''There's nothing new under the sun.'' (Ecclesiastes 1:9)
Well, maybe there is; for example, the internet comes to mind. But when it comes to the art of rhetoric, most of the information and advice available is thousands of years old. Really.
If you were receiving an education in Roman times, or for many hundreds of years after that, the so-called '5 canons' (principles) of rhetoric would have been an important part of that education. Public speaking and presenting were just as important back then - if not more so - as they are now.
Yet strangely enough, many of us now go from grade school to university and beyond without ever being made familiar with these five important principles.
Starting with the writings of Aristotle, and then developed and formalised by Cicero, the five principles of presenting are:
1. Invention (inventio)
2. Arrangement (dispositio)
3. Style (elocutio)
4. Memory (memoria)
5. Delivery (actio)
In essence, the five points above provide a checklist for preparing, giving, and even evaluating a presentation or pitch.
Let's look at the points briefly:
1. Invention.
These days this would probably be called brainstorming, or research. It involves thinking, examining, and trying to discover as much relevant information as you can before you start to write your presentation. Notes, ideas, articles, quotes, illustrations - whatever it might be - this is the collection stage, and the thinking stage. You're not writing or making slides yet.
2. Arrangement.
Now you're writing and structuring your presentation. In its simplest form, that means you will be preparing an interesting introduction, a persuasive body (main section of the pitch), and a convincing conclusion.
3. Style.
Now you go over your text and do the interesting things: are the sentences short and to the point? Am I using repetition? Have I checked the grammar and spelling basics? Alliteration? Anaphora? And so on. It means taking the rough version that you wrote in the arrangement stage and turning it into (we hope) a rhetorically artistic gem.
4. Memory
This is the often painful part of presenting: how do you remember what you want to say? These days PowerPoint, teleprompters and other such tools make it a lot easier, but you still need to have a way to organise your presentation in your memory. There are many effective techniques for this, and it's often a case of figuring out what works best for you.
And finally...
5. Delivery
Definitely one of my favourite parts of presenting, and also one of the things that many people have the most difficulty with. From eye contact to gestures, and voice technique to movement, the delivery can often make or break a pitch. These are things that need to be studied and practiced, but which are easy to quickly improve on.
So there you have it. Ancient wisdom that is as up-to-date today as when it was written. If you're wondering where to start with your next presentation, just go over these five steps.
They really should still be teaching this in school!
All the best, and happy trails,
Rob
Monday 26 October 2015
Thursday 22 October 2015
A Pleasant and Pleasing Presentation Style: Using Alliteration (Repetition 3)
Here's another type of repetition that attracts attention: alliteration.
It's very simple to do, is pleasing to the ear, and is both effective and memorable.
Alliteration is the repetition of a consonant or sound at the beginning of words. For example: A big bouncing ball. In this case, it is the 'b' sound that provides the alliteration (and which makes it fun to say and hear).
You may have first come across alliteration in literature class. It is everywhere in poetry, prose and song lyrics. I like Joni Mitchells use of it in the song 'Big Yellow Taxi':
''They paved paradise and put up a parking lot... ''
It's also used in advertising jingles, and even company names: think of PayPal, or Coca-Cola. Even people's names can be alliterative: Marilyn Monroe (or Manson), Donald Duck, Ronald Reagan...
In rhetoric, alliteration is usually more subtle, yet it is also very commonly used. In addition, rhetoric even goes as far as describing the impact that different sounds have on an audience:
P or B are strong sounds that can startle or heighten the sense of drama: a bursting balloon popped powerfully.
S can be scary: Snakes slithered silently.
Here are some real world examples of alliteration in use:
''All for which America stands is safe today because brave men and women have been ready to face the fire at freedom's front.''
Ronald Reagan
''They are part of the finest fighting force that the world has ever known. They have served tour after tour of duty in distant, different and difficult places... ...In today's wars, there's not always a simple ceremony that signals our troops success; no surrender papers to be signed, or capital to be claimed.''
Barack Obama (how's that for a lot of alliteration!)
In the preparation process for your next presentation, try some alliteration.
All the best, and happy trails,
Rob
It's very simple to do, is pleasing to the ear, and is both effective and memorable.
Alliteration is the repetition of a consonant or sound at the beginning of words. For example: A big bouncing ball. In this case, it is the 'b' sound that provides the alliteration (and which makes it fun to say and hear).
You may have first come across alliteration in literature class. It is everywhere in poetry, prose and song lyrics. I like Joni Mitchells use of it in the song 'Big Yellow Taxi':
''They paved paradise and put up a parking lot... ''
It's also used in advertising jingles, and even company names: think of PayPal, or Coca-Cola. Even people's names can be alliterative: Marilyn Monroe (or Manson), Donald Duck, Ronald Reagan...
In rhetoric, alliteration is usually more subtle, yet it is also very commonly used. In addition, rhetoric even goes as far as describing the impact that different sounds have on an audience:
P or B are strong sounds that can startle or heighten the sense of drama: a bursting balloon popped powerfully.
S can be scary: Snakes slithered silently.
Here are some real world examples of alliteration in use:
''All for which America stands is safe today because brave men and women have been ready to face the fire at freedom's front.''
Ronald Reagan
''They are part of the finest fighting force that the world has ever known. They have served tour after tour of duty in distant, different and difficult places... ...In today's wars, there's not always a simple ceremony that signals our troops success; no surrender papers to be signed, or capital to be claimed.''
Barack Obama (how's that for a lot of alliteration!)
In the preparation process for your next presentation, try some alliteration.
All the best, and happy trails,
Rob
Wednesday 21 October 2015
Can You Tell A Joke?
Telling a joke is both a talent and a skill. Some people do it very well. Jerry Seinfeld talks about this:
''The four levels of comedy:
Make your friends laugh;
Make strangers laugh;
Get paid to make strangers laugh,
and Make people talk like you because it's so much fun.''
Many people believe that they simply aren't funny, or that they don't 'know how' to tell a joke. The truth is that anyone can tell a joke and tell it very well. But... there's an important secret that every great joke teller knows: you have to practice!
Telling a joke well involves many of the same skills as presenting. In fact, if you analyse the structure of a good joke, you will see that it covers many of the presentation skills basics.
For example, a good joke (and the person telling it) usually include the following:
1. They capture your attention quickly. This might be done by presenting an amusing or unusual situation for the joke. (''Two frogs walked into a bar...'') This is the equivalent of having an interesting introduction for your pitch or presentation.
2. A good joke teller is involved in their material. There are many different ways to tell a joke (think of Woody Allen compared to Robin Williams), but the thing that good joke tellers have in common is that they seem to be 'living' the material. Again, this is similar to a presenter who appears genuinely interested in the topic, and can convey that feeling to the audience.
3. A good comedian varies the speed and pace of the joke. Faster, slower, speeding up and so on. This keeps the audience involved and interested. It also makes the joke teller look professional. The same applies to pitches and presentations.
