in 2004 and rose to the position of Deputy Speechwriter. He became friends with Obama, and Obama once referred to him as his “mind reader.” That is exactly what a great speech writer must be. Favreau understands Obama’s thoughts, and he conveys those thoughts in words that Obama normally speaks. Off-the-shelf speeches never work because they don’t represent the soul of the speech giver. Favreau’s work with Habitat for Humanity and other civic duties showed Obama that they shared a common bond and understanding of what makes a better community and a better world. Obama and Favreau make a terrific team.

Tomorrow, I will reveal why I wrote about the former First Lady, Betty Ford in this book.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square,Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (Recording the audio book) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 9

2011-11-30T00:45:00.008-07:00

Hi,

Please let me explain what it was like to record the audio version of the book. I will briefly describe the preparation and the execution of the project. This was the most enjoyable part of the process for me.

I adhered to three strict rules.

• Plenty of sleep the night before the recording
• No dairy products to avoid mucus build-up in the throat
• Plenty of blueberry tea on standby

I arrived at the studio at 11am so I could start recording at 12pm. I met my producer Cain to run through the order of the book. His job was to make sure all the sound levels were correct. He also read a copy of the book while I recorded it to make sure I didn’t miss anything. The studio is exactly like a studio you see when Take That or Michael Buble record their music.

I recorded my piece in a room that was separate from the control room that Cain sat in, and we communicated via a talk back system. The recording took three hours. This included breaks and pauses to listen back to the audio. The final edit of the book was one hour and 44 minutes long.

When I finished the recording, I left the book alone for a week so that when I heard it again, it was with a fresh set of ears. If I listened to it immediately after the recording, I knew I would have been too close to it to hear it as a listener would hear it. Then I had the task of choosing the music for the intro and outro for the book. This was not an easy task. I listened to around 700 pieces of 30 seconds music to find the one that set the mood for the book. For this book, I wanted a piece of music that had some bounce and presence but wasn’t too loud or overbearing.

When the book was finalised, I left it alone for another week, and then I listened to it on my iPod, on the CD player in my car and on my stereo at home.

A day after my final listen to the book, I finally called my publisher and said the words that feel strange to every author. I told him "It's done."

Tomorrow, I will take you inside the mind of Obama’s speech writer Jon Favreau.

Take care,
Darren

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - will be available on iTunes and Amazon in December.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (Obama's regrets - I'll be brief)) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 8

2011-11-29T02:52:00.004-07:00

Hi,

In the preface to the 2004 edition of Barack Obama’s book ‘Dreams From My Father’ he wrote about how he wished he had understood the art of brevity when he wrote the original version of the book. He admitted to poorly chosen words at times and badly created sentences. He also revealed that the book was 50 pages too long.

It’s refreshing to hear a legal expert admit to his mistakes in writing. I believe I have got the brevity bit right for the book, but I know that just like Obama, I will re-examine some sentences in years to come. I think it is only natural when you care about your work. Maybe I’m being too hard on myself just like Obama was!

Tomorrow, I will take you inside the studio and reveal what it's like to record the audio version of the book.

Take care,
Darren

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - will be available on iTunes and Amazon in December.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square,Leeds,LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (Writing the Book - Joy and Pain) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 7

2011-11-28T01:22:00.008-07:00

Hi,

I was asked recently about the hardest aspect of writing this book. The best way to explain it is by guiding you through the process of writing it. The Aha moment about Obama’s skills turned into an enjoyable series of recollections and discoveries. It was all very exciting until I finished writing the book.

The hardest part was the editing process, when I had to decide what to leave out. These are just some of the questions I asked myself.

• Does one speech make a point that another has already made?
• Have I given too many examples to make my point?
• Can I make my point with fewer words?

I think this way because I know that people lead busy lives, and my job is to fit my work into those lives. The world is full of books that are bought but never read or read but the information is never used. This is because the books are too long, or because they offer too much irrelevant information. That is why the editing process of all my books takes as long as the writing of them.

Tomorrow, I will reveal Obama’s thoughts on the subject I have just discussed.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - will be available on iTunes and Amazon in December.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square,Leeds,LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (Ronald Reagan) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 6

2011-11-27T01:47:00.011-07:00

Hi,

On January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger was launched with seven persons aboard.

The flight was launched at 11:38 a.m., but sadly, it exploded just 73 seconds later. The explosion killed all seven crew members.

President Ronald Reagan consoled the USA and the world with a remarkable speech from the Oval Office that evening. As Reagan prepared his speech, he realised that his words needed to provide condolence, gratitude, respect, comfort and strength. He recalled a time when the actor Tyrone Power recited a poem at a party he attended. The poem was called 'High Flight' and was written by a former pilot called John Magee. In his speech that evening, Reagan borrowed words from the poem including 'touch the face of God'.

I wrote about Reagan in the book for a few reasons, but please let me make one point here. Reagan's first thought was about what he needed to achieve in his speech. Once he knew that, he accessed every part of his memory to pull out the best words to support and comfort his audience. We all have moments in our lives that we can use as the perfect inspiration when we need it. Tyrone Power recited the poem to Reagan at the party because he loved it so much. Power was not just a hero on the big screen. He was a Marine pilot who served in the Pacific during World War 2. Reagan remembered Power's passion for the 'High Flight' poem, and he knew he had the perfect words when he spoke to the USA and the world in January, 1986.

In tomorrow's blog, I'd like to tell you the hardest thing I encountered when I wrote the book.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - will be available on iTunes and Amazon in December.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square,Leeds,LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (Dad's Secret) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 5

2011-11-26T12:12:00.011-07:00

Hi,

It was March, 2006 when I discovered the secret my dad had hidden from me all my life. It was two weeks before he passed away from cancer, and he felt that the time had come for him to tell me about one of his struggles in life.

My dad's weight had dropped dramatically in the previous few weeks as his illness took a greater hold over him. Despite the pain and his physical transformation, his mind and spirit were as strong as ever. He put his teacup to rest on the kitchen table and he reached into the inside pocket of the jacket he was wearing. As my dad held a white envelope in my direction, I noticed a tear in each of his beautiful eyes. The tears were tears of pride.

My dad asked me to open the envelope immediately, and I obliged by tearing at the edges. The content of the letter completely startled me, but it also made me very proud. His words told me that when his own dad died, he developed a stammer that hurt his confidence to communicate. His words also told me about why he had to leave school before he was a teenager to earn money for his family. He admitted in the final paragraph that this was the first letter he had ever written because he had never learned to read and write until recently. It was only when he discovered that he had cancer that he decided to learn how to read and write. It was his final goal in life, and this private letter to me was his proof that he had succeeded.

My dad always seemed to be a very articulate person who was known to advise local politicians and business leaders in Dublin on how to communicate. He was a great people person and an amazing listener. He could take a difficult subject and simplify it. He could take a boring piece of information and make it interesting. He could take a tense situation and fill it with calmness. He could respond to injustice with reason. I looked into his eyes, and I asked him how he always knew so much. He said it was because he listened and asked questions all the time. He said it was because he listened to great minds and good people.

So why did my dad not ask for help with his reading and writing earlier? One answer is time and perhaps money, but maybe the real answer is the embarrassment he felt. Maybe he didn’t want to admit to those he loved that he had a problem, and it was easier to delegate all the paperwork he encountered.

There are many people with a similar problem to what my dad had. They may be able to read and write, but they suffer from a verbal communication problem. Their confidence and skill to communicate constantly hold them back. They lose out on promotions. They fail to promote their business, or they work ineffectively in teams because of their poor communication skills. They may have amazing business skills, but they fear presenting or speaking in public. They may have a valid point to make at a meeting but poor confidence glues them to their seat. They may be the best person for a promotion, but they slip and stumble in the heat of an interview. Not everybody is willing to admit they have a problem. 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' was written and recorded with these people in mind.

