Kathryn Janicek

In today’s dynamic work environment, the ability to conduct professional and impactful Zoom meetings and presentations from ANYWHERE is an asset.

It’s June, and many people are scattered across the globe on school breaks and summer vacations. It’s a real concern to make sure you have a good place that looks professional when you’re on the road.

People ask us all the time, “What is the best way to set up for a high-stakes meeting when you’re not in your office?”

Whether you’re on the road, staying in a hotel or Airbnb, or grabbing a quick conference room, you CAN maintain a professional appearance and deliver clear communication.

Here’s how to land the best online presentation when you’re away from your office.

1. Ensuring Good Video Quality

Camera Quality

A high-quality camera is crucial for presenting yourself professionally. While most laptops have built-in cameras, their quality isn’t the best.

Investing in an external camera significantly improves your video quality. You will actually look like YOU. (I recommend this external camera for its excellent resolution and ease of use.)

Camera Position

The positioning of your camera is equally important. To create a natural and professional appearance, your camera should be at eye level. 

This helps maintain eye contact and avoids the unflattering angles from a camera positioned too low.

A simple trick is to use stacked books or a portable laptop stand to elevate your computer to the right height.

2. Ensuring Good Audio Quality

Quiet Space

Good audio quality starts with choosing a quiet location. 

If you’re in a hotel, pick a room away from busy areas like the lobby or bar. If you’re in a shared office or conference room, try to find a space with minimal background noise. 

Always test your audio before the meeting to ensure your voice is clear and free from echoes or background disturbances.

Zoom also has a really great built-in feature for silencing background noise, which you can turn on in your settings.

Using a Quality Microphone

Built-in microphones can pick up a lot of ambient noise. If you have a dedicated microphone or a good pair of headphones with a mic, use them to ensure your voice comes through loud and clear.

3. Creating a Professional Background

Neutral Background

Your background should be professional and free of distractions. 

A blank wall is ideal. If that’s not possible, aim for a simple, uncluttered background. You want your audience to focus on you, not what’s happening behind you.

By following these tips, you’ll be prepared, relaxed, and ready to go, no matter where you are. 

The key is preparation – having the right equipment, setting up your space thoughtfully, and testing everything beforehand. 

This way, you can maintain the same level of professionalism you would in your office, even when you’re on the move. 

Lessons Learned from a Missing Rug

As a coach, I often share my real-life experiences to help drive home important lessons. 

Today’s story is about my recent encounter with a company that turned into a lesson on how to keep your customers happy – even when things go wrong.

The Rug

My dog – bless her furry soul, decided a living room redesign was in order.

I needed a new rug, and fast, so I hopped online and ordered one from rugs.com 

Easy. Simple. Right? 

The rug never arrived. 

Lost in Delivery

Three days after it was supposed to arrive, I reached out to customer service.

They offered a simple “let’s try again” without explanation or apology. 

A week later … 

The rug was still MIA.

How To Do It Right

The second call was the same experience. Except this time, the “try again” was a mistake. 

This whole ordeal is a crash course in what NOT to do in customer service. 

Here’s how you can avoid it:

1. Apologize with Heart: A sincere apology is powerful. Acknowledge the mistake, show you understand their frustration and express genuine regret.

2. Action Speaks Louder: Don’t just say you’ll fix it – explain the steps you’re taking. Be transparent, set clear expectations, and keep them updated every step of the way.

3. Offer a Sweetener: Show your appreciation for their patience with a discount, free shipping, or a bonus item. It shows that you value their business and want to make things right.

Remember, every interaction is a chance to build trust. Following these tips, you can turn a negative into a positive, leaving your customers feeling valued and happy. 

Happy customers are loyal customers, and that’s the kind of sales magic you want!

Is your business ready to turn customer frustrations into opportunities for loyalty? Janicek Performance Group can help train your team on the communication standards needed for exceptional customer service, especially when things go wrong.

PS: If you need quick help before a big or small presentation… we’re here for you.

How to Be a Leader Who Inspires Action

Passion is contagious.

And without it, you can’t inspire internally or externally.

When a leader brings genuine enthusiasm and heart to the table, it changes everything. 

Even a brilliant CEO with a strong track record can struggle to motivate if they come across as flat or uninspiring.

Employees crave more than just strategy and direction from their leaders. 

They want to FEEL something from their leaders. They want to believe in the company and trust the person leading is genuinely invested in their success.

In a few minutes, I’ll explain how to show passion to significantly impact the company’s culture, market perception, and overall success. 

