Employing theatrical gestures and appealing body language, former actress Carol Doscher convinced a gathering of engineers, architects and construction professionals that they could win their clients\' hearts and minds by incorporating human touch in their presentations.

Ms. Doscher and her associate Geoff Webb engaged their audience in an hour long interactive performance during which they offered a variety of tips for creating successful business presentations. “Don\'t depend too much on data in your power point presentation, rather use a lot of graphics to make it effective”, they advised.

The self designated Chief Encouragement Officer of Graceworks, Ms. Doscher reminded the audience that \'the most powerful thing you can do as a presenter is to just be yourself\'. She said that interpersonal skills live in the lower right portion of human brain. She advised the audience to work out earlier on the day of the interview and practice to be spontaneous. “Since half of your message is communicated physically, use large purposeful movements to help your listeners understand what you are trying to say”, she commented.

“The more you engage your body, the more connected you get, the less nervous you feel, and the clearer message becomes”, she advised.

Mr. Webb, who preferred to call himself Chief Freedom Officer, claimed to be a specialist in setting people free. A Graceworks brochure introduced Webb as a trainer \'who helps deepen the leadership and communication skills of professionals-- so they are free to make the human connection\'.

Webb said that successful presentations are the ones where presenter genuinely connects with the audience. “You need to be able to speak to the needs of your audience with comfort and confidence”, he said.

The lively seminar was an instant hit among the members of the Society of Indo-American Engineers and Architects, who had organized it as part of an ongoing effort to help its members improve their presentation and leadership skills. The venue of the seminar was  the Superstructures Auditorium of AT&T building in New York City.

The seminar was sponsored by MassMutual Financial Group, a company specializing in disability insurance. Todd Parker, the group\'s consultant presented a variety of options suited to protect professionals in case of disabilities.

Introducing the presenters, Ravi Shenoy, president of SIAEA, said that such events proved to be very successful. “We have lined up a number of interesting programs for the benefit of our members”, he said advising them to regularly visit the society\'s web site for updates. Shenoy asked the members to remain involved in the activities of the society.

SIAEA\'s president-elect Nayan Parikh pointed out that the society was organizing business forums and seminars where experts of the construction industry shared their views with the members. Thanking fellow members for attending the seminar, Parikh invited them to attend the forthcoming grassroots meeting of the Society scheduled to be held on March 7^th at Tandoor restaurant in Queens. This would be followed by Society\'s General Body Meeting on Saturday, March 20 at Mirage in Edison, NJ and a Dinner Cruise in the summer. He also thanked MassMutual Financial group for sponsoring the event.