Tony Osime from Lagos won the contestand and received my free ebook, Difficult Conversations. She organized adult learning methods in order or most active to most passive learning. Why is this important? Because most speakers rely on lecturing and reading notes. To increase retention try some of these methods:
1)Teach Others
2)Immediate Use of Learning
3)Practice by Doing
4)Demonstration
5)Audio visual
6)Lecture
7)Reading
You can get your own ebook at the online store - www.diresta.com
Why all the hoopla about Joe the Plumber? A man asked a simple question. He wanted to buy a business. He was concerned that he would not be able to afford to do so if his taxes were increased. Why does Joe's 15 minutes of fame seem to have a life of its own? Because it struck a nerve.
Joe the Plumber represents the common man. He wants practical answers to everyday issues that affect his life. He doesn't want theories about spreading the wealth. He wants to know in practical language what he can expect so that he can make a decision.
How often do financial speakers present their numbers without telling the story behined the numbers? What about technical speakers who don't translate how the technology actually benefits the end user?
Ronald Regan knew how to relate to the general public. He spoke in simple terms. He appeared as comfortable having a beer with a group of blue collar workers as he did when dining at a state dinner.
The lesson here is know your audience. Never underestimate or ignore a question. Speak simply and clearly. And adjust your style to match the style of your listeners. In other words, speak their language.
Most speakers go into default mode. It's called lecturing. But lecturing is only one form of speaking and it's passive learning. Your audience needs a variety of methods in order to remember your message. So get active!
Arrange these seven learning methods in order of most active (1) to most passive (7).
Post your answers. The first person to answer correctly will win a free copy of my book, Conversations on Success.
Audio visual
Demonstration
Lecture
Practice by Doing
Reading
Immediate Use of Learning or Teach Others
Last night's presidential debate was a lesson for any business presenter or public speaker. Your audience will forgive almost any gaffe or foible except for being boring. Where was the fire in the belly? Enthusiasm sells!
Both candidates may as well have been giving a P&L; report. There was no passion, no conviction that created a feeling of excitement in the listeners. They were calm and matter-of-fact but did not inspire leadership. It was a safe presentation. There was nothing controversial and nothing memorable. Who won the debate? Nobody. They both lost the opportunity to rally the crowd
I always tell my clients there are no boring topics-only boring presenters. Well, Obama and McCain certainly proved my point.
My clients often come to me to develop executive presence.
Executive presence is hard to define but you know it when you see it. And when it's lacking, it affects your leadership. It begins with the way you command the platform whether your platform is a stage or a conference room. An audience sizes you up from the moment you walk into a room.
And many presenters project weak posture. People with good posture are perceived as more successful. Confident people stand up straight, with their shoulders back, their head held high, and their eyes looking ahead. It's amazing how a simple act of standing tall with shoulders back can impact perception.
Poor posture will make you seem smaller,cause lower back pain,and create a negative impression.
The challenge is being aware of your posture especially if you have a tendency to slump. Now there is a device that can give you instant feedback and you can wear it under your clothing. It's call iposture.
The iPosture is an intuitive electronic device designed to improve posture. Just over one inch in diameter, the iPosture automatically senses when the body slouches, and it alerts the user with brief vibrations to correct it. http://www.iposture.com
What is your power voice? It's your authentic self-not the talking head but the real you. How do you find your power voice? Motivational Speaker and Trainer Les Brown will show you how in his Speaking Bootcamp. Listen to my interview with Les Brown at the National Speakers Association convention in New York City. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YODg3VFKkZ4
Has this happened to you? I attended a teleseminar the other day. The guest speaker was touted as a real expert in his field. Based on his background this was true.
The teleseminar was given in two parts with each part being one hour.
Although I took notes, I can't tell you much of what I learned in two hours.
The reason was because I tuned out. When the interviewer asked him a question he would respond like this: "Well, um ah yeah the the answer to that well is you know the way I think of that is..." SPIT IT OUT!
A teleseminar is still a presentation.
It was so frustrating to listen to someone who couldn't answer with a clear, to-the- point message. The two hour content could have been delivered in one hour.
It would have helped to have a handout. Although I remember a few tips, it could have been delivered just as easily with a few written bullet points.
So here is the lesson: As I say in my book, Knockout Presentations, your success depends on the quality of your presentation. This applies to everybody but celebrities. Why?
