Business Book Awards 2026 Shortlisted in Business Self Development category

Most pitches and presentations suck. Yours don’t have to.

Whenever you speak you’re not just sharing information, you’re asking your audience to buy into you and your ideas. In a world where attention is at a premium, you have to cut through the noise. Pitches and presentations aren’t something to wing. The best presenters prepare with purpose, crafting what to say and how to say it. Get it right and you will supercharge your influence, your impact and your results.

Cut-Through reveals a proven six-step process for developing your ideas and giving a winning performance. You’ll discover how to crystallise your thinking into ‘sticky’ key messages, shape them into a narrative your audience can’t ignore, then deliver your words with confidence. Packed with easy-to-implement tools and techniques, you’ll also have access to a library of powerful resources including a diagnostic scorecard, bite size videos, downloadable cheat sheets and more.

Dominic Colenso started his career as an actor, most famously playing Virgil Tracy in the Hollywood remake of Thunderbirds alongside Sir Ben Kingsley. He now works with businesses around the world, helping individuals and teams take centre stage and deliver outstanding results.

“In business, you don’t get what you deserve—you get what you pitch for. That’s why I’ve always taught entrepreneurs that the first skill to master is pitching. Cut-Through is a masterclass in doing exactly that. Dominic Colenso has taken years of stage experience, coaching, and neuroscience and distilled it into a powerful, practical playbook. Whether you’re selling an idea, a product, or a vision for the future, this book will sharpen your message and boost your impact. Essential reading for anyone who wants to be heard.”

Daniel Priestley
Award-winning Entrepreneur
Best-selling Author of Key Person of Influence
Founder of Dent Global

“Cut-Through is an indispensable guide for anyone looking to truly master the art of impactful communication. Dominic is always adept at offering a practical and actionable framework to help structure the approach to communicating effectively – and this book is no different. He expertly demystifies the process of creating engaging pitches and presentations, elevating what might seem an innate talent into a learnable skill. This book provides the definitive roadmap to ensure your message not only resonates but leaves a lasting impression with the audience and gets the desired result. It’s a must-read for elevating your influence.”

Chris Wynn
Director of Communications
John Lewis Partnership

“Clarity, confidence and authenticity – these define performances by top actors. An entire industry now exists to help entrepreneurs and businesses tap into the same qualities that allow great performers to compel our attention. Drawing on his impressive track record as an actor and director, Dominic Colenso has distilled this landscape into a guide that is both comprehensive and succinct. This book ‘unpicks’ the core elements of great performance — rehearsing, bringing words to life, and perhaps most importantly, listening — making the path to confident, convincing presenting and pitching clear and accessible to all. Read on!”

Ellis Jones
Former Vice Principle and Head of Acting
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art

“Cut-Through is the playbook every sales professional needs in today’s noisy world. Dominic nails what it really takes to capture attention and convert it into action — with zero fluff and 100% practical value. His Six Ds framework is smart, simple, and immediately usable. I’ve seen Dom in action, and what he teaches isn’t theory — it works. If you want to win more pitches, have more impactful conversations, and genuinely stand out from the competition, this book will show you how. Read it, apply it, and watch what happens.”

Tony Morris
International Sales Speaker
Author of Coffee’s for Closers

“Building on the foundations of IMPACT, Dominic Colenso delivers another masterclass in embodied communication. Cut-Through transforms the art of pitching and presenting through his unique blend of theatrical expertise and business acumen. The Six Ds methodology doesn’t just teach technique—it engages the whole human in bringing logic, human connection, creativity and action (head, heart, gut and feet) to each and every presentation. As a performance coach, I witness daily how poor delivery undermines brilliant ideas. This book bridges that gap with no-nonsense frameworks that build confidence from the inside out. Whether facing boardrooms or cameras, Dominic’s approach develops the whole performer, not just the presentation.”

Dr Claire Dale
Founder Director, Physical Intelligence Institute and Companies in Motion
Author of Physical Intelligence

“I’ve worked with Dominic for over 15 years, and there’s a reason I keep going back—he’s the best in the business when it comes to developing real-world communication skills. Whether you’re a future leader or a seasoned executive, the ability to pitch, present and truly connect with an audience is critical—and Cut-Through delivers the playbook every professional needs. This isn’t theory—it’s a toolkit for personal growth and organisational impact.”

