I’m a storyteller. 
I shun the typical bulleted PowerPoint presentations because they’re boring & ineffective.
- If a goal for your meeting or conference is to impact thinking then stories are the path there, for they resonate with people and “sell” the data.
- Keeping an audience engaged is important. My energetic, warm, and humor-laden speaking style creates a connection and continued interest.
- I invite the participation of the audience (except with keynotes), which increases learning.
- I adjust – in real-time – my pace and level of information based on the needs of the group.
I’m proud to say I’ve been known to rock the house.
“Cherry just exuded vitality and energy. She was dynamic, focused, and interactive. One could have listened to her for hours – and not felt like it was hours!” Debra Kuntz, PPL, Coordinator for Professional Women’s Network Conference
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My speaking topics and workshops are geared to two audiences: 1. organizations/businesses 2. women’s groups.
Primarily for Organizations/Businesses
- Responsible Communication Isn’t For Sissies
Understanding your part in a miscommunication or a conflict can be difficult. You’re annoyed, perhaps even angry, and it is so easy to blame the other person for what went wrong.
But what was your part? How can you start to recognize where you fell short in the discussion and take responsibility for helping turn things around? Or, better yet, what could you do to prevent the same thing from happening again?
Responsible communication is a high leverage point for individual, group, and organizational change.
- You Can’t Improve the Picture Until You Change the Frame
Recognizing the borders you put on your thinking is both challenging and rewarding. Like the photographer who crops her pictures to show only part of the image, your past experiences tend to crop the information you “see”.
I explain ways to recognize your personal paradigms and assumptions, so as to improve problem solving, increase employee cooperation and/or expand your vision of what’s possible.
“Cherry has enormous transferable knowledge. She also knows how to listen and cull the essence of what’s being said. It’s almost as if she hears the words behind the words. You definitely get more than your money’s worth when working with Cherry.” Mark McLaughlin, Regional HRBP for North and Middle America at Yara
- Being Right Isn’t All It’s Cracked Up To Be
The need to be right can get in a leader’s way for establishing collaboration and a group effort– both skills necessary for success in today’s information-laden and shifting landscape.
Embracing a both/and rather than a either/or mentality is an important ingredient in successfully leading teams and engaging the wisdom of all the members.
- Facing The Consequences Of Change
Change or Die. What if you were given that choice? Would you change? The answer may surprise you.
Learn ways to motivate yourself and others to make sustainable change (It does takes effort. Quick fixes make for short term changes only).
Based on the work of Alan Deutshman and Chip and Dan Heath.
***If there’s a topic you’re interested in, but it’s not listed here, just ask me if it’s something I can do. If I can’t, I’ll provide you with the names of some people who can.
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Primarily for Women’s Groups
The themes include women & the confidence factor, getting unstuck, finding your voice and using stories to sell your point.
Examples of speeches:
- How The Media Impacts Women’s Self-Image
The media sends women strong messages: Lose Weight, Look Younger, Balance Home and Career By Following These Easy Steps, Be Sexy For Your Partner – things you “need” to strive for if you want to be happy and successful. You come to believe you’re not good enough; you need to change the essence of who you are in order to fit the media’s message of who you’re supposed to be. Tiring. Impossible. Hear the stories about the lies within the message. Learn ways you can affirm your value and model self acceptance to others and to yourself.
- Girls and Women Need “Ordinary” Role Models
Research shows that women need same gender role models more than men. That’s why it’s particularly important for women to recognize their accomplishments and share their stories. It diminishes the need for girls and young women to find role models among celebrities. Learn the power of sharing your “ordinary” story as a way to inspire other women and validate yourself. It is within this sharing of stories that you learn you’re not alone.
- When Women Don’t Speak Up For Themselves They Pay the Price
Recent articles, blogs and research have blamed women for their pay disparities with men and for receiving fewer promotions. One of the reasons given - too often women don’t speak up for themselves and ask for what they want. This presentation helps women look at the beliefs that may be keeping them quiet, as well as, the ways to make their communication in the workplace or with clients more genuine and powerful.
- Your Brand Gains Power Through Your Stories
People both remember and connect to stories. They’re the language of community; the language of emotion and, even memory. That’s why sharing your story(s) is a powerful way to build your [personal] brand. This presentation uses stories to show their power and provides pointers on how to create yours.
Cherry spoke to our Rotary Clubs on the power of stories. The best surprise was that she chose to use the example of increasing membership with stories, which was exactly what we needed to hear. Stuck in the rut of spewing facts at our potential members, Cherry opened our eyes to a new and better way to enchant them with stories about the lives Rotary has touched. We are currently in the midst of a major membership drive, and thanks to Cherry’s insight, passion and expert storytelling we are in the process of replacing our facts with stories and looking forward to radically increasing our member base. ~Pam Burzynski, Rotary Flex Club of the Lehigh Valley
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