This is the fuel that drove my passion to write this book and the fuel that energised me during the rewriting stage. I see people suffer in a similar way to my dad, and I want to help them. That is why I devote my life to helping people in business all over the world to improve their speeches, presentations, customer service and sales skills. That is why my dad gets a special mention in the book.

Tomorrow, I promise to reveal a Ronald Reagan secret. It will help you develop a trait that Reagan used to gain the title, ‘The Great Communicator'.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - will be available on iTunes and Amazon in December.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds,LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (My favourite speaker apart from Dad) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 4

2011-11-25T01:02:00.010-07:00

Hi,

At the very end of the book, I pay tribute to my favourite speaker of all time. I explain why I rate the person so highly, and I justify their talent. If I told you the person's name it may ruin the end of the book.

My second favourite speaker of all time gets a mention too. My Dad advised politicians and leaders on how to relate to the average person. He saw how bright they were as people but also how frustrated they felt when it came to connecting with people. My Dad would always say that the meaning of any communication is the genuine response it achieves. He would also say that it's not what you say that's important. It's what's understood, accepted and acted upon that is important? My Dad had a way of saying something in a few words that took other people a lot longer.

However, my Dad kept a communication secret from me and others that he did not reveal to anybody until two weeks before he passed away in 2006. I will blog again tomorrow and tell you the full story of his communication secret.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - will be available on iTunes and Amazon in December.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (Who could Obama learn from?) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 3

2011-11-24T10:17:00.008-07:00

Hi,

This is how I planned to help you give a better speech than Obama.I decided to go beneath the skin and soul of Obama's skills to show you how he creates and delivers his great speeches. To take you past Obama, I decided to offer the same insight into the speakers whom even Obama could learn from. Those speakers are Ronald Reagan, Martin Luther King, Benazir Bhutto, JFK, Winston Churchill, Ireland's greatest speaker, Daniel O'Connell and more.

I also pay tribute to my two favourite speakers of all time. I will reveal one of those speakers tomorrow. I promise!

Take care,

Darren.

PS: PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - will be available on iTunes and Amazon in December.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (Why I wrote the book) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 2

2011-11-23T12:42:00.011-07:00

Hi,

I was sitting in a cafe with two of my best friends when one of them asked me about my biggest fear. I found it hard to whittle my biggest fears down to one but my friend could easily identify his. He told me he was petrified at the thought of speaking in public. He knew it held him back in his job and strangled his confidence, but he just couldn't master it.

When I told him that anyone can do it, he disagreed. I decided to prove to my friends that great communicators are not born that way. I decided to show them a process of great speaking, as if they had one of the worlds greatest speakers beside them. They laughed when I mentioned Barack Obama but that just made me want to encourage them to learn even more.

So here is the books' layout. I have divided the letters of Obama to make it easy for them and you to remember.

O is for Organisation.
B is for Body Language.
A is for Accuracy of information.
M is for how to be Memorable.
A is for moving people to Action.

Are you thinking " But how can you make them better than Obama?" I promise to answer that question tomorrow.

Take care,

Darren

PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - will be available on iTunes and Amazon in December.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (Intro) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog- Day 1

2011-11-22T14:19:00.006-07:00

Hi,

My latest book 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' will be released in December. I plan to write a blog for the next thirty days to explain why and how I wrote the book.

I will also reveal why I decided to write some very personal things in the book and how I discovered the secrets of Obama's masterful way of communicating. I hope you like it. I will cover my reasons for writing the book tomorrow.

Take care,

Darren.

PS: PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - will be available on iTunes and Amazon in December.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY

SECRETS OF A RICH MONEY MIND - Darren Kelly - Kellcomm

2011-09-17T06:27:00.006-06:00

Can I say a deep and thoughtful thank you to everybody who bought Secrets of a Rich Money Mind. I know that just because I spend hundreds of hours putting my thoughts on paper it doesn't entitle me to success.

When I was told the book reached number 60 on the iTunes chart in the USA, I had to take a deep breath. The countrys population is over 300 million, and I know I am only a newbie to them.

The book is a journey through success from a spiritual, financial and emotional level.

My greatest wish is for you to take one golden nugget and use it to create or strengthen your own version of success.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

SECRETS OF A RICH MONEY MIND

2011-08-23T07:08:00.001-06:00

Bestselling Author Darren Kelly puts you on the expressway to real success. Kelly explodes the myth that riches are for the privileged and shows how you can create success that is emotionally, spiritually and financially rewarding. You will discover 60 Eureka moments from people who understand what being rich and happy is all about. Each person earns between £100,000 and £5 million a year. With this remarkable and inspiring book, you can gain control of your financial future through the skill of your own RICH MONEY MIND.
Kelly also includes for the very first time in audio, his highly acclaimed stories, THE RICH MAN AND THE PENNY and WHAT HAPPENED TO THE POOR MAN? Kelly deliberately integrates all the fundamentals of inner and outer success – making this book great value to any individual or organisation.

Release Sept 2011

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square,Leeds,LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

SECRETS OF A RICH MONEY MIND - by Darren Kelly

2011-07-13T15:56:00.017-06:00

A Note from Darren
(taken from the upcoming release, SECRETS OF A RICH MONEY MIND)

Welcome to SECRETS OF A RICH MONEY MIND. My fellow Irishman, the literary critic and socialist spokesperson of the 20th century, George Bernard Shaw once wrote that it is “the duty of every person to be rich.” This may sound strange coming from a Nobel Prize winner, who refused to accept the prize money on offer. When Shaw used the word ‘rich’, I believe that he was using the word in relation to spiritual, intellectual and financial mastery. He was saying that true happiness and prosperity only come after you achieve success in these three areas. Shaw was stressing that life does not offer us a choice to improve ourselves when it suits us, but presents us with a duty to continually improve ourselves for the advancement of society and self.

Shaw’s dad was an alcoholic who couldn’t afford to pay for his son’s university education. The self-taught Shaw wrote five novels which were all failures, but he believed in the law of sowing and reaping and he eventually secured a job writing for a newspaper. His later writing success included creating the famous character Eliza Doolittle, played by Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady. Shaw encouraged personal responsibility and he refused to believe that luck was an ingredient for success. John F. Kennedy famously quoted Shaw on a visit to Ireland. He said “You see things; and you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say, 'Why not?'” It was obvious that Shaw understood the Secrets of a Rich Money Mind.

A Rich Money Mind begins with rich thoughts, and those rich thoughts can help you attract all the happiness and prosperity you want. When those rich thoughts and prosperity are mixed with love, charity, respect and honour you develop what is truly a Rich Money Mind.

I wrote SECRETS OF A RICH MONEY MIND for three reasons. The first reason was to help you become more alert and receptive to the wonderful opportunities that exist for the fulfilment of your biggest dreams. Please remember that just because you may not see a more prosperous future right now does not mean you cannot achieve one. I urge you to suspend thinking about your past failures, hurts, negative thoughts, disappointments and fears and to understand that your senses will be positively opened through the power of this book.
The second reason I wrote this book was to help you swap weak excuses for powerful expectations, and help make your journey to success one of satisfaction instead of what may seem either a painful sacrifice or one of unrelenting boredom. Haven’t we all have met people who gain success in their careers but are deeply troubled and sad in their personal lives? Haven’t we all met other people who are extremely happy in their personal lives but feel unfulfilled in their careers? Many of these people lack contentment because they have not discovered the Secrets of a Rich Money Mind.

The third reason for my writing is to dispel the myth that money solves all problems. Some people dream of a lotto win to solve their most pressing issues. When their numbers come up, they embark on a spending spree that gives them even greater problems. Their main issue was never a lack of money, but a failure to develop the financial intelligence of a Rich Money Mind.