4. The punch line is preceded by a suitable pause. This builds the suspense and gets the listener ready for the big laugh. Again, in presenting, good pauses are a powerful tool.
5. And finally, a great joke ends in a very strong way (it is, after all, a joke!). A good joke is one in which everyone knows that it's over; a bad joke (or badly told joke) is one in which the listeners are left wondering: ''Was that the punch line?!?'' It's the same with presentations. In a presentation, your conclusion should be strong, clear, and interesting.
And then there is the bit about... practice. More on that later.
If you learn to tell jokes well, you will also be learning some of the solid basics of presenting. The format is very different, but the theory is very similar. And telling jokes is SO much fun!
Here's a quote from my all-time favourite actress, Audrey Hepburn:
''I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's probably the most important thing in a person.''
The next time you see a friend or a comedian telling a joke, pay attention to their technique.
More on jokes - and tips for telling them - in the next few weeks. Watch this space.
All the best, and happy trails,
Rob
''The four levels of comedy:
Make your friends laugh;
Make strangers laugh;
Get paid to make strangers laugh,
and Make people talk like you because it's so much fun.''
Many people believe that they simply aren't funny, or that they don't 'know how' to tell a joke. The truth is that anyone can tell a joke and tell it very well. But... there's an important secret that every great joke teller knows: you have to practice!
Telling a joke well involves many of the same skills as presenting. In fact, if you analyse the structure of a good joke, you will see that it covers many of the presentation skills basics.
For example, a good joke (and the person telling it) usually include the following:
1. They capture your attention quickly. This might be done by presenting an amusing or unusual situation for the joke. (''Two frogs walked into a bar...'') This is the equivalent of having an interesting introduction for your pitch or presentation.
2. A good joke teller is involved in their material. There are many different ways to tell a joke (think of Woody Allen compared to Robin Williams), but the thing that good joke tellers have in common is that they seem to be 'living' the material. Again, this is similar to a presenter who appears genuinely interested in the topic, and can convey that feeling to the audience.
3. A good comedian varies the speed and pace of the joke. Faster, slower, speeding up and so on. This keeps the audience involved and interested. It also makes the joke teller look professional. The same applies to pitches and presentations.
4. The punch line is preceded by a suitable pause. This builds the suspense and gets the listener ready for the big laugh. Again, in presenting, good pauses are a powerful tool.
5. And finally, a great joke ends in a very strong way (it is, after all, a joke!). A good joke is one in which everyone knows that it's over; a bad joke (or badly told joke) is one in which the listeners are left wondering: ''Was that the punch line?!?'' It's the same with presentations. In a presentation, your conclusion should be strong, clear, and interesting.
And then there is the bit about... practice. More on that later.
If you learn to tell jokes well, you will also be learning some of the solid basics of presenting. The format is very different, but the theory is very similar. And telling jokes is SO much fun!
Here's a quote from my all-time favourite actress, Audrey Hepburn:
''I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's probably the most important thing in a person.''
The next time you see a friend or a comedian telling a joke, pay attention to their technique.
More on jokes - and tips for telling them - in the next few weeks. Watch this space.
All the best, and happy trails,
Rob
Thursday 15 October 2015
Repetition 2: Making the Message Powerful with Anadiplosis
Yoda - from Star Wars - must have been a student of rhetoric. Take this as an example of what I mean:
''Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.''
(from the Phantom Menace)
This Yoda quote is remarkably similar to the writing of another great, William Shakespeare, in Richard III:
''The love of wicked men converts to fear, that fear to hate, and hate turns one or both to worthy danger and deserved death''
Not only are they similar in content, they are also similar in that they use the same rhetorical technique: anadiplosis.
Anadiplosis? Once again we have a rather strange sounding word. A strange sounding word that is rhetorically powerful. Powerful because it builds drama. Drama that makes your presentation stronger. Stronger because of the technique: anadiplosis.
A Greek word, anadiplosis means to use a word at the end of a sentence or clause, and then repeat it at the beginning of the next sentence or clause. Here's a famous example from the movie ''Gladiator'' (spoken by Joaquim Phoenix) :
''They call for you! The general who became a slave; the slave who became a gladiator; the gladiator who defied an emperor! Striking story!''
Like anaphora (see Repetition 1), anadiplosis often comes across better in the spoken form. It works well in short bursts; two or three sentences is enough.
Try using anadiplosis here and there in your presentation or pitch, preferably for key ideas. Key ideas that you want the audience to notice and remember. It's really simple to do and makes a noticeable difference. A difference that will get you noticed.
And to finish off, here's a funny quote from the often very funny Ann Landers, the famous advice columnist:
''The poor wish to be rich, the rich wish to be happy, the single wish to be married, and the married wish to be dead.''
('Ann Landers' was actually a pen-name).
Have fun with anadiplosis. Anadiplosis is tough to say. But say it well and your next pitch will have greater impact on the audience.
If it works for Shakespeare and Yoda, it will surely work for you.
To paraphrase Yoda:
''May the Force - and anadiplosis - be with you!''
All the best, and happy trails,
Rob
''Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.''
(from the Phantom Menace)
This Yoda quote is remarkably similar to the writing of another great, William Shakespeare, in Richard III:
''The love of wicked men converts to fear, that fear to hate, and hate turns one or both to worthy danger and deserved death''
Not only are they similar in content, they are also similar in that they use the same rhetorical technique: anadiplosis.
Anadiplosis? Once again we have a rather strange sounding word. A strange sounding word that is rhetorically powerful. Powerful because it builds drama. Drama that makes your presentation stronger. Stronger because of the technique: anadiplosis.
A Greek word, anadiplosis means to use a word at the end of a sentence or clause, and then repeat it at the beginning of the next sentence or clause. Here's a famous example from the movie ''Gladiator'' (spoken by Joaquim Phoenix) :
''They call for you! The general who became a slave; the slave who became a gladiator; the gladiator who defied an emperor! Striking story!''
Like anaphora (see Repetition 1), anadiplosis often comes across better in the spoken form. It works well in short bursts; two or three sentences is enough.
Try using anadiplosis here and there in your presentation or pitch, preferably for key ideas. Key ideas that you want the audience to notice and remember. It's really simple to do and makes a noticeable difference. A difference that will get you noticed.
And to finish off, here's a funny quote from the often very funny Ann Landers, the famous advice columnist:
''The poor wish to be rich, the rich wish to be happy, the single wish to be married, and the married wish to be dead.''
('Ann Landers' was actually a pen-name).
Have fun with anadiplosis. Anadiplosis is tough to say. But say it well and your next pitch will have greater impact on the audience.
If it works for Shakespeare and Yoda, it will surely work for you.
To paraphrase Yoda:
''May the Force - and anadiplosis - be with you!''
All the best, and happy trails,
Rob
Wednesday 14 October 2015
Repetition 1: Making the Message Memorable with Anaphora
You need a presentation. You need a memorable presentation. You need a powerful presentation. You need anaphora.
