blog
The teacher becomes the student!
May 20, 2016 |
Presenting tips
Last week I delivered a ‘Masterclass in Presentation Delivery’ to members of the Professional Speakers Association North West (PSA NW) in Manchester.
As expected, this was a group of high quality speakers – some with several decades experience of being professional speakers. Even so, they were aware, as am I, that there is always so much more to add to our professional speaking toolkit. Additionally, there is real value in having someone who is not used to seeing you speak, looking at you with fresh eyes and giving frank and specific suggestions on how to make something that is already great, just that tiny bit better.
During the course of the session, while I was doing 1 to 1 video reviews in a separate room, I set them a few tasks. One of these tasks was to come up with a list of their own top presentation tips. I can tell you now – I picked a few nice tips from their list for myself! I had an opportunity to add some more tools to my own toolkit.
Here are just 3...
As expected, this was a group of high quality speakers – some with several decades experience of being professional speakers. Even so, they were aware, as am I, that there is always so much more to add to our professional speaking toolkit. Additionally, there is real value in having someone who is not used to seeing you speak, looking at you with fresh eyes and giving frank and specific suggestions on how to make something that is already great, just that tiny bit better.
During the course of the session, while I was doing 1 to 1 video reviews in a separate room, I set them a few tasks. One of these tasks was to come up with a list of their own top presentation tips. I can tell you now – I picked a few nice tips from their list for myself! I had an opportunity to add some more tools to my own toolkit.
Here are just 3...
On the Question of Questions – how do we prepare effectively?
Mar 31, 2016 |
Presenting tips
Quite often people have fears around the questions and answers session of a presentation. Totally understandable. We can prepare a presentation, structure it well, practice it well – but the questions are always an unknown entity.
Here are some tips to help you prepare for your next questions and answers session.
FAQ
The FAQs are the frequently asked questions, or the expected questions.
In order to be able to answer these it’s a good idea to go back through your presentation as if you are a member of the audience. Look for areas where somebody not too familiar with your topic could have questions. On the other hand, consider those who know a lot about your question and extra detail they might ask for. If your presentation allows for it timewise, maybe add in the detail to avoid the question. Alternatively, if you do not have enough time for the detail, be prepared for the question arising.
Make out a list of all the questions, prepare answers using examples, facts,...
Here are some tips to help you prepare for your next questions and answers session.
FAQ
The FAQs are the frequently asked questions, or the expected questions.
In order to be able to answer these it’s a good idea to go back through your presentation as if you are a member of the audience. Look for areas where somebody not too familiar with your topic could have questions. On the other hand, consider those who know a lot about your question and extra detail they might ask for. If your presentation allows for it timewise, maybe add in the detail to avoid the question. Alternatively, if you do not have enough time for the detail, be prepared for the question arising.
Make out a list of all the questions, prepare answers using examples, facts,...
Teachings from TEDx
Jan 14, 2016 |
Presenting tips
One of my favourite gigs is being a speaker coach for TEDx speakers. Yesterday I was working with a group of speakers for the TEDx Fulbright Dublin event on Saturday 7th February. It’s in Smock Alley theatre and, before you dash off to book tickets, you can’t – it sold out in just 10 minutes! Don’t worry you can catch all the talks on TEDx.com after the event.
Yesterday, we had a group coaching session in the morning and in the afternoon. Today, all of the speakers got a 1 to 1 session. Most of the coaching sessions were face to face – some by Skype. Actually, yesterday I had possibly my most unusual Skype coaching session ever. I was coaching a tap dancer who is a speaker. Part of his talk involves doing some tap dancing. It did feel a bit weird (in a wonderful way!) as I sat in Dublin coaching someone, tap dancing in New York!
My favourite moment in the 2 days was when one of the speakers told me they had chopped their content in half, yes half, foll...
Yesterday, we had a group coaching session in the morning and in the afternoon. Today, all of the speakers got a 1 to 1 session. Most of the coaching sessions were face to face – some by Skype. Actually, yesterday I had possibly my most unusual Skype coaching session ever. I was coaching a tap dancer who is a speaker. Part of his talk involves doing some tap dancing. It did feel a bit weird (in a wonderful way!) as I sat in Dublin coaching someone, tap dancing in New York!
My favourite moment in the 2 days was when one of the speakers told me they had chopped their content in half, yes half, foll...
What can a blender disaster teach you about presenting?
Dec 29, 2015 |
Presenting tips
When people hear what I work at they often ask the question. “What is your best tip”?
My best tip can vary depending on who I am talking to.