Because people want to been seen with a famous speaker or want to learn from the top experts. So unless you're a celebrity invest in your presentation skills.
Luckily this teleseminar was free.
It takes 30 seconds or less for an audience to decide to listen or tune out.
Your opening must grab and focus attention.
Most people I coach have difficulty getting started. People are most nervous at the beginning of a speech. Even when their speech is well organized they hem and haw during their opening.
It's like revving up a car on a cold, winter day. It takes time to get the motor running.
They may start with "So...I want to tell you about..." or "Good morning, um, I think my idea is, I feel this is a good idea.."
This scattered approach will set you up for failure. Your opening must be crisp and focused. The way to achieve that is to write your opening line and memorize it.
Recently, I worked with someone who had a technology product that would benefit the audience. But it took the speaker too long to get to the point.
We worked on refining the opening: "I'm going to show you a way to make your life easier. It will enable you to pull the data faster."
The speaker captured their attention, focused the presentation, and sounded more confident.
The presentation was a success.
When it comes to opening statements-less is more.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to see the All Star parade in New York City. The great players of baseball waved to the crowds from their floats-Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra, Reggie Jackson, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and others. The night before I watched Josh Hamilton hit 28 home runs at the Home Run Derby. Amazing!
He was so natural and made it seem effortless as he hit the ball out of the park.
I started to think about what makes a player great. And it's the same thing that makes speakers great.
First, they look natural. They make speaking look easy. You would never know how many months and years they studied and practiced. That grace and ease takes discipline. Greatness in sports and in speaking takes hard work and focus.
In baseball, it's about the numbers, the stats. In speaking it's about the results. What is the audience outcome? Do they leave with infomation they can use or do they wonder where the value went? Great speakers provide practical tips and current information. Great speakers make an impact on the audience.
In any sporting event, the fans go on a roller coaster ride of emotions from passion, to anger, to suspense, to triumph. Great speakers know it's not enough to deliver information. Audiences want an experience. They want to be entertained. For that reason great speakers are master storytellers. They paint pictures with their words and take the listeners on an emotional journey.
Finally, great players are risk takers. They see an opportunity to score points by stealing bases. Great speakers steal moments. They're not afraid to be spontaneous, improvise, and take the speech in another direction if something unexpected happens.
You don't have to be in the Hall of Fame to be an All Star Speaker. Work on your craft, focus on results, give the audience a valuable experience, and take risks. And you'll be the star of your own speech.
If you're a speaker who presents at conferences and conventions or if you're planning a meeting you need to know what factors will impact the success of your meetings.
According to MiForum, here are the top 5 issues meeting planners face:
1: Fuel prices and their impact on travel, prices of everything (including
the food served everywhere) and the surcharges we see now on some services
and those we will see, and on staffing since many minimum wage staff can no longer
afford to work because of high transportation costs.
2: Airline schedule restructuring which is leaving many markets without service at all or with such limited service that it makes it tough to travel.
3: The economy - in the US and abroad: not only are homeowners losing homes,renters are losing the homes that the owners are losing; jobs are being cut; banks are being taken over, and on and on.
4: Govt. regs: Mostly about pharma meetings (see today's NYTimes re the
American Psychiatric Assn. -
(http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/12/washington/12psych.html?_r=1&ref;=to
We're gonna see more of that and more industries and organizations, not just in the medical field, are going to come under scrutiny. The fall out for just APA could be a massive hit on the convention business.
5: Meeting outsourcing: It is becoming more difficult in many markets for
meeting planners to find jobs.
A mother called me to coach her son. He was a recent college graduate and she didn't think he was maximizing his interviews. He was interviewing for prospective graduate programs in the medical field.
His mother confided that he left home as a sparkling conversationalist and after living with four geeks he became one himself.
Initially, he spoke rapidly and sounded nervous. He wasn't aware that he needed to stop and breathe after a sentence.
But he also didn't have prepared message points which was the reason he would ramble on. We started with the basic questions-"Tell me about yourself", "What are your strengths?", "What are your weaknesses?"
But his toughest question was "What is your major?" Why? Because he was applying to a medical program. Although he had the necessary 96 pre-med credits, his degree was in English. (Not your typical biology applicant).
