Presentations are a fact of business life. Sooner or later, you will be called upon to create and give one. Staged Right’s Ed Roland shares the key steps in creating and rehearsing a effective presentation in an installment of Express Yourself aptly named “Taking It From The Top.”

Shop Talk looks at the five hardest jobs to fill in 2012. Although the economy continues to face many challenges, the startup and tech industries are very much alive. Hiring the best of the best is an absolute must if you are going to build a successful company. Join the conversation at 866-305-6887.

OutQ’s Michelangelo Signorile, in a bit of a Focus Group tradition, joins Tim and John to kick off 2012 and talk about the year ahead, the current state of gay media and news reporting, and his new position as Editor-at-Large of Huffington Post Gay Voices.

Shop Talk focuses on key takeaways from Stanford business professor Jeffrey Pfeffer’s book, Power: Why Some People Have It—And Others Don’t. Pfeffer asks us to consider the more positive reasons that we reach for power in our professional lives in order to feel in control, get wealthy, and achieve our goals. Join the conversation at 866-305-6887.

A big thanks to everyone at The Focus Group, and to our guests and listeners for a wonderful 2011. We’ll wrap up the year with a mix of our favorite interviews, and some resolutions from Tim and John for 2012.

Jennifer M. Granholm was elected governor of Michigan in 2002 and re-elected in 2006. Her new book, A Governor’s Story: The Fight for Jobs and America’s Economic Future, co-authored with Dan Mulhern, offers insight into the challenges facing America today. A resident of Las Vegas since 1970, Mya Lake Reyes is Director of Diversity Marketing for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Her career in travel spans many disciplines and titles, with a focus on diversity. OffTo.com is the first website devoted to providing great deals on customized LGBT getaways in the U.S. and abroad. Co-Founder Brian Goldthorpe discusses the inspiration and some of the challenges the business faced along the way.

The Ultimate Grand Supreme Focus Group Holiday Party will make for perfect listening this Christmas weekend. A big thank you to all our wonderful guests and listeners! Join Tim, John, Producer Katie Castellano and Metroscope’s Paul Hagen for The Focus Group’s Holiday Listening Party. Guests include New York Times columnist Stuart Elliott, True Prep author Lisa Birnbach, the Butch Bakery’s David Arrick, The Fabulous Beekman Boys Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, along with the holiday musical stylings of singers Michael Richard Kelly, Eddie Bruce and accompanist Tom Adams.

This weekend join Tim, John, Producer Katie Castellano and Metroscope’s Paul Hagen for The Focus Group’s Holiday Listening Party. Guests include New York Times columnist Stuart Elliott, True Prep author Lisa Birnbach, the Butch Bakery’s David Arrick, The Fabulous Beekman Boys Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, along with the holiday musical stylings of singers Michael Richard Kelly, Eddie Bruce and accompanist Tom Adams.

Las Vegas: The Strip and Beyond visits with Jim McMichael, Senior Marketing Manager at the Fashion Show. One of the nation’s largest shopping centers and Las Vegas’ premier retail destination, Fashion Show offers seven flagship department stores along with over 250 extraordinary shops and restaurants. The mall’s signature feature is the Great Hall, a multimillion dollar event area with an 80-foot retractable runway used for fashion shows.

Christian Edwards serves as the Chief Marketing and Development Officer for his 96 year old family business, Edward Marc Chocolatier. With an extensive background and career in politics, Chris oversees all PR, marketing and development efforts for Edward Marc, available at Saks Fifth Avenue. Join the conversation at 866-305-6887.

More and more dog owners are beginning to cook everyday meals for their dogs. It is a healthier, safer alternative to store-bought dog food. But what about gourmet chefs? Kathryn (Kit) Levy Feldman and Sabina Louise Pierce, the authors of The Culinary Canine: Great Chefs Cook for Their Dogs—And So Can You! share the story of how their book came together, and show dog owners how to be gourmet chefs for their own pampered pooches.

Paul Hagen of Metrosource magazine returns to continue his mission of putting the “culture” back in “pop culture” for our listeners on Metroscope. Join the conversation at 866-305-6887.

In observance of Thanksgiving, enjoy a Vintage Focus Group that features a true American classic: The legendary Dick Cavett. Host of “The Dick Cavett Show” on ABC from 1968 to 1975 and on public television from 1977 to 1982, he is also the co-author of two books, has appeared on Broadway, and has made guest appearances in movies and TV shows. His latest book is, Talk Show: Confrontations, Pointed Commentary, and Off-Screen Secrets.

In our current “look at me” era, privacy now seems a quaint relic. Yet as Carmela Ciuraru’s book Nom de Plume: A (Secret) History of Pseudonyms reminds us, it wasn’t always like this. Her book explores the stories of sixteen authorial impostors across centuries and cultures.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has become the official kick-off celebration to the holiday season. Amy Kule, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, joins Tim and John to talk about the complexities of putting together this signature holiday event.

Norwegians cruise like no other people on earth. With more choices of what to do and see, and more freedom to do it your way. The Cruise Director of the Norwegian Jewel stops by to talk about the business behind the perfect vacation. Join the conversation at 866-305-6887.