This book offers you exclusive access to the minds of 60 very successful people who I respect and admire and whose friendships I cherish. Each one earns between £100,000 and £5 million a year. They come from different faiths and four of them are non-believers. What they do have in common is that they donate 10% of their income to charity. They also share a deep belief that they have a duty to make this world a better place. They are exceptional people and I am proud to feature them in this book. Their enlightening and uplifting stories will serve you well as a guide in many situations in your life. Their wishes and mine are that you share the wisdom in this book with everybody you meet.

Some people believe it is rude to talk about prosperity. This attitude causes many problems in their communication and their success. They utter words of condemnation about adverse interest rates, gas bills, direct debits, car and home insurance premiums and sports stars salaries, but they never have a good word to say about the joy of earning money or the good it can do. They find themselves trapped between the critical ‘root of all evil’ line of thought and the necessary evil one that says ‘money makes the world go round.’ Wouldn’t you agree that it is very hard to attract anything into your life if your relationship with it is predominantly negative? The same is true with money.

Some people have developed a habit of believing that all rich people are superficial and lack the spirituality to live a fulfilling life. This is just not so. I know a woman who worked hard to set up a business that produces a turnover of around £20 million each year. She drives a big car and lives in a beautiful house on four acres of land. Some people begrudge her this lifestyle. It is a pity that they fail to acknowledge that she employs 80 people, she gives frequently to local charities, and she supports local education causes. Her passion and ethics inspire young women in her community to believe that they too can achieve their own versions of success.
Money has never received the accolades it deserves because too often it’s associated with some form of criminal act, intentional deceit or individual arrogance. Money can never create ultimate happiness, but it does pay for weddings, nurseries, children’s clothes, houses, holidays, gas bills, school trips, petrol and many other things. Even departing from this world as you wish requires the help of money.

Secrets of a Rich Money Mind is designed to help you attract and retain money for your security and positive dreams. It includes daily Rich Money Mind Insights to turbo-charge your life and help you gain personal and business success consistently. It will provide you with the tools to create a positive, wealthy and creative mind-set which should be at the core of your success. I have interviewed, met with and personally coached millionaires of all backgrounds and creeds. Get ready to embark on a journey into the deepest thoughts of some of the greatest minds I have been privileged to teach and learn from.

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

The World's Greatest Sales Lesson - Darren Kelly (Kellcomm)

2011-06-10T12:19:00.010-06:00

Yes You Can ( from the iTunes No. 1 Bestselling book 'The World's Greatest Sales Lesson').

This book, while steeped in business and personal development, owes its original inspiration to a speech made in the USA on 8 January, 2008. Barack Obama had just conceded defeat to Senator Hillary Clinton in the New Hampshire Primary. His emotive words sounded like they belonged in a victory speech, and on closer examination, I discovered the ingredients of thought that helped rejuvenate himself and his followers. Obama’s noble obsession or passion for change was evident as he spoke about being stirred and prepared for the challenges to come. If this was how he reacted to defeat, I wondered with excitement how he could empower his followers in victory. He praised the unbreakable self-belief of his followers who voted in record numbers because they had faith in change. Obama’s campaign plan was revealed when he called on everybody to take the journey to somewhere new. His plan to garner Democratic support was also flexible enough to encourage some Republicans to share a vision of a better and a more united America.

Strong personal values are what separate those who achieve success and fulfillment, and those who just achieve success. It was evident that Obama’s race for the White House was bolstered by a deep morality to ignite a spark in everybody to be better in social and business environments. Health care, every child’s future and the genius of people in business and education received his support in his vision for change.

Obama’s tempo and tenor showed us that hi-energy has the ability to transform our lives and the lives of those around us. The basketball loving Senator had power in body and spirit as he varied his delivery from the embracement of legitimate fears to encouragement with hi-energy hope. He maintained his rapport with his followers through an invitation for them to join his challenge for change. This was new to his followers, and he knew that, so he played the role of mentor. The obstacles of negativity and fear were dissolved by his words of encouragement and guidance, and his constant use of the team word, we.

Finally, he took us into the minds of the slaves who consistently searched for freedom and the immigrants who embraced new challenges to begin a better life. This was Obama’s way of telling us that the journey is not easy, but it is definitely achievable if you do what’s required consistently.

Obama’s speech asked us to pause and ponder the possibilities despite the harsh climate of recession and despair. It encouraged me to write about the eight golden traits necessary for outstanding success in Sales? After all, Obama was selling a vision with integrity when he embraced his followers. I thought about the people in business who have displayed each trait, and I set out on a voyage to provide you with their wisdom and experience.

Like Obama’s speech, the words of this book will never change, but I hope that every time you read it, you will have changed in many positive ways. Please use it to inspire you and carry you when times are tough. Use it to stimulate fresh thought and encourage reminders of your abilities. Use it to spread optimism and enthusiasm. Use it to help you serve others better and help them serve you better. Use it to bring the financial, emotional and spiritual happiness you deserve.

When you have finished reading, I hope you will look in the mirror and say “Yes I Will” because you and I know “You Really Can.”

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

Number 1 Book gives British Business a World Class Sales Lesson.

2011-05-16T04:58:00.009-06:00

A sales and personal skills development book has stormed to the top of the iTunes Business Chart. ‘The World’s Greatest Sales Lesson’ reveals the success secrets of the founders of some of the world’s most famous brands. The author is former Heart FM,Real Radio and Smooth Radio broadcaster, Darren Kelly, whose company Kellcomm is based in Leeds. The bestseller delves into the sales and inspirational secrets of eight of the most successful ever people in business. They include Apple's, Steve Jobs, Sony’s, Akio Morita, Estee Lauder and Nike’s, Phil Knight. As well as revealing the secrets of their success, Kelly also shows you how you can create their skills in a matter of moments.
Kelly says “Sometimes you can be too close to your career or business to notice what's going on right under your nose. You can end up searching everywhere for something you may already have. This book is about helping you to pause, ponder and partake in a simple process that can turbo charge your thinking for personal and business success.”
Kelly is not the first radio presenter to succeed in the area of personal and business motivation. Earl Nightingale, the founder of Nightingale Contant, a world leader in personal development and Les Brown, the world’s leading motivational speaker have also had successful stints on air. Kelly’s radio career included interviews with Grammy and Oscar winners like George Michael and Cher. He also studied with NLP co-founder Richard Bandler to become an NLP Practitioner. The book's purpose is to inspire people in their careers to look inside themselves and discover or rediscover the talents they need for their own personal success.
Kelly who now works as an author, speaker and trainer says “We are all salespeople. We all have to persuade, negotiate, inform and motivate other people every day. However, the first sale always starts with ourselves during our inner conversations and spreads out to our family, friends and the people we work with. Whether you are suffering a crisis of confidence in tough economic times, or you are looking for the key to your true skills, there is something for you in this book."
Kelly's debut book 'Love Your Customer Grow Your Business' hit number 2 on the iTunes business Chart in January.

The 'World’s Greatest Sales Lesson' is available in audio on iTunes and Amazon. Also available for Kindle, iPAD, etc. on Amazon.

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

The World's Greatest Sales Lesson - Darren Kelly, Kellcomm

2011-05-14T11:00:00.004-06:00

Would you like to discover the secrets of the World’s greatest sales people? These are the people who sold to themselves, sold to their partners, sold to their investors, and sold to a world that applauded. Darren Kelly reveals the personal success stories of the names behind Apple, Microsoft, McDonalds, Nike, The Trump Organisation, Wal-Mart, Sony and Estee Lauder. Kelly reveals the traits that set these people apart from the rest, and he shows you how you can develop each of these traits in a matter of moments. This unique book is essential if you want to raise your game, your sales and your income.

