We can “Deck the Halls,” “Swab the deck,” and even “Deck someone” …. (though I wouldn’t endorse trying the last one!).
Obviously, the word “deck” can mean a lot of things.
But, nowhere does a deck equate to a presentation!
When I coach executives for presentation skills, typically they say, “The deck is being prepared.” I then ask, “What about the presentation?”
From my perspective as an executive speech coach and professional speaker for more years than I like to admit, an effective presentation needs to be crafted first BEFORE slides are created.
Then, and only then, if the visuals will support the message, should a slide “deck” be crafted, too.
Preparing slides has become so easy that it’s now commonplace for presenters to simply read their slides – which is never a formula for speaking success.
Show me one example of a presentation where the audience wanted more slides.
The speaker needs to be the most important visual element.
How?
Through effective use of eye contact, facial expression, gestures and movements to captivate an audience -- plus having a good, descriptive story to tell. Then, you can add a visual to help paint a picture or make a point.
So, in the future, prepare your presentation -- then get all decked out!
Showing posts with label presenter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label presenter. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Death By PowerPoint: Don’t Become Another Speaking Statistic
We’ve all heard the expression “death by PowerPoint.”
People acknowledge it, laugh about it, and hate it when in an audience, but, yet …. Many continue to be guilty of doing it themselves!
How can presenters avoid this?
Here are my 10 tips for avoiding Death by PowerPoint:
1) Write your presentation first, then look to see where you can add PowerPoint to reinforce the message. Keep in mind, a slide deck isn’t a presentation.
2) Add graphics, rather than bullet points, wherever possible. When words are necessary, it’s OK to use them, but avoid paragraphs.
3) Limit the content on the slides. If your audience needs the slides in advance, or as a take-home learning tool, then give them a file with more detail -- but for the actual presentation, pare down the content.
4) Avoid too many “bells and whistles” (like different font colors/sizes, charts, etc.). The focus needs to on the information, not the slide.
5) Get comfortable with the “B” key. While in PowerPoint mode, hit the “B” key on your computer. The screen will turn black or go blank. I like to think that the B stands for BRODY. Occasionally, go blank, so you change up what you’re doing – move around more and facilitate discussion.
6) Create a list of all slides – have one sheet of paper with the slide number and title of each slide. This allows you to cut slides if time is an issue, or to jump back and forth on the slide deck. Do this by hitting the “slide number” then hit “enter.” So, assume you are on slide 10, and you want to go back to slide 3. Hit “3’ and then “enter.”
7) Practice using the slides so that you are comfortable with timing and flow.
8) Arrive early and position yourself so that the screen is to your (speaker’s) left. People read from left to right. Make it easy for the audience.
9) Open and close with a blank screen to create and keep rapport with the audience.
10) Keep in mind – less is more. Trust me ... rarely, if ever, have audience members said, “Oh good, another slide.”
Always remember, be prepared to speak without any slides all in case of a technical glitch.
The best speakers can deliver their messages with power, impact and persuasion, without any slides at all.
People acknowledge it, laugh about it, and hate it when in an audience, but, yet …. Many continue to be guilty of doing it themselves!
How can presenters avoid this?
Here are my 10 tips for avoiding Death by PowerPoint:
1) Write your presentation first, then look to see where you can add PowerPoint to reinforce the message. Keep in mind, a slide deck isn’t a presentation.
2) Add graphics, rather than bullet points, wherever possible. When words are necessary, it’s OK to use them, but avoid paragraphs.
3) Limit the content on the slides. If your audience needs the slides in advance, or as a take-home learning tool, then give them a file with more detail -- but for the actual presentation, pare down the content.
4) Avoid too many “bells and whistles” (like different font colors/sizes, charts, etc.). The focus needs to on the information, not the slide.
5) Get comfortable with the “B” key. While in PowerPoint mode, hit the “B” key on your computer. The screen will turn black or go blank. I like to think that the B stands for BRODY. Occasionally, go blank, so you change up what you’re doing – move around more and facilitate discussion.
6) Create a list of all slides – have one sheet of paper with the slide number and title of each slide. This allows you to cut slides if time is an issue, or to jump back and forth on the slide deck. Do this by hitting the “slide number” then hit “enter.” So, assume you are on slide 10, and you want to go back to slide 3. Hit “3’ and then “enter.”
7) Practice using the slides so that you are comfortable with timing and flow.
8) Arrive early and position yourself so that the screen is to your (speaker’s) left. People read from left to right. Make it easy for the audience.
