News about Personality + Marketing = Self Marketing (Updated 01/01/12)
Inspiration for being present, important decisions, events, how to present yourself and your offer...

Overview

• Welcome and ...

• Is Your Presentation More a Speech or a Conversation?

• Voice and Personality

• Forget Multitasking! Do One Thing at a Time

• How to Avoid the Worst Presentation Habits

• How to Be a Good Listener

• Word-of-mouth Marketing

• Body Language and Congruence

• How to Give a Successful Press Interview

• Self Marketing for Freelancers

• How to Catch a Liar

• Authenticity is Essential for Your Branding

• Make Sure You Have at Least Three Options

• "How" Instead of "Why"

• Values as the Driving Force for the Decision Making

• Present Yourself

• Charisma and Being Present are Key Ingredients to Present Yourself & Your Offer Successfully

• Procrastination

• Improvisational Theatre

• International Business Meetings in English

• NYC and California

• Paris

• How to get Motivation and How to Stay Motivated

• You have a Website to a Related Topic?

• Christmas and the Brain

It is better to be making the news than taking it; to be an actor rather than a critic.

Winston Churchill

Welcome...

My name is Karsten Noack. I am based in Berlin, Germany and work worldwide as coach, consultant and trainer for individuals and organizations.

I am passionate about people enjoying success in their lives. Because I believe that everyone has hidden potential crying out for recognition I am working with clients to show them how to use their potential and to achieve their dreams.

These pages cover the topics of personal development i.e. communication, self-management, balance, training and coaching.

My personal specialization is to assist people with their decision-making and communication skills.
I help my clients to present themselves and their offer more successfully.

Your speech or presentation has started and you are embarking on what is called "public speaking". And for some of us it has a negative and frightening meaning.
Because of our conditioning, it has the wrong connotations.
Someone who sets out to give a public speech is going to deliver the material come what may, regardless of the audience’s reaction or feelings. He or she is going to unload the speech to the audience. Even though most audiences have learnt to bear this kind of one-way-communication - all  the monologues - this is not recommendable.

If you are interested in making a difference it may be easier for you to think of your presentation as a "public conversation" rather than a "public speech".
We are familiar with conversations as a two-way process and this  is what public speaking also should be. The speaker is speaking out loud  and the audience responds to it internally, mentally and gives continuous feedback through body language.

Intensifying the effect of your speech isn't rocket science when you are willing to respect your audience. A good speech engages the audience - thus bringing the speech alive.

Remember; even when your audience doesn't respond out loud to your presentation's content, it still comments on what's said and answers the questions internally!  so make it an interesting conversation.

Voice and Personality

Forget Multitasking!
Do One Thing at a Time

Nowadays juggling tasks has gained a strong foothold in how we work and live. Despite the advantages of working on one thing at time, we all tend to multitask today, perhaps even more than we care to admit.

At home, some surf the internet whilst watching television, some eat while they read and some talk on the phone whilst simultaneously checking their emails.

Usually, there is no real harm in multitasking. As long as you are not driving a car and speaking on a cell phone or operating heavy power equipment, you are probably okay. But does it make sense?

How to Avoid the Worst Presentation Habits

How to Be a Good Listener

Have you experienced someone  who talked so enthusiastically and convincingly about a fantastic vacation spot, an exotic restaurant, their new mp3-player, an excellent service or an unique empathetic dentist that you were immediately keen to follow the recommendation?

A credible recommendation is invaluable in comparison to even the most extensive advertisement.

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Body Language and Congruence

Giving an interview is a great opportunity but there is always an inherent risk attached if you are not sufficiently prepared.

I, myself, have personally been interviewed literally hundreds of times and a significant part of my job is to equip my clients with the skills necessary to present themselves in a professional manner when in front of the camera.

From my personal experience, I know how important it is to perform well during an interview. Here are a few tips on how to best work with the press.

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I have heard it so many times; “I know my job inside out! Why should I care about self-marketing? I need to concentrate fully on my work!”.
This is a statement commonly heard from freelancers.
And – for sure; quality is essential.
But what is the reality in today’s business environment?
Is quality enough to succeed?
And how do other people even know about the quality of your work?
So many people are competing for the spotlight.
The marketplace is crowded and bustling with action.

If this is the case in your field of expertise; you need to establish a well-known name and reputation if you hope to get ahead.

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How to Catch a Liar

Sometimes we see no freedom of choice. If we believe we have no choice we tend to feel under compulsion. I have to do this. I have no real choice.
This feeling is a signal that we’re backed into a corner with only one option and that more choices are needed.

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"How" Instead of "Why"

"Why?" is most of the time a pretty useless question. In my experience the answer tends to be "because...". Than we focus more on the problem and the excuses, less to the solution.

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Values as the Driving Force for the Decision Making

Life is filled with choices. Where you go, what you do, and who you become are the result of daily decisions you make.

Values are what we care about. As such, values should be the driving force for our decision making. They should be the basis for the time and effort we spend thinking about decisions. But this is not the way it is. It is not even close to the way it is.

Instead, decision making usually focuses on the choice among alternatives.
Indeed, it is common to characterize a decision problem by the alternatives available. It seems as if the alternatives present themselves and the decision problem begins when at least two alternatives have appeared.

I think this represents almost all decision situations and it should be possible to do much better.

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Present Yourself

Do you feel that your strengths come across in your everyday interactions? Every talk, meeting, phone call, email, and resume or portfolio sends a message of who you are and what you are about.