A sample from Chapter 4 - Strong Personal Values

Knight made his first sales of the new trainer from the back of his car at race meetings across Northwest USA. By 1969, his sales success allowed him to resign from his accountancy job, and he was now able to work full-time for Blue Ribbon Sports. The company started to grow, and a new name was suggested to fit with the plans for the brand. Nike is named after the Greek winged goddess of victory. Nike, the daughter of the giant Pallas was known by the Romans as Victoria, a name meaning victory. Knight revealed it was his friend Jeff Johnson, who suggested the name Nike for the company that was born in 1971. Other marketing costs were also kept low when a girl called Carolyn Davidson designed the famous swoosh logo for a paltry $35.

More samples soon.

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds

The World's Greatest Sales Lesson - Darren Kelly, Kellcomm

2011-03-30T08:53:00.012-06:00

Taken from 'The World's Greatest Sales Lesson'

A Note from Darren

Before we embark on an exciting journey into the minds of some of the world’s greatest ever salespeople, I’d like to share a few thoughts with you. I’m thrilled you are here because I know that you have the power to control your own destiny, just like the people you will read about. For over 20 years, I have studied some of the greatest salespeople in many different industries. These people sold visions, products and experiences that changed the world. On their journey to the top, they experienced many of the challenges you are faced with every day. The World’s Greatest Sales Lesson is a book about personal possibilities and limitless thinking, and its goal is to take you into the top five per cent of salespeople in your field. It is so unique because for the first time ever, you have access to eight of the most brilliant business minds, and you will discover how you can think, act and sell like them too. Their success was no accident, and was built on their understanding that Sales is the world’s greatest profession. When I say that Sales is the world’s greatest profession, do I mean it is a profession more valuable than a doctor, a teacher, a scientist, or a lawyer? Well, ask yourself these questions. How did the doctor get her surgical equipment? How did the teacher get her school? How did the scientist get his laboratory? How did the lawyer get her library?
Isn’t it true that somebody did some selling to help these professionals receive the essentials for their jobs? Isn’t it also true that the best people in each of these wonderful professions are great salespeople too? After all, making a sale is simply a transfer of value with logic and emotion, and don’t these industries require people who can persuade, inform and negotiate every day? Wouldn’t you agree that nothing happens in the world until a sale of some sort is made? The most successful people in any profession know they must develop their selling skills.
Some people pour scorn over the tough and sophisticated profession of selling, and I can partly understand why. They may have suffered a salesperson who didn’t listen effectively, who didn’t follow up on a promise, or who didn’t offer worthwhile solutions for their issues. They may have suffered a salesperson who didn’t try to understand them and their business, or one who made exaggerated claims. I can’t deny that like every other profession, there are lazy, deceitful and shoddy salespeople who operate out of line with the ethics of most. This book, however, separates the greatest salespeople from their less stellar counterparts, and puts the pride into the skill and level of care necessary for success in selling.

I am very excited to offer you an insight into the minds and selling secrets of the founders of eight of the world’s most famous brands. When you hear the names Apple, Microsoft, McDonald’s, Nike, Trump, Wal-Mart, Sony and Estee Lauder, you immediately think success. I have discovered what made their founders sell so successfully on a consistent basis, and I will reveal how you can model their success.
The eight great salespeople I have carefully selected for this book changed the world for the better. It’s true that you can pick faults with all of them, but anybody can do that. Have you ever seen a statue erected for a critic? These great salespeople have created jobs and satisfied their customers’ needs and wants, but what they have given the world most of all, is hope. They have provided future generations with a hope for what is possible. Their amazing traits allowed them to lead people to achieve more than they thought possible, and helped their customers enjoy a new level of excellence.
Who are the big names behind these big successes? The people in question are Steve Jobs of Apple, Bill Gates of Microsoft, Ray Kroc of McDonald’s, Phil Knight of Nike, Donald Trump, the original The Apprentice host, and owner of The Trump Organisation, Sam Walton of Wal-Mart, Akio Morita of Sony and the beauty queen, Estee Lauder. These great salespeople sold to themselves, sold to their people, sold to their investors, sold to their partners, and then they sold to the rest of the world.
So, what are the major traits that made these people very successful? These traits are a noble obsession, unbreakable self-belief, a flexible plan, strong personal values, hi-energy, rapport, a desire for knowledge and consistency. You are about to learn how the eighth success traits helped these people build companies that still thrive today. It is important to remember that these people were not born great salespeople. They were made, and you will soon discover how they learned these traits.
Sales is such an inspiring career where you get to meet and learn from other people. You make new friends, and you get to make their lives easier, better or more exciting. This creates a powerful reason to get passionate about every day. The emotional high of selling success comes from knowing your reward is not just financial, but you are making a real difference in the world. If you adopt the skills, secrets, techniques, and technologies in this book consistently, you will have a more fulfilling and rewarding career in Sales. It will help you connect with your customers in an intellectual and an emotional way that no other book has ever offered before.

Whether you are a Sales trainee, a star Sales rep, a Sales manager, or non-Sales type who needs help selling yourself, your ideas, or your products and services, then this book is for you. It is certainly not a standard book on selling because it goes beneath the skin of success in Sales. You may find yourself unlearning old selling techniques and learning new ways to engage your customers. You will develop true sales dialogue with yourself and the people who buy from you. It’s not just your sales that will increase, but the strength and length of your customers’ friendships. It’s about simple, easy-to-use tools that build inner beliefs and instant trust and credibility that can help you sell better than before.
I have also included some secret bonuses to help you understand these people even more. You will discover seven secrets of an Apple product launch, Warren Buffet’s thoughts on Bill Gates’ sales skills, the true power of Ronald McDonald, and how Nike sold their first trainers. I will also reveal what gives Donald Trump a head start over his rivals, the ten secrets of building audience rapport like Sam Walton, the secret of how Sony sold their pocket radio, and Estee Lauder’s favourite cold calling skill.
Please come with me now, as we look into the minds of eight of the world’s greatest ever salespeople, and discover how you can adopt their secrets, for your success.

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

Kellcomm- A lesson for CEO's from Obama

2011-02-08T03:01:00.012-07:00

On Sunday President Obama gave a lesson to CEO’s on how to conduct an interview about serious issues while under pressure. The pressure came from the tornado that is Bill O’Reilly. The Irish American News Anchor is the most popular star on FOX News TV in the USA. He is pro Republican and known for saying what he thinks about Obama's party The Democrats.

You could forgive Obama for shying away, but he receives the plaudits for handling the interview with grace, intelligence and controlled emotion.

O Reilly started off with a thank you to the President for the Government's protection of some journalists in Cairo. The niceties were now over and O’Reilly launched into a series of statements, posing as questions regarding President Mubarak in Egypt. The aim of this style of interview was to force Obama to accept O'Reilly's views as fact and try to override his time to think clearly and cleverly. Obama was too intelligent for that, and he managed to frame his answers to suit his opinion and not the hosts.

Obama called the host "Bill" despite O’Reilly having previously launched various attacks on Obama's performance as US President. Obama demonstrated an ability to dismiss previous verbal bashings so he could concentrate on creating a connection to disarm the host.

O Reilly continued to challenge the President this way with questions about healthcare reform. O'Reilly had to have the last word and refused to allow Obama to finish his answers. The President remained in control, and his body language was comfortable. O’Reilly’s body language was tense throughout the interview as he failed to puncture Obama's cocoon of composure.

Obama won against a bullish O'Reilly because he didn’t allow the host’s energy and style of questioning to dictate his thoughts. He was confident, communicated with clarity and displayed a respect for the host that was not returned.

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

Kellcomm - The World’s Most Beautiful Word

2011-01-21T07:03:00.003-07:00

The World’s Most Beautiful Word

“The supreme happiness in life is the conviction that we are loved” - Victor Hugo

Why is it that people use the word mate when speaking to a customer? Is it laziness? Is it habit? Is it carelessness? Is it fear of intimacy? Either way it does nothing to create or improve a relationship. Others words used are bud, lad, lass or luv. If you mean it the affectionate way, have you ever wondered that the person hearing it may think you are too lazy to remember their name?

