Toolbox

Tool Kit- ‘Resonate’ by Nancy Duarte

March 25, 2020 By Marilyn Barefoot Leave a Comment

I have been a forever fan of Nancy Duarte since I read her book ‘Resonate’

I didn’t think it would be possible for me to be a bigger fan, but apparently it is.

On Friday March 20th, I took part in a free webinar entitled ‘Virtual Communication’. First of all it was FREE! Secondly it was packed with fabulous tips and tricks on how to communicate more effectively, virtually.

There were over 3000 people who joined the webinar from all over the world. Their comments and questions were both helpful, and enlightening.

Cut to the chase, Nancy Duarte is a gift to this world. So are all of her staff and the incredible books she has authored. This month’s tool is a must! Anything Duarte www.duarte.com

Marilyn

If it’s time to ramp up your team’s innovation and collaboration abilities – we can help! Contact us today.

For brainstorming tips, presentation and storytelling skills, or keynote speaking pointers be sure to follow Barefoot Brainstorming on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. OR see us in action on YouTube and Instagram!

We would love to hear from you! Leave us a comment down below or tag us on social media.

Toolbox Tuesday with a twist: Mr. Sketch Scented Markers

October 22, 2019 By Marilyn Barefoot Leave a Comment

Creative problem solving should always involve creative tools! Next to the rubber chickens that lay eggs, Mr. Sketch scented markers are hands down the most favourite item in all of my sessions!

They rock for so many reasons … here are just a few!

They are washable for both hands and clothing!

It is a small thing … but an important thing … for the guests to choose their favourite scent.
Memories triggered by scent have some of the strongest emotional connections!

Smell is a potent wizard that transports you across thousands of miles and all the years you have lived.

Every product has a story … here is Mr. Sketch’s!

Locked in a bitter competition with Crayola and 3M, the Mr. Sketch marker company was searching for an edge to corner the elementary school colouring market. The brightest minds in the marker industry were assembled to design the new product, and the resulting innovation was destined to change the business forever: Mr. Sketch Scented Markers.

And last but certainly not least, their T.V. spot is amazing! Watch the ad here: Making Colouring Fun!

So where is the twist?

As I was thinking about Tool Box Tuesday, and how this post might fit into our theme of cause marketing this month … this twist popped into my head.

Mr. Sketch … why don’t you create a package of pink markers in honour of breast cancer awareness??!! Each slightly different shade of pink marker in the pack could have a different scent and a different story inspired by breast cancer survivors around the world! Each package should include links to the stories. Plus, Mr. Sketch will donate a % of the sales to breast cancer research!

For Brainstorming, Presentation or Storytelling workshop information click here

For brainstorming tips, presentation and storytelling skills, or keynote speaking tips and tools be sure to sign up here: http://eepurl.com/cFGp5H

Marilyn

If it’s time to ramp up your team’s innovation and collaboration abilities – we can help! Contact us today.

For brainstorming tips, presentation and storytelling skills, or keynote speaking pointers be sure to follow Barefoot Brainstorming on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. OR see us in action on YouTube and Instagram!

We would love to hear from you! Leave us a comment down below or tag us on social media.

Brainstorming Tool Kit

May 28, 2019 By Marilyn Barefoot Leave a Comment

Every month we will be adding items to your brainstorming tool kit. I hope you enjoy the following with your team:

Rory’s Story Cubes – A limitless source of story ideas

Rory’s Story Cubes consists of a set of nine small cubes, much like conventional dice. Each cube features a different image on each side, for a total of 54 images in the entire set. They are meant to inspire storytelling and creative ideas.

These symbols can have a nearly infinite number of meanings. You are free to interpret each symbol however you like – or in whatever way suggests an idea for a story.

Here is one way I love to use them.

Session Kick Off/Introductions

Create small teams of 9. Provide each team with a cup full of the 9 story cubes (you will need a few sets). Ask someone to shake the cup and then randomly distribute 1 cube to each member of the team. No one should look at their cube until it is their turn.

Go around the team and ask each person to randomly reveal 1 side of their cube. Each person is then asked to use that image to create a 30 second story.

The topic for the story could be any one of the following:

How the image relates to them as a person.

How the image relates to what they do for the company.

How the image relates to the weirdest, or funniest thing that has ever happened to them.

How the image relates to what they hope to get out of the session/meeting.

If it’s time to put a modern spin on your next Storytelling workshop – we can help! Contact us today.

Marilyn

We would love to hear from you! Leave us a comment down below or tag us on social media.

For brainstorming tips, presentation and storytelling skills, or keynote speaking pointers be sure to follow Barefoot Brainstorming on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. OR see us in action on YouTube and Instagram!

How To Give A Killer Presentation

August 31, 2017 By Marilyn Barefoot Leave a Comment

Chris Anderson is the Curator of TED. His article in the Harvard Business Review outlining tips on how to give a killer presentation is outstanding and definitely worth the read. He also includes video of some incredibly compelling TED Talks.

Storytelling and presentation skills training for business

When I coach groups on storytelling and presentation skills, I always ask the guests to finish these three sentences in their own words:

I LOVE presenting because…
I HATE presenting because…
I FEAR presenting because…

Ninety percent of people struggle to find one single reason that they ‘love’ presenting, but when it comes to ‘hate’ and ‘fear’ they tend to have lots to say!

