Own the Room: Business Presentations that Persuade, Engage, and Get Results
Publisher, McGraw-Hill Professional 2010
OTR is a comprehensive, practical and well-researched book covering the full range of communication and speaking challenges facing business professionals—from networking for business development and delivering presentations which introduce new products, to being successful on the speaker circuit and overcoming stagefright.
The book is organized in discreet chapters, from intention and role, to movement and storytelling. Readers need only check out what will serve them best. For example, to prepare for an upcoming pitch, turn to Chapter 7, “Presenting in Teams”. For examples on structuring a client anecdote, turn to Chapter 5.
Written by an award-winning director, a clinical psychologist (with a specialty in stage fright), and former actor/corporate spokesman– the techniques are based on research and the experience of field-trained professionals in the communication field.
Testimonials for OTR:
“Since I know the authors I expected that I would like this book. But as a professional speaker with 32 years of presentations under my belt, I didn’t expect to discover many new ideas. I was wrong! This book is filled with value. I’ve delivered more than 2,700 paid professional speeches and yet I took notes on every chapter and gained a new understanding of my craft.
I encourage you to spend some serious time with this book. Read and underline it to revisit the main ideas that connect with you. Make this your text as you gain a new education on how to influence others. And, take off your skeptic’s glasses so that you can fully ingest all of these great lessons. You’ll be a much better presenter.”
Jim Cathcart, CSP, CPAE
Professional Speaker Hall of Fame 1985
President of the National Speakers Association
“Own the Room is hands down the best book on presentations I have ever read.”
Mark Goulston, M.D.
Author of the book Just Listen
“Today, my son, Tommy showed me one of his essays and asked for my comments (that is unusual for him). He had to write a 150 word essay and picked Cross-Country since he’s been in the program for 4 years. His essay was pretty decent and I told him so. Then he asked me, “Would this essay stand out among 100 other essays?” I told him honestly that it would not.
Then I drew from your tips in Own the Room regarding story telling. I had him read the introduction of Mark who spoke at his temple about the impact of his disabled son (my favorite story from the book). Tommy’s going to re-write his essay using the principles in Own the Room. You were able to penetrate the mind of my 17-year-old son. That’s rather impressive. Thanks for the parenting help.”
John B. Stephens, attorney
Stephens Friedland LLP
“As a professional speaker I’m always interested in tips that can help me connect with my audience, inspire and engage the people around me. This book is full of ideas that work. The two chapters that draw me in are the first, Intention and the sixth, Stage Fright. Two critical issues for me. I highly recommend this book and know your presentations will delight you (and your audience) when you build on what you’ll learn.”
Lanie Denslow
Author of World Wise
“Late yesterday afternoon a client asked for some help preparing the ‘close’ for a potentially hostile audience today. I said, “Give me a few minutes.” I went right to Own The Room and the chapter on closings. Within minutes I had some great ideas and wrote him a closing that he just loved because I had him introduce a new concept at the close that moved the discussion forward.
Your book is great. Thanks for writing it.”
Tim Gallagher
President
Gallagher 20/20 Consulting
“Finished the book yesterday. If anything it was better than promised.”
Michael Altman
Partner
SAK Financial
“If you’re speaking publicly and haven’t read this book, you’ve got more guts than I (and possibly less fans)! Smart, entertaining and chock full of client anecdotes– both success stories as well as train wrecks, Deborah and David have done all the homework for business professionals, to position themselves as savvy and engaging trusted advisors. This book is a MUST HAVE for any business professional who gets out of bed in the morning!”
Jonathan Fitzgarrald
Director of Marketing
Greenberg Glusker Law Firm
“Own the Room gives you the “keys to the kingdom” of making presentations that connect, engage, and generate your intended results. In simple terms, with effective examples for every point, David, Deborah and Peter take us through the principles and techniques they have learned from years of professional acting and coaching others.
Despite being a pretty good presenter (thanks in part to taking courses from David and Deborah years ago), the book showed me many mistakes I have been making. For example, in networking meetings my stories were about our largest and most well-known clients rather than our real target market, middle-market organizations.
Whether you are a manager presenting to your workforce or a business provider presenting proposals, Own the Room will make a major difference in the effectiveness of your presentations.”
Ivan Rosenberg
CEO
Frontier Associates
“Love love love the new book! You had me at ‘Own…’.” Always your raving fan.
Lauri Oakden
Council Director
NV Council of NAIW
“…While looking for a management book at Barnes & Noble this weekend, your book Own the Room just jumped off the shelf.
And I may be weird, but to me the book is a page turner. I bought it Saturday and already it is covered in yellow highlighting and red pen notes. Since I have several presentations coming up, I have completely embraced your concept that presentations should be persuasive and not simply informative or educational (among other great lessons like the section on elevator speeches). The book just resonated with me.
I was so impressed with the book (and company) that I need to know if you have a program where you license or certify consultants to put on your programs…”
Tom from Philadelphia
responding on Amazon
“Thank you again for taking the time to speak with me a few weeks ago. I used the tips and framework from your book (Own the Room) during a presentation I had. I think it was my best presentation thus far. The audience loved the story that I chose to open with, which I crafted, based on the tips in the book.”
Seetha Speeney, SPHR
Assistant Vice President, Talent Strategies Group
Chubb Group of Insurance Companies
“I’m a marketing consultant who often leads meetings, gives presentations, and tries to convince others to follow my recommendations. I’m always open to learning new ways to be more effective and more comfortable in all sorts of business situations and so I’ve read my share of business/sales books and have attended many corporate training sessions.
What’s great about Own the Room is that it’s not the typical business book “fluff” that has one idea and fills 300 pages giving examples of that idea. It offers chapter after chapter of smart, practical advice that I started using right away.
I also liked that the authors don’t prescribe a one-size-fits-all list of “must-do’s” for speakers. Instead, they tell you how to be more effective using your own individual talents and strengths. That was far more comfortable for me and more useful in my day-to-day work. If you want to up your game in terms of effective communication, get this book.”
Joshua Kirby
Marketing Director
Speaker Survival Guide: Self-published 2008
Speed and direct application mark Eloqui’s first handbook for speakers. This spiral-bound, 4”x7” guide is built for people on the go. The 101 speaker tips, range from Executive Presence to How to Open. Each tip comprises a single page, complete with a quote or two that is connected to the content. Below the quote are lines to make notes. The book was designed so that before a speech or interview, you pull it out, flip open to a random page, pick up a tip and pithy quote, and you are good to go, full of confidence.
Briefly Speaking: Self-published 2008
Eloqui’s second tip book is more tuned to business communication and based on 13 years of training professionals. The chapters are carefully organized so that one can quickly access Business Development tips, PowerPoint delivery and design, Team Presenting, and Managing Stage Fright. The value of having a quick reminder or specific tool right before a presentation cannot be overstated, and that’s exactly what Briefly Speaking provides. As an added bonus, we also include an insightful quote and word to jazz up any presentation.