Have you ever felt that nobody is paying any attention while you are trying to convey a message? In this entertaining talk, sound expert Julian Treasure shares the secrets of powerful speaking, sprinkled with useful vocal exercises and tips on how to spice one’s talks up by implementing different shades of empathy. Successful – and wise! – speakers render their audience prick-eared by never committing these “Seven deadly sins of speaking”: Gossip, judging, negativity, complaining, excuses, exaggeration and dogmatism.
Return on Investment: Where is ROI?
Over the globe, there are myriads of events taking place every day: many by coincidence, others ad-hoc and most following meticulous planning and diligent risk-evaluating. Even in case of the latter, the effort made may not suffice. Has one significant module perhaps been neglected? By chance or by looking the other way? What again was this event’s objective? What, if a controller comes along and demands figures – as in ‘profit’ – which justify that ‘his’ budget was invested sensibly?
TED Talk. Amy Cuddy: Your body language shapes who you are
Body language (Kinesics) is a remarkable means of communication that tells our environment a great deal about ourselves. But how to interpret the signs of this nonverbal behaviour? Arms or legs are crossed, backs hunched or extremities sprawled, hands rest upon hips, hair is twirled around fingers or clothes are being preened (imaginary lint brushed off) awkwardly. What do those signals and postures, that largely depend on an individual’s emotional state, express? Or give away…? In her talk, social psychologist Amy Cuddy explains the implications of power posing – how standing in a posture of confidence, even when we are feeling small – can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain. Body language not only affects other people’s perceptions about us. It may even influence our body chemistry and change our own view upon ourselves. Amy Cuddy’s Talk was viewed by more than 18 million people.
Holland. The Hague: The Nuclear Security Summit 2014
Dutch as Dutch can.
Citizens identifying with a Summit
Influential world leaders and thousands of delegation members convened at the city’s World Forum to attend the Nuclear Security Summit (NSS 2014) this March. The Hague, ranging in size behind Amsterdam and Rotterdam, is the official seat of the Crown and the government, recognised international city of peace and justice, home to hundreds of international organisations and multinationals and one of the world’s top three UN cities. The Hague’s Peace Palace stands for international justice. The magnitude of decisions taken and judgements delivered there are of universal significance for humanity. By skillfully orchestrating the Nuclear Security Summit, the city lived up to the reputation it enjoys as a hospitable, well-organised and safe convention destination. Charmingly schmoozing his hosts prior to the event, NSS initiator US President Barack Obama exclaimed: “I love Holland!“
Scribble + Doodle = Scroodle?
Serious Sketchnoting on the Uprise
When caught doodling at school back in the old days, one was in for a hefty reprimand by the teacher, who would then maliciously peach on you at home, throwing your poor parents into a state of quiet devastation. Caught more frequently, your next stop was likely to be at the dreaded in-house psychologist’s office, where an expert human lack-of-concentration detector would painfully be deep-probing into the diminishing source of your ability to keep your young mind focussed. Serves you right when you allow your thoughts to go all spaghetti!