This post is not about Tiger's transgressions. However, is there something we presenters could learn from Tiger? Let me suggest a few principles:
1. It's not over till it's over
You may recall seeing many news clips detailing Tiger's [before the accident] charge from behind to capture victory on the golf course. Tiger believes that if he can hang near the top of the leader board, he has a great chance for victory. When it comes to delivering presentations, mistakes happen and we may miss the mark during the opening of your presentations. We've all read the advice -- you only a have few moments to capture your audience's attention.
During your presentation, if you notice your audience is growing restless or tuning you out, what would you do? throw in the towel? Good speakers know the importance of making mid-course corrections to 'get' their audience back. Will it be easy? No, but it can be done.
2. Continue to look for ways to get better
One of the top golfers in the world, Tiger changed his swing while at the top of his game. Those in the sports world questioned the move, and believed Tiger was making a mistake. The change process was not pretty: Tiger had his worst year in the majors; and lost his number #1 ranking. When looking for the reason he changed his swing when he was on top, we can look at the Tiger creed: I improve, therefore I am.
We have to ask ourselves, are we on a path to improve our presentation skills? Are you using stale material or relying too much on borrowed material? As speakers, we have to take risks and stretch ourselves. There are hundreds of ideas on opening presentations, have you implemented any lately?
3. Practice. Practice.
The greatest golfer in the world spends plenty of time on the practice course. There is no question about Tiger's work ethic. It's almost robotic.
To become an effective speaker and presenter, we have to speak. This doesn't mean practicing 30 minutes before our presentations, but really putting the time in to know our material.
Showing posts with label Communication. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Communication. Show all posts
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Connect with the audience
Delivering a seminar program is a great way to promote your business. Before presenting you may want to do a little homework. My coach emailed me a list of questions that he felt would be useful when planning a strategy to connect with the audience. Plus this information will help you fill those seats.
Great list of questions:
1. Why are you interested in having me speak to your group?
2. What are the main interest areas of the audience? What is their pain?
3. Do they prefer lectures, discussions or group presentations?
4. What other programs have the organization sponsored over the past year?
5. What program received the most positive response? Why?
6. What was the least successful program? Why?
7. What is the audience expecting?
8. What does the audience already know about (your topic)?
9. Do they have opinions about (your topic), pro and con?
10. Will there be people in the audience who have international experience? If so, what kinds of experience?
11. How will my product or service benefit the group?
Oh yeah, here is a must ask question: What type of organization is it and what activities does it normally sponsor?
The Seminar Marketing Formula: How To Get The Butts In The Seats Of Your Next Workshop Or Seminar
All the best!
Great list of questions: 1. Why are you interested in having me speak to your group?
2. What are the main interest areas of the audience? What is their pain?
3. Do they prefer lectures, discussions or group presentations?
4. What other programs have the organization sponsored over the past year?
5. What program received the most positive response? Why?
6. What was the least successful program? Why?
7. What is the audience expecting?
8. What does the audience already know about (your topic)?
9. Do they have opinions about (your topic), pro and con?
10. Will there be people in the audience who have international experience? If so, what kinds of experience?
11. How will my product or service benefit the group?
Oh yeah, here is a must ask question: What type of organization is it and what activities does it normally sponsor?
The Seminar Marketing Formula: How To Get The Butts In The Seats Of Your Next Workshop Or Seminar
All the best!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Must-Try Marketing Maneuvers - Forbes.com
Image by Getty Images via @daylifeHere are a few of my favorite points with my own commentary:
1. Stick to a Shtick
Focus.Focus.Focus. Years back when I launched my first venture, I started out with the focus to build one brand, but eventually my focus branched out. I went from a premium, high quality boutique strategy to a low coast, "everyone is in my target market strategy." It didn't work.
2. Turn customer into stars.
When I experience a great product or service, I like to tell folks about it. When FedEx Office helps me to present star quality material, I tell my entire network about FedEx Office.
3. Work the press
We have to help others see the value in what we offer.
To read the entire list, see marketing.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
It's all about content
I have a question for you - Do you have something valuable to offer your audience?
It's not a trick question or me trying to bait you into something. But really, as speaker, presenter or workshop leader, do you have valuable content to offer your audience?
For the past few days I've been finishing up an application for a speakers bureau group. I was asked to comment on the previous question. Why? Because people attend seminars and workshops for various reasons. They all center around their needs and wants. Period.
If we don't offer valuable content to our audience, we risk losing their trust - them trusting that we as the speaker can provide solutions to their problems.
My favorite speaker, Joel Weldon, says speakers must make it a priority to focus on the customer during each engagement.
How do you do this? Take some before the engagement to identify the problems your audience may be experiencing. It requires some work but it is worth it.
Secondly, have a 'check-in' period with your audience during your presentation. Weldon suggests adding a few periods to your presentation timeline. This will allow you to get back on track--if by chance you lose your way.
Finally, be yourself when you present. Audiences can spot imitators from a mile away, and you can bet they will prefer the original. You have your own unique style so build on that and don't try be like another speaker.
Let me close with my opening question-- do you have something valuable to offer your audience?
Friday, November 27, 2009
Introduce your slides with flair
In a recent presentation, I witnessed the speaker use the same transition phrase to introduce her next topic. I witnessed 5 topics covered in 10 minutes. I witnessed several audience members become distracted with this routine. [Are you distracted with my repetition?]
The speaker delivered a great presentation with wonderful content; however, a tip to enhance the presentation would be to use a variety of transition phrases. Let me relate this to powerpoint presentations. We can quickly bore our audience using the same transition phrase to introduce or next slide.
Here's some sign posting exercises to help you highlight your slides and points during your presentation.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
A Coach's advice for budget Q & A sessions
How to Handle a Tough Q & A Session Getting Your Budget Approved!
By Sheri Jeavons
Its budget time and you know what that means? You need to present your budget requests and get them approved! If you present your case well, your department will have the funds you need to excel. If you don't, you'll be left scrambling for creative ways to complete tasks and meet goals.
While many people adequately prepare their budget presentation backed with facts, charts, graphs, and detailed projections, they often forget about the question and answer session that follows. In many cases, this is the most important aspect of any budgetary meeting.
If you don't handle yourself with confidence and control, your credibility will plummet, regardless of your recommendations. Think of it as the make or break step to getting your budget approved. If you lose control of the question and answer session, you will inevitably lose control of the outcome. Here are some tips to ensure a successful question and answer session:
Tip 1: Confidence Sells
By remaining calm, cool, and in control when taking questions, you will project confidence in your self and your ideas. Tell yourself, "I deserve this money for my department, and I'm going to get it!" Clear your mind of all the other stresses of your day and focus on this one objective.
The more under control you're able to keep yourself, the more confident you'll appear, and the better you'll handle those tough questions. Remember, an acceptable answer is, "I do not know the answer, however, I will contact the appropriate person and respond by the end of the day."
Better that you admit what you don't know, than to appear unsure or give an incorrect answer. What is important is that you indicate you know where to get the information and you respond in a timely manner. The more in control you remain, the more the room will see you as confident in your recommendations.
Tip 2: Be Aware of What You Say and How You Say It
Take the time to think before you speak. When defending your position under tough questioning, your natural response is to be defensive. In budget meetings, defensive behavior is a recipe for disaster. Rather than say the first thing that pops into your mind, take a few seconds to collect your thoughts before you respond.
Pause and breathe deeply to give yourself time to formulate a correct and intelligent response. When you implement this technique, the audience will see you as thoughtful, decisive and respectful of the importance of their question.
When responding to a tough question, begin your answer by stating a goal of the group. This will help you verbally diffuse the negative tone and communicate a positive response. Be aware of your tone of voice as you answer questions. Keep your voice neutral yet professional. Keep your demeanor helpful and informative at all times.
Tip 3: Be Mindful of Your Body Language
Your physical conduct sends a message to the audience about your confidence level and expertise. Your body language must reflect the same confidence that your words portray. If you're standing, stand with your hips and head facing the person you're speaking to.
Keep both feet firmly planted on the ground shoulder width apart. This stance will allow you to gesture naturally and physically connect with the individuals in the audience.
If you're seated, sit upright in your chair with both feet planted firmly on the ground. Avoid slouching in your seat or leaning with your elbows on the table. Keep your hands on the table to allow for natural gestures. Look the other person in the eye to communicate a feeling of confidence.
Tip 4: Balance the Energy in the Room
You want to create an environment where everyone feels free to ask questions. We all have been in meetings when someone dominated the discussion or questions. It is important to show respect to everyone in the room. Knowing how to balance your energy will help everyone stay engaged and keep one person from controlling the conversation.
Begin your answer speaking directly to the questioner. As you continue speaking, begin to slowly move your eye contact to others in the room. This will help you to appear inclusive of others beyond the questioner. When possible, end your answer with someone other than the questioner. If you find you ended your answer on the person who asked the original question, you have just given them control and likely invited another question.
If you end on someone else, it will keep your energy open to everyone in the room and minimize tough follow-up questions from the original questioner. When you finish your answer, turn to the group and ask if they have any more questions. This will encourage others to engage because your body language tells them you are open. Remember, the goal is to keep the energy open to everyone in the room.
Show Me the Money!
Question and answer sessions can be tough, but when it comes to money matters, the stakes are usually high and questions are usually hard. When you keep these four tips in mind, you can handle any budgetary question and answer session with ease, and get the funding you deserve.
About the Author: Sheri Jeavons is known as the Virtual Presentation Coach. She is thefounder of Power Presentations, Inc., a company that specializes in presentation and communication skill training programs and products. A recognized expert in her field, Sheri has successfully trained more than 10,000 professionals across America. She was selected as one of the Top Ten Women Business Owners by the National Association of Women Business Owners and received the Working Woman Magazine Entrepreneurial Excellence Award. For more information, please visit http://www.power-presentations.com.
[source site: allisonripley.com]
By Sheri Jeavons
Its budget time and you know what that means? You need to present your budget requests and get them approved! If you present your case well, your department will have the funds you need to excel. If you don't, you'll be left scrambling for creative ways to complete tasks and meet goals.
While many people adequately prepare their budget presentation backed with facts, charts, graphs, and detailed projections, they often forget about the question and answer session that follows. In many cases, this is the most important aspect of any budgetary meeting.
If you don't handle yourself with confidence and control, your credibility will plummet, regardless of your recommendations. Think of it as the make or break step to getting your budget approved. If you lose control of the question and answer session, you will inevitably lose control of the outcome. Here are some tips to ensure a successful question and answer session:
Tip 1: Confidence Sells
By remaining calm, cool, and in control when taking questions, you will project confidence in your self and your ideas. Tell yourself, "I deserve this money for my department, and I'm going to get it!" Clear your mind of all the other stresses of your day and focus on this one objective.
The more under control you're able to keep yourself, the more confident you'll appear, and the better you'll handle those tough questions. Remember, an acceptable answer is, "I do not know the answer, however, I will contact the appropriate person and respond by the end of the day."
Better that you admit what you don't know, than to appear unsure or give an incorrect answer. What is important is that you indicate you know where to get the information and you respond in a timely manner. The more in control you remain, the more the room will see you as confident in your recommendations.
Tip 2: Be Aware of What You Say and How You Say It
Take the time to think before you speak. When defending your position under tough questioning, your natural response is to be defensive. In budget meetings, defensive behavior is a recipe for disaster. Rather than say the first thing that pops into your mind, take a few seconds to collect your thoughts before you respond.
Pause and breathe deeply to give yourself time to formulate a correct and intelligent response. When you implement this technique, the audience will see you as thoughtful, decisive and respectful of the importance of their question.
When responding to a tough question, begin your answer by stating a goal of the group. This will help you verbally diffuse the negative tone and communicate a positive response. Be aware of your tone of voice as you answer questions. Keep your voice neutral yet professional. Keep your demeanor helpful and informative at all times.
Tip 3: Be Mindful of Your Body Language
Your physical conduct sends a message to the audience about your confidence level and expertise. Your body language must reflect the same confidence that your words portray. If you're standing, stand with your hips and head facing the person you're speaking to.
Keep both feet firmly planted on the ground shoulder width apart. This stance will allow you to gesture naturally and physically connect with the individuals in the audience.
If you're seated, sit upright in your chair with both feet planted firmly on the ground. Avoid slouching in your seat or leaning with your elbows on the table. Keep your hands on the table to allow for natural gestures. Look the other person in the eye to communicate a feeling of confidence.
Tip 4: Balance the Energy in the Room
You want to create an environment where everyone feels free to ask questions. We all have been in meetings when someone dominated the discussion or questions. It is important to show respect to everyone in the room. Knowing how to balance your energy will help everyone stay engaged and keep one person from controlling the conversation.
Begin your answer speaking directly to the questioner. As you continue speaking, begin to slowly move your eye contact to others in the room. This will help you to appear inclusive of others beyond the questioner. When possible, end your answer with someone other than the questioner. If you find you ended your answer on the person who asked the original question, you have just given them control and likely invited another question.
If you end on someone else, it will keep your energy open to everyone in the room and minimize tough follow-up questions from the original questioner. When you finish your answer, turn to the group and ask if they have any more questions. This will encourage others to engage because your body language tells them you are open. Remember, the goal is to keep the energy open to everyone in the room.
Show Me the Money!
Question and answer sessions can be tough, but when it comes to money matters, the stakes are usually high and questions are usually hard. When you keep these four tips in mind, you can handle any budgetary question and answer session with ease, and get the funding you deserve.
About the Author: Sheri Jeavons is known as the Virtual Presentation Coach. She is thefounder of Power Presentations, Inc., a company that specializes in presentation and communication skill training programs and products. A recognized expert in her field, Sheri has successfully trained more than 10,000 professionals across America. She was selected as one of the Top Ten Women Business Owners by the National Association of Women Business Owners and received the Working Woman Magazine Entrepreneurial Excellence Award. For more information, please visit http://www.power-presentations.com.
[source site: allisonripley.com]
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Opening With Flick
One important key to delivering a fine presentation is having a good opening. In previous posts we've posted strategies for opening your presentations. Today, were posting a clip by speaker Tom Flick.
Listen to Flick's opening to a corporate group. Take note of the humor (poking fun at himself), the way he builds credibility and how he gets the audience involved.
Motivational, Leadership, Business, Keynote Speaker Tom Flick - The funniest home videos are here
Listen to Flick's opening to a corporate group. Take note of the humor (poking fun at himself), the way he builds credibility and how he gets the audience involved.
Motivational, Leadership, Business, Keynote Speaker Tom Flick - The funniest home videos are here
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Powerful Openings
A study by the Navy determined the average adult attention span is 18 minutes (reported on
Kathy Reiffenstein's Blog). What does this mean for presenters? It means we have to open our presentations with a message that grabs the attention of our listeners within moments.
Looking for opening tips? Blogger and speaker Kathy Reiffenstein offers 6 powerful openings you can implement. They are:
1. Use a startling statistic
2. Use a quote that applies to your message
3. Tell a story
4. Ask a question
5. Start with the end
6. Show a video
Read more on these tips...
Kathy Reiffenstein's Blog). What does this mean for presenters? It means we have to open our presentations with a message that grabs the attention of our listeners within moments.
Looking for opening tips? Blogger and speaker Kathy Reiffenstein offers 6 powerful openings you can implement. They are:
1. Use a startling statistic
2. Use a quote that applies to your message
3. Tell a story
4. Ask a question
5. Start with the end
6. Show a video
Read more on these tips...
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Going Blank During a Presentation
| According to most surveys, the number one fear of most people is the fear of giving a speech. And the greatest fear of all -- at least when it comes to speaking — is the fear of having your mind go completely blank. When Your Mind Goes Blank |
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Avoidance techniques and group speaking
What makes public speaking so difficult? One expert says from her experience, people are afraid of being judged. Some people have this thing about looking good and not looking bad.
Janet E. Esposito, President of in the SpotLight, LLC, a company devoted to helping people overcome their fear of public speaking and performing, knows a thing or two about the fear of public speaking.
She goes on to say we are protective of our public image, and do not won't to risk damaging it by putting ourselves in the spotlight -- front and center.
Listen to Janet Esposito on LearnFromMyLife.com
Monday, May 11, 2009
Own The Stage
This video offers tips you can use to prepare for your next
presentation. These guys are fine teachers and great speakers.
presentation. These guys are fine teachers and great speakers.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Two Important Skills for Career Success
To be successful it is important to have good communication skills. Diana Booher, a communication consultant to Fortune 500 clients says, "The two most important skills to your career success are the ability to speak and write well."
If your goal is to improve your career through enhanced communication skills, remember improvement is a contact sport. To speak better, speak; to write better, write.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Invincible and Charged Up
It’s 9:00 Tuesday morning. In a half hour you have a big meeting with the executive team discussing your project. But you’re nervous about delivering the presentation before the group, so you review the material from that How to Deliver Winning Presentations seminar you attended --to help ease your mind.
The clock hits 9: 45am, and you’re feeling invincible and charged up because the coaching you received at the seminar gave you the tools you needed to keep your audience engaged and informed.
Your off to the Meeting
Next, you gather your presentation, you’re out the door, down the hall way to the meeting room with big leather chairs. You step inside, greeting the other participants with a big handshake and a smile, unlike other times when you’d take a quick seat. Charged up and ready to go, you even make small take with the new VP. All because you are not focused on blowing your presentation, but focused on connecting with your audience.
It's Showtime
Fifteen minutes into the meeting, you are called up for your presentation. During your opening introduction, the participants move to the edges of their seat. Why? Because you are tuned into station WIIFM (what's in it for the audience). They are engaged. They are listening. They are awake. You are rolling.
After the Meeting
You think to yourself, “If only every presentation could be like this…Why, I just might get promoted. "
Could this really happen to you? Don’t be surprised if it does.
Presentation Skills Training Works
Will you become a professional speaker with a few hours of training? No, but you will gain the skills to influence your audience through your message. You do want to become more influential...right?
Get started transforming yourself into a more confident and effective leader--sign up for a presentation skills course that will offer techniques to help you connect with an audience.
