Do you wear SPANX?

Do you wear SPANX?

If you’re lucky enough to have a great body shape you may never have heard of SPANX. The rest of us know it as that amazing shape wear that hides all our lumps and bumps.

When starting out, the founder, Sara Blakely, approached the American Department Store Neiman Marcus to sell her product.

After many repeated attempts trying to get some time with them she was finally granted a 10-minute meeting to make her pitch.

Excited to be given the opportunity, she packed up her prototype, put together a presentation and flew to Dallas.

Five minutes into her pitch, she could tell that the executive wasn’t buying it. To use Sara’s own words “I was losing her big time”.


In that moment the craziest of ideas came to Sara.


“Will you come to the bathroom with me?,” she asked the company exec, who was surprised and hesitant.

Sara convinced her to go to the bathroom so she could demonstrate her white pants with and without SPANX.

The executive thought the concept was brilliant and Sara’s SPANX became one of the most famous shape-wear brands.


When creating presentations, you want them to be memorable.


I’m not suggesting you invite your audience to the bathroom – but there are so many ways you can make your presentation more interesting.

When putting together a presentation, most of us start with, “What information do I need to share?”, and start building from there.

Next time – try a different approach and ask yourself questions like:

  • How do I want my audience to feel?
  • What action do I want them to take?
  • What memorable stories can I use?

I receive the best feedback from readers of this newsletter when I manage to include a story that resonates with them emotionally.

Practice putting together presentations with stories and interesting graphics so that it comes more naturally to you when you need to put it into practice.


PS - My coaching program, “Create a Career You Love” has had a makeover and now has a number of flexible options to give you access to the support you need in a format that works for you. Hop over to my website if you want to know more: https://www.juliecullen.co.uk/a-career-you-love

PPS - If you want these newsletters delivered direct to your inbox every Thursday - just sign-up on the website https://www.juliecullen.co.uk/

Judith Tarrant McGettigan

SAP Service Delivery Manager for NTT DATA Business Solutions

5 个月

Right I’m not going to lie, you hooked me immediately with your opening line & SPANX ! I’m glad I did take the time to read your article because I didn’t know Sara Blakely’s backstory. Just shows that you can always turn a bad situation round & by thinking out the box Sara was successful - LOVE IT ??????

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