For someone who is really daunted by the thoughts of speaking in public it might be something completely different than the tip I would give to someone who is a regular and confident presenter.
However, the one I most frequently find myself sharing is this – it is better to be yourself than to be perfect. Striving for perfection puts incredible pressure on you to present at a level that may currently be beyond your reach. Besides, audiences tend to warm more towards those who are human than those who are perceived as perfect.
In the book 59 seconds, the author Richard Wiseman who is an experimental scientist, gives a really interesting example that backs up this theory.
It relates to 2 people demonstrating how to use a blender. Both of them are very professional and good at demonstrating.
At one stage, one of them gets into a bit of...
My best tip can vary depending on who I am talking to.
For someone who is really daunted by the thoughts of speaking in public it might be something completely different than the tip I would give to someone who is a regular and confident presenter.
However, the one I most frequently find myself sharing is this – it is better to be yourself than to be perfect. Striving for perfection puts incredible pressure on you to present at a level that may currently be beyond your reach. Besides, audiences tend to warm more towards those who are human than those who are perceived as perfect.
In the book 59 seconds, the author Richard Wiseman who is an experimental scientist, gives a really interesting example that backs up this theory.
It relates to 2 people demonstrating how to use a blender. Both of them are very professional and good at demonstrating.
At one stage, one of them gets into a bit of...
Tips from the PSA (Professional Speakers Association) UK and Ireland
As a member of the Professional Speakers Association UK + Ireland – I am fortunate enough to be exposed to fantastic speakers with fantastic tips. The annual annual UK + Ireland conference was held recently in Reading. The speakers were not just from Ireland and the UK but we also had speakers from Canada, USA, South Africa and New Zealand. We were also privileged to have the company of two Global Speaking Federation Presidents, from the USA (NSA – National Speakers Association) and Asia (GSF -Global Speakers Federation). So we were in great company for the 3 days.
Below are tips from some of the speakers – as relevant here as they are in their own countries!
Tip 1 – customise your content
This first tip came from David Newman of doitmarketing.com. As we were in the UK, he had references to cups of tea vs cups of coffee which he would refer to in his native USA.
Several of his slides had obviously been tailored for a UK audience. For instance, he spoke about g...
Below are tips from some of the speakers – as relevant here as they are in their own countries!
Tip 1 – customise your content
This first tip came from David Newman of doitmarketing.com. As we were in the UK, he had references to cups of tea vs cups of coffee which he would refer to in his native USA.
Several of his slides had obviously been tailored for a UK audience. For instance, he spoke about g...
Customer Service – cockpit style!
Oct 13, 2015 |
Presenting tips
As I write this blog, I am sitting on a plane from Heathrow to Dublin.
I am on my way back from The Professional Speakers Association UK & Ireland Conference. Over the next little while I will be posting blogs with some of the nuggets from the Conference.
Today though, this post is about a positive customer service experience in a negative situation that I experienced on my journey to the conference.
Normally, I fly with our own Aer Lingus but the British Airways (BA) flight times suited better. It was my first time to fly BA and I was curious as to how it would compare to the great customer service of Aer Lingus. So, there we are, sitting on the BA flight waiting to take off on Friday morning. The captain comes over the tannoy and very pleasantly welcomes us on-board.
Then, he tells us that there’s fog in Heathrow and we will be delayed for 40 mins. Cue, 150 passengers simultaneously groaning. Then, he says that seeing as how we have a bit of time on the ground, that a...
I am on my way back from The Professional Speakers Association UK & Ireland Conference. Over the next little while I will be posting blogs with some of the nuggets from the Conference.
Today though, this post is about a positive customer service experience in a negative situation that I experienced on my journey to the conference.
Normally, I fly with our own Aer Lingus but the British Airways (BA) flight times suited better. It was my first time to fly BA and I was curious as to how it would compare to the great customer service of Aer Lingus. So, there we are, sitting on the BA flight waiting to take off on Friday morning. The captain comes over the tannoy and very pleasantly welcomes us on-board.
Then, he tells us that there’s fog in Heathrow and we will be delayed for 40 mins. Cue, 150 passengers simultaneously groaning. Then, he says that seeing as how we have a bit of time on the ground, that a...
Nerves Infographic
Sep 29, 2015 |
Presenting tips
A big thank you to Katie Moynihan – a final year marketing student in DIT. She compiled the infographic below based on some of the tips and techniques for controlling nerves. She compiled them from the manual we supply on our 1 day presentation skills programme.
For details of how we can deliver presentations training to your team in-house click here.