He'd respond defensively trying to justify his English degree. He didn't know how to turn a perceived negative into a positive.
After the coaching here's how he responded to "What is your major?"
"I have 96 pre med credits, I picked up 30 credits and a degree in English, and I'm two courses shy of a degree in psychology which I'll probably go back and complete."
So your degree is in English?
"Yes, and I'm proud of that. People tell me it's refreshing to meet somebody who is wholebrained. My English degree provided me with good writing skills and will help me communicate with patients. I think it makes me unique."
He now not only knows what to say but he thinks differently about his background.
This student has confidence from the inside out.
I was interviewed by Francisco Saraiva, the President of Toastmasters in Portugal.
FRANCISCO SARAIVAAbout Public Speaking… Home
Who is Francisco Saraiva?
What I’m reading / watching
Moment with Diane DiResta
Public Speaking Blogs, Toastmasters Add comments As we continue our feature posts of the best speakers in the corporate world, we give you a brief interview with internationally renowned public speaking coach and trainer and author, Diane DiResta.
Diane conducts various hands on training and coaching on presentation and communication skills development. We asked Diane the main challenges clients face regarding public speaking.
“The main challenges my clients have in common are fear of speaking, and a loss of leadership credibility when speaking. In a few cases, the fear causes avoidance. Avoiding speaking is career suicide especially for those in a leadership role. They lose opportunities for visibility both internally and externally. Knowing this, they seek coaching,
It's been declared that Senator Obama is the democratic nominee. In politics or sports, when one person's numbers exceed his opponent's scores it's customary to bow out gracefully. This was not the case for Hillary Clinton. She continued to command the spotlight without any mention of an end to her campaign. So when is it to time to leave the stage? And how do you stop a speaker who exceeds the time limit?
Time is valuable to any audience. When a speaker ignores the clock, the audience feels frustrated and disrespected.
There are a few reasons why speakers don't end on time:
Lack of Preparation-They didn't rehearse out loud and time themselves and they have too much material.
Ego-They love the sound of their own voices and take advantage of a captive audience.
Time Cut Short-The previous speaker spilled over to the next time slot and the speaker doesn't know how to shorten the speech.
Nobody complains when a speaker finishes early.
But when a speaker drones on and hogs the spotlight it's time to get the hook. Here's what the moderator can say:
"Thank you, John. What's one thought you'd like to leave us with ?"
"Please help me thank Katherine." (applaud)
"Bill we're coming up on the one minute mark. Do you want to continue and skip the Q&A;?"
"What a great presentation. Thank you" (start applauding)
Say out loud, "One minute is left."
Play loud music or lower the lights to let them know the time is up.
If you find that you're running out of time, finish your point and fast forward to your conclusion. Come to an end and look for the nearest exit.
Don't let them get the hook.
The platform is a privilege. When invited to speak, we have a responsibility to respect the audience and the nature of the platform (culture, venue, purpose of the invitation). Yet, many speakers take this responsibility lightly and abuse the platform. Some of the biggest abusers are Hollywood celebrities at the academy awards. It's disrespectul to accept an award and then use the stage for self-serving causes and political rants. When Jane Fonda received an academy award for the movie Klute, it was at the height of her anti-war protests. You could hear the audience breathe a sigh of relief when she said, "There's so much to say but now is not the time." Worse yet, are singers who pack the stadium to full capacity only to bash the current administration or turn the concert into a political rally. When people buy a concert ticket they expect to be entertained. To impose a political agenda is simply a bait and switch tactic.
The most recent platform abuser was reverend Michal Pfleger. He mimicked and mocked Hillary Clinton at the pulpit of Trinity United Church of Christ. What was especially abusive was to do this in a church or "House of God." A pastor's platform is to preach the Scriptures not to campaign for a presidential candidate. This was a betrayal of trust.
At conferences business speakers abuse the platfrom when they sell their products from the stage. An infomercial is not what they came to hear. There is an unspoken contract between a speaker and an audience. The audience expects you to provide value. While it's acceptable to challenge, stimulate and provoke thinking, it's not all right to change the program just because you have a captive audience.
One speaker announced that instead of lecturing he would have an open discussion. People left feeling dissatisfied. They wanted the speaker's expertise-not a chat. He violated the contract.