For most people their name is not their badge but a symbol of love, which started when they were a baby. Their parents and family called them that name and mixed it up with cutchy, cutchy coos. The name is embedded with trust and loyalty and unconditional love. It is the name their best friends called them at school, and the name that was written on every birthday card they ever received. Now you come along and try to create an emotional relationship with a word that is so general it fails to cut through.
The greatest communicators in the world make a point of remembering people's names. Some will write down the name as soon as possible or others will ask the person to repeat it or ask a question about it. Is that Zach with a CH or a K?
If you still don’t believe how important a person’s name is you may want to read some more on the man Forbes Magazine valued at $2.8 Billion in 1985. This man made a point of remembering people’s names and using their name whenever he greeted them. This man was Sam Walton. He understood people and it was this ability that helped him create Wal-Mart, the owner of ASDA UK. Walton was known for his sincerity and deep understanding of human emotion.

Another issue you may face is the pronunciation of names.
Have you met a customer with a name foreign to you, and you were unable to say it correctly? The customer may not have been upset because they are used to it. However, wouldn’t you have stood out if you simply asked if they would mind if you enquired about their name. Try this. "I believe that your name is very special, and I don’t want to make a mistake when I say it. Would you please help me spell it phonetically so I don’t make an idiot of myself by saying it incorrectly"?

Which makes you look better in front of your customer, you saying it in error for the next 10 meetings or showing them respect from the start? This also has the added benefit of reducing your stress levels. Now every time you meet your customer you are not thinking “oh dear, how do you pronounce his or her name"?

Love Your Customer Challenge
List the fifteen most important people in your life? When you write their name down think about how saying their name makes you feel. If mentioning their name has an emotional effect on you, how do you think they feel about it?

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

Kellcomm. The King’s Speech and WHY success is not just about HOW TO.

2011-01-10T11:56:00.032-07:00

I sat in the Odeon cinema in Thornbury, Bradford on Saturday night when two tears left my eyes. I watched the struggle of a future King as he attempted to conquer a stammer, so he could speak in public. It reminded me of the communication fear I too once had. As a young executive in 1990 I soaked up the advice of a mentor of mine who said “banks of knowledge and expertise are wonderful, but they are wasted if you cannot articulate them to inspire people to a greater purpose than your own.”

Colin Firth's portrayal of King George VI shows us that all leaders and future leaders must be great communicators. The film demonstrates how the act of personal communication in written or oral form allows a leader to connect more effectively with his or her audience. That audience may comprise of subjects, voters, customers, staff, investors, suppliers or the media. Leaders may have different styles, personalities and methods, but they must be able to communicate on both an emotional and logical level.

The Oscar tipped film makes a powerful point about the journey to communication success. Nobody is born a great or poor communicator. Great communicators of the past and present like Obama, Martin Luther King, Cameron,Winfrey, Indra Nooyi (Pepsi) Jinnah, Nehru, Clinton and Yorkshires own Seb Coe were not born with the gift but improved and perfected their skills on a journey of training. I mentioned in my book ‘Love Your Customer, Grow Your Business’ that Winston Churchill learned his communication skills from an Irish American called Bourke Cochran. Churchill mentioned to the King that he too once had a problem with words. The audience in the Bradford cinema roared with laughter at the future King's practice routine. I did too. I thought that if a future King could “let himself go” to improve his communication skills, why do some leaders neglect this essential part of their job? Some reasons include arrogance, ignorance, laziness and fear. John F. Kennedy adopted the Kings' animated rehearsal before a live TV debate with Richard Nixon in 1960. We all know who looked more relaxed and engaging and who won the US Presidential race that year?

I have studied the World’s most successful people in business, politics, and media. I discovered the common trait among the most successful people in their field was/is their ability to communicate to motivate, inspire, guide and sometimes entertain. My shyness and lack of communication skills in 1990 were transformed through dedication to practice and the guidance of some of the best mentors in business and media. I later enjoyed a media career broadcasting to radio audiences of nearly a million people and live audiences ranging from 10 people to over 100,000 people. The King's journey reminded me of my own learning curve, and prompted the water in my eyes. I now enjoy working with an exceptional team as we share our expertise with some of the brightest business minds in The UK and Ireland.

The biggest lesson the film offers, however, is not HOW the King succeeded in conquering his impediment but WHY he succeeded. It is the WHY that gave him the fuel to do the HOW TO. Isn’t it true that when we give ourselves a big enough WHY that the challenges of HOW TO don’t seem as big? It was only when the future King knew he would have to wear the crown that he really focused and applied himself with zeal to learn how to give his speech. This gave him the strength to deal with disappointments and setbacks and allowed him to focus like a laser on his goal. A big WHY in business and in life prevents people attempting things half- heartedly or giving up too easily. A big WHY inspires success.

Kellcomm's WHY is that we want to put ourselves in a space where we can help people communicate with ethical influence with themselves, their family and friends and the people they meet in business to ensure maximum success. The Kellcomm techniques are so far advanced from those of the King's tutor, but we share one thing. We have the same absolute passion to help our clients succeed.

What is your WHY that fuels your HOW TO?

I wish you a fantastic week in business and in your personal life.

Warmest regards,

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

Kellcomm and Richard Branson

2011-01-06T04:02:00.008-07:00

When my publisher called to say 'Love Your Customer, Grow Your Business' was ahead of Sir Richard Branson's books on the iTunes Business Chart, I admit my heart sank. I was number 2 on the Best Sellers Chart. Sir Richard Branson has been a major source of inspiration for me. I remember his story 'Losing My Virginity'. He spoke about falling down on the sofa in tears when he felt things were not going to work out as planned.

While I didn't have tears, I will admit to some challenges in writing the book. The research, analysis and self discovery were enlightening and extremely enjoyable but the editing was very tough work.

I wanted to create something that would have a positive impact and not just be a purchase that ended up being listened to once. This meant I had to be harsh on myself to achieve my goal of maximum skills transfer to my readers and listeners.

I asked 100 sales people and 100 customer service agents how they worked and how could I fit my expertise into their busy lives. They gave me the answers, and I got down to work. Thank you for buying it and inspiring me to challenge, motivate and excite you to achieve the success you deserve.

Thank you Sir Richard for your inspiration too.

Warmest regards,

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

Kellcomm - Get featured in new book

2010-12-31T02:14:00.007-07:00

Hi,

Would you like to feature in an exciting book alongside some world giants?

Due to the success of my book, ‘Love your Customer, Grow Your Business’ my publisher has requested I release the follow up in the series sooner than expected.

www.kellcomm.co.uk

How do you build loyalty and trust and sell more online?

‘Love Your Customer, Grow Your Business Online’ will feature the secrets of the success of Amazon, Dell, Hewlett Packard and major hotel groups and fashion and food stores.

Have you done something extraordinary online? Here are some thoughts to prompt you.

Online

Does your communication with your customers make them feel special?
How do you make life easier for your customer?
What lessons have you learned that you wish you knew earlier?
How do you promote your site?
Have you ever doubled your sales with one piece of copy writing genius?
What major awards have you won?

I am looking for a 400 word piece.I will edit all the successful stories and return them for approval.

It will either sit alone or alongside an example from a major corporate.
Please email darren.kelly@kellcomm.co.uk for further information or to submit your work.

Closing date is January 17th.

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

Kellcomm - How to effectively use Questions and Answers in a presentation

2010-12-14T01:10:00.007-07:00

How to effectively use Questions and Answers in a presentation

Great presenters efficiently use a tablet PC for their presentations. They ask questions of their audience, stop the presentation, and write their answers on a computer's desktop, which displays on the screen for everyone to see.

This offers the audience a break and and helps stimulate another part of their brain.

Remember, an excellent presentation should edutain ( educate and entertain) It's very hard to do all three with one approach to your presentation.

