How to improve your ice breaker

We’ve all heard the ice cream introduction. A facilitator asks you to give your name, position, how many years you’ve been with your company and your favorite ice cream flavor. Read more

Free PowerPoint-Tastic Templates – #081: Organized

Each week, the Fast Track Tools training company and the Cubicle Ninjas design firm work together to publish a template that makes it easier for you to communicate your ideas. This week we bring you a “before” and “after” visual to illustrate the concept of “organization.” Read more

Communicate to Win – #003: The Goal is Open, Time to Score!

Microsoft reminds us that we make over 30 million presentations using PowerPoint. It is clear that presentations using PowerPoint “decks” have become a key form of communication across-the-board. Presentations take place in all different types of companies, from Fortune 500 to small start-ups, as well as in classrooms. Read more

How to drive revenue with storytelling

These days, thanks to technology and the rise of social media, there are millions of opportunities for people to connect with the stories that matter to them. Any medium can be used to tell a story, as long as the message is carefully crafted and developed with the medium(s) in mind. Read more

Free PowerPoint-Tastic Templates – #080: Tabbed

Each week, the Fast Track Tools training company and the Cubicle Ninjas design firm work together to publish a template that makes it easier for you to communicate your ideas. This template will help you communicate three different groups of information. We use folders to organize desk drawers, briefcases and, of course, our computers. Why not use folders in PowerPoint? Read more

Communicate to Win – #002: Become Your Own Success Story

Every company needs good ideas. Business is changing faster than ever, and without the next new idea, your company will fall behind. Successful leaders know this. Read more

Storytelling makes a $250 million difference

A little round dot followed by sentence fragments, again and again. It’s the format of so many PowerPoint presentations. The bulleted text has become our crutch in corporate communications. Then, even worse, what if the presenter reads each and every word to the audience? Read more

Free PowerPoint-Tastic Templates – #079: Spinning Plates

Each week, the Fast Track Tools training company and the Cubicle Ninjas design firm work together to publish a template that makes it easier for you to communicate your ideas. This week we bring you a great analogy for management. Read more

Communicate to Win – #001: Get on the Bandwagon

As I’ve worked with teams and individuals to improve their communication skills over the last two decades, business has become increasingly complex. One thing has stayed consistent: problem solvers are recognized as winners! Read more

Fix the problem or apply a band-aid?

When do you just cover up the problem and when do you fix it? Some problems are just too expensive to fix. You won’t get a reasonable ROI in the needed time frame. Every potential solution has to be prioritized. Read more