blog
It’s a dialogue not a monologue
Apr 15, 2014 |
Presenting tips
“Who ever loved that loved not at first sight?”
As You Like It – William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare had many wonderful monologues in his plays. They served him well. However, when your audience is listening to you – dialogues can be much more engaging. Here are 3 reasons why:
1. TONE
You are more likely to take on a conversational tone in a dialogue. Most of our day to day communication is in conversation and that is when we sound most like ourselves. If you present as a monologue there is a danger that your tone can become more lecture-like.
2. CONTROL
It is a proven fact that when it comes to educating adults they prefer to be in control of their own learning. Therefore, in a presentation if you can involve your listeners more they are definitely more likely to feel in control of the content. This in turn can lead them to taking on board your ideas more readily.
3. FOCUS
We have over 50,000 thoughts racing through our head in one day....
As You Like It – William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare had many wonderful monologues in his plays. They served him well. However, when your audience is listening to you – dialogues can be much more engaging. Here are 3 reasons why:
1. TONE
You are more likely to take on a conversational tone in a dialogue. Most of our day to day communication is in conversation and that is when we sound most like ourselves. If you present as a monologue there is a danger that your tone can become more lecture-like.
2. CONTROL
It is a proven fact that when it comes to educating adults they prefer to be in control of their own learning. Therefore, in a presentation if you can involve your listeners more they are definitely more likely to feel in control of the content. This in turn can lead them to taking on board your ideas more readily.
3. FOCUS
We have over 50,000 thoughts racing through our head in one day....
Tips for TEDx
This coming Saturday The Fulbright Commission of Ireland will host the first ever TEDxFulbright event in Ireland. The event will be held on Saturday 5th April in the Smock Alley Theatre, Exchange Street, Dublin 2.
I was delighted to be engaged as the speaker coach for these wonderful speakers with diverse and stimulating topics. During the 1 to 1 sessions with each speaker there were 2 key points that we discussed before looking at 10 tips. All of these have a certain amount of relevance to any talk that we are giving. Some of them are more relevant when the talk is being videoed and in particular when it is being videoed for viewing internationally.
Key Point #1 – Who?
It is important to consider the audience, not only in the room but also the wider international audience who will be viewing. In particular, the average knowledge level of the audience needs to be assessed. If in doubt, explain any acronyms, phrases, concepts etc. that might not be understood by a gene...
I was delighted to be engaged as the speaker coach for these wonderful speakers with diverse and stimulating topics. During the 1 to 1 sessions with each speaker there were 2 key points that we discussed before looking at 10 tips. All of these have a certain amount of relevance to any talk that we are giving. Some of them are more relevant when the talk is being videoed and in particular when it is being videoed for viewing internationally.
Key Point #1 – Who?
It is important to consider the audience, not only in the room but also the wider international audience who will be viewing. In particular, the average knowledge level of the audience needs to be assessed. If in doubt, explain any acronyms, phrases, concepts etc. that might not be understood by a gene...
What do Valentine’s Cards and a love struck teenager have to do with presenting?
Feb 14, 2014 |
Presenting tips
When I was a teenager I had an enormous crush on a guy who lived about half a mile away. He went to the all-boys school across the road from me and I would gaze lovingly in his direction – but he never even noticed me.
One year for Valentine’s Day I sent him 3 valentines cards. Yes not 1, not 2 but 3 – as I said, it was an enormous crush! The 3 cards were as follows:
Card Number 1: Sent to arrive on the 13th, a day early. Inside I had written “The early bird catches the worm”…. how corny was that!
Card Number 2: Sent to arrive on the 14th – just a normal card, nothing notable written on the inside.
Card Number 3: A blank piece of paper in an envelope. Nothing on it at all.
By sending 3 cards I was trying to appeal to him in 3 different ways. Now you might be wondering about 2 things – firstly, what has the story of these 3 different Valentine’s cards got to do with communications and secondly, what happe...
One year for Valentine’s Day I sent him 3 valentines cards. Yes not 1, not 2 but 3 – as I said, it was an enormous crush! The 3 cards were as follows:
Card Number 1: Sent to arrive on the 13th, a day early. Inside I had written “The early bird catches the worm”…. how corny was that!
Card Number 2: Sent to arrive on the 14th – just a normal card, nothing notable written on the inside.
Card Number 3: A blank piece of paper in an envelope. Nothing on it at all.
By sending 3 cards I was trying to appeal to him in 3 different ways. Now you might be wondering about 2 things – firstly, what has the story of these 3 different Valentine’s cards got to do with communications and secondly, what happe...
Presentation tips for speaking at events to raise your profile
The article below was published in The Sunday Business Post in the Small Business Section on January 19, 2014. The article was printed as part of a special feature on women in startups. However, the tips below can be relevant to everyone in business, male or female, startup or established.
Enjoy!
Presentation Tips for Startups
As a start up you might be looking for ways to raise awareness of you and your business that don’t cost a fortune.
One way to do this is to speak in public. There are plenty of approaches to this – if you are a member of an institute you might speak at one of their events or maybe even at a conference. However, you want to make sure that you get your message across and that you are memorable – for the right reasons.
1. Decide your key message
As you prepare your presentation it is absolutely vital that you decide on your key message or messages – try and keep the messages to a maximum of 3. Agree the topic of your presentation with the...
Enjoy!
Presentation Tips for Startups
As a start up you might be looking for ways to raise awareness of you and your business that don’t cost a fortune.
One way to do this is to speak in public. There are plenty of approaches to this – if you are a member of an institute you might speak at one of their events or maybe even at a conference. However, you want to make sure that you get your message across and that you are memorable – for the right reasons.
1. Decide your key message
As you prepare your presentation it is absolutely vital that you decide on your key message or messages – try and keep the messages to a maximum of 3. Agree the topic of your presentation with the...