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

Kellcomm - Cold Calling

2010-12-01T01:06:00.005-07:00

Turning a cold call into a warm conversation is a major skill.

In face to face communication your powers are divided roughly this way.

Words 7%

Tone 38%

Body language 55%

This means on a phone call you are using only 45% of your communication powers.

The number one cause of failure is to accept it is a numbers game. Think about what this tells your subconscious. This is accepting failure before you pick up the phone, and it endorses poor performance. It's a great excuse for a poorly prepared and delivered call. Champions expect success.

There is no best time because you don't know a persons diary or mood. Some sales people make excuses and don't start work until 11am. They finish at 4pm mentally because it's another great excuse. If a call is compelling it will be listened to.

Think!

Preparation, Concentraton and Moderation.

or

Research, Listen and Respect your listeners time.

Donald Trump once told a salesperson " Make me like you. Get to the point, be energetic and offer me a benefit."

When Michael Buble hits the stage, he delivers his songs like he's singing them for the first time. Do you have that same enthusiasm for every call or are you just plodding through a numbers game?

The famous Golfer Jack Niklaus once said he was the best because he could put a bad shot out of his mind quicker than other players could. If a cold call goes wrong do you unknowingly allow that to infect other calls?

Prepare for success and expect it.

We train the brightest minds to communicate more effectively.

Warmest regards,

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

Kellcomm - Dickens on Personal Development

2010-11-22T03:42:00.005-07:00

1. Honesty.
Marley’s ghost delivered an honest message that he backed up with an example of the consequences. Scrooge’s honesty with himself allowed him to accept his mistakes and his need to grow.

2. Danger of Limited Thinking.
Scrooge once thought he was satisfied with his abundance of riches. He built a cocoon of meanness that stunted his spiritual and emotional development.

3. Goals.
Scrooge showed us that to achieve our goal, we must take massive action now! Putting things off until tomorrow not only delays the pain but increases it.

4. Choices.
Scrooge showed us that our beliefs precede reality. Our brain is our hardware, and we have the ability to replace any negative software with the good positive stuff anytime we wish. The ghosts inspired his change of beliefs and in doing so helped him change his feelings, decisions and choices. All these combined to create his new reality.

5. Success.
We learn that success is a very personal thing. It’s not about blindly following the path of another. Scrooge realised that his hard- nosed business mind needed the emotional intelligence Bob Cratchett possessed. This mix of IQ and EQ made him feel genuinely fulfilled.

6 How to Offer a Gift.
The gift of flowers to another person is only as successful as the message delivered with it. Scrooge didn’t just offer gifts after his redemption. He became a part of the gift also.

7. Respect.
The essence of great communication can be summed up in these seven letters. Treat yourself with respect and offer the same to those around you. Mr Fezziwig under whom Scrooge served his apprenticeship gained the respect of his staff by showing them respect and generosity of spirit.

8. Memory.
The Ghost of Christmas Past personified the importance of memory. Scrooge’s growth relied on his ability to honestly reflect on his past. He showed us that we must accept the reason we are in a position today is predominantly related to the decisions we made yesterday.

9. Organisation.
The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come personified the value of time. When Scrooge asked this ghost to erase the writing on his own headstone he was asking for a chance to change what would be written on it one day. He realised his time was not forever. Time is our most valuable asset. Money can be won and lost and won again but wasted time is gone forever.

10. Excellent Communication.
Marley’s ghost created a master pitch for Scrooge. He was prepared and created a dialogue instead of a self -obsessed monologue. He framed, positioned and explained the situation to Scrooge in a very compelling way. Dickens used the most important punctuation mark in a salesman’s grammar, the question mark. He employed the core questions what and why to develop this very important conversation. Without them, Scrooge would have remained rigid in his meanness and Marley’s ghost might have failed in his aim.

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

A Kellcomm Christmas Carol - a sales inspiration

2010-11-18T23:14:00.007-07:00

When people talk about life changing books Charles Dickens 'A Christmas Carol' gets overlooked.That's because they cannot see beyond a mean Scrooge. The story represents all change, whether it's health, spiritual or business. One of the main points that Dickens makes is that we must take massive action now if we want to change. When you put things off until tomorrow, you allow to the pain to grow.

I have adapted this classic story as a sales and personal inspiration. It's my gift to you.Also includes 'Dickens on Personal Development'.

Enjoy A Kellcomm Christmas Carol at

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=kellcomm&aq=f

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

The Carols Of Sales Success

2010-11-10T09:44:00.006-07:00

C.... Communicate a value and deliver it with integrity.

A.... Attitude is a trait that must be positive and constantly reinforced.

R..... Respect your customers beliefs and goals.

O.... Organisation will save you and your customers valuable time.

L.... Listen to what your customers want and need instead of what you want to sell.

S.... Service which is outstanding enhances customer trust, loyalty and a desire to
refer you to others.

copyright Kellcomm 2010.

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

7 PR KILLERS YOU MUST AVOID

2010-11-08T01:21:00.006-07:00

1 Don’t deliver Press kits that weigh heavier than Mike Tyson. Newsrooms are not very big.

2 Never ask why a story wasn’t run. There could be many reasons.

3 Don’t waste their time with a story of no value.

4 Never lie. A reporter burned will never trust you again. It’s a foolish thing to attempt.

5 Poor Communication will waste a reporter’s valuable time. Either seek expert help if you are unsure or ask an expert to write your press release.

6 Don't get upset if your story is not told as you wanted it to be. It’s a story and not an advert you paid for.

7 Don’t promise an exclusive when it’s not. You damage a reporter's credibility, and that is unfair, and you will not be forgiven.

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

7 Tips To Protect Your Voice

2010-11-04T18:26:00.003-06:00

Some people with a major sales pitch or job interview to plan for, think its ok to indulge in alcohol the night before. Apart from looking tired, their voice receives a double blow of no rest and the wrong sort of lubrication.
My years as a very successful broadcaster taught me that my instrument – my voice had to be looked after. The same goes for you.
Pick your times for having a great night out but don’t allow a poor vocal delivery to destroy your chances of success.

1 Practice a 5 minute daily deep breathing routine. When you breathe deeply you not only reduce stress, but you allow your delivery to have more natural volume.

2 Shouting is not good for your voice. How did you feel after going to a concert or a sporting event? Did you feel croaky? The strain on your vocal chords can be felt the very next day.

3 Try a glass of hot water with a spoonful of honey or a slice of lemon before you make a speech.

4 Alcohol, dairy products and smoking wreak havoc with your vocal delivery. How many times have we been subjected to a speaker, who was buoyed up by booze and thought he or she could hold an audience’s attention like the greatest speakers? Their slurred words in between coughs, the memory lapse and unstructured delivery caused boredom, some joviality but mostly embarrassment.

5 Rest is essential when your voice is strained, or when you can feel an illness like laryngitis coming on. Pushing it beyond its ability will strain it and reduce the speed of your recovery.

6 Warm up with a hum. All great communicators warm up their vocal cords before they speak at large events.

7 Find the pitch range that is right for you. If your pitch is too high or too low it can damage your voice. It is best you seek expert advice.

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

7 Ways To Motivate Yourself Right Now

2010-11-04T18:21:00.003-06:00

The legendary footballer George Best understood he had a problem with alcohol and knew he was going to fix the problem. However, George said it was always going to be tomorrow. He said his intentions were positive, but he just couldn’t get in gear.
Do you find that your goals are never met despite your dreams being strong?
Do you get frustrated when you meet failure and if only? Let’s look at some ways to turbo charge your motivation through better communication with yourself.

1 Create a movie in your mind of what you want to achieve. Step inside that movie and hear the sounds, and enjoy the colours and the impact your success has on you and those around you.

2 Act as if you are already achieving your success. This will help you communicate with yourself and others in a way that attracts success. If you think of yourself as confident and healthy you will do things that will fit the image you have yourself.