In the mean time – enjoy the infographic and please do share if you found it helpful!
...
For details of how we can deliver presentations training to your team in-house click here.
In the mean time – enjoy the infographic and please do share if you found it helpful!
...
Top Tips for Body Language
Aug 30, 2015 |
Presenting tips
In over 15 years of working with all types of people on their presentation skills – from CEOs to those starting out in their presenting career, the question of body language almost always arises.
Every speaker knows how important body language is… yet, for some it can be difficult to master. Of course, your words and your PowerPoint slides are important. However, at the end of the day, people have come to hear and see you, not your slides!
Often nerves and poor self-confidence can lead to poor body language.
Below are 6 tips that should help you to have better body language so that you appear more relaxed and confident during your presentations.
1. Stand up straight; open your chest and arms
Not only does this make you look more confident but it allows you to breathe with ease which will immediately help you to feel more relaxed. Keeping your shoulders back can give you an instant feeling of confidence – totally opposite to this is to roll the shoulders forward which will...
Every speaker knows how important body language is… yet, for some it can be difficult to master. Of course, your words and your PowerPoint slides are important. However, at the end of the day, people have come to hear and see you, not your slides!
Often nerves and poor self-confidence can lead to poor body language.
Below are 6 tips that should help you to have better body language so that you appear more relaxed and confident during your presentations.
1. Stand up straight; open your chest and arms
Not only does this make you look more confident but it allows you to breathe with ease which will immediately help you to feel more relaxed. Keeping your shoulders back can give you an instant feeling of confidence – totally opposite to this is to roll the shoulders forward which will...
Top Tips for Communicating with Confidence
Yesterday evening I was delighted to be invited to speak at the 3Day Startup event held in The Gravity Centre in Dublin. For more about Gravity click here.
3Day Startup is an Austin-based company whose mission is to kick-start new student-run companies and build entrepreneurial capabilities in third level students and their communities. They have run more than 130 programs around the world and those have given rise to 79 companies. This is the first year this event has been held in Dublin.
Their schedule was action packed and my slot was short, so the topic I chose was “Tips for Communicating with Confidence”. Over the 3 days they would be constantly communicating. From sharing ideas with their team, right through to telephoning potential customers and delivering a pitch on day 3.
By the way, you might be wondering what the pug picture is doing in this post. He was on one of my slides – you will find out below!
Here is a very brief summary of the tips:
Confident...
3Day Startup is an Austin-based company whose mission is to kick-start new student-run companies and build entrepreneurial capabilities in third level students and their communities. They have run more than 130 programs around the world and those have given rise to 79 companies. This is the first year this event has been held in Dublin.
Their schedule was action packed and my slot was short, so the topic I chose was “Tips for Communicating with Confidence”. Over the 3 days they would be constantly communicating. From sharing ideas with their team, right through to telephoning potential customers and delivering a pitch on day 3.
By the way, you might be wondering what the pug picture is doing in this post. He was on one of my slides – you will find out below!
Here is a very brief summary of the tips:
Confident...
Spoken Language vs Body Language
May 29, 2015 |
Presenting tips
“What should I do with my hands?”
This is a very commonly asked question with regards to presenting. When we stand up to present in front of any number of people, whether it be 5 or 500, the majority of us find ourselves feeling exposed and self-conscious. These feelings add to the anxiety that we may have already built up. The best way to overcome this is to be self-aware and remember that we are represented not only by our spoken language but also by our body language.
Use Your Hands
Hand gestures are an essential to looking and feeling confident when presenting. Hand movements occur naturally when we talk casually among our friends, so why not allow this to happen when we present too?
Below are some of my top tips for using your hands when presenting:
1. Keep your hands seen
Open arms and palms create an honest and friendly feel to your body language so take those hands out from your pockets or behind your back and open up to your audience.
2. The bigger the better
Broader and h...
This is a very commonly asked question with regards to presenting. When we stand up to present in front of any number of people, whether it be 5 or 500, the majority of us find ourselves feeling exposed and self-conscious. These feelings add to the anxiety that we may have already built up. The best way to overcome this is to be self-aware and remember that we are represented not only by our spoken language but also by our body language.
Use Your Hands
Hand gestures are an essential to looking and feeling confident when presenting. Hand movements occur naturally when we talk casually among our friends, so why not allow this to happen when we present too?
Below are some of my top tips for using your hands when presenting:
1. Keep your hands seen
Open arms and palms create an honest and friendly feel to your body language so take those hands out from your pockets or behind your back and open up to your audience.
2. The bigger the better
Broader and h...