The element of caring is one of 21 skills preferred by audiences. One of the challenges to caring is a presenter’s use of sarcasm when delivering a talk. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: March 2009
Using Nouns, Verbs, and Adjectives
One strategy to building an effective message is to focus on the overall “theme” or “approach”. Then, make a list of NOUNS, a list of VERBS, and a list of ADJECTIVES that relate to that overall theme. The nouns support the facts, the verbs drive the action and the adjectives create the emotional intensity. Continue reading
Relationship is the Message
Understanding “relationship” is critical to effective communication. We plan our actions in “relation” to others. In scripting, your relationship to a particular audience can be described in terms of the way you would normally relate to another person. In that regard, messages can be targeted effectively. Continue reading
Giving Dignity for a Wrong Answer
Interaction can be challenging for both a presenter and an audience member. As a speaker, what do you do when someone gives you the incorrect answer to a question? There is a way to handle the situation effectively! Continue reading
Slide-Seduction (Tease… Never Please!)
It is important to limit the content on support visuals, as mentioned in the PowerPoint Slim-Slide Diet. But slide seduction is just as important as slide reduction. Just like with any other form of enticement, effective wording will change the perspective of your audience. Continue reading
The PowerPoint Slim-Slide Diet
Imagine that the slides in your presentation gain weight as you add more text or clutter. So, you just keep feeding these images your high-calorie content and, before you know it, your presentation has become a bloated blob of blubbering babble! Sound familiar? Well, SLIDE-REDUCTION is possible! There is a way to slim your slides into speaking-shape! Continue reading
Distractions and Distortions
Clip art images, if filled with many details, can actually become a distraction when the visual stays in view too long. Continue reading
Print vs. Screen
Reviewing electronic communication may be a function of fatigue on the eyes. Many people will briefly examine at a text-intensive document on a computer, but will opt for printing the document for complete reading. This is noticed in universities (such as NYU) where students are offered electronic books, course handouts, and other online references; yet, most students will PRINT these online items, before reading or studying. Why do this? Continue reading
Rate the Skills in Your Organization
If you could AVERAGE the presentation skills of everyone in your organization (department, group, etc.), based on those you have seen present information, what LETTER-grade would you give?
How would rate the AVERAGE PRESENTER in your organization?
- C - Fair, but not very effective (45%, 49 Votes)
- B - Good, and improving (30%, 32 Votes)
- D - Substandard and needing much improvement (17%, 18 Votes)
- F - Very poor, needs a LOT of help (6%, 7 Votes)
- A - Excellent! (2%, 2 Votes)
Total Voters: 108
Loading ...If you would like to PROFILE the needs of your organization, to see how your preferences compare to published research, read the Profiling Works! posting and follow the survey link.
Practice Makes Perfect?
What is the best way to practice a presentation? Some resort to memorizing a well-written speech; some rehearse pre-written notes in an outline format; while others keep repeating an “off-the-cuff” delivery over and over until comfortable. All of these approaches focus on the content. But there is another method. Continue reading