See you next week with more ideas. In the meantime remember if you are ever going to be giving a presentation through an interpreter, make sure that you collaborate with her or him very closely so she understands your goals and material just as well as you do. Don't just throw your talk at him and expect miracles.
Schedule enough time for this additional and critical work.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Control Those Pre-Presentations Jitters
Everybody gets those pre-presentations jitters, but there are ways to control them such as taking deep breaths just while waiting to speak or taking a quick walk around the block or wherever you can go.
But there are better ways such as taking the time to write out your presentation by hand with a pencil or pencil or if you are familiar with technique making that Mind Map of the main points in your introduction -- just before leaving home or the hotel room for your speaking venue.
Learning technique researchers have found that writing things out like this is the best way to learn and remember information.
Once you have done either of these things, on your way to where you are going to be speaking, and after your arrival, while waiting to speak -- visualize yourself making that presentation. Picture yourself (Don't get too carried away in traffic though.) going through your entire presentation: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion -- but especially your introduction.
Once you are through that introduction in an impressive manner the rest of your presentation will be much easier and much more successful.
But there are better ways such as taking the time to write out your presentation by hand with a pencil or pencil or if you are familiar with technique making that Mind Map of the main points in your introduction -- just before leaving home or the hotel room for your speaking venue.
Learning technique researchers have found that writing things out like this is the best way to learn and remember information.
Once you have done either of these things, on your way to where you are going to be speaking, and after your arrival, while waiting to speak -- visualize yourself making that presentation. Picture yourself (Don't get too carried away in traffic though.) going through your entire presentation: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion -- but especially your introduction.
Once you are through that introduction in an impressive manner the rest of your presentation will be much easier and much more successful.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Don't Destroy Your Credibility!
There is nothing that will destroy your credibility -- or the credibility of the organization your represent faster than inaccuracy.
Double check everything. Make sure not only that you have understand and written everything down correctly when doing research in some publication or other source or interviewing somebody -- but -- also do research on the experts you are quoting.
Always question their credibility as an expert. What is their track record as an expert in their field? How honest are they known to be in the information they present as proven facts?
Assume nothing. Experts, especially medical researchers and doctors have a tendency to make up things -- at times -- to asppease the huge pharmaceutical and other corporations funding their initial research.
Don't be tempted to try and cover over dubious information or worse yet -- information you know is very dramatic -- but not totally true.
Double check everything. Make sure not only that you have understand and written everything down correctly when doing research in some publication or other source or interviewing somebody -- but -- also do research on the experts you are quoting.
Always question their credibility as an expert. What is their track record as an expert in their field? How honest are they known to be in the information they present as proven facts?
Assume nothing. Experts, especially medical researchers and doctors have a tendency to make up things -- at times -- to asppease the huge pharmaceutical and other corporations funding their initial research.
Don't be tempted to try and cover over dubious information or worse yet -- information you know is very dramatic -- but not totally true.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Look to Nature for Illustrations
Need to refresh parts of your presentation or speech with new illustrations or analogies to help clarify important points? The source of these is all around you.
Nature.
For instance if you were giving presentation or a part of your speech on the pressures of hectic modern life you could compare daily life as being caught up in a raging torrent that left you struggling just to keep your head above water never mind accomplish anything beyond survival.
Or you could compare the brief respite from your pressure-packed day when you arrive at home in the evening with being momentarily in the eye of the hurricane. Safe for now but uncertain about what you are going to be hit with next.
Of course not all of your comparisons need to be negative or depressing. You could easily turn that one about the hurricane around to illustrate how a happy family and social life is like an island of security that gives you the opportunity to build your strength and resources to go on.
So n your reading about and your actual travels through the natural world around you keep an eye open for things in the natural world that you can use to make your presentations more colourful, easy to understand and memorable.
Nature.
For instance if you were giving presentation or a part of your speech on the pressures of hectic modern life you could compare daily life as being caught up in a raging torrent that left you struggling just to keep your head above water never mind accomplish anything beyond survival.
Or you could compare the brief respite from your pressure-packed day when you arrive at home in the evening with being momentarily in the eye of the hurricane. Safe for now but uncertain about what you are going to be hit with next.
Of course not all of your comparisons need to be negative or depressing. You could easily turn that one about the hurricane around to illustrate how a happy family and social life is like an island of security that gives you the opportunity to build your strength and resources to go on.
So n your reading about and your actual travels through the natural world around you keep an eye open for things in the natural world that you can use to make your presentations more colourful, easy to understand and memorable.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Don't Forget That Pause!
Don't forget to make effective use of pausing when speaking to others after you have asked a question -- made an important point -- or made a funny remark you hope your audience will respond to by answering, writing down what you said -- or erupting in laughter.
Giving you audience time to digest and respond in some way to what you just said will make your presentation much more effective.
Don't forget to make good use of this technique.
Giving you audience time to digest and respond in some way to what you just said will make your presentation much more effective.
Don't forget to make good use of this technique.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Have You Tried It Yet?
Have you tried using Mind Mapping while doing research, writing, or editing your speech or presentation yet? If not you are missing out on a great technique that could make your work much easier and quicker.
I find, in many cases, that mind or idea mapping using a pen or coloured pencil much easier, but you can also get some great computer programs for this.
Just click on one of the mind, idea, or business mapping sites. Most of them have free trials of some sort that will enable you to find which program technique works best for you.
Everybody is different. I like the "old fashioned" pen and pencil method with a large sheet of paper best when Mind Mapping or clustering , but, one of the electronic formats might work best for you.
I find, in many cases, that mind or idea mapping using a pen or coloured pencil much easier, but you can also get some great computer programs for this.
Just click on one of the mind, idea, or business mapping sites. Most of them have free trials of some sort that will enable you to find which program technique works best for you.
Everybody is different. I like the "old fashioned" pen and pencil method with a large sheet of paper best when Mind Mapping or clustering , but, one of the electronic formats might work best for you.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Picture Yourself!
A little nervous about giving that presentation to an audience you've never met before? Make it easier to succeed by picturing yourself up on that stage, relaxed, breathing easily, and speaking clearly.
Professional (and some amateur) athletes do this before their game or sporting event and it does work wonders. And from personal experience I can tell you it does work.
Just last I was schedule to give reading before an audience of about 100 hundred people -- and was more than a little apprehensive because of some respiratory problems I was having because of cough. I was sure I was going to botch the whole -- slurring and stumbling my way through the whole thing.
Then several day before the reading I started visualizing myself reading crisply and clearly through the whole thing. And I did pull it off successfully.
So never forget the power of visualization. Just like it works for athletes as well as actors, singers, it help your in your presentation.
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