I was running a workshop in Oracle, Rome today – just six hours and seven people. We were working on presenting with influence whether face-to-face or in the considerably more challenging environment of over the phone, where these days sales meetings or client briefings take place.
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This course gives you the opportunity to evaluate yourself as a presenter, with instant video, peer and expert feedback.
A four year old and a seven year old (both already bilingual – English and Italian) happily choose a youtube video on the ipad even though the commentary is in Russian!
I am fascinated to watch them scroll through content based purely on the visual aspect and their own motivation to find a particular video game or cartoon.
The audio becomes secondary and I imagine they’re tuning it out as they are engulfed by the visual explosion on screen.
In too many presentations I see the visual content that clashes in a frustrating asynchronous manner with what a speaker is trying to say. Here are some of the things to avoid:
As my two small boys have proved, the visual aspect is vital:
I come to the presentation to see YOU – don’t read to me, I can read faster and in my own time. Be clear as to the benefits of your presentation and don’t waste my time.
Use visuals, both on screen with images, data, maps but also in the story you tell me with words such as “imagine” and “remember”.
Be inspired by what you present – if you’re not, we (the audience) will never be!
Films are not real but they deal with real things and that is why I love using them on training courses.
This is a short presentation from the film The Dilemma, Ron Howard’s 2011 comedy starring Vince Vaughn and Kevin James.
Our two presenters are trying to persuade Dodge Motors to invest in their ideas to create an electric motor with the sound of a classic muscle car.
Watch the video and look out for:
The clip teaches me that 10 times more time needs to go into the planning and preparation than the actual performance!
What do you think?
I spend much of my time listening to boring presentations from interesting people on fascinating subjects.Together we can change this. Continue reading
This short video gives you a sample of the interactive nature of our training programmes and what you can expect to accomplish on just a one day “taster” course.
For a couple of years I have been involved with the talent division in the UN World Food Programme and as part of their learning path for Junior Professional Officers we have designed a public speaking and presenting module.
If you’re laughing you’re learning and this was a lot of fun.
If you eliminate powerpoint and allow human beings to use their creativity and imagination you can deliver great presentations with real power to persuade.
Dean Norris plays Hank Schrader a DEA cop. Watch how he uses storytelling, key data, rhetorical questions and some telling visuals to rally the troops.