Effective Presentation Skills

You probably have seen the images of Rick Perry drying up completely during a TV debate. Anybody who has ever spoken in public will have felt enormous sympathy. There but for the grace of God go I. So where did he go wrong? He started his sentence by saying that there were three things that he wanted to mention. That immediately provides a hostage to fortune. Much better to use a phrase such as “a couple of things”. No number, no pressure. If you can’t remember, only you know

Three useful tips for when you speak in public

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:59:40 +0000

Here are three useful ideas for when you have to speak in public.

http://andromedayelton.com/2011/11/three-more-things-i-know-about-public-speaking/

It is funny how most of is try to be “professional” when we speak but end up appearing so amateurish. Being professional does not mean that we should lose our personalities. Think of the last good presentation you saw. I bet it was given by a REAL person.

12 great tips for improving your presentations

admin — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:09:17 +0000

Here is a great article about ways to improve your presentation. It is interesting to note that some tips seem to be influenced by the recent “pitch” book that I have been so enthusiastic about. http://globalneighbourhoods.net/2011/10/12-tips-for-giving-great-presentation.html What do you think? … Continue reading →

31 Practical tips for improving your presentation

admin — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:11:47 +0000

I have just read a short but immensely practical book on making a presentation. The author is Frank S Adamo, a recognised expert on public speaking. He covers a lot of ground on preparing your preparation, checking out where you are giving it, dealing with your audience and learning lessons from what you did. it is available in ebook format for less than seven dollars and is a real bargain. I make nothing from recommending this but it is so clearly written in the same spirit as this website that I am delighted to do so.

http://www.31tipstobecominganeffectivepresenter.com/

admin — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:46:24 +0000

Last time, I was discussing a great book.

The book in question is called

Pitch Anything: An Innovative Method for Presenting, Persuading, and Winning the Deal

and the author is Oren Klaff.

Now today I have an example of this pitching method. It comes from a great guy called Ed Dale. Now Ed produces a lot of very good material and, no doubt, the material he is pitching here is excellent. However, I want you to concentrate on the PROCESS, not the PRODUCT.

Does Ed establish that he is an authority?

Does Ed frame the pitch in terms that suit his approach?

Does Ed appeal to your “croc brain” or does he appeal too much to your analytical brain?

I would love to hear your comments.

Add your comment below. Remember we are interested in the TECHNIQUE, not the content.

A great new book about pitching

admin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:43:47 +0000

You may have heard talk about a great new book on that special presentation technique, the pitch.

The book in question is called

Pitch Anything: An Innovative Method for Presenting, Persuading, and Winning the Deal

and the author is Oren Klaff.

I can’t summarise the whole book here but one of its key point is

DON’T APPEAR NEEDY

If you think back to when you were dating (or perhaps you are now), this idea becomes clear. Most of us are attracted to the ‘challenges’. It is the same in negotiations. If you make it seem as if you can take or leave a contract, you are far more likely to get it.

Of course, he has an acronym. in this case it is STRONG.

Setting the Frame
Telling the Story
Revealing the Intrigue
Offering the Prize
Nailing the Hookpoint
Getting a Decision

The book is written by a venture capitalist and the examples will be of little relevancy to most of us. There is also a bit too much neuro-science for my tastes. However, the book is a great read and thankfully short.