Anaphora? Here is some anaphora you might know:
''It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,
it was the age of foolishness, it was the age of wisdom...''
Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
Many people who have read 'A Tale of Two Cities' can remember the first line. One of the main reasons is that the way Dickens wrote it makes the concept crystal clear. The repetition of the words ''it was'' is an example of one of the oldest and most widely used types of repetition: anaphora. It's also one of the easiest.
So, what is anaphora?
Simple: It's the repetition of a word or words at the beginning of each sentence or clause. Take a look at one of the worlds most famous speeches and see it used:
''I have a dream... that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ''We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.''
I have a dream... that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream... that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream... that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.''
(Martin Luther King, Jr. 28 August 1963)
He goes on to use anaphora again in this same speech. It is rhythmic, powerful, and memorable.
Despite the strange sounding name (from the Greek, meaning roughly 'to go back'), anaphora is very simple to use. Adding it to your next pitch or presentation is as easy as changing a few sentences. It might look a little odd when reading it, but it comes across differently when it is spoken.
Almost every great speaker has used anaphora. Currently, both President Obama and Hillary Clinton use it frequently. Winston Churchill was another great advocate of this technique.
So why use anaphora in your next presentation?
If you want to get your message across, it drives home the point.
If you want to make complicated ideas easy to follow, it keeps things simple.
If you want to involve your audience with a rhythmic style, it does that too.
And if you want to make your pitch more powerful, anaphora is the way to go.
All the best, and happy trails,
Rob
Anaphora? Here is some anaphora you might know:
''It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,
it was the age of foolishness, it was the age of wisdom...''
Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
Many people who have read 'A Tale of Two Cities' can remember the first line. One of the main reasons is that the way Dickens wrote it makes the concept crystal clear. The repetition of the words ''it was'' is an example of one of the oldest and most widely used types of repetition: anaphora. It's also one of the easiest.
So, what is anaphora?
Simple: It's the repetition of a word or words at the beginning of each sentence or clause. Take a look at one of the worlds most famous speeches and see it used:
''I have a dream... that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ''We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.''
I have a dream... that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream... that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream... that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.''
(Martin Luther King, Jr. 28 August 1963)
He goes on to use anaphora again in this same speech. It is rhythmic, powerful, and memorable.
Despite the strange sounding name (from the Greek, meaning roughly 'to go back'), anaphora is very simple to use. Adding it to your next pitch or presentation is as easy as changing a few sentences. It might look a little odd when reading it, but it comes across differently when it is spoken.
Almost every great speaker has used anaphora. Currently, both President Obama and Hillary Clinton use it frequently. Winston Churchill was another great advocate of this technique.
So why use anaphora in your next presentation?
If you want to get your message across, it drives home the point.
If you want to make complicated ideas easy to follow, it keeps things simple.
If you want to involve your audience with a rhythmic style, it does that too.
And if you want to make your pitch more powerful, anaphora is the way to go.
All the best, and happy trails,
Rob
Wednesday 7 October 2015
Some Favourite Quotes... Part 3
Winston Churchill
(1874 - 1965)
Where to even start?
For students of history and rhetoric, Churchill is a true giant. The very act of writing about him invokes qualms of apprehension: we are in the presence of a master. It is only natural to fear that the subject far outweighs the scribe. Nevertheless, (as he would have advocated) we must push on, and so we shall.
I am well aware that there are legitimate criticisms directed toward some of the content of both his speeches and his writing. Churchill was by no means perfect. He was a complex and multi-faceted character. But his speaking and writing skills were truly in the league of the all-time greats, and that is what I am after here.
I invite those interested in some of the less kind allegations directed at him to begin with the following reading: The 10 greatest controversies of Winston Churchill's career (BBC article).
Okay. With that behind us, let's move on to some of the man's quotes:
1. ''Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.''
I wish someone had told me this when I was a teenager. I was good at the speaking part, but the listening....
Not only is this good advice, it also employs solid rhetorical technique: simple repetition. It makes the idea easy to follow, and also makes it memorable.
Simple repetition: Churchill was a true master of this deceptively easy method of making a powerful point. He used repetition repeatedly.
Take a look at his repetition in the following famous speech:
''You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word:
Victory. Victory at all costs.
Victory in spite of all terror.
Victory, however long and hard the road may be;
for without victory there is no survival,
let that be realised;
no survival for the British Empire,
no survival for all that the British Empire has stood for,
no survival for the urge and the impulse of the ages:
that mankind will move forward towards his goals...''
(first speech as new Prime Minister, delivered to the House of Commons, May 13, 1940). You can listen to this speech, and others by him, on YouTube. This one is called: Winston Churchill ''Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat''. The interesting part begins at 3:20.
Repetition is attention grabbing, easy to follow, and easy to do. (Another post will look at various types of repetition techniques.)
Churchill used repetition, in various ways, in many of his quotes. Here are a few examples:
''The inherent vice of capitalism is
the unequal sharing of blessings;
the inherent virtue of socialism is
the equal sharing of miseries.''
And one of his most well known:
''We shall fight in France.
We shall fight on the seas and oceans.
We shall fight with growing confidence and
growing strength in the air.
We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be.
We shall fight on the beaches.
We shall fight on the landing grounds.
We shall fight in the fields, and in the streets.
We shall fight in the hills.
We shall never surrender.''
How's that for an example of a lot of repetition?
Interestingly, the spoken version of this speech varies quite widely from the written version Churchill had prepared, a quite common occurrence with experienced speakers.
that mankind will move forward towards his goals...''
(first speech as new Prime Minister, delivered to the House of Commons, May 13, 1940). You can listen to this speech, and others by him, on YouTube. This one is called: Winston Churchill ''Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat''. The interesting part begins at 3:20.
Repetition is attention grabbing, easy to follow, and easy to do. (Another post will look at various types of repetition techniques.)
Churchill used repetition, in various ways, in many of his quotes. Here are a few examples:
''The inherent vice of capitalism is
the unequal sharing of blessings;
the inherent virtue of socialism is
the equal sharing of miseries.''
And one of his most well known:
''We shall fight in France.
We shall fight on the seas and oceans.
We shall fight with growing confidence and
growing strength in the air.
We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be.
We shall fight on the beaches.
We shall fight on the landing grounds.
We shall fight in the fields, and in the streets.
We shall fight in the hills.
We shall never surrender.''
How's that for an example of a lot of repetition?
Interestingly, the spoken version of this speech varies quite widely from the written version Churchill had prepared, a quite common occurrence with experienced speakers.
2. ''A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity;
an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.''
an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.''
This is an interesting - and interestingly worded - quote. Churchill accomplished a remarkable amount in his lifetime, even though he claimed to take an afternoon nap every day, and bragged about his prodigious alcohol consumption. He was a writer, painter, statesman, and even (believe it or not) an accomplished bricklayer. He also suffered from what he called ''the black dog'': bouts of severe depression. Perhaps that contributed to this quote:
''If you are going through hell, keep going.''
