Maybe you heard that horses sweat, men perspire and women glow. But in the boardroom everyone who presents sweats – some more than others. If you are in management or want to be, you will need to present in the boardroom. This is the worst place to present. First understand why it is that way. Then use these techniques to be more successful when you present in the boardroom.

Beware of Boardroom Landmines

Culture

The boardroom is a place of punishment. It is where management and executives go to thrash the last bad quarter results and beat up somebody. Whoever presents today in the boardroom is the target for today’s flogging. Hence just entering the boardroom stirs up a defensive and offensive attitude in most meeting attendees. They are ready to defend their own performance and at the same time attack someone else just to escape. A boardroom is not a place to birth new ideas – it is a place to crucify suspected sinners, torture under-performers and kill dreamers.

Physical

The physical step-up of the boardroom is adversarial. Meeting attendees face each other across the table. They are not facing the speaker. In fact to face the speaker they must turn their head and expose themselves to the physical discomfort of a kinked neck.

Hierarchy

There is always a power position at the table. Even in King Arthur’s round table the strongest positions were those closest to Arthur. The presenter will usually speak opposite the power position – thus having the weakest physical position on the table.

History

If you are relatively new to this board meeting the ones with history will play their seniority card against you. They can bring up past issues, insider jokes or unwritten rules that put you down.

To succeed in the Boardroom

Before the meeting

Learn who will be there and learn their hot buttons. Meet with all or at the very least the key decision makers before the meeting and get them on your side. Never introduce new ideas in the boardroom. That is the surest way to kill your new ideas.

If the meeting chair is an abrasive type, meet with him before the meeting. Explain your ideas and demonstrate how your ideas support his visions and goals. And ask for his support to make it work. Tell him that you cannot make it happen without his critical support, which implies that if it fails he is responsible. Tell him what you want to accomplish and ask for his advice on how to get everyone else onside.

The more people you have taken into your confidence and who know about your presentation in advance – the more will support you when the vote comes down. If you don’t surprise them they won’t surprise you. When you meet with them ask them for their support.

Speaking in the Boardroom

Get into the boardroom before the meeting to get comfortable with the room – to make it your room. Test your presentation equipment. Sit in a few of the chairs to see the perspective of the attendees. Beware that the others are evaluating you the whole time – before you present, while you present and after you present. So appear calm and confident.

When it is your turn to speak, calmly take the power position of the room. Stand. Pause while you attain everyone’s attention. Then begin your presentation.

Speak to everyone in the room. Make a point of talking and looking at every person in the room. Move your eyes across the table in imperfect x’s. Don’t be fooled into only talking to the one with the most power or the one who engages you. And don’t be lulled into staring at the broad expanse of the boardroom table.

State your position clearly and strongly. Never apologize. Look to your allies for their support. Make it clear what you want them to do because of your presentation. Repeat your purpose. State the purpose early and be prepared for interruptions as well as your presentation time getting cut short.

Seek to gain one key point that moves them in the direction that you want. Don’t try to sell and close all the details in one boardroom presentation. Boardroom meetings are either to confirm earlier discussions or to suggest new directions. But seldom are they for details.

Your Boardroom Success

Accept the directional win and next step. Be willing to work out the details later. People are more defensive in the boardroom. Don’t try to nail the whole project in one boardroom presentation.

If you’re going through foreclosure and you haven’t spoken with your current lender, you’re not alone. In fact, most people who go through the foreclosure process never even pick up the phone to negotiate with their lender to try and stop foreclosure.

I’ve been a real estate agent a long time, and most of the clients that call me to try and save their home, have never picked up the phone, called their current lender and tried to negotiate and stop foreclosure. Most of the time, it’s a combination of embarrassment and lack of knowledge that makes people reluctant. But if you know just a few simple secrets, you can negotiate with your lender and stop foreclosure. Let me tell you how.

First a Couple of facts About Lenders and Foreclosure:

1.) Lenders hate foreclosures: It costs them money, it costs them time and they will never recoup their losses if your home goes into foreclosure and they have to sell it. The lender will incur attorney fees, Realtor fees, property maintenance fees and a host of other expenses that make the foreclosure process a last resort for them.