3 Promise yourself something special for achieving your goal. Put a picture of that car you want or that holiday destination you love on your wall to keep you motivated.

4 Avoid energy vampires who just want to dump their negative thoughts in your mind. There are some people who are stuck in a negative rut. They are in a job they hate. They are bitter about being passed up for promotion and think they are better than their boss. You can tell them a true story about a friend who lost their job and house through no fault of their own, but they don’t care. Second hand negativity is almost as bad as second hand smoke. There comes a time when you have to realise that they don’t want your help. It is better for you to be a positive environment which will add fuel to your goals.

5 Move right now. Motion creates emotion. If you say you are going to get fit from tomorrow, then start today, even if it’s progressively small. Get into the habit of putting your trainers on and walk or run today. A five minute workout will eradicate the “I’ll start tomorrow” syndrome.

6 Ask for feedback from an expert to keep you on track and encourage you to keep you on course. Read positive books and use workbooks to plan and chart your success.

7 Tell yourself to be patient. We all know that two week diets never work. People lose water and a few pounds and within weeks they are back to being unhappy again. Be realistic while remaining positive. Patience is a skill and it prevents frustration and negativity.

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds

Why people buy people

2010-10-27T13:20:00.009-06:00

Some Sales Managers tell their teams that people buy people,but they don't explain why and how you can improve your chances of making a sale. If you fail to build rapport with a customer you lose. Would you do business with someone you didn't like or didn't feel a connection with? Rapport leads to trust and patient understanding of your pitch. It is the most important part of any relationship.Isn't it true that we forgive people more easily when we have an affinity to them. The same is true with your customer.

Rapport is simple to create. This not an earth shattering revelation but many fail to do it. This is how you do it. If you have an ego leave it at the door. Decide to put your customer first and treat them like royalty. When you think like this you can see things from their view point. Just show them you care.There it is. Simple.

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

Love Your Customer, Grow Your Business

2010-09-04T01:37:00.005-06:00

"Listening is an attitude of the heart, a genuine desire to be with another, which both attract's and heals." - J Isham

Do you remember the first date you went on with a loved one? Isn’t it true that you probably listened more intently to them on that day than you have since? There was magic created as you both switched off from the outside world and engaged in meaningful dialogue where you both felt good. This happened for two reasons. Firstly, you wanted to impress, and secondly you were genuinely interested. When we are listened to, our minds open like a parachute, and we communicate more freely. When we gaze into a listener's eyes we feel refreshed because we know they care.
Everybody wants to be loved and listening attentively without any motives is a sincere form of love. The listener is silently saying "I respect you, and I am interested in what you are saying." If the opposite occurs you have words crossing each other or subject changes within every minute.
Have you ever spoken to somebody, and you saw in their eyes that they could not wait to butt in and either offer their opinion or talk about themselves?

Did you notice their head nodding quickly and their eyes urging you to finish? Did you speed up your thought process and delivery only to be cut off in a mid sentence anyway? How did that make you feel? Did you feel like there was no real communication? Did you feel that it was just an exchange of words?

Now think about this? Do you act like that when you talk to a customer? Are you so excited by what you offer that you cannot control your urge to tell them all you know?
This is what your customer thinks when you don’t listen. “He might as well have told me all he knew in an email or a brochure. I didn’t feel a connection with him and would find it hard to do business”. The stress of the sale and the desire to assert expertise must not destroy your listening skills if you want to develop a relationship of trust and respect.

Is the art of listening easy? No, it’s not. It takes energy, motivation and concentration, but it is your best communication tool. The biggest barriers between two people are their inability to listen intelligently, understandingly and skilfully.
So what makes a good listener? A good listener is careful not to judge but understands the ability of us all to say the wrong thing at the wrong time. A good listener will not generalise, distort or delete any information received but will use it to ask a clarifying question when the opportunity arrives. A good listener does not wander in thought but strives to understand everything in full. Listening with a good intention makes a customer feel special so isn’t worth doing it properly.

Taken from the forthcoming book "Love Your Customer, Grow Your Business" by Darren Kelly.

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

CEO Communication

2010-07-14T02:01:00.003-06:00

I recently advised the CEO of a large blue chip company. He told me at first that he didn’t need any advice as he was successful already. His troops as he called them obeyed his commands and worked hard and the only issue he had was a belligerent board who stifled his goals.
I delved deeper and discovered the real issue. He always spoke from his frame of reference and never considered how people where receiving his information. His organisation was not a listening one so he was oblivious to the real thoughts of his staff. The same approach met the board’s buffers and this led to a more stressful life for this CEO. He finally admitted his need for change and now the cogs of his organisation are better oiled and moving faster in his direction of choice.
Wouldn’t life at all levels be less stressful and more productive if you could
• Inform more clearly?
• Persuade more effectively?
• Influence more productively?
• Inspire people to be better than they are?
• Negotiate better?

Call Darren now for a confidential chat 0800 4488 639

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

Apple Secrets

2010-05-25T22:48:00.005-06:00

I will admit to loving my I phone as it makes life so much easier and I don’t mean just checking the football scores on a Saturday afternoon. To launch such a product to the world takes immense preparation and skill and Apples Steve Jobs is certainly someone at the top of his game. Let me share with you some observations from his presentations that you can use today in yours.
1 He always sets the theme by hinting about a major announcement at the start.
2 His theme is consistent throughout his presentation.
3 He provides a guidepost to make it easy to follow.
4 He makes statistics meaningful by relating them to that moment and something we can
easily see in our mind.
5 His language is in tandem with the brand- exciting, extraordinary and mesmerising.
6 His presentations are big on visuals and short on bullet points.
7 He holds you right until the end when he says” Oh and one more thing.”

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

U2 must watch the little things

2010-05-19T16:51:00.004-06:00

I had the pleasure of getting a special invite to see U2 on their Zooropa tour in the 90's. The band was rehearsing as I sat alone in the stand. I noticed Bono jumping from the stage and running around the arena. Soon, he was coming towards me and in within seconds this rock icon was in the seat next to me. “What do you think of the sound”? he said.” It sounds good to me” I replied. “ It's not right just yet” he replied He. knew that inadequate sound would dampen months of preparation and creativity and the performance would be weaker than the audience expected.

How many times have you seen presenters who know their subject inside out and their audience but let little things affect their presentation. Here are just a few examples.

• Audience not being able to see due to poor room set up.
• Technical equipment crashing
• Colours difficult to see in visuals
• Microphone squeals
• Room temperature too high

Remember, the little details have a big impact. Top presenters ensure that their audience is looked after and is comfortable to receive their message.

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds

A Golfers Public Speaking Fear

2010-05-09T04:35:00.007-06:00

Swedish golfer Annika Sörenstam is regarded in the same way as Tiger Woods, Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus. She won 72 LPG Tournaments including 10 Majors and in 2003 became the first woman to play in a men's PGA Tour event since 1945. Her records include the lowest scoring average in a season ( 68.6969) in 2004 and her earnings of $22 million were way ahead of her nearest competitors. No other female golfer has shot a 59 in a competition and no one has bettered her 8 Player of the Year Awards.

However, there was one thing that could have held her back from such success.

When she was a teenager, Annika's potential was not leading to success despite a handicap of 54. The reason shocked everyone. Her extreme shyness forced her to deliberately three putt intentionally at the end of a tournament to avoid the trauma of giving a victory speech. After some investigation, her coaches diagnosed the reasons for failure and decided on a course of action to help the future star develop the one skill that could deny her golfing world greatness.

Is a fear of public speaking holding you back from greatness?

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

Why you need a communication Coach?

2010-04-28T03:55:00.003-06:00

If you were to ask the greatest communicators in your industry if they have a coach, many will say no. Why? They realise a coach is essential but feel it’s a sign of weakness to admit it. It seems strange that Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Barack Obama and other world greats have a coach and admit it but some business people don’t.