9) Open and close with a blank screen to create and keep rapport with the audience.
10) Keep in mind – less is more. Trust me ... rarely, if ever, have audience members said, “Oh good, another slide.”
Always remember, be prepared to speak without any slides all in case of a technical glitch.
The best speakers can deliver their messages with power, impact and persuasion, without any slides at all.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Are All Presentations Created Equal?
I just facilitated a customized presentation skills program for regional sales managers of a very large medical device company.
Their objectives were to understand the differences and similarities between these types of presentations:
management vs. leadership
formal vs. informal
informative vs. persuasive
face to face vs. phone, web, etc.
The irony -- although they are different, the bottom line is the same.
All types of presentations have two things in common:
1) A message to structure and develop to achieve a result
2) Delivery that engages the audience members and accomplishes the goal
Is it possible to give presentations that are a combination of management and leadership, informative and persuasive?
Yes.
It comes down to what you want that audience walking away knowing, doing and feeling.
Should you prepare less because it’s informal?
Not really.
It’s always respectful to your audience (be it one or many) to be clear about your objectives and to deliver the message with clarity and enthusiasm.
In future blogs, I’ll get more specific about the differences and similarities between management and leadership presentations, and ways to be effective while presenting.
If you want to bring this custom “Speaking to Lead” program to your team, let us know!
Their objectives were to understand the differences and similarities between these types of presentations:
management vs. leadership
formal vs. informal
informative vs. persuasive
face to face vs. phone, web, etc.
The irony -- although they are different, the bottom line is the same.
All types of presentations have two things in common:
1) A message to structure and develop to achieve a result
2) Delivery that engages the audience members and accomplishes the goal
Is it possible to give presentations that are a combination of management and leadership, informative and persuasive?
Yes.
It comes down to what you want that audience walking away knowing, doing and feeling.
Should you prepare less because it’s informal?
Not really.
It’s always respectful to your audience (be it one or many) to be clear about your objectives and to deliver the message with clarity and enthusiasm.
In future blogs, I’ll get more specific about the differences and similarities between management and leadership presentations, and ways to be effective while presenting.
If you want to bring this custom “Speaking to Lead” program to your team, let us know!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Visual Aids 101: Help, Not Hinder Your Next Presentation
Are you suffering from “death by PowerPoint?”
Many people in corporate America are.
You know the symptoms … yawning participants during your slide shows or distant looks from half of the audience who are staring at your screen like zombies.
Let’s be real. Personally, I've never heard, “Oh good – another slide!” I’m sure you would agree.
So, where is the problem?
I believe that most presenters create their slides and think they have a presentation.
Wrong!
What they should be doing is writing the presentation, and then determining where a slide would add value, impact and interest.
When audience members need specific information to study, and to share with others, give them the complicated details in advance, or at the end of the presentation. Then, simplify when presenting.
What are some guidelines?
•Use pictures (personal photographs or high-end, online stock images) whenever possible – as long as they reinforce the message.
•Use charts and graphs to help explain trends, statistics, or any other numbers.
•Limit the bullet points.
•Use the “B” key to blank out the screen. It pulls the attention back to the speaker.
•Start and end with no slide, so you can make the personal connection with the audience.
Slides are tools – and shouldn’t be used as a crutch. Remember, they are visual aids – not presentations.
Your audience will thank you for not having them suffer a tedious “death by PowerPoint.”
Many people in corporate America are.
You know the symptoms … yawning participants during your slide shows or distant looks from half of the audience who are staring at your screen like zombies.
Let’s be real. Personally, I've never heard, “Oh good – another slide!” I’m sure you would agree.
So, where is the problem?
I believe that most presenters create their slides and think they have a presentation.
Wrong!
What they should be doing is writing the presentation, and then determining where a slide would add value, impact and interest.
When audience members need specific information to study, and to share with others, give them the complicated details in advance, or at the end of the presentation. Then, simplify when presenting.
What are some guidelines?
•Use pictures (personal photographs or high-end, online stock images) whenever possible – as long as they reinforce the message.
•Use charts and graphs to help explain trends, statistics, or any other numbers.
•Limit the bullet points.
•Use the “B” key to blank out the screen. It pulls the attention back to the speaker.
•Start and end with no slide, so you can make the personal connection with the audience.
Slides are tools – and shouldn’t be used as a crutch. Remember, they are visual aids – not presentations.
Your audience will thank you for not having them suffer a tedious “death by PowerPoint.”
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Executive Presentation Skills: Inform, Inspire & Persuade
I recently did a blog on the topic of executive presentations.