2.) Lenders Employ Real, Live People: I understand you are reluctant to negotiate with your lender and stop foreclosure on your home. Many people think of their lender or bank as a large, unemotional institution. But the truth is, the people you will talk to our just that: people. They’ll listen to you situation and will genuinely try to work out a situation that can help them and you. Don’t be afraid.

How to Negotiate with Your Lender and Stop Foreclosure

Hopefully you’re a little less afraid to pick up the phone to negotiate and stop foreclosure . Now you need to know what to say and how to approach the bank when you do call to negotiate:

1. Don’t wait until the last minute: If possible, talk to your bank before you go into foreclosure. If you already are in foreclosure, don’t wait until the last month of the process – call them now.

2. Tell them the truth: If you lost a job, tell them. Medical bills? Tell them. Many times a hardship can help you renegotiate, avoid foreclosure and start getting back on track with the lender.

3. Don’t be afraid to Haggle: Banks hate having one of their properties go into foreclosure. It costs them large amounts of money both in lost income and expenses for attorneys and real estate agents. Use this to your advantage and don’t be afraid to ask for a rate reduction, payment deferments, etc.

If you take anything away from this article, please understand that you can negotiate with the bank to stop foreclosure. In fact, the lenders would rather have you call them than have your home get foreclosed on!

in the rare instance where your lender won’t work with you, you can use one of the systems we’ve reviewed to help you out. See the about me / resource box for a link to our review page.

Good luck and don’t be afraid to negotiate with your bank to stop foreclosure!

“What should I wear when I present?” One of my coaching clients asked me this question recently. While it might sound more like a question for a style consultant, like my colleague Teresa Morisco on her Wardobe 911 blog, it’s also an appropriate question for a presentation skills coach like me.

In addition to your presentation content and delivery, how you dress and present yourself can affect the success of your presentation. Like your non-verbal communications, how you dress should support the message you are communicating and not distract from it. What you wear is particularly important in a high-stakes presentation, but it’s also important in any presentation, especially if it’s your first time speaking to this audience or you’re very nervous.

Here are 5 tips for dressing for success while presenting, no matter what the occasion:

1. Dress appropriately
What is considered appropriate depends on the audience and the venue. For example, if I’m performing improv comedy for entertainment at the monthly meeting of a women’s social club, I usually wear nice jeans. If I’m doing an improv workshop at a Fortune 500 company, however, I wear a business suit. If you’re not sure what is appropriate, ask the meeting planner or the person who invited you to speak. And if you’re not sure what looks good on you or what is age-appropriate, consult a style expert like Teresa or work with the personal shopping service at any major department store.

2. Dress comfortably
No, I’m not talking about wearing sweats or pajamas, but appropriate clothes that allow you to breathe and feel comfortable. For example, if you’re wearing high-heeled shoes that hurt your feet or pants with a tight waistband, you will not be focused on communicating your message. I have a client who feels very warm when she’s nervous – so I suggested she avoid heavy sweaters and instead, wear layers so she can remove a layer (like a jacket) if she’s feeling too warm.

3. Do a dress rehearsal
If your outfit is not something you’re used to wearing, practice wearing it while delivering your presentation. For example, if you normally wear khaki pants and a polo shirt, practice wearing the suit and tie so you’re not fidgeting with the tie or your shirt collar instead of focusing on your message.

4. Consider your props
If you’ll be wearing a lavaliere or clip-on microphone, plan ahead how you will wear it. Lavaliere microphones can be clipped easily on a tie or jacket lapel, but if you don’t have one of those, you have to figure out where else you can clip it. Also plan where you will put the microphone unit, especially if you don’t have a pocket or sturdy waistband.

5. Bring or wear something meaningful
Many of my clients find it helpful to have with them an item with special meaning. Especially if you’re nervous, having some kind of physical reminder of something special can help calm your nerves. For example, you could wear a necklace that your husband gave you, the watch you received when you got promoted or the ring you bought on your vacation to Hawaii. You could even keep something in your pocket, like a religious medal, or bring a special pen or business card case. Of course, you should not play with the item while speaking and it shouldn’t be distracting (no bracelets that clink loudly when you move your arm). The item is not a superstitious good luck charm, but a reminder of support and a boost of confidence.

When you do a final check in the mirror before you present, you should be able to smile at yourself and feel confident. If you follow these 5 tips, you and your audience will be able to focus on your presentation rather than being distracted by your clothes.