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Knockout Presentations
Life is a presentation. The ability to present one's ideas quickly and efficiently is a significant resource in today's business world.
300 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 1998
39 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 17, 2025
never waste you nervousness again when speaking to an audience
Diane Diresta delivers a masterpiece of tips, tricks, exercises, and tools for every speaker. New or experienced, there are things for everyone in this book. She shares her views on the relationship between listening and speaking and storytelling. This 3D perspective is supported by checklists, exercises, and charts.
I have spoken on small and large stages over my decades in technology and there were many tips I could have used over the years. Use this book to build a foundation to speak to any audience and fully be prepared.
Read this before your next speaking engagement and be ready for it! I highly recommend this book, for new and experienced speakers even if you have the great charisma so many seasoned executives have.
My favorite paragraph in the book is directly applicable to my audience: CEOs. She talks about building trust with your audience and the top three roles that people lack trust for out of the gate, are politicians, city officials, and CEOs. Love this.
Read on the plane if you are flying to your next speaking gig. Or find a way to read it. You will be better prepared!
…Bill Miller (beelinebill), 2X award-winning author of The Rookie CEO and What Every CEO Must Know.
Diane Diresta delivers a masterpiece of tips, tricks, exercises, and tools for every speaker. New or experienced, there are things for everyone in this book. She shares her views on the relationship between listening and speaking and storytelling. This 3D perspective is supported by checklists, exercises, and charts.
I have spoken on small and large stages over my decades in technology and there were many tips I could have used over the years. Use this book to build a foundation to speak to any audience and fully be prepared.
Read this before your next speaking engagement and be ready for it! I highly recommend this book, for new and experienced speakers even if you have the great charisma so many seasoned executives have.
My favorite paragraph in the book is directly applicable to my audience: CEOs. She talks about building trust with your audience and the top three roles that people lack trust for out of the gate, are politicians, city officials, and CEOs. Love this.
Read on the plane if you are flying to your next speaking gig. Or find a way to read it. You will be better prepared!
…Bill Miller (beelinebill), 2X award-winning author of The Rookie CEO and What Every CEO Must Know.
April 28, 2019
An Encyclopedia for Presenting
If you are intimated by presenting, this book is for you. It is chockfull of exercises and checklists for every aspect of presenting - overcoming your fear to getting the right presentation structure to setting up the room. The newbie can find out how to get started. The expert can find ways to tune up their approach. I especially appreciated the chapter and content on listening. When you are presenting, it can be hard to listen. So, these are really good reminders. It encouraged me to review my last presentation to see what I could improve. It’s a robust resource!
If you are intimated by presenting, this book is for you. It is chockfull of exercises and checklists for every aspect of presenting - overcoming your fear to getting the right presentation structure to setting up the room. The newbie can find out how to get started. The expert can find ways to tune up their approach. I especially appreciated the chapter and content on listening. When you are presenting, it can be hard to listen. So, these are really good reminders. It encouraged me to review my last presentation to see what I could improve. It’s a robust resource!
January 24, 2026
In Knockout Presentations, Diane DiResta gives you the tools you need to present with impact. Get over your fears of presenting, eliminate wimpy words, taglines, filler, and minimizers, and learn how to truly connect with your audience. Speaking is not writing and Diane helps you take your ideas and turn them into presentations that get results. If you want to present better, more confidently, and with greater ease, her book full of systems, checklists, and case studies will get you there fast.
January 19, 2024
Excellent!!
This has so much useful information. I highly recommend it for people at any stage of their speaking career. Thank you!
This has so much useful information. I highly recommend it for people at any stage of their speaking career. Thank you!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews