Quickies

Start Strong

by

I recently engaged in a LinkedIn discussion group about using jokes in the introduction of a presentation to gain audience interest. Here’s a summary of my rant on that topic.

I totally agree that the first few minutes of any presentation are most important. Start strong, powerfully and engaging – immediately. But, I totally disagree with telling a joke unless you were hired to be an entertainer, it’s an after dinner speech and the only goal is to be humorous. Jokes rarely work in a typical workplace presentation and can create a very ineffective impression from the beginning. It’s often hard to recover from such a weak start.

Read more

And You Can Quote Me!

by

( My response to a recent LinkedIn Group discussion question that asked about the value of using quotes in presentations.) I regularly use a lot of quotes in my training, speaking and writing. However, I’m adamant about putting the sources in proper context. Few people are so well known that they don’t need any reference, … Read more

So, you don’t do presentations at work …

by

(And a recent LinkedIn discussion was about people who don’t make presentations at work.) Besides delivering presentation training and coaching engagements for corporate clients, I teach a presentation skills course at the University of Phoenix, Cleveland Campus. Unlike many universities, we require all students to take this course and they do Learning Team presentations in … Read more

Hand it to Your Audience

by

In a recent LinkedIn Discussion Group, I responded to a question about gestures in presentations. Here’s a summary of some of the basic points I shared that often come up in my presentation skill workshops and executive coaching engagements. Gestures are normal, natural and human. Authentic ones usually work well. But some gestures are ineffective … Read more

What’s in a Name?

by

Another LinkedIn discussion question asked professional speakers for their opinion about the term ‘motivational speaker’. I really enjoyed sharing this load of steaming rant: ‘What’s in a name … indeed!’ What we call ourselves defines us and our value proposition. ‘Speaking’ is what we do – a presenter-centric term. ‘Learning’, ‘Growing’ or ‘Improving’ is what … Read more

Please Hold Your Questions

by

Here are some excerpts from a recent LinkedIn discussion group posting on whether or not to hold audience questions until the end of the presentation: I usually prefer inviting questions anytime and all the time. I stress that approach in my workshops and executive coaching engagements, as long as the presenters are comfortable, well prepared, … Read more

Take a ‘Plus/Delta’ Approach to Feedback

by

In another LinkedIn discussion group, I responded to a question regarding effective feedback. Here’s a summary of my post for your reading pleasure: Effective feedback should never hurt anyone’s feelings. Feedback is all about helping people get better at what they’re doing. Effective feedback is neither positive or negative – it’s just information. Information that … Read more