by Alan | Dec 22, 2006 | Communication skills, Delivery, Don't!, public speaking
Probably one of the most common delivery mistakes I see in newbies and experienced presenters alike is the urge to carry something with them on the podium. Mark this rule down — if we hold something in our hands while we talk, WE WILL play with it. And IT WILL...
by Alan | Dec 11, 2006 | Communication skills, Delivery, Leadership, public speaking
“I want this to be informal.” That statement was near the end of the stated logistics of a manager to about 200 troops in a meeting. The forum was a large auditorium, and the manager was on an elevated stage, with a backdrop of a two-story A/V screen...
by Alan | Dec 11, 2006 | Communication skills, Content, Delivery, PowerPoint, public speaking
Watched a speaker host a meeting and then ask an invited guest to open the business end of a large forum after the holiday pleasantries were exchanged. This second speaker, known to the entire audience as a position of authority, then got up to give a casual...
by Alan | Dec 4, 2006 | Communication skills, Content, Delivery, public speaking
Was walking through an online product demo (as a customer) in a web conference today when the demo guy said, “Let me explain this screen — it can be a bit misleading.” I about busted out laughing. As a customer, I wondered why a company would demo a...
by Alan | Nov 10, 2006 | Communication skills, Delivery, public speaking
Here’s a tip I (re)discovered this week. First, I’m a HUGE fan of video as an unbiased observer to help us get better as speakers. It’s the only true way for us to see ourselves as the audience sees us. So the (repeated) tip: use video early and...
by Alan | Nov 8, 2006 | Communication skills, Delivery, public speaking
Probably heard it 40 times this week (and maybe every week, but it’s been really prevalent in at least three settings this week, and unfortunately, I heard myself use it once this morning): “I want to say…” and it’s corollary, “I...
