When I was a reporter for ABC News back in the 1980s, I was not a happy guy, at least about my work. I felt no connection to the stories I was being assigned. Moreover, the ones that I wanted to cover didn't thrill the producers there.

I wanted to...

A reporter calls you and says he or she wants to interview you for a news story. Great. Now, what do you do?

Unless it's a crises situation or a breaking news story, you're more likely than not going to have time to gather your thoughts. Find out what the...

Two of the biggest giants in advertising appeared to have had seemingly contradictory points of view of how to best get people to buy stuff.

David Ogilvy was a firm believer in exhaustive research to generate a rational appeal to consumers. One of his favorite

I have this habit of asking people what they do for a living. More often than not, they either hate their jobs or maybe they're just bored. I then ask them, "Let's say I could wave a magic wand and give you the perfect job, career or profession. What would...

The short answer is no. That said, I've had a few clients who have asked me to make someone into something they are not. For example, the boss wants me to help John be as good a communicator as Bill. That's like asking the bench player to hit as well...

We spend billions of dollars every year on a variety of self help programs. The self-improvement segment of the book market alone is worth nearly $700 million annually, according Market Data Enterprise. You could then toss in another $354 million for audio books in the category. But are we getting...

Giving a speech is an opportunity for you to get an audience to see their world differently. It's your chance to influence the way they think and get them to take action. These points are designed to help you be a more powerful and confident speaker.

1. Take a stand....

Empathy--"The ability to share in another's emotions, thoughts or feelings." -- Webster's New World Dictionary

If you want to persuade and influence people to buy into your idea, product, or service, you must first understand them. You must learn everything you can about them. Who are they?...

Can you be a great success in business and be a failure as a communicator? Maybe, but I can't see how.

You've got to be able to deliver a message to your customers, prospects, employees, investors and the media in a powerful and persuasive way. And if they don't get...