First, here are a few reasons why leaders should focus on igniting their passion and sharing it with their teams and external stakeholders:

Inspiring Employees

Passionate leadership is infectious. When executives show enthusiasm and commitment to the product, it can inspire employees at all levels to share the same excitement and dedication. This can increase morale, higher productivity, and a stronger sense of purpose among the workforce.

Building Credibility

Demonstrating a genuine passion for the product helps build credibility and trust with both internal teams and external stakeholders. When executives are genuinely enthusiastic about what they are promoting, it reassures stakeholders that the product is valuable and worth their investment or attention.

Customer Trust and Loyalty

Customers are likelier to trust and remain loyal to a brand if they see its leaders are passionate about the product. This enthusiasm can translate into more compelling marketing messages and stronger customer relationships, as people tend to be drawn to brands that show genuine commitment to their offerings.

Driving Innovation

Passionate executives are often more invested in the success of their products and more likely to drive innovation. Their enthusiasm can encourage creative thinking and a willingness to take risks, leading to groundbreaking advancements and a competitive edge in the market.

Differentiation in the Market

Passion can be a differentiator in a highly competitive market. When executives publicly display their passion for the product, it can set the company apart from competitors who may not exhibit the same level of commitment. This can be particularly important in markets where products and services are similar and an emotional connection with the brand becomes a key differentiator.

Enhancing Brand Image

Passionate leadership contributes to a positive brand image. Companies led by enthusiastic and committed executives are often seen as more dynamic, innovative, and customer-focused. This can enhance the company’s overall reputation and attract top talent, investors, and customers.

Navigating Challenges

Passion can be a critical factor in navigating through challenges and setbacks. When executives are passionate about their product, they’re more likely to persevere through tough times and inspire their teams to do the same. This resilience can be crucial for long-term success and sustainability.

An executive’s visible passion for their product can have far-reaching positive impacts on the company’s culture, market position, and overall success.

How do you show your passion?

Still excited about your mission and company but don’t know how to start showing your passion so you can inspire? Here are a few easy ways to pull it off:

Engaging Storytelling

• Share personal stories and experiences highlighting your journey with the product or company.
• Use anecdotes in speeches and presentations that demonstrate commitment and enthusiasm.

Active Participation

• Get involved in product development meetings and brainstorming sessions.
• Participate in customer feedback sessions and demonstrate a willingness to understand and address customer needs.

Visible Leadership

• Be present at major company events, product launches, and trade shows.
• Take the lead in major company initiatives and be the face of the company in public forums.

Personal Endorsement

• Use the product personally and share authentic experiences about its benefits.
• Create content (like videos or blogs) showcasing how the product fits into their daily life or work.

Public Speaking and Media Engagement

• Speak passionately about the product in interviews, press releases, and public appearances.
• Participate in industry panels and discussions highlighting the product’s strengths and future potential.

Transparent Communication

• Regularly communicate with employees, stakeholders, and customers through newsletters, blogs, or social media.
• Share the company’s vision, goals, and progress enthusiastically and clearly.

Empowering Employees

• Recognize and celebrate the contributions of employees who are passionate about the product.
• Create platforms for employees to share their ideas and innovations and actively participate in these discussions.

Customer Engagement

• Interact with customers directly through social media, forums, or customer events.
• Show genuine interest in customer feedback and demonstrate how it influences product development.

Continuous Learning and Sharing

• Stay updated with industry trends and advancements and share this knowledge with the team.
• Attend industry conferences and bring back insights that can be applied to improve the product.

Cultivating a Passionate Culture

• Foster a company culture that values innovation, creativity, and enthusiasm.
• Lead by example, showing dedication and a positive attitude towards challenges and opportunities.

Innovative Vision

• Articulate a clear and exciting vision for the future of the product and the company.
• Share the long-term goals and how the current efforts are paving the way towards achieving them.

By consistently demonstrating passion through these actions, leaders can effectively inspire and motivate their team, build stronger customer connections, and enhance the company’s overall reputation and success.

Remember, passion is POWERFUL. 

You can become a leader who motivates, inspires, and empowers your team to achieve great things.

Want to see if you come across as passionate? We’ll give you honest feedback – we’re here for you.

Stop Feeling Rushed – Your Audience Can Tell

If you were to open your calendar right now, how much time would you have for yourself?

Are you rushing from meeting to meeting to meeting to have conversations with your team, deliver presentations, or be interviewed by the media?

As a leader, you’re constantly juggling meetings, calls, and unexpected crises. You’re just trying to keep up, and before you know it, a big presentation is staring you down, and you haven’t had a moment to BREATHE – let alone prepare.

Sound familiar? 