His humour and arrogance is illustrated well in this one:
''History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it.''
And write it he did. He was a prolific writer with a huge output. It eventually won him the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953.
3. ''Personally, I'm always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught.''
I like this one because I often feel the same way.
Churchill is loved, admired and respected by millions. His writing and quotations will remain famous for decades to come. His personality and leadership style during the war made him the most famous British Bulldog.
All the best, and happy trails,
Rob
Tuesday 6 October 2015
Part 2 : More Favourite Quotes (and why I like them).
More Quotes I Love...
Part 2
Moving right along, we arrive at another super-heavyweight...
Albert Einstein
(1879 - 1955)
In many ways Einstein was the first scientist 'rock star'. He was greeted by huge crowds, celebrations, honours and awards wherever he travelled. His photos and caricatures were (and still are) everywhere. He is often quoted, and deservedly so. Here are some of my favourites of his:
1. ''If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.''
This is a gem. Far too many presenters and pitchers overcomplicate. And a lack of practice often means that a longer path than necessary is taken to get to the point.
This quote is reminiscent of the now well known 'KISS' principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid). I've never liked the 'stupid' as the last 's', but that's the way it was born. It was coined by an American aircraft engineer (Kelly Johnson) and gained widespread use in the U.S. Navy as design instruction. Variations on the final 's' (I guess it has bothered others as well) include: silly, sista, and straightforward, among others.
For presentations, simple is the way to go.
I was thinking that perhaps Einstein was being a bit hypocritical with this quote, especially since his theory of relativity is such a difficult concept to explain or understand. But for that he has also offered a riposte:
''When you sit with a nice girl for two hours you think it's only a minute. But when you sit on a hot stove for a minute you think it's two hours. That's relativity!''
(No, it doesn't explain it to me either.)
2. ''I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought. But World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones''.
With time and careful consideration, Einstein became a committed pacifist. Yet, he had a hand in the development of the atom bomb. He was afraid that America's enemies would develop such a weapon, and he had specific information to lead him to believe so. So he wrote a letter... to the President of the United States. It is a mark of his fame and the esteem in which he was held that the letter received immediate attention.
The letter is in fact a 'call for action' and worth reading in its entirety. This is an extract from his letter to President Roosevelt in 1939:
''...it may be possible to set up a nuclear chain reaction in a large mass of uranium, by which vast amounts of power and large amounts of new radium-like elements would be generated. Now it appears almost certain that this could be achieved in the immediate future.''
Einstein's pitch letter had an impact. It resulted in the American government setting up the Manhattan Project, which would ultimately develop the atomic bomb. One of the men who would go on to be called the ''father of the atom bomb'', J. Robert Oppenheimer, provides us with a valuable insight:
''Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.'' Oppenheimer said that witnessing the first bomb test in New Mexico brought those words to mind (they are from the Bhagavad Gita, a part of Hindu holy scripture). Remarkably enough, Oppenheimer taught himself how to read Sanskrit, and the translation is his own.
The musician Sting notably named Oppenheimer in his own anti-war song, ''Russians'':
''How can I save my little boy
from Oppenheimer's deadly toy...''
The ''deadly toy'' is of course the atom bomb, the bugaboo of my childhood.
From Einstein to Oppenheimer to Sting in one link of quotes.
3. ''Only two things are infinite: the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the former.''
This is both funny and astute.
Einstein is very quotable. And many stories about Einstein are equally interesting. There are many episodes in his life that could be used as examples in a presentation.
Einstein has also reached that extremely rare level of fame where his name alone says something. Interestingly, it can convey different meanings: genius, or stupidity:
''He's a young Einstein.'' (meaning: he's a young genius) , or:
''Well done Einstein!'' (said sarcastically when someone has done something rather stupid).
Einstein received pretty much every award imaginable in his lifetime. And he remains an iconic image to this day, perhaps the only scientist to occupy such a position. And even his quotes are interesting, insightful, and often surprisingly funny.
All the best, and happy trails,
Rob
Part 2
Moving right along, we arrive at another super-heavyweight...
Albert Einstein
(1879 - 1955)
In many ways Einstein was the first scientist 'rock star'. He was greeted by huge crowds, celebrations, honours and awards wherever he travelled. His photos and caricatures were (and still are) everywhere. He is often quoted, and deservedly so. Here are some of my favourites of his:
1. ''If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.''
This is a gem. Far too many presenters and pitchers overcomplicate. And a lack of practice often means that a longer path than necessary is taken to get to the point.
This quote is reminiscent of the now well known 'KISS' principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid). I've never liked the 'stupid' as the last 's', but that's the way it was born. It was coined by an American aircraft engineer (Kelly Johnson) and gained widespread use in the U.S. Navy as design instruction. Variations on the final 's' (I guess it has bothered others as well) include: silly, sista, and straightforward, among others.
For presentations, simple is the way to go.
I was thinking that perhaps Einstein was being a bit hypocritical with this quote, especially since his theory of relativity is such a difficult concept to explain or understand. But for that he has also offered a riposte:
''When you sit with a nice girl for two hours you think it's only a minute. But when you sit on a hot stove for a minute you think it's two hours. That's relativity!''
(No, it doesn't explain it to me either.)
2. ''I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought. But World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones''.
With time and careful consideration, Einstein became a committed pacifist. Yet, he had a hand in the development of the atom bomb. He was afraid that America's enemies would develop such a weapon, and he had specific information to lead him to believe so. So he wrote a letter... to the President of the United States. It is a mark of his fame and the esteem in which he was held that the letter received immediate attention.
The letter is in fact a 'call for action' and worth reading in its entirety. This is an extract from his letter to President Roosevelt in 1939:
''...it may be possible to set up a nuclear chain reaction in a large mass of uranium, by which vast amounts of power and large amounts of new radium-like elements would be generated. Now it appears almost certain that this could be achieved in the immediate future.''
Einstein's pitch letter had an impact. It resulted in the American government setting up the Manhattan Project, which would ultimately develop the atomic bomb. One of the men who would go on to be called the ''father of the atom bomb'', J. Robert Oppenheimer, provides us with a valuable insight:
''Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.'' Oppenheimer said that witnessing the first bomb test in New Mexico brought those words to mind (they are from the Bhagavad Gita, a part of Hindu holy scripture). Remarkably enough, Oppenheimer taught himself how to read Sanskrit, and the translation is his own.
The musician Sting notably named Oppenheimer in his own anti-war song, ''Russians'':
''How can I save my little boy
from Oppenheimer's deadly toy...''
The ''deadly toy'' is of course the atom bomb, the bugaboo of my childhood.
From Einstein to Oppenheimer to Sting in one link of quotes.
3. ''Only two things are infinite: the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the former.''
This is both funny and astute.
Einstein is very quotable. And many stories about Einstein are equally interesting. There are many episodes in his life that could be used as examples in a presentation.
