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Our Blog: The Podium

David Calusdian

David Calusdian, president at Sharon Merrill Associates, oversees the implementation of investor relations programs, coaches senior executives in presentation skills and provides strategic counsel to clients on numerous communications issues, such as corporate disclosure, proxy proposals, shareholder activism and earnings guidance. dcalusdian@investorrelations.com
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Recent Posts

Are You 'The Great Pumpkin' in Need of Reputation Management?

A Halloween Lesson with Apologies to Charles M. Schulz

Every year Linus sits in the neighborhood pumpkin patch trying to impress Charlie Brown’s little sister Sally with a personal introduction to The Great Pumpkin. On Halloween, she forgoes trick or treating to wait for the Great Pumpkin as he “flies through the air and brings toys to all the children of the world.” When The Great Pumpkin disappoints, you can imagine the fury of a kid who has been cheated out of tricks or treats.

What to do if you are in The Great Pumpkin’s shoes, in desperate need of reputation management? Whether you are a corporate executive, a disgraced athlete or a fictional cartoon character, here are three essential steps for reestablishing a positive brand. 

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Credibility, Reputation Management, Crisis Communications, Public Relations, Investor Relations

Executing a Compelling & Effective Quarterly Earnings Call

By David Calusdian,President

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Sharon Merrill Associates, Earnings Call, Investor Relations, Earnings, Investor Relations Trends

Ready to Be a Great Speaker?

By David Calusdian, President

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Sharon Merrill Associates, Presentation Training, Public Speaking, Investor Relations, IR Trends

You’ve Filed to Go Public, Now What?

By David Calusdian, President

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Sharon Merrill Associates, IPO, Investor Relations, Pre-IPO, IR Trends

Using Body Language for Effective Presentation Delivery: Part IV

By Sharon Merrill Associates

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Investor Presentation, Sharon Merrill Associates, Presentation Training, Investor Relations, IR Trends, IR Recommendations

Using Body Language for Effective Presentation Delivery: Part III

By Sharon Merrill Associates

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Investor Presentation, Sharon Merrill Associates, Presentation Training, Investor Relations, IR Trends, IR Recommendations

Using Body Language for Effective Presentation Delivery: Part II

By Sharon Merrill Associates

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Investor Presentation, Sharon Merrill Associates, Presentation Training, Investor Relations, IR Trends, IR Recommendations

Using Body Language for Effective Presentation Delivery: Part I

By Sharon Merrill Associates

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Investor Presentation, Sharon Merrill Associates, Presentation Training, Investor Relations, IR Trends, IR Recommendations

Effective Storytelling in a PowerPoint®-Obsessed World – Chapter Two

By David Calusdian, President

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Strategic Messaging, Sharon Merrill Associates, Investor Relations, IR Trends, IR Recommendations

Effective Storytelling in a PowerPoint®-Obsessed World – Chapter One

By David Calusdian, President

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Strategic Messaging, Sharon Merrill Associates, Investor Relations, IR Trends, IR Recommendations

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Connect with your Investors

Establish a sincere connection with investors to communicate key messages during your Investor Day. Download our free e-book on effective presentation habits, and learn to deliver ideas with confidence and clarity.

Delivering Effective Presentations

When it's time for a change

Whether planned or sudden, it is crucial to communicate the succession of high-profile positions effectively. Download our three-part e-book and learn the best way to craft a plan for CEO, CFO and Board of Directors transitions.

Download Your Free eBook: Communicating Management Transitions 

Be Proactive, Not Reactive

With our new Proxy GamePlan, we create a year-round, data-driven strategic roadmap for effective shareholder engagement. Implement a best-in-class program rooted in a deep understanding of your company’s proxy practices, shareholder voting trends and peer landscape.

Learn More About Proxy GamePlan

Find Effective IR Counsel

Whether you’re seeking external IR counsel for the first time or evaluating your current provider, you need a firm that understands your strategy, adapts to your culture and tells your story. Download our free guide on how to assess the effectiveness of an investor relations firm.

How to Assess  an IR Firm

Activism Defense

No company is immune to shareholder activism. Sharon Merrill helps boards of directors and executive management teams identify the activist red flags lurking in your shareholder base, assess your governance risks and develop an action plan to prevent, detect and neutralize any threats. Download our free white paper, “Leveraging Institutional Shareholder Relationships to Reduce Activism Risk,” and learn how the best defense against activism is a strong offense.

Download Activist Defense White Paper

Captivate your Audience

Speaking persuasively is critical in today’s competitive business environment. Effective speakers use voice techniques and body language that project authority and credibility. Download our free e-book, “A Guide to Delivering Captivating Presentations,” for insight into good -and bad- presentation habits, and learn how to improve your skills.

Become a Persuasive Speaker 

Perceptions Matter

How do you ensure that investors clearly understand your strategy, growth drivers and market position? The most effective way is through a perception study. By periodically taking the investment community’s pulse you can avoid the knowledge gaps and misperceptions that hurt valuation. Download our free whitepaper, Why Perceptions Matter, to learn more.

Download your free copy of  'Why Perceptions Matter' 

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