While the Phillies ended their season dead last in the league this year, the Phillie Phanatic is still number one in our hearts! From the tip of his furry green snout to the heel of his silly size 20 shoes, the Phanatic is arguably the best mascot in the business.

And the big guy has the credentials to prove it. Voted “Best Mascot in Sports” by Forbes and “Best Mascot Ever” by Sports Illustrated for Kids, the Phanatic is one of only three mascots displayed in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Phanatic scrambles over seats, screeches around the corner in his ATV, fires hot dogs at opposing players, and dumps popcorn on the sports announcer’s head. He’s one seriously Big and Bold critter, but what does the Phillie Phanatic have to do with you and your corporate presentations?

Let’s take a look at what the Phanatic brings to his audience:

Energy! Whoa, baby! Does the Phanatic ever have energy! And that energy is contagious! Even though the team is losing, he’s having a good time, so the fans are having a good time. It works the same with your presentations. As the presenter, you can totally set the temperature in the room. If you’re excited about what you’re talking about, your audience will be excited too!

Emotion! The Phanatic bleeds green all over those Phillie fans, and they love it! Likewise, you’ve got to find your passion about whatever you’re presenting. Communication is a visceral experience, and it requires both intellect and emotion for the listener to get your message. If you only speak in boring factoids out of your left brain with no emotion, the message will not reach your audience. You have to speak from your heart.

Exaggeration! While many big-league mascots are trapped in static, giant heads with painted smiles, the Phanatic is flexible. He can do a double take; he can bump and roll and dodge and weave. He also cannot speak. So, to get his message across to the fans, especially those in the nosebleed seats, the Phanatic has to use big, bold and specific gestures. Now 9 out of 10 of you aren’t going to present in a baseball stadium, but there is still sound truth behind what the Phanatic does. No matter the size of your venue, one of the best things you can do to help your listeners is use your body when you speak! I know that you can be presenting, and put your hand up, and feel like – oh my gosh, I’m enormous. Yet, it doesn’t LOOK enormous to the audience. It’s perspective. You have to bust out of your comfort zone and use your body to help your listeners get your message.

The Phanatic is all about fun! He teases fans and players, but every encounter with someone is meant to be positive. His whole goal is to take all that energy, emotion and exaggeration and put a smile on someone’s face. Imagine the shortlist audience walking away from the table smiling! You’d have more work than you know what to do with!