Einstein has also reached that extremely rare level of fame where his name alone says something. Interestingly, it can convey different meanings: genius, or stupidity:
''He's a young Einstein.'' (meaning: he's a young genius) , or:
''Well done Einstein!'' (said sarcastically when someone has done something rather stupid).
Einstein received pretty much every award imaginable in his lifetime. And he remains an iconic image to this day, perhaps the only scientist to occupy such a position. And even his quotes are interesting, insightful, and often surprisingly funny.
All the best, and happy trails,
Rob
Part 1: Some of My Favourite Quotes (and why I like them...).
Here are some of my favourite quotes, and the reasons I like them.
Mark Twain
(1835 - 1910)
Mark Twain is a reliable source of great - and funny - quotes. Like his most famous books, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and the 'sequel' , Adventures of Huckleberrry Finn, his quotes look at life from the perspective of deep insight combined with humour.
His real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens.
Mr. Clemens had a lot to say on a variety of subjects, including public speaking. And he wasn't just theorising: he was one of the most famous speakers of his day. He travelled across America and even to Europe to speak.
A good (and somewhat humorous) way of using his quotes is to say something like:
''As Samuel Langhorne Clemens famously said... of course we all know him as Mark Twain...''
Mark Twain on speaking in public:
1. ''The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause.''
I love this one because pauses are so important for effective presenting. Pauses allow the listener to catch up. They can also be very dramatic. And best of all, they are easy to insert here and there (but again, you need to practice).
2. ''It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.''
This one really nails it. Prepare and practice, two of my favourite things. The real secret of making something look natural is that you have practiced it to the point of near mastery. To the point where you are not simply reciting or speaking from memory, but actually living the talk.
3. ''There are two types of speakers: those that are nervous, and those that are liars.''
Once again, Twain has caught the essence of a classic presentation issue: stage fright. Interestingly, Mark Twain actually coined the word 'stage-fright'. There is also a passage in Tom Sawyer where Tom himself suffers from an incredible bout of this debilitating feeling. Surprisingly, Twain claimed to have only had stage fright once, but his quote seems to contradict that.
I have chosen three of his quotes related to speaking, but he has dozens of others that span topics from life to government to so much more. Even if you don't end up using some of them, they are a delight to read and consider.
Dale Carnegie
(1888 - 1955)
Carnegie's famous book 'How To Win Friends and Influence People' is a true classic. Often quoted, admired, and sometimes made fun of, it remains a favourite of millions around the world. At the end of the day, it is Carnegies deep understanding of human nature - including his own - that makes the book a real timeless treasure.
1. ''You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.''
This quote almost sums up his whole philosophy. For the business world, and especially for presenters and pitchers, it is excellent food for thought.
2. '''There are always three speeches for every one you actually gave. The one you practiced, the one you gave, and the one you wish you gave.''
This is the presenting experience. Practice is essential, but never the same as doing it live. And the value of doing it live is that you will discover what you want to change or do differently next time. But don't fall into the trap of being overly critical once the presentation is done. (See: Don't Kick Yourself Too Hard for more on this.)
And finally, here's the classic recipe for scripting your presentation or pitch. If you're uncertain how to write a presentation, follow this ancient method:
3. '' Tell the audience what you're going to say. Say it. Then tell them what you've said.''
Essentially, this is a simple presentation structure. Your introduction is the ''what you're going to say''. The body of your presentation is the ''say it''. And your conclusion is the ''tell them what you've said''.
Dale Carnegie has many more inspiring quotes. Take a look at them and enjoy.
Aristotle
(384 - 322 BC)
Aristotle was surely one of the most remarkable individuals that ever lived. He was a true polymath who was interested in - and wrote about - practically every subject, from biology to politics to rhetoric and much more. A student of Plato (not a bad person to have as a teacher), Aristotle went on to become the tutor of Alexander the Great (and an ancient story also implicates Aristotle in Alexander's death).
The width and breadth of Aristotle's knowledge is a wonder to behold. His writing is still relevant and fascinating, but for me (and many others) it is his volume about rhetoric that is the most interesting. Rhetoric is the art of speaking (or writing) effectively, and Aristotle was one of the first and most influential writers on this topic. In fact, his great book, 'the Art of Rhetoric' is a master class on the art of persuasion. There are many who feel that Aristotle pretty much said it all in this book, and that most writing about public speaking ever since is derivative of Aristotle. Certainly many of histories greatest speakers studied Aristotle. His influence on today's world, whether it's in pitching techniques or presentation styles, is everywhere (if not always recognised).
1. ''The secret to humor is surprise.''
Very simple, and direct to the point. Many others have had their say on the key to humor (Mark Twain thought that humor stemmed from sorrow). In any case, if you include surprising statements in your pitch, you will get people's attention, and often get a laugh. And as any student of joke telling knows, the punch line is very often a surprise, and that's why the joke is funny.
2. ''Nature does nothing in vain.''
You might think that this was written by a modern scientist or environmentalist. Aristotle was a keen observer (and writer) about nature and biology.
3. ''It is the mark of an educated man to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.''
This is a very valuable concept, and one of the starting points of learning.
And finally:
4. ''There is no great genius without some touch of madness.''
I would be curious to know some of your favourite quotes. Post 'em if you have 'em.
My other favourites are here on this site.
All the best, and happy trails,
Rob
Mark Twain
(1835 - 1910)
Mark Twain is a reliable source of great - and funny - quotes. Like his most famous books, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and the 'sequel' , Adventures of Huckleberrry Finn, his quotes look at life from the perspective of deep insight combined with humour.
His real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens.
Mr. Clemens had a lot to say on a variety of subjects, including public speaking. And he wasn't just theorising: he was one of the most famous speakers of his day. He travelled across America and even to Europe to speak.
A good (and somewhat humorous) way of using his quotes is to say something like:
''As Samuel Langhorne Clemens famously said... of course we all know him as Mark Twain...''
Mark Twain on speaking in public:
1. ''The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause.''
I love this one because pauses are so important for effective presenting. Pauses allow the listener to catch up. They can also be very dramatic. And best of all, they are easy to insert here and there (but again, you need to practice).
2. ''It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.''
This one really nails it. Prepare and practice, two of my favourite things. The real secret of making something look natural is that you have practiced it to the point of near mastery. To the point where you are not simply reciting or speaking from memory, but actually living the talk.
3. ''There are two types of speakers: those that are nervous, and those that are liars.''
Once again, Twain has caught the essence of a classic presentation issue: stage fright. Interestingly, Mark Twain actually coined the word 'stage-fright'. There is also a passage in Tom Sawyer where Tom himself suffers from an incredible bout of this debilitating feeling. Surprisingly, Twain claimed to have only had stage fright once, but his quote seems to contradict that.
I have chosen three of his quotes related to speaking, but he has dozens of others that span topics from life to government to so much more. Even if you don't end up using some of them, they are a delight to read and consider.