I hear things like, “I hate presenting because I always forget what I am supposed to say.” Or “I fear presenting because I will look unprepared in front of the audience.”

Most of the reasons people ‘hate’ and ‘fear’ presenting comes down to one simple, time-consuming, unavoidable truth… Not enough time was put into rehearsing.

You might assume that a particular speaker is naturally gifted, confident, and polished on stage. What you don’t see is that it took them hours and hours of practice to get there.

No one, and I mean no one, is born a great presenter!

One of the speakers that Chris Anderson refers to in his article is Dr. Jill Bolte-Taylor. She has one of the most popular TED talks of all time! Apparently, she rehearsed 200 times before she delivered it in front of a TED audience. Dr. Jill’s presentation seemed natural, authentic, animated, and conversational. Many people don’t realize that it takes practice to sound conversational.

“But…” say my guests, “we don’t have time to rehearse!”

Of course you don’t if you are slapping it together the night before! Every great presentation requires a timeline that should include at least three days for rehearsal.

The rehearsal should be in front of your colleagues, but in absence of that opportunity, feel free to rehearse in front of your cat, dog, goldfish or car radio driving to and from work.

The most important thing is to rehearse, rehearse and rehearse some more!

Your personal brand should mean just as much to you as Apple meant to Steve Jobs. And if Jobs was scrupulous about every aspect of his presentations, shouldn’t you be?

Presentation skills workshops

Do you need help refining your inner storyteller? Reach out to the Barefoot Brainstorming team today.

Tapping Into The Olfactory Thought Centre In Brainstorming

May 7, 2015 By Marilyn Barefoot Leave a Comment

When I was young, I was lucky enough to travel with my family for vacations.

My mother loved the concept of the Duty Free store … and was a loyal customer!!

She loved to try new perfumes … particularly if they were on sale!

As we headed for dinner on the first night of our vacation, she would always wear the new perfume.

Too many years later … I have been in elevators remarking ‘OMG that smell??!!’ when someone enters the elevator wearing that perfume. I close my eyes and I am instantly transported to the first night of the family vacation … I can see the hotel and the dining room… I can tell you what I was wearing … I can even tell you what I had for dinner.

When you first smell a new scent, you link it to an event, a person, a thing or even a moment.

Because we encounter most new odors in our youth, smells often call up childhood memories.

Olfactory thought centres play a huge role in brainstorming … either consciously or unconsciously!

All of the creative exercises I use are rooted in play and are designed to transport guests to their unencumbered childhood state where new ideas are easy and plentiful. There is nothing more fun and evocative to the nose than Play-Doh, crayons, glue sticks and Mr. Sketch Markers.

It is truly incredible to experience a room full of adults opening canisters of new Play-Doh and remarking ‘OMG … that smell??!!’ … before jumping into the most creative ideas!

STORMZ … The Best Tool for Virtual Brainstorming

For brainstorming tips, presentation and storytelling skills, or keynote speaking pointers be sure to follow Barefoot Brainstorming on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. OR see us in action on YouTube and Instagram!

We would love to hear from you! Leave us a comment down below or tag us on social media.

Tool Kit- ‘Resonate’ by Nancy Duarte

For brainstorming tips, presentation and storytelling skills, or keynote speaking pointers be sure to follow Barefoot Brainstorming on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. OR see us in action on YouTube and Instagram!

We would love to hear from you! Leave us a comment down below or tag us on social media.

Brainstorming Tool Kit

We would love to hear from you! Leave us a comment down below or tag us on social media.

For brainstorming tips, presentation and storytelling skills, or keynote speaking pointers be sure to follow Barefoot Brainstorming on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. OR see us in action on YouTube and Instagram!

How To Give A Killer Presentation

Storytelling and presentation skills training for business

Presentation skills workshops

Tapping Into The Olfactory Thought Centre In Brainstorming

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Toolbox

For brainstorming tips, presentation and storytelling skills, or keynote speaking pointers be sure to follow Barefoot Brainstorming on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. OR see us in action on YouTube and Instagram!

We would love to hear from you! Leave us a comment down below or tag us on social media.

For brainstorming tips, presentation and storytelling skills, or keynote speaking pointers be sure to follow Barefoot Brainstorming on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. OR see us in action on YouTube and Instagram!

We would love to hear from you! Leave us a comment down below or tag us on social media.

They rock for so many reasons … here are just a few!

Every product has a story … here is Mr. Sketch’s!

So where is the twist?

For brainstorming tips, presentation and storytelling skills, or keynote speaking pointers be sure to follow Barefoot Brainstorming on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. OR see us in action on YouTube and Instagram!

We would love to hear from you! Leave us a comment down below or tag us on social media.

We would love to hear from you! Leave us a comment down below or tag us on social media.

For brainstorming tips, presentation and storytelling skills, or keynote speaking pointers be sure to follow Barefoot Brainstorming on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. OR see us in action on YouTube and Instagram!

Storytelling and presentation skills training for business

Presentation skills workshops

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