For as long as I can remember, I have been passionate about all aspects of communication and message development. Whether I was watching a commercial, reading a news article, or dissecting nationally televised talks like the State of the Union, I have always looked at messages as intricate puzzles.
I take the message apart, look closely at each piece, inspect its persuasive function, and evaluate its effectiveness. “Do I need this part? How does this sentence fit amongst the others? How should it be phrased for maximum persuasive impact?” Every piece of a message – spoken or written – plays an important role.
In college, I’d work cheerfully in the dank, dark basement library into the early hours of the morning, analyzing speeches and identifying message strategies speakers used to persuade the audience. In the depths of that old, empty library, I recognized and appreciated the beauty and power of persuasion. Developing messages that “Nail It” requires superb critical analysis. It is a skill set I continued to refine long after graduation; it is fundamental to the mission of On Point Communications, LLC.
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While at global agencies, I worked alongside talented strategists, learning the process of brand messaging and development. At On Point, we provide strategic branding workshops to teams. Then we help the entire team implement that brand messaging into their communications both externally and internally. We also coach executives on TED talks, keynotes, sales or investor pitches, media interviews and beyond.
My passion for coaching presentation skills was ignited during the years I spent at The University of Georgia where I taught undergraduate courses in public speaking, organizational and interpersonal communications. At OPC, we carefully analyze audiences, messages and speakers from all angles. We are active, intentional listeners. We are instinctual about how we coach you to become a better presenter. Your growth is our guarantee.
Developing strong storytelling skills became critical as I entered the field of public relations. Reporters respond best to messages that have been crafted with exceptional precision. To sell a news story, I had about 10 seconds to interest them in my pitch and keep them from slamming down the phone. Participating in an action-packed process that is constantly in motion – making the news – was exciting and enlightening.
Recently, I’ve seen the triumphs and challenges of entrepreneurialism first-hand. My husband opened a small business in 2007, and over time, the clinic has grown to become a regional leader. I’ve developed an appreciation for others who embark on the entrepreneurial journey, and love coaching others who travel this often long, winding and lonely road. I also love engaging with teams and immersing myself therein to learn how the team can grow to become a well-oiled messaging machine together – as a unit. That’s how companies grow.
I’ve had a curiosity about puzzles since I was a child. I take the message apart, look closely at each piece, inspect its function, and consider why that piece fits where it does. Every piece of a message – spoken or written – has an important function. To me, messages are powerful puzzles. How can On Point be of service to your puzzle? Contact us today at info@onpoint-communications.com
Click Here to hear the unlikely story of how On Point began.
How can On Point be of service to your puzzle? Contact us today. After we carefully take it apart, we’ll piece it together with skill to achieve the perfect fit.
Cindy Skalicky is an expert public speaking coach, keynote speaker, brand consultant and the owner of On Point Communications, LLC. She coaches speakers and runs workshops on storytelling techniques, speech writing, delivery, and overall content development. Master the Message. Learn more at www.onpoint-communications.com or contact Cindy at info@onpoint-communications.com or call her at 970-290-4684