The next time you're invited to speak, clarify your role, know the audience expectations, and then keep your promise. Speaking is a gift. Resist the temptation to push your own agenda. And you'll continue to enjoy the privilege of the platform.
The top speaking mistake is lack of focus.
I can’t tell you how often leaders and entrepreneurs sabotage their brand by not being able to articulate a clear message. Not only does the message get lost, but the speaker loses credibility. As a leader, you are the brand. And the market place wants to hear from you.
So how do you get to the point? First, begin with a clear outcome by completing this sentence. At the end of my presentation, the audience will _______. The answer to this fill-in is your outcome.
To be on message you must start with a clear intention.
Next, write down a one sentence purpose statement. This is your opening. If you can’t state your purpose in one sentence it’s too long.
Ex. “In today’s podcast, we’ll talk about how to get to the point and why it’s so important.
In this fast-paced live audio teleconference experts Diane DiResta (author of Knockout Presentations) and Adrian Miller (author of The Blatant Truth: 50 Ways to Sales Success) will lead you through powerful techniques to increase your confidence and grow your business.
More details and registration link here.
I just attended my first podcamp in New York City. What is Podcamp?
Podcamp NYC is an "unconference" focused on how to use, implement and share any/all new media tools including, podcasts, videocasts, blogs, Second Life, Facebook, and YouTube, among others. The conference is FREE to attend and you're a "participant" versus an "attendee" at the event. I loved the emphasis on dialogue over lecture. The audience ranged from educators, to marketers to geeks with ages spanning college level to the gray haired crowd. The event took place on April 25-26 at Brooklyn Polytechnic. More information at: www.podcampnyc.org.
New media is democratizing the world by breaking down geographic, socioeconomic, and age barriers. It allows anyone anywhere in the world to get access to information and resources. You no longer have to wait for your 15 minutes of fame. You can create it!
If you're serious about business presentations you must stay on the cutting edge. I continue to tell my audiences that today's presenters must be media savvy and have broadcasting skills. Now you can get your message out through podcasting, youtube,and videocasts but you need to know how to use the media and deliver your message. Although it's easier than ever to blast your message to the world you are only as good as your presentation. It behooves everyone to get media trained so you can shine in the spotlight.
Do you stand frozen behind a podium or do you look like a duck in a shooting gallery, pacing back and forth? There's no reason you have to stay in one place. Get out and move!
But first, you need to know how to work the room. Stop distracting your audience - move with purpose.
Watch this video and learn to take control of the room:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3hae6jG1hs]
The debate continues. What should speakers do with their hands?
Some people tell you to keep your hands by your sides and to never talk with your hands. Other speakers prefer to keep their hands in their pockets. What's the answer?
Watch this video and find out.
What do you do when your audience or co-workers come after you? How do you maintain your equilibrium and credibility without seeming weak?
Most of the Democratic Presidential debates have been mild. You could say that initially the candidates were politely boring. One reason for this was that Barack Obama had set a new standard by rejecting mudslinging tactics. His demeanor elevated the level of political debate to a higher consciousness that had not been experienced. He stayed above the fray.
When Bill Clinton began to make exaggerated claims about Obama, his response was to defend himself without attacking. He spoke directly to the audience and challenged Bill's disparaging remarks. He referred to Clinton as factually incorrect. He never used the emotionally charged words of liar, lies, or lying. In this instance, he stayed above the fray. When someone attacks or misrepresents you, it’s imperative to protect your reputation. State the facts and quickly correct the misperceptions.
More recently, when Hillary attacked Barack's record and he retaliated, it started to get a bit ugly. By attacking her, he gave her the ammunition and an opening to defend herself by denigrating his reputation. The lesson here is: don’t play someone else’s game.
Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Back in the 1970s, tennis champ Bobby Riggs challenged the female champion Margaret Court. He was out to prove that a woman couldn’t beat a man at tennis. He psyched her out. Margaret lost.
The next challenger was Billie Jean King. She was ready for him and insisted on playing her way. He played a tough game but Billie Jean won. She didn’t play his game. She played her own game.
In sports, politics, and the world of work, there will always be sparring matches. Correct inaccuracies, stick to your message points, but avoid attacking hecklers. Don’t get sucked into their strategy.
Choose to defend yourself or choose to leave - but stay above the fray.
Whether you win or lose depends on how you play the game.
Communicating With Impact!