Exactly what separates an executive presentation from any other?
Not much.
Perhaps it’s just the title of the person presenting the material – or, speaking at the board level.
After all, every presentation has a purpose. The goal as a speaker is to determine what the purpose is.
As an executive, I may want to …
•Inform my organization about what is going on within the organization (to inform)
•Inspire trust and loyalty in my employees
•Encourage people to buy into a plan or product purchase
Over all, it’s all about informing, inspiring and persuading.
Aristotle described the principles of Logos/Ethos/Pathos.
Logos translates into logic. Every great speaker needs to be easy to follow (logical), and filled with evidence and reason. That alone can inform an audience.
To move people as well, to truly inspire them, requires the added use of Pathos. Emotional appeals, stories, and examples which hit the heart, will do that.
Then, there is the credibility factor of the presenter (Ethos). Even if an executive delivers an excellent presentation, if the audience doesn’t trust the person – the presentation will fall on deaf ears.
Position alone isn’t enough to inspire.
An executive who is believable, trustworthy, and admirable, will have a much easier time of giving an inspirational presentation.
So, being an executive speaker really just boils down to 3 things:
1)Being an executive.
2)Having a well-organized message that is relevant, inspirational and believable.
3)Delivering the message in an attentive manner -- showing passion, enthusiasm and credibility.
Why make things more difficult than they have to be?
If you need help turning a lackluster presentation into a memorable, executive-level experience, sign up for my 1-hour webinar on September 14 (12:30-1:30 pm EST): “How to Present Your Ideas Persuasively to Better Influence Others at Work.”
Exactly what separates an executive presentation from any other?
Not much.
Perhaps it’s just the title of the person presenting the material – or, speaking at the board level.
After all, every presentation has a purpose. The goal as a speaker is to determine what the purpose is.
As an executive, I may want to …
•Inform my organization about what is going on within the organization (to inform)
•Inspire trust and loyalty in my employees
•Encourage people to buy into a plan or product purchase
Over all, it’s all about informing, inspiring and persuading.
Aristotle described the principles of Logos/Ethos/Pathos.
Logos translates into logic. Every great speaker needs to be easy to follow (logical), and filled with evidence and reason. That alone can inform an audience.
To move people as well, to truly inspire them, requires the added use of Pathos. Emotional appeals, stories, and examples which hit the heart, will do that.
Then, there is the credibility factor of the presenter (Ethos). Even if an executive delivers an excellent presentation, if the audience doesn’t trust the person – the presentation will fall on deaf ears.
Position alone isn’t enough to inspire.
An executive who is believable, trustworthy, and admirable, will have a much easier time of giving an inspirational presentation.
So, being an executive speaker really just boils down to 3 things:
1)Being an executive.
2)Having a well-organized message that is relevant, inspirational and believable.
3)Delivering the message in an attentive manner -- showing passion, enthusiasm and credibility.
Why make things more difficult than they have to be?
If you need help turning a lackluster presentation into a memorable, executive-level experience, sign up for my 1-hour webinar on September 14 (12:30-1:30 pm EST): “How to Present Your Ideas Persuasively to Better Influence Others at Work.”
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Present Like a Pro: It's All About the Audience
Last week, I did a webinar on presentation skills.
One question I was asked at the end was, “What is the number one mistake that people make when it comes to giving presentations?
My answer? “Not knowing the audience.”
Think about it...
As a speaker, your information may be excellent, but if it doesn’t relate to the audience, what’s the point?
If the vocabulary, acronyms and jargon are correct, but the audience doesn’t understand them, what’s the point?
If your audience members like to learn by listening, but you use lots of PowerPoint slides, what’s the point?
Preparing a presentation should be all about the audience.
Instead, most presenters see things from their own lens.
Here are some critical factors to consider about your audience members, the next time you prepare a presentation:
•What is their demographic? After all, the examples you use must be understood by them.
•What is their attitude toward your topic and you?
•What experiences do they have relating to your topic?
•How do they like to learn?
•What are their hot buttons?
•How do they make decisions?
•Who are the decision-makers, and who are the influencers?
There are three times to get to know an audience.
The first is when you start your preparation; do your research.
The second is to arrive early, ask questions, and observe what is happening around you.
Finally, you can learn about an audience during the presentation itself. If the audience seems perplexed, is hostile or falling asleep, change what you’re doing. Do a quick reality check and shift gears.
There isn’t one speaker or speaking style that works with all audiences.