Dale Carnegie
(1888 - 1955)
Carnegie's famous book 'How To Win Friends and Influence People' is a true classic. Often quoted, admired, and sometimes made fun of, it remains a favourite of millions around the world. At the end of the day, it is Carnegies deep understanding of human nature - including his own - that makes the book a real timeless treasure.
1. ''You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.''
This quote almost sums up his whole philosophy. For the business world, and especially for presenters and pitchers, it is excellent food for thought.
2. '''There are always three speeches for every one you actually gave. The one you practiced, the one you gave, and the one you wish you gave.''
This is the presenting experience. Practice is essential, but never the same as doing it live. And the value of doing it live is that you will discover what you want to change or do differently next time. But don't fall into the trap of being overly critical once the presentation is done. (See: Don't Kick Yourself Too Hard for more on this.)
And finally, here's the classic recipe for scripting your presentation or pitch. If you're uncertain how to write a presentation, follow this ancient method:
3. '' Tell the audience what you're going to say. Say it. Then tell them what you've said.''
Essentially, this is a simple presentation structure. Your introduction is the ''what you're going to say''. The body of your presentation is the ''say it''. And your conclusion is the ''tell them what you've said''.
Dale Carnegie has many more inspiring quotes. Take a look at them and enjoy.
Aristotle
(384 - 322 BC)
Aristotle was surely one of the most remarkable individuals that ever lived. He was a true polymath who was interested in - and wrote about - practically every subject, from biology to politics to rhetoric and much more. A student of Plato (not a bad person to have as a teacher), Aristotle went on to become the tutor of Alexander the Great (and an ancient story also implicates Aristotle in Alexander's death).
The width and breadth of Aristotle's knowledge is a wonder to behold. His writing is still relevant and fascinating, but for me (and many others) it is his volume about rhetoric that is the most interesting. Rhetoric is the art of speaking (or writing) effectively, and Aristotle was one of the first and most influential writers on this topic. In fact, his great book, 'the Art of Rhetoric' is a master class on the art of persuasion. There are many who feel that Aristotle pretty much said it all in this book, and that most writing about public speaking ever since is derivative of Aristotle. Certainly many of histories greatest speakers studied Aristotle. His influence on today's world, whether it's in pitching techniques or presentation styles, is everywhere (if not always recognised).
1. ''The secret to humor is surprise.''
Very simple, and direct to the point. Many others have had their say on the key to humor (Mark Twain thought that humor stemmed from sorrow). In any case, if you include surprising statements in your pitch, you will get people's attention, and often get a laugh. And as any student of joke telling knows, the punch line is very often a surprise, and that's why the joke is funny.
2. ''Nature does nothing in vain.''
You might think that this was written by a modern scientist or environmentalist. Aristotle was a keen observer (and writer) about nature and biology.
3. ''It is the mark of an educated man to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.''
This is a very valuable concept, and one of the starting points of learning.
And finally:
4. ''There is no great genius without some touch of madness.''
I would be curious to know some of your favourite quotes. Post 'em if you have 'em.
My other favourites are here on this site.
All the best, and happy trails,
Rob
Sunday 4 October 2015
Quotes: 3 Great Reasons to Use Them
''Logic will get you from A to B.
Imagination will take you everywhere.''
(Albert Einstein)
Three Reasons to Use Quotes
1. A Quote Attracts Interest.
Quotes attract the audience's attention. If you say something like: ''As Aristotle famously said...'' people will be curious to hear what you are going to say. In other words, it's an easy audience involvement technique. Obviously the quote should be relevant and interesting.
2. Quotes are Memorable.
People will likely remember the quote long after the presentation. They may even end up using it themselves. And as a result you will also be remembered. An added bonus is that it makes it look like you made some extra effort. Which in fact you did.
3. Quotes Reinforce Your Topic or Point.
The reason we like good quotes is that they get the point across in a succinct, easy to understand way. They are clear and definitive. They help to reinforce your main theme.
The internet is full of good quote sites. But be careful! I have found several quotes on these sites wrongly attributed, so it's worth doing a double-check. Some sites I have used are BrainyQuotes and goodreads.com
The next time you are preparing a presentation, spend ten minutes and find a catchy and relevant quote. Try it out and see how it works. The small amount of effort is well worth it.
All the best, and happy trails,
Rob
Imagination will take you everywhere.''
(Albert Einstein)
Three Reasons to Use Quotes
1. A Quote Attracts Interest.
Quotes attract the audience's attention. If you say something like: ''As Aristotle famously said...'' people will be curious to hear what you are going to say. In other words, it's an easy audience involvement technique. Obviously the quote should be relevant and interesting.
2. Quotes are Memorable.
People will likely remember the quote long after the presentation. They may even end up using it themselves. And as a result you will also be remembered. An added bonus is that it makes it look like you made some extra effort. Which in fact you did.
3. Quotes Reinforce Your Topic or Point.
The reason we like good quotes is that they get the point across in a succinct, easy to understand way. They are clear and definitive. They help to reinforce your main theme.
The internet is full of good quote sites. But be careful! I have found several quotes on these sites wrongly attributed, so it's worth doing a double-check. Some sites I have used are BrainyQuotes and goodreads.com
The next time you are preparing a presentation, spend ten minutes and find a catchy and relevant quote. Try it out and see how it works. The small amount of effort is well worth it.
All the best, and happy trails,
Rob
Saturday 3 October 2015
My 5 TOP TIPS for Starting Strong
''You only get one chance to make a good first impression.''
This is particularly true in presenting. And your first impression happens before you start to speak.
1. Confident Stance.
Before you say anything, take your position and stand with confidence. That means: good posture. Stand straight, with your shoulders back, but also relaxed. Keep your head up (don't look at your feet or keep your eyes down).
Take a strong and stable foot position, with no rocking or shifting your weight from leg to leg. It's really easy. Practice a few dozen times (it only takes a moment to get into this position) over the next few days. Soon it will become natural for you and you won't even have to think about it.
2. Introduce Yourself With Your Eyes and Smile.
Again, do this before you start to speak.
Look at the audience with 'happy' eyes. Make direct eye contact (briefly) with a few specific members of the audience. If there are colleagues or friends in the group, make sure to make eye contact with them (this helps with stage fright: supportive looks from friends make you feel better).
Have a happy look on your face. Not a silly grin, but also not a frown or the look of fear.
3. Have Your Hands in a Strong Home Position.
I always say: people do the strangest things with their hands. Don't!
Again, before you start, put your hands in a strong and confident home position.
All of this only takes a few seconds. And now, after the attention grabbing pause, you are ready to start speaking.
4. Memorise Your First Two or Three Lines.
For presentations, I don't recommend memorisation.*
But do memorise your first few lines. This is the moment when your stage fright is at it's strongest. Having your first lines delivered easily and without having to think about it will boost your confidence. It also allows you to get into the rhythm of the presentation with no hiccups at the start.
5. Have an Interesting Introduction.
You've done everything else right, so don't spoil it with a boring, or weak, or overly-used opening line. It doesn't have to be high drama; just a strong statement is enough.
