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Debra Fine

About

Author, keynote speaker and trainer Debra Fine began her career as an engineer, an occupation that allowed her to maintain her natural shyness and avoid situations that required social interactions.

Debra developed her programs and wrote her book The Fine Art of Small Talk How to Start a Conversation, Keep it Going, Build Networking Skills–and Leave a Positive Impression! (Hyperion 2005) to teach technically oriented professional’s conversation skills and networking techniques that help in developing business relationships and enhancing networking opportunities.

Debra travels the world presenting both keynotes and workshops for associations and government agencies along with clients that include First Data Corporation, General Electric, Lockheed Martin, the American Bar Association, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, Wells Fargo and New York University Stern Graduate School of Business.

Debra’s bestseller: The Fine Art of Small Talk was met with excellent reviews in the Library Journal, USA Today, and Entrepreneur Magazine. Considered the “go to expert” for conversation skills and networking techniques, she has been featured on The Today Show, The Early Show, NPR Morning Edition and CNN and in magazines and newspapers from as far away as the Sydney Morning Herald and as close to home as the Wall Street Journal and Redbook Magazine.

Second in her book series, The Fine Art of the Big Talk How to Win Clients, Deliver Great Presentations and Solve Conflicts at Work (Hyperion) arrives on book shelves January 2008. Along with her over 12 plus years membership in the National Speakers Association, Debra has been an active Rotarian and member of the Rotary Club of Southeast Denver for over 14 years.

She lives in the Denver area together with her husband and their four children. View more information about Debra and The Fine Art of Small Talk at www.DebraFine.com.

Themes

Business Networking
Building Business and Gaining Visibility in the Marketplace
Mingling
The FineArt of Small Talk

Assets

Question: Do you dread networking events, meeting new people, hospitality suites & business related social functions?

Answer: Debra Fine, former engineer now nationally recognized speaker and author. Recently described by the Denver Post as “a mixture of stand-up comic, therapist and teacher”, her keynotes and workshops teach conversation tips and techniques to both the technically oriented professional and the spouse who is dragged along to conferences, conventions and banquets.

Debra’s fast paced, entertaining, informative and interactive programs focus on building business relationships and making the most of networking opportunities. Audiences laugh, learn and leave with insightful, informative tips on: striking up conversations and keeping them going, coming across as composed and self-assured when interacting with people or entertaining clients at conventions, trade shows and other work related functions, becoming “active” listeners, avoiding conversation “killers”, remembering names, making proper introductions, exiting with tact and experiencing more ease at association events, networking occasions, receptions, job interviews and meetings.

We all learn the technical skills or proficiencies required for our current or future careers, but not everyone places importance on conversation skills. The ability to talk easily with anyone is a learned skill, not a personality trait. Acquiring it will help develop rapport with decision makers, clients and customers, colleagues and staff members and leave a positive impression that lasts longer than an exchange of business cards.

Partial Client List:

– Lockheed Martin
– CVS Pharmacy
– Alaska Forum on the Environment
– Texas Dental Association
– Texas Bookkeepers Association
– Amerus Group
– Dividend Capital
– SunAmerica Securities
– Tax Club of Chicago
– International Association of Municipal Clerks
– Dallas Law Librarian Association
– Brinkers International
– Women’s Council of Realtors
– CB Commercial Real Estate
– International Association of Fire Chiefs
– Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce
– Graduate Management Admission Council
– Smeal Graduate School of Business Penn State
– University of Chicago Graduate School of Business
– Wells Fargo Bank
– GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals
– General Electric
– Janus Capital Group
– Washington Mutual
– United States Treasury Department
– Lehman Brothers
– Grubb & Ellis
– Faegre and Benson Attorneys at Law
– Vail Associates

Rave Reviews

“Many people told me we should have given you twice as much time. In the eight years that we have sponsored this Conference, you proved to be our most popular luncheon speaker. The response was simply overwhelming”
-COLORADO SAFETY ASSOCIATION

“Your workshop had immediate results – our Specialists walked out of the classroom with more confidence in their communication skills and a better understanding of how to strengthen customer relationships. You did a great job of tailoring the presentation to our specific needs. Your ability to address the communication objectives of our employees made believers out of a potentially skeptical group of people.”
-U.S. DEPARTMENT of TRANSPORTATION

“Our capacity crowd was the highest at an AMA program in two years! Many people I spoke with following the program complimented the humorous and realistic way in which you approached the topic of conversational skills – a very relevant topic with holiday networking functions upon us. The way in which you interacted with and involved the audience was fantastic, and it brought home the point of personal connection and name recognition that you made in your presentation.”
-AMERICAN MARKETING ASSOCIATION

“I really appreciate and recognize your contribution and feel that you set a great tone for the entire conference, I hope you realize how truly wonderful you and your presentation were. The substance of your presentation was extremely helpful in beginning the networking process. You held the attention of two hundred very demanding women who rarely sit through a meeting without planning their escape, and who can hardly keep their mouths shut for a moment to listen. Indeed, they listened to you.”
-WOMEN PRESIDENTS’ ORGANIZATION

“I want to thank you again, on behalf of all of us at Hinckley, Allen & Snyder, for the terrific presentation you gave us in May. I can honestly say that many of those present made it a point to come up to me after the event to tell me how much they enjoyed what you had to say and they found the information meaningful and useful. And this is a tough group to please!”
-HINKLEY, ALLEN & SNYDER LLP Attorneys at Law