Chances are, it shows in your message if you’re struggling to keep up with a jam-packed calendar and never have a moment to gather your thoughts.

When you don’t have time to prepare, that’s when you sound exasperated and fill with all kinds of  “ums” and “uhs” (filler words).

And it’s going to appear as if they weren’t worth the time to plan.

We know this isn’t how you feel as a leader.

And … you’re not alone. 

At Janicek Performance Group, we coach C-Suite executives and leaders with a simple but powerful tip for regaining control of their schedules: steal your time.

Steal it before someone steals it from you!

The key is to be PROACTIVE. When you’re booked for a presentation or meeting, block out dedicated time in your calendar to prepare and debrief. 

Here’s how you’ll do it:

Block Your Calendar

When you’re booked for a presentation, carve out dedicated prep time. Treat it like any other important meeting – protect it fiercely. 

At the beginning, start small: aim for 30 minutes the day before, another 30 minutes the morning of, and block 15 minutes right before to shield yourself from last-minute firefighting.

Focus Before the Frenzy

Use your stolen time wisely. Gather your thoughts, organize your material, and rehearse your delivery. This helps you walk into the room confident, clear-headed, and not scrambling for words.

Debrief After You Deliver

You’ll like some things you did – and not like other aspects. Document quickly. You’re going to forget everything you learned faster than you think. Don’t lose those thoughts in the whirlwind after.

Take a quick 5 minutes with your team to reflect. Discuss what worked well and what could be improved for the next time.

Taking control of your schedule and prioritizing focused preparation might seem selfish.

But it’s not.

Shouldn’t you be putting you and your team first? 

Investing this time in yourself is a strategic investment in your leadership.

A well-prepared leader is a CONFIDENT leader, and a confident leader inspires and motivates their team. You’ll be able to deliver clear presentations, answer questions thoughtfully, and navigate unexpected situations.

This is a MUST for you to be an effective leader. Start taking back control.

Take control of your schedule, prioritize focused preparation, and show up as the leader your team DESERVES.

Our team is here for you when you need support.

You’re really smart.

I know it. You know it. 

Is it possible to be TOO smart for your audience?

Perhaps the smartest thing you can actually do is ditch the intellectual language, industry jargon, technical lingo, and acronyms. 

The Janicek Performance Group was recently in New York for a week, media training the New York Blood Center.

This organization does some really important work – work that legitimately saves lives – and they need to leverage media opportunities to send a message to the public. 

“Donate Today, Save Lives Tomorrow.”

But what happens when they get up in front of an audience or are sitting down across from a reporter and they ask you to explain what they do?

They are the EXPERTS in blood donation.

Just like you are the expert in your field.

But the general public – the people they want to be HEARD by – are not.

Using technical language and industry jargon is a surefire way to confuse and lose your audience.

Picture this: you’re passionately advocating for your cause, pouring your heart into your message, only to be met with puzzled looks or worse, an empty audience. It’s like trying to navigate a maze blindfolded – frustrating and maybe even impossible.

If you are …

• In the media
• Answering questions from the media
• Giving the media sound bites or quotes to promote your organization and spread your message
• Trying to get something from an audience
• Trying to move an audience to take action
• Advocating for something

… you need to be careful with your language. Otherwise, you can completely miss the mark.

How you speak with your team or others in your industry is not how you should speak to your audience.

When you speak in terms that only insiders understand, you risk alienating your audience and undermining the impact of your message.

You know your industry in and out, but the general public doesn’t. Here are the dos and don’ts.

Do:

1. Be clear and concise in your communication. Great, clear, accessible communication is the best way to reach your audience, persuade them, gain their trust, establish a relationship, and rally them for a cause.

2. Bridge the gap between your expertise and your audience’s understanding. Put yourself in the shoes of your audience and speak to them in a way that will resonate .

3. Test your message out on someone who doesn’t know anything about your industry. is the best way to ensure your messaging is clear. Deliver your message and if they don’t understand the point you are trying to convey, it’s time to go back to the drawing board.

4. Hire a media coach or trainer to help you perfect your messaging. At Janicek Performance Group, we are pros at workshopping your messaging.

Don’t:

1. Use acronyms. Spell out terms instead of assuming everyone understands abbreviations unique to your field.

2. Use jargon. Use everyday language that is accessible and easily understood by a broad audience.

3. Use complicated language. Simplify complex concepts and explanations without sacrificing accuracy.

The next time you need to communicate with the media or any audience at all, ditch the jargon, speak plainly, and remember – your brilliance is best shared when everyone can understand it. 

The more relatable you are, the more impact you’ll have.  

After all, the most powerful message is the one that lands.