Some examples:
''Today I have some really good news....''
''We have some important information for you...''
At this point, open your hands and make your first confident but natural gestures.
If you follow these very simple five steps, you will have made a very strong first presentation impression.
After that, the rest is much easier.
And don't forget to practice!
(Note: * For short pitches and pitch competitions I DO recommend memorisation.)
All the best, and happy trails,
Rob
This is particularly true in presenting. And your first impression happens before you start to speak.
1. Confident Stance.
Before you say anything, take your position and stand with confidence. That means: good posture. Stand straight, with your shoulders back, but also relaxed. Keep your head up (don't look at your feet or keep your eyes down).
Take a strong and stable foot position, with no rocking or shifting your weight from leg to leg. It's really easy. Practice a few dozen times (it only takes a moment to get into this position) over the next few days. Soon it will become natural for you and you won't even have to think about it.
2. Introduce Yourself With Your Eyes and Smile.
Again, do this before you start to speak.
Look at the audience with 'happy' eyes. Make direct eye contact (briefly) with a few specific members of the audience. If there are colleagues or friends in the group, make sure to make eye contact with them (this helps with stage fright: supportive looks from friends make you feel better).
Have a happy look on your face. Not a silly grin, but also not a frown or the look of fear.
3. Have Your Hands in a Strong Home Position.
I always say: people do the strangest things with their hands. Don't!
Again, before you start, put your hands in a strong and confident home position.
All of this only takes a few seconds. And now, after the attention grabbing pause, you are ready to start speaking.
4. Memorise Your First Two or Three Lines.
For presentations, I don't recommend memorisation.*
But do memorise your first few lines. This is the moment when your stage fright is at it's strongest. Having your first lines delivered easily and without having to think about it will boost your confidence. It also allows you to get into the rhythm of the presentation with no hiccups at the start.
5. Have an Interesting Introduction.
You've done everything else right, so don't spoil it with a boring, or weak, or overly-used opening line. It doesn't have to be high drama; just a strong statement is enough.
Some examples:
''Today I have some really good news....''
''We have some important information for you...''
At this point, open your hands and make your first confident but natural gestures.
If you follow these very simple five steps, you will have made a very strong first presentation impression.
After that, the rest is much easier.
And don't forget to practice!
(Note: * For short pitches and pitch competitions I DO recommend memorisation.)
All the best, and happy trails,
Rob
Being Prepared: What Happens When Your Equipment Fails?
Breakdown!
We have become increasingly dependent on technology for pretty much everything. For presenters this is both a challenge and an opportunity.
The Challenge:
So, what do you do when...
- the projector doesn't work?
- your laptop suddenly crashes?
- your memory stick gets eaten by a giant dog?
I have been in presentations where major technical issues shut everything down. But I have also seen people deal with these problems as if they were nothing at all. And that is a real pro skill.
The Opportunity:
Being able to present, even when your gadgets fail, is both impressive and professional. It means you are really prepared, and that you obviously know your stuff. Having said that, there a few tips and tricks you can use to make this easier to accomplish.
Tips and Tricks:
1. Print out your presentation.
It sounds obvious, but these days, most people don't actually print their presentations. I find it very useful, both for practicing and for making changes. And, of course, having it with you on the day means that even if all the equipment fails, you can still go over the information, using the printed pages as a guide. Not as good as the real thing, but still better than nothing.
2. Back it up on a pen-drive.
If your laptop suddenly goes bonkers, chances are someone else will have one. Having the presentation on a pen-drive means that you will be able to go ahead with few problems.
3. Prepare an outline.
Have a (maximum) one page outline of your presentation. It might contain your first few lines, then your points, one by one. This is a cue-sheet, and will keep you on track. Highlight key words. Include your conclusion lines.
4. Know your presentation.
Once again, it comes down to practice (as you know by now, one of my favourite things). If it were up to me, practically every presentation would be done with no visual aids. But I'm a bit of a purist. Still, too many people use power point and other visual aids not as tools, but as crutches to hold them up. A good presenter can get by just with their words and their presence.
5. Use the flip-chart or white-board.
When things go terribly wrong, there is usually some down time when those who know how are trying to fix the problem. Use this time to write key numbers or words on the flip-chart or white-board. Go to them when you reach that point in your presentation (with the flip-chart, you can have the info written on the second or third page of paper, so that it remains 'out of sight' until you want to reveal it).
And finally... stick to the Boy Scout motto: ''Be Prepared''.
As Robert Baden Powell (the founder of the scouting movement) famously wrote:
''Be prepared in mind... ...by having thought out
beforehand any accident or situation that might
occur, so that you know the right thing to do at
the right moment...''
For me being prepared extends to making sure that, on the big day, I have a few extras. Things like tissues, some painkillers (just in case), working flip-chart and white-board markers, and pens and paper. A bottle of water is also a good idea. You never know.
If you've had any mechanical or technical issues in a presentation, please share in the comments section. What are your tips and tricks?
All the best, and happy trails,
Rob
We have become increasingly dependent on technology for pretty much everything. For presenters this is both a challenge and an opportunity.
The Challenge:
So, what do you do when...
- the projector doesn't work?
- your laptop suddenly crashes?
- your memory stick gets eaten by a giant dog?
I have been in presentations where major technical issues shut everything down. But I have also seen people deal with these problems as if they were nothing at all. And that is a real pro skill.
The Opportunity:
Being able to present, even when your gadgets fail, is both impressive and professional. It means you are really prepared, and that you obviously know your stuff. Having said that, there a few tips and tricks you can use to make this easier to accomplish.
Tips and Tricks:
1. Print out your presentation.
It sounds obvious, but these days, most people don't actually print their presentations. I find it very useful, both for practicing and for making changes. And, of course, having it with you on the day means that even if all the equipment fails, you can still go over the information, using the printed pages as a guide. Not as good as the real thing, but still better than nothing.
2. Back it up on a pen-drive.
If your laptop suddenly goes bonkers, chances are someone else will have one. Having the presentation on a pen-drive means that you will be able to go ahead with few problems.
3. Prepare an outline.
Have a (maximum) one page outline of your presentation. It might contain your first few lines, then your points, one by one. This is a cue-sheet, and will keep you on track. Highlight key words. Include your conclusion lines.
4. Know your presentation.
Once again, it comes down to practice (as you know by now, one of my favourite things). If it were up to me, practically every presentation would be done with no visual aids. But I'm a bit of a purist. Still, too many people use power point and other visual aids not as tools, but as crutches to hold them up. A good presenter can get by just with their words and their presence.
5. Use the flip-chart or white-board.
When things go terribly wrong, there is usually some down time when those who know how are trying to fix the problem. Use this time to write key numbers or words on the flip-chart or white-board. Go to them when you reach that point in your presentation (with the flip-chart, you can have the info written on the second or third page of paper, so that it remains 'out of sight' until you want to reveal it).
And finally... stick to the Boy Scout motto: ''Be Prepared''.