The danger for many who believe that you either have it, or you don’t is they will most likely never have it. You are not born with excellent communication skills but this art that can be learned. Like others, you start off clumsily and get better before reaching excellence. It is a journey of discovery, which will bring you greater personal and business confidence to reach any goal you desire.

How much difference does a coach make?
A communication coach will see the things that you don’t see and help you weed out the problems that are strangling your communication. Because the coach understands the structure and form over and beyond content, they can analyse your communication framework so people act on your words. It’s not just about fixing but generating new potentials, new resources and new strengths for greater performance.

What else does a coach do? A coach will hold you accountable and will only be satisfied when you reach your goals. A great coach will only be satisfied when you are performing at your highest level.

The Kellcomm method helps you win by teaching you the skills, showing you the rules, and guiding your practice. It accepts some wisdom of the past but is completely focused on what is essential for superior communication today. With the right attitude, you will reach the top of your game, and enjoy the fun, success and achievement that great communication offers.

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

The Leaders Debate

2010-04-15T16:43:00.006-06:00

Tonight was a momentous occasion for British politics. The last time we saw a 3 way leader’s debate was back in 1992 when Bush senior, Clinton and Perot took part in the US Leaders debate. Our version had a much warmer and natural feel to it. Each candidate tonight was new to this style of debate, and I thought they all did very well considering the pressure they were under.

So why did Nick Clegg win in the polls? His nervous start was expected, but he quickly grew in confidence. His rapid hand movements at the start slowed down as the debate went on. Here are the reasons why Clegg connected with people and polled the highest.

1 He was honest.
2 He remembered people’s names. This showed a caring side.
3 He looked into the camera and into our eyes at home. Interaction with the viewer and not the studio audience was essential.
4 He stood up for himself when Gordon Brown tried to cosy up to him and Cameron questioned him.
5 He was comfortable in his own skin because he had a conviction in his beliefs.
6 He answered actual questions and didn’t report solely from the prepared party line.
7 People believed him because he backed up his words with facts.
8 He didn’t rudely interrupt others.
9 He didn’t seem to be rehearsed to the point of being robotic.
10 He told stories.

The fact that Clegg's performance puts him in a much stronger position now, highlights the importance once again of the ability to communicate effectively. Master this art and your business and personal life will improve dramatically.

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

Dr Martin Luther King

2010-04-02T08:45:00.005-06:00

Many people quote Dr Martin Luther King's 'I have a dream' speech as being the greatest ever but fail to explain why. This is no bad thing as great performers have an ability to make performances look effortless while leaving us with a lasting glow.

Dr King's delivery was remarkable for 4 reasons.
1 The cause was big.
2 He had a magnificent voice.
3 His diction was magical.
4 He was a spiritualist and a philosopher who really believed in the cause.

When you give a speech, ask yourself two questions.
1 Will my words touch the soul?
2 Will anybody remember it 1 year on?

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

10 tips to build audience rapport

2010-03-28T10:53:00.003-06:00

1 Get out from the lectern and embrace your audience.
2 Spread your eye contact around the room.
3 Get to meet your audience before the speech.
4 Don’t let your body language betray your words.
5 Aim for their soul.
6 Ask questions.
7 Be you.
8 Show your audience you care about them.
9 Make them feel like stars.
10 Understand them.

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

How to make characters come alive on stage

2010-03-21T01:30:00.004-06:00

Here’s a tip for you when you have different characters in a story you are telling. To improve audience attention and interest pick a place on the stage to look at when you are talking about each character. For example, if you mention Justin you could look to your left, and if you mention Tanya you could look to your right. The movements must be very slight but if executed correctly will help place the characters of your story on stage with you. You can also change your tone of voice for each character, which will help bring them alive.

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

Communicate on TV

2010-03-16T11:23:00.002-06:00

The TV election debates are looming and the pressure is on for all party leaders. In the USA, we know Nixon lost to Kennedy because TV didn’t like him and Obama and Clinton have an ability to transport themselves into your living room. Will our big three perform to the standard Obama set in his campaign? Brown, Cameron and Clegg will be listening very carefully to their media advisers, so they come across as the only person to lead the country. They might know their subject but when it comes to TV it’s not even half the battle.
Kellcomm’s Media PRO 365 programme is essential for projecting yourself in the best way possible on TV. Here are some tips for when you face an interview on tv.
• Study the TV show or similar style shows before you appear
• Prepare answers to possible questions
• Always answer every question
• Correct any errors about you or the body you represent
• Drink room temperature water while waiting in the green room. No coffee or alcohol
• Find out, which is the close up camera
• Think of only one viewer at home watching you and connect with them
• Never switch off until you leave the studio

You can call Darren on 0800 4488 639 to book a free consultation for your future Media appearances.

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

A Lesson for Public Speakers from The Jackson's.

2010-03-06T00:33:00.004-07:00

I interviewed Lionel Richie twice in my media career, and he always enthused about The Jackson’s. He said they were so polished and prepared, and that they loved their audience too much to offer a half hearted delivery. He told me the number one thing they taught him was that you must offer your best at the start of any performance. He smiled and said “If you don't they won't stay around for the rest.” He also learned the importance of practicing when The Commodores supported The Jackson's in their early days at Motown. The current DVD from Michael Jackson’s brothers ‘The Jackson's, A Family Dynasty ‘offers an even greater insight into offering your audience the best performance possible.

Two points stood out.
•Jermaine asked his brother Tito to coach him, which highlighted that even experts need expertise
•Eldest brother Jackie wasn’t prepared to do a show without proper preparation. He said The Jackson's had set the standard, and they weren’t going to drop it

So who is your coach and are you always prepared to give your audience the quality they deserve?
Are you making the most of every sales presentation, motivational speech and golden marketing opportunity in the media? Could you be doing better? Call Kellcomm. We can help.

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

Humour in a speech

2010-03-05T12:09:00.006-07:00

I was asked a question about humour in a speech by a friend who works for a major international bank. He had watched a famous comedian on DVD and thought he could borrow the jokes that the comedian’s audience loved. I asked him if he was trying to commit career suicide, and he stared at me with a blank expression on his face. I believe humour is essential for any speech, but you are better off introducing it gradually if you are new to it. Some comedians have been rehearsing their routines for 10 years before they get their break. So why would you think you can do it after 10 minutes. Here are 5 tips for using humour
• practice at least 25 times before you deliver
• record yourself and listen to it
• get feedback from a pro
• only use a joke if it suits your personality and your audience
• keep a humour library

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

The number 1 reason for typing errors

2010-03-04T03:03:00.005-07:00

The reason is that people can process 400 – 500 thought words per minute. People try to type as fast as they can speak and this leads to errors in typing. Through research and training at Kellcomm, The Academy of Public Speaking we have found that some people are so excited by their message that they forget to put it in the proper context. Here is a suggestion to avoid typing mistakes, which make you look unprofessional. Type as fast as your ideas will let you for creative flow but leave it for 10 minutes and analyse for mistakes before hitting the send button.
If you type and correct as you go along you will hinder the creative process. Go with your flow and then edit.

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

Are you listening?

2010-03-03T05:25:00.007-07:00

The average person can process 400-500 thought words per minute. The average person speaks 150 words per minute. Now that leaves quite a bit of time for a listening mind to wander from your communication. What's the solution. See www.kellcomm.co.uk

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk

Number 1 trait of a great communicator

2010-03-02T13:56:00.004-07:00

I was asked today by a potential client what I thought was the number one trait of a great communicator.I replied "the ability to listen." Would a doctor diagnose you before hearing what you had to say? Too many people think that standing up in front of an audience and speaking makes you a great communicator.You must remember it's a two way interactive process.Listening is just as much an art as speaking.

Darren Kelly
KELLCOMM
The Communication Experts
Leeds
www.kellcomm.co.uk