The clock hits 9: 45am, and you’re feeling invincible and charged up because the coaching you received at the seminar gave you the tools you needed to keep your audience engaged and informed.
Your off to the Meeting
Next, you gather your presentation, you’re out the door, down the hall way to the meeting room with big leather chairs. You step inside, greeting the other participants with a big handshake and a smile, unlike other times when you’d take a quick seat. Charged up and ready to go, you even make small take with the new VP. All because you are not focused on blowing your presentation, but focused on connecting with your audience.
It's Showtime
Fifteen minutes into the meeting, you are called up for your presentation. During your opening introduction, the participants move to the edges of their seat. Why? Because you are tuned into station WIIFM (what's in it for the audience). They are engaged. They are listening. They are awake. You are rolling.
After the Meeting
You think to yourself, “If only every presentation could be like this…Why, I just might get promoted. "
Could this really happen to you? Don’t be surprised if it does.
Presentation Skills Training Works
Will you become a professional speaker with a few hours of training? No, but you will gain the skills to influence your audience through your message. You do want to become more influential...right?
Get started transforming yourself into a more confident and effective leader--sign up for a presentation skills course that will offer techniques to help you connect with an audience.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Words That Kill Creativity
| If you want to spur on creativity in your group, take a cue from author Ken Lizotte. Lizotte in his book, The Expert's Edge: Become the Go-To Authority People Turn to Every Time, says there are a few phrases thoughtleaders should not speak because they kill creativity. They are: "We tried that before." "It's a good idea, but we really don't have time to implement it." "You're joking, of course." "That's all very well in theory, but practically speaking . . . " "Top management will never go for it." "But we've never it done it that way before." "I'm afraid you're ahead of your time." "Has anyone else ever tried it?" "We should form a committee and study this idea further." I was just thinking--I hear we should form a committee--all the time. Have you used such phrases before? What do you think of Lizotte's comments? |
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Listen to succeed
| Want to be a better listener? Be conscious of "TPS" in your daily life. TPS? A helpful article on the AR blog discusses TPS and other tips to becoming a better listener. Good listening skills are vital to becoming an effective communicator. Ankur, AR blogger, writes that TPS means we should consider "the time, place or situation when the other person is talking." I recall the old example of the wife coming home slamming the pots and pans around. But when her husband asks how she's doing -- she says fine. Hopefully the guy in the example was really listening to his wife. She's not fine! Read more helpful listening tips from Ankur and his motivational speaker friend. |
Friday, December 5, 2008
Trim the Fat from Your Slides
According to a new study of about 360,000 Europeans, there is a link between belly fat and cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Will the population will pay attention to this study? My guess is some will, some won't.
Just as people ignore advice on health issues, some managers ignore advice on delivering power point presentations. Hundreds of articles have been written advising presenters NOT to add lines and lines of text to their PowerPoint slides; it's a risky move. This is a very common mistake witnessed during presentations.
Will managers pay attention to this advice? Some will, some won't. I recently sat through a presentation with text covering almost every inch of the slides. People were nodding off as the speaker read the lines of text.
A good rule of thumb -- 4 points per slide is a good number (key words only). Remember, you are the focal point of your presentation not the power point show.
Just as people ignore advice on health issues, some managers ignore advice on delivering power point presentations. Hundreds of articles have been written advising presenters NOT to add lines and lines of text to their PowerPoint slides; it's a risky move. This is a very common mistake witnessed during presentations.
Will managers pay attention to this advice? Some will, some won't. I recently sat through a presentation with text covering almost every inch of the slides. People were nodding off as the speaker read the lines of text.
A good rule of thumb -- 4 points per slide is a good number (key words only). Remember, you are the focal point of your presentation not the power point show.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Create a Clear, Focused and Compelling Message
LeeAundra Temescu, author of The Contrary Public Speaker: A Break-the-Rules Approach Presentations and founder of The Contrary Public Speaker, an executive communications coaching firm, answers the $64,000 question: How do I create a clear, focused and compelling message? Read the article, The Missing Link.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Six Questions Your Elevator Speech Must Answer
| Robert Pagliarini of SeekingCapital.com says an elevator speech is a description of your product or service that your "mother should be able to understand in the time it would take to ride up an elevator." Does your elevator speech fit this model? |
Friday, November 7, 2008
This Attention Grabber For a Presentation?
Capturing the attention of your audience is a key to delivering a good speech. We've all read experts suggesting the use of stories, startling facts, and jokes as attention grabbers. What if there was another technique guaranteed to keep your audience on edge, would you try it?
Tom Antion, marketing and public speaking guru, suggests using this gut-busting technique. View the clip... this may work for you.
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