But, as a presenter, you can flex your style and your content.
Keep in mind the name of my popular book Speaking is an Audience-Centered Sport.
One question I was asked at the end was, “What is the number one mistake that people make when it comes to giving presentations?
My answer? “Not knowing the audience.”
Think about it...
As a speaker, your information may be excellent, but if it doesn’t relate to the audience, what’s the point?
If the vocabulary, acronyms and jargon are correct, but the audience doesn’t understand them, what’s the point?
If your audience members like to learn by listening, but you use lots of PowerPoint slides, what’s the point?
Preparing a presentation should be all about the audience.
Instead, most presenters see things from their own lens.
Here are some critical factors to consider about your audience members, the next time you prepare a presentation:
•What is their demographic? After all, the examples you use must be understood by them.
•What is their attitude toward your topic and you?
•What experiences do they have relating to your topic?
•How do they like to learn?
•What are their hot buttons?
•How do they make decisions?
•Who are the decision-makers, and who are the influencers?
There are three times to get to know an audience.
The first is when you start your preparation; do your research.
The second is to arrive early, ask questions, and observe what is happening around you.
Finally, you can learn about an audience during the presentation itself. If the audience seems perplexed, is hostile or falling asleep, change what you’re doing. Do a quick reality check and shift gears.
There isn’t one speaker or speaking style that works with all audiences.
But, as a presenter, you can flex your style and your content.
Keep in mind the name of my popular book Speaking is an Audience-Centered Sport.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Bad Humor Is No Joke
Using humor can be a great lead-in to an effective presentation, and even sprinkled throughout a talk.
But U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) is now apologizing for telling Polish jokes at a gathering of Pennsylvania political insiders earlier this month.
Senator Specter says he was recalling stories that had been told by the late Philadelphia Republican political boss, Billy Meehan. He explained, “On the Pennsylvania Society weekend, the subject came up and I told a couple of Bill Meehan stories. And they struck a nerve. And they were insensitive and, I now see, inappropriate.”
Even seasoned orators like Senator Specter need to remember a few rules for the effective use of humor when giving a presentation:
1)Never disparage any ethnic, gender, age, or racial group. This type of humor is NEVER funny, nor appropriate – despite what you may think.
2)Don’t repeat a joke that someone else used, thinking the blame for it if it bombs won’t be placed squarely on you (see above story RE Senator Specter).
3)Humor often doesn’t “travel” well (internationally or regionally).
4)Work on your timing – a humorous story improperly delivered is ineffective.
5)Self-deprecating humor can be good, unless they take your foibles seriously.
6)Don’t blame others for your poor judgment (Senator Specter take note)
The good news is that Senator Specter realized that he had made a mistake in using this inappropriate humor and apologized. Many speakers whose presentations fail due to bad use of humor don’t often realize in retrospect why their message wasn’t effectively received.
Senator Specter says that he makes a lot of speeches, and usually uses humor in good taste. But he says sometimes he makes mistakes –-and this was a big one.
Presenters can learn from this example, and carefully consider the use of humor – following the guidelines above.
But U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) is now apologizing for telling Polish jokes at a gathering of Pennsylvania political insiders earlier this month.
Senator Specter says he was recalling stories that had been told by the late Philadelphia Republican political boss, Billy Meehan. He explained, “On the Pennsylvania Society weekend, the subject came up and I told a couple of Bill Meehan stories. And they struck a nerve. And they were insensitive and, I now see, inappropriate.”
Even seasoned orators like Senator Specter need to remember a few rules for the effective use of humor when giving a presentation:
1)Never disparage any ethnic, gender, age, or racial group. This type of humor is NEVER funny, nor appropriate – despite what you may think.
2)Don’t repeat a joke that someone else used, thinking the blame for it if it bombs won’t be placed squarely on you (see above story RE Senator Specter).
3)Humor often doesn’t “travel” well (internationally or regionally).
4)Work on your timing – a humorous story improperly delivered is ineffective.
5)Self-deprecating humor can be good, unless they take your foibles seriously.
6)Don’t blame others for your poor judgment (Senator Specter take note)
The good news is that Senator Specter realized that he had made a mistake in using this inappropriate humor and apologized. Many speakers whose presentations fail due to bad use of humor don’t often realize in retrospect why their message wasn’t effectively received.
Senator Specter says that he makes a lot of speeches, and usually uses humor in good taste. But he says sometimes he makes mistakes –-and this was a big one.
Presenters can learn from this example, and carefully consider the use of humor – following the guidelines above.
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