As Robert Baden Powell (the founder of the scouting movement) famously wrote:
''Be prepared in mind... ...by having thought out
beforehand any accident or situation that might
occur, so that you know the right thing to do at
the right moment...''
For me being prepared extends to making sure that, on the big day, I have a few extras. Things like tissues, some painkillers (just in case), working flip-chart and white-board markers, and pens and paper. A bottle of water is also a good idea. You never know.
If you've had any mechanical or technical issues in a presentation, please share in the comments section. What are your tips and tricks?
All the best, and happy trails,
Rob
Friday 2 October 2015
About This Blog
Welcome to my blog site.
For years I have had a lot of these materials kicking around... either on paper or in my head. Finally I am putting them all in one place: right here. They have existed in different forms and in different places, so I am happy to finally collect them all in one spot. I'm editing and mildly rewriting them as I go along, so it might take some time to get a substantial amount posted.
I'm the son of a salesman. He could have sold anything because he just really enjoyed the whole experience. He lived it.
He was a simple and practical man. He tried to teach me how to make genuine contact with people, something it took me too long to appreciate. But he did manage to pass on the classic basics to me, from theory to technique, and I still look back and marvel at what was his natural style.
I created this space because of the requests I get after courses: people ask me how they can get more information, or how they can keep on improving. When I first started out the internet was a baby, so a site like this was not a possibility.
This blog will talk about various aspects of presentation skills and pitching. At the moment it's very small, but I hope that with time it will grow to a substantial size.
Please feel free to add your comments or make requests. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
All the best, and happy trails,
Rob
For years I have had a lot of these materials kicking around... either on paper or in my head. Finally I am putting them all in one place: right here. They have existed in different forms and in different places, so I am happy to finally collect them all in one spot. I'm editing and mildly rewriting them as I go along, so it might take some time to get a substantial amount posted.
I'm the son of a salesman. He could have sold anything because he just really enjoyed the whole experience. He lived it.
He was a simple and practical man. He tried to teach me how to make genuine contact with people, something it took me too long to appreciate. But he did manage to pass on the classic basics to me, from theory to technique, and I still look back and marvel at what was his natural style.
I created this space because of the requests I get after courses: people ask me how they can get more information, or how they can keep on improving. When I first started out the internet was a baby, so a site like this was not a possibility.
This blog will talk about various aspects of presentation skills and pitching. At the moment it's very small, but I hope that with time it will grow to a substantial size.
Please feel free to add your comments or make requests. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
All the best, and happy trails,
Rob
Thursday 1 October 2015
Don't Kick Yourself Too Hard
Don’t Kick Yourself Too HardI just came back from a day of really stunning presentations.
For me, the occasion was almost too good to be true: a fantastic location, truly talented participants, and exciting and original topics. And best of all, the only thing I had to do was watch and enjoy.
But as the designated start time approached, I suddenly found myself getting very nervous. And as the lights dimmed and the first speakers took to the stage, my level of anxiety continued to rise. I really wanted everyone to do a fantastic job; but what if something went wrong?
My fears proved to be unfounded: team after team - and speaker after speaker - performed magnificently. The videos were wonderful and engaging. My critical eye rejoiced at seeing strong introductions, good eye contact and solid gestures. And the tech gang upstairs kept everything from the microphone levels to the challenging video uploads running as smooth as could be. Even difficult questions were answered calmly, showing obvious preparation. In fact, not a single thing went wrong, and that pretty much never happens.
But afterwards I found a few of the presenters doing one of the classics: being far too negatively critical of their own performance. They were kicking themselves, and a little too hard.
This happens all the time. But on this day it seemed simply unjust. Everyone had done a terrific job. Everyone had excelled themselves.
A Presenting Fundamental:
A wonderful quote by Dale Carnegie hits the nail on the head:
''There are always three speeches for the one you actually gave: the one you practiced, the one you gave, and the one you wish you gave.''
Let's look at these three, in relation to the presentations I saw today.
1. The one you practiced.
One of the things that really pleased me the most about today was to see the amount of practice that everyone had put in. People worked long and hard to make body language changes, to improve eye contact and to control their stage fright. They memorized large amounts of text and worked and reworked the wording of the dialogue. And these efforts paid off. The improvements were huge. This isn't always the case: I go on and on about the importance of practice, but a lot of people just don't - or won' t - do it.
But practice, as important as it is, is no substitute for the real thing. And that brings us to the second part of the quote.
But practice, as important as it is, is no substitute for the real thing. And that brings us to the second part of the quote.
2, The one you gave.
As I said already, every team did a great job. But afterwards some were not so pleased with themselves. The kicking had started. They had instantly moved to the third point of the quote, without really appreciating the second part. But 'the one you gave' is the real teacher. Doing it live is the path to great presenting. So let's move on to point three:
3. The one you wish you gave.
One of the reasons I love this quote is because I do this all the time. On the drive home, or in bed at night, I will go over my performance and think of things I could have said, or better lines will suggest themselves. I will cringe at mistakes I made and think about how I can improve next time. But in the end I will be happy. Happy because I know what to work on, and because I also know that I still did a good job. And happy because I know a few presentation skills.
A Few Presentation Skills to Learn and Practice:
1. If you make a mistake, don't react or draw attention to it. The chances are that no one will notice.
2. Continue with confidence, as if nothing unusual has happened. Even if they do notice, if you continue with confidence they will soon forget all about it. Mistakes during presentations are normal, and happen to everybody.
3. The ability to recover smoothly after a mistake is actually the sign of an experienced presenter. Moving on gracefully (even with all that adrenaline stage-fright panic now coursing through your veins) is a truly solid skill. It shows you are well prepared and have practiced. In my books, it's a great accomplishment, and a real 'pro' skill.
4. Treat mistakes as learning opportunities. As unpleasant as they are, mistakes motivate you to be better. The next time up you won't make the same mistake. But you'll probably make another one, and so the learning cycle spins around.
5. Even if it all went as planned, doing anything live will always suggest things to you that no amount of practice can provide. Live is the ultimate test, and you can never really know how a technique, phrase, joke or gesture will work until you try it for real. So after going live you will always find things to change, develop, or eliminate for next time.
6. And finally, learn to laugh at your mistakes. It's a great thing to be able to do, and then the mistakes can become funny party stories.
There were some very small bumps in some of today's presentations, but the recoveries were perfect. The presenters moved on, and finished strong. For me, this was wonderful to watch. But afterwards some looked disappointed with themselves, when instead they should have been pleased.
Which brings me to two additional quotes about being self-critical:
''The little voice in the back of your head will always find something wrong with you. But nobody else can hear that voice.''
(unknown)
And:
''The only person who listens to every word of your speech is you.''
(unknown)
Well, I'm back home and I still have a huge goofy smile on my face. All of the pitches were a success. I'm really very happy. And I hope that, after they stop kicking themselves, all of today's teams will be happy too. They most certainly deserve to be.
See you next time, and happy trails.
Rob
Presenting:Rob
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