Articles
The Terri Ammerman Group pairs decades of communications and media experience with relevant, current perspective. We understand the ever-changing needs and scenarios faced by companies, executives, and media professionals. Part of our training involves examining communications scenarios in real-time, so participants can clearly see what to avoid when speaking and what to say when delivering a clear, convincing message. Our team regularly offers perspective and insights on current situations through the articles posted here.
Is Executive Presentation Training Worth It?
Presenting is a critical skill, and it can be learned. Learn how presentation training can help executives set their companies up for success.
Why Don’t People Trust Oil & Gas Executives? Some Ways to Change Public Perception
The oil and gas industry and the companies and executives in it are not usually found at the top of a “most trusted” list. Instead, they are frequently the objects of suspicion and criticism by Americans, despite the fact that energy is critical to our quality of life. In the 1970s, for example, many people were convinced that petroleum shortages...
Why Corporate Communications needs to have a place at the table during a crisis
When crises strike in the corporate world we look to those we trust to help us take the critical first step in responding. For many companies in the wake of a crisis, inviting a communications person into their closed-door sessions is the last thing on their mind. Yet we’d like to propose to you that this is the single most valuable person you...
Media Training for Executives
Executives are the faces of their companies. For better or for worse, when the media turns to your company for a statement or a response, executives will be the spokespeople who tell the company’s story. In today’s world of social media and the 24/7 news cycles, communicating well with the media can seem like an overwhelming task. Fortunately, communication skills, like other skills, can be learned and improved.
The Comprehensive Guide to Crisis Communications Training
Crises happen. Unfortunately, the question isn't whether or not your company will be faced with a crisis - the question is when. No matter how well you prepare and plan, accidents, incidents, and difficult issues will eventually rear their ugly heads. That's the bad news. The good news? Well, if you handle a crisis well, your organization can...
Can Introverts Be Good Presenters?
You might think that only type A personalities are great presenters, but the truth is that introverts can command audience attention just as effectively as their more extroverted peers. The challenge for introverts is to make the adjustment to an arena that they might not prefer when the path to their personal and career success stands on the...
Taking a Presentation from Boring to Soaring (Part Two)
In Part One of our series titled, “Taking a Presentation from Boring to Soaring,” we identified three techniques that can improve the content of your presentations: Stories: narratives that describe events which unfold over time Anecdotes: short accounts of real or fictional incidents or characters Examples: something that’s typical of its group...
How to Present in a Group
Presenting in a group can be intimidating. We’ll admit it. Don’t panic, though. Presenting is a learned skill – and so is group presenting. You can figure this out. And you’ll probably need to. Over the course of your career, chances are good that you’ll find yourself in a group presentation. So, with that in mind, we’re here to help you succeed....
Never Say “No Comment”
You may think saying “no comment” is a perfectly fine response to a challenging question. But in most cases, saying “no comment” is your unfortunate admission of guilt. It leaves the viewers with a sneaking suspicion about the reason for your reluctance. Many times this suspicion is amplified by your nervous tone and body language as you try to...
I Could Have Said It Better Myself
John Oliver is a British-American comedian best known in the United States for hosting HBO’s Last Week Tonight, a weekly news satire program. In one episode, he poked fun at the popular TV news magazine 60 Minutes, suggesting that the show’s correspondents put words into their interview subjects’ mouths. During his broadcast, Oliver showed a...