Presenting yourself professionally requires a communications strategy and the skills to do it!

Be Notable!

Identify the components that differentiate you. How do you stand out amidst the other options? What is so special about you and your offer that will benefit others? Incorporate the elements that make you unique in your story. Whether it is your introduction or a sales pitch, make yourself memorable.

Identify your relevant strengths

Concentrate especially on the ones that come from labor-intensive and substantiated experiences because these are the most credible. So many specialists will pitch a project and fail to even mention their years of apprenticeship with another well-known expert. Put your strengths out there, and share the story behind them.

Identify, get to know and involve your target group

Understand the characteristics of your target group. This will make it easier for you to select the most appropriate method for achieving your objectives. And you will present your offer in the language of the audience.

Know the concerns of your audience

Do a candid assessment of the risks someone might find in working with you. Then identify the strengths and differentiating characteristics that best minimize the risk.
For instance; if you’re new on the scene someone could see the risk that you are not professional enough. In that case you’ll want to highlight the past projects you’ve been involved with that demonstrate your dependability.

Remember; nobody will represent you better than you. Take your aspirations into your own hands - as you are the only one that truly cares.

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Charisma and Being Present are Key Ingredients to Present Yourself & Your Offer Successfully

What is charisma? - In the literature you'll find definitions like:

• A special quality of leadership that captures the popular imagination and inspires allegiance and devotion.

• A gift of God's grace.

• A personal attractiveness that enables you to influence others.

• A special charm or allure that inspires fascination or devotion.

What does it really look like for you? And, is it possible for normal people with jobs, families, hobbies, and multiple internal and external commitments to have charisma?
Let's say charisma is the personal appeal, the personal magnetism, a personal attractiveness that enables to influence others.
In that case the answer is, of course, a resounding yes!

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Lost in Translation?

The larger part of these web-pages (www.karstennoack.de) are still in German but I am working on the translation because Over the years I have more and more clients speaking other languages than German and I really enjoy that. Let me tell you that I am neither an English teacher nor a native English speaker. I use English the way I do and it has proved to work many times.

Anyway; any hints to improve these page are welcome.
You find a spelling mistake? - Please send me a message.

Procrastination

You would be surprised how many people around the world can lay claim to being a procrastinator – after all, don’t millions of people put off doing something to later on.
While it is normal for people to procrastinate to some degree, it becomes a problem when it impedes normal functioning.

So what is it that you should be doing right now? Maybe writing your thesis or business plan? Doing some work on the computer, cleaning up? More often than not, we tend to occupy ourselves with other things than what we should really be doing. We procrastinate.
But why not just do it?
Why do we procrastinate and how can we change this?

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Skype™

Contact me via Skype™:

Skype™-Id: karsten_noack

I love to visit improvisational theatre when I am in the United States. Especially in the Big Apple there are a lot interesting events waiting to be explored. A few places in New York City are specialized in improvisational theatre and comedy. And among a lot average presentations, there are really some precious pearls to be discovered.

What has improvisational theatre to do with what I am specialized in?

First; that's what I do because I believe it is good for my mind.
Second; one day in 2004 when I enjoyed improvisational theatre in New York City I had the idea for ImproRhetorics™. As a new way to support my clients, ImproRhetorics™ is now the optimal training for effective spontaneous presentations and communication in general. I improved it again and again and now the feedback from these first trainings underline how outstanding ImproRhetorics™ is.

International Business Meeting in English

You want to share ideas with others in English? I am organizing a monthly meeting for native and non-native English-speakers from all over the world. This event is a good opportunity to activate and refresh your English skills whilst networking with open-minded people. Most of the conversation topics are related to business but we also talk about other themes.

It's free to participate. You only have to pay for what you consume in the restaurant or hotel where we meet.

We talk, discuss - and enjoy the evening in an informal atmosphere where you can network and exchange ideas with other international people.
If you are interested in joining us send an email.

You have an interesting web page about self-marketing, personal development, communication or related topics?

Let me and others know about it.

I love to travel: Twice a year I am in NYC and California to visit my family and friends. You'll find me frequently at my favorite places in Santa Barbara or Los Angeles.

Send me a message in case you are interested to share experiences. By sharing knowledge everyone wins. I love inspiring conversations.

Motivation

To consistently present yourself and your offer successfully, you have to stay motivated to work on yourself, your offer and your message. Getting motivated on a consistent basis is harder than it sounds. We frequently fall victim to procrastination.

What is motivation; this force that gives us the drive and energy to do whatever it is we want to do? How can we get it and how to stay motivated?

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Paris

Paris is my favorite European place for meetings with an international context. In average I am 4 - 6 times a year in Paris.
Once or twice a year there is a meeting for people interested in the field of my profession and an international exchange of their experience. It is a good possibility for businessmen, freelancers etc. not only from Germany and France to meet, discuss and learn about each other.

You are interested? Feel free to join us.

The next meeting is at the 23rd October 2011.

Christmas and the Brain

Christmas: Even though this period of the year is as often described as contemplative, many people experience it differently.
For many people this period is first and foremost a challenge; a competition with the time that is available - planning the holidays, buying all the presents, all the decisions, the where, when and what to do first.
There is so much that has to be taken care of!
Hurry and stress dominate this time from the perspective of many people.

How about alternatives?

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Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become your character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Saying

Copyright

© 1998 - 2012 Karsten Noack: Consulting, Coaching & Training Berlin
How to present yourself and your offer successfully
Updated 01/01/12 - LBD