Nick Walker,
VP People & Workplace
Bolt

This playbook is an indispensable guide for anyone wishing to make their ideas heard and remembered. Following on from his book IMPACT, Dominic once again provides practical tools on not just how to present but how to connect with your audience. Whether you’re pitching a bold vision or crafting an important presentation, this book will help you cut through and have the impact you want.

Craig Watkins
CEO
Verian UK

“As someone who doesn’t consider himself a natural presenter, Dominic’s IMPACT framework gave me the confidence to step up and deliver with far greater clarity and presence. Cut-Through takes that to the next level. This book is an essential playbook for anyone in sales looking to communicate with more purpose, energy, and influence. Presentations and pitches are the heartbeat of our profession—yet too few sales professionals invest the time to truly master them. Dominic gives you the structure and mindset to stand out when it matters most.”

Steve Lindsey
Managing Director
Lincoln West & National Sales Conference

“Colenso’s ideas are dangerous. He draws you in with a charmingly anecdotal style, so that you don’t even realise that you have been sucked into his unique 6Ds approach. And then he gradually reveals a treasure trove of practical techniques that great speakers and actors have kept secret for hundreds of years. So please don’t buy the book, as it may put me out of business.”

Graham Davies
Author of The Presentation Coach

When we cast Dominic in Thunderbirds, I watched him realise the opportunity he had just been given. The late great Bill Paxton played his father and Sir Ben Kingsley played the delicious villain The Hood. The lessons Dom wisely took from these pros have served him well. The discipline of rehearsal and energy of performance has been translated into Cut-Through: The pitch and presentation playbook. It’s smart, structured and refreshingly human.

Jonathan Frakes
Actor and Director
‘Commander Riker’ – Star Trek: The Next Generation

Preface: It starts with silence

INTRODUCTION: Why life’s a pitch

1. DISCOVER: Zoom out to the big picture

• Don’t be afraid to say no
• Know your audience
• Stand & Deliver: Facts vs Feelings
• Put people in boxes
• Stand & Deliver: Who Am I Talking To?
• Know what you want
• Stand & Deliver: See It. Feel it. Say it.
• Pick the right team
• Celebrate your uniqueness
• There’s always competition
• Stand & Deliver: Define. Differentiate. Destroy
• Go big to go small
• Chapter Summary

2. DISTIL: Cut it back to the core

Step 2: Distil

• Pick the format
• Find the essence
• Write the headline
• Harness the power of three
• Stand & Deliver: What do you want them to know?
• Make them feel something
• Stand & Deliver: What do you want your audience to feel?
• Don’t be afraid to ask
• Stand & Deliver: What do you want your audience to do?
• Make it ‘towards’ or ‘away from’
• Stand & Deliver: Why now?
• Add some stardust
• Use the blockbuster formula
• Stand & Deliver: 20:70:10
• Chapter Summary

3. DESIGN: Craft a blockbuster narrative

• Step 3: Design
• Always go back to the exam question
• Decide on how to script it
• Brilliant beginnings
• Stand & Deliver: Create a S.T.A.R. Opening
• Mesmerising middles
• Become a master storyteller
• Stand & Deliver: Choose your middle 1.2.3.
• Excellent endings
• Stand & Deliver: Season your ending with S.A.L.T.
• A presentation on a page
• Choose your visual approach
• Don’t kill them with boring slides
• Stand & Deliver: Make sure it flows
• Chapter Summary

1. DRILL: Prepare a star performance

Step 4: Drill

• Rehearse like a pro
• Stand & Deliver: Create a rehearsal schedule
• Bring the words to life
• Fine tune your teamwork
• Stand & Deliver: Speed runs
• Don’t ignore the camera
• Stand & Deliver: Set the stage for success
• Prepare for Q&A
• Stand & Deliver: Draft a worse case list
• Have a plan B and C
• Stand & Deliver: Pack a parachute
• Chapter Summary

