第1章 Praise for Get to the Point!

“Schwartzberg sketches out a simple tool kit on how to know, make, and sell your point. His book is worth a close read.”

—Hari Sreenivasan, Anchor and Senior Correspondent, PBS NewsHour

“Joel Schwartzberg's step-by-step guide will help you find your point, hone it, and deliver it powerfully.”

—Mark Ragan, CEO, Ragan Communications

“If every speaker absorbed the contents of this wee volume, every speech would be a vital speech.”

—David Murray, Editor and Publisher, Vital Speeches of the Day, and Executive Director, Professional Speechwriters Association

“Get to the Point! delivers on its promise, enabling you to effectively get to, stick to, and make your point. The lessons enabled me to communicate more effectively to my employees, clients, and vendors.”

—Jeremy Miller, founder and CEO, FSAstore.com/HSAstore.com

“This should be required reading whether you're presenting an annual report, a book report, or anything in between. It's that simple, incisive, and applicable!”

—Douglass Hatcher, Vice President, Executive Communications, Mastercard

“This quick guide will help any busy professional become a more persuasive and effective speaker.”

—Lowell Weiss, former presidential speechwriter for Bill Clinton

“Chock full of clearly written, easy-to-apply tips, Get to the Point! is a no-nonsense guide to communicating efficiently and effectively.”

—Monique Visintainer, Senior Director, Executive Communications, and Speechwriter for the President, Concur

“Finally, a book with actionable tools that show you how to make a point and stick to it. If you have something important to say, take Joel's advice and use it.”

—Allison Shapira, founder and CEO, Global Public Speaking LLC, and Harvard Kennedy School lecturer

“Business leaders everywhere should buy copies of this book and dole them out like candy to their teams to see their communication capabilities transform overnight.”

—Allison Hemming, founder and CEO, The Hired Guns

“I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to be a better, more effective communicator.”

—Risa Weinstock, President and CEO, Animal Care Centers of NYC

“Get to the Point! presents simple solutions to help salespeople sell, managers manage, leaders lead, and influencers influence.”

—Josh Steimle, founder and CEO, MWI, and author of Chief Marketing Officers at Work

“If I were forced to select only one book for all the technical presenters I've coached through the years, this would be it.”

—Dianna Booher, bestselling author of Communicate Like a Leader and Creating Personal Presence

“Get to the Point! practices what it teaches. It's a joy to read, and it's also funny. What's not to like?”

—Sam Horn, CEO, The Intrigue Agency, and author of Got Your Attention?

“Joel provided one of the most user-friendly trainings I have received in my professional career. I would highly recommend him and his book for experienced and novice communicators and pretty much anyone in between.”

—Daniel Elbaum, Assistant Executive Director, American Jewish Committee

“Get to the Point! offers a blueprint for the formulation and delivery of effective points, and the incorporation of humor makes this guide a quick and pleasant read.”

—Will Baker, Director, Global Debate Initiative, New York University, and Chief Information Officer, Baker Consulting Associates

“The strategies will force you to rethink every presentation and help you make your point more effectively. I loved it.”

—Fauzia Burke, President, FSB Associates, and author of Online Marketing for Busy Authors

Dedicated to the hundreds of students and clients who came to me with soft ideas and left with sharp points.