5. DELIVER: Leave them wanting more

• Step 5: Deliver
• Ditch the nerves
• Stop before you start
• Stand & Deliver: Take a deep breath
• Warm up your instrument
• Stand & Deliver: Plan your warm-up
• Check the tech
• Start with a bang
• Don’t forget to unmute
• Stand & Deliver: Use a checklist
• Stop the tumbleweed
• Handle any objections
• Chapter Summary

6. DEBRIEF: Enjoy the accolades and learn from the critics

• Step 6: Debrief
• Review your performance
• Ask for feedback
• Build your presentation bank
• Stand & Deliver: Capture your learning
• Chapter Summary

Epilogue: Action! Taking the next step

Acknowledgements

Appendix A: More formulas for a 1.2.3. middle

The Author

Also by Dominic Colenso…

Endnotes

Preface: It starts with silence

INTRODUCTION: Why life’s a pitch

1. DISCOVER: Zoom out to the big picture

• Don’t be afraid to say no
• Know your audience
• Stand & Deliver: Facts vs Feelings
• Put people in boxes
• Stand & Deliver: Who Am I Talking To?
• Know what you want
• Stand & Deliver: See It. Feel it. Say it.
• Pick the right team
• Celebrate your uniqueness
• There’s always competition
• Stand & Deliver: Define. Differentiate. Destroy
• Go big to go small
• Chapter Summary

2. DISTIL: Cut it back to the core

• Step 2: Distil
• Pick the format
• Find the essence
• Write the headline
• Harness the power of three
• Stand & Deliver: What do you want them to know?
• Make them feel something
• Stand & Deliver: What do you want your audience to feel?
• Don’t be afraid to ask
• Stand & Deliver: What do you want your audience to do?
• Make it ‘towards’ or ‘away from’
• Stand & Deliver: Why now?
• Add some stardust
• Use the blockbuster formula
• Stand & Deliver: 20:70:10
• Chapter Summary

3. DESIGN: Craft a blockbuster narrative

• Step 3: Design
• Always go back to the exam question
• Decide on how to script it
• Brilliant beginnings
• Stand & Deliver: Create a S.T.A.R. Opening
• Mesmerising middles
• Become a master storyteller
• Stand & Deliver: Choose your middle 1.2.3.
• Excellent endings
• Stand & Deliver: Season your ending with S.A.L.T.
• A presentation on a page
• Choose your visual approach
• Don’t kill them with boring slides
• Stand & Deliver: Make sure it flows
• Chapter Summary

1. DRILL: Prepare a star performance

Step 4: Drill

• Rehearse like a pro
• Stand & Deliver: Create a rehearsal schedule
• Bring the words to life
• Fine tune your teamwork
• Stand & Deliver: Speed runs
• Don’t ignore the camera
• Stand & Deliver: Set the stage for success
• Prepare for Q&A
• Stand & Deliver: Draft a worse case list
• Have a plan B and C
• Stand & Deliver: Pack a parachute
• Chapter Summary

5. DELIVER: Leave them wanting more

• Step 5: Deliver
• Ditch the nerves
• Stop before you start
• Stand & Deliver: Take a deep breath
• Warm up your instrument
• Stand & Deliver: Plan your warm-up
• Check the tech
• Start with a bang
• Don’t forget to unmute
• Stand & Deliver: Use a checklist
• Stop the tumbleweed
• Handle any objections
• Chapter Summary

6. DEBRIEF: Enjoy the accolades and learn from the critics

• Step 6: Debrief
• Review your performance
• Ask for feedback
• Build your presentation bank
• Stand & Deliver: Capture your learning
• Chapter Summary

Epilogue: Action! Taking the next step

Acknowledgements

Appendix A: More formulas for a 1.2.3. middle

The Author

Also by Dominic Colenso…

Endnotes

FORMAT / ISBN / PUBLICATION DATE / RRP

Hardback / 9781788608350 / December 2, 2025 / £24.99

Paperback / 9781788608367 / December 2, 2025 / £14.99

Ebook / 9781788608374 / December 1, 2025 / £7.99

Paperback and eBook Bundle / £16.99

Dominic Colenso

By the time he was 26 Dominic Colenso had flown a spaceship, lost a million dollars and been fired by Simon Cowell. He now empowers businesses, sales teams and leaders around the world to increase the impact of their communication and perform at their best under pressure. He’s also the host of the Why Life’s A Pitch podcast.