The Importance of Human Connection

April 30th, 2013 Posted in Blog

By Corrie Miller

When I first met my friend Taya, I was almost overwhelmed by her warmth, her ability to draw me in, to want to get to know her. I was so comfortable that I was almost uncomfortable with it! Instantly. To this day she remains one of my favorite people on this planet. The reason? That connection is rare and is so awesome when you find it.

In my 13 odd years on the media side  of business I have always been intrigued by those people who can elicit an instant connection, and by the situations in which I find myself able to elicit that connection with others. I have always intuitively known how important that connection was but now I want to know WHY and HOW to do it every time.

Here’s what I think. And this pertains to presentations as much as it does to every day dealings with people. Of course I welcome your input and counterpoints…

I think it boils down to confidence; in myself, in my material, and in knowing that I have something that others want to hear/know/see. In my radio job that could be as simple as a free movie pass or concert tickets! Today, it’s more complex, sharing information on how to engage your audience, even if it’s just a one-on-one meeting. I am amazed how much of that confidence or intimidation in a situation is entirely perception-based and resides solely in the grey matter between our ears.

When I am relaxed, confident, and feeling grounded, I am relaxed, confident, and grounded in my business dealings with others, and in my personal relationships. When I’m not feeling all of those things (having an “off” day), I have struggled to put on that business face and it just doesn’t flow the same way.

As for perception, what I’ve discovered of late is that the people I meet are nowhere near as scary, as intimidating, or as MENSA level genius as I’ve built them up to be in my head. I’ve been proved wrong time and time again. It’s refreshing!

Everyone is learning. Everyone has insecurities. Everyone can do what they do better.

And, everyone can gain from being vulnerable and authentic in their dealings with others, and in their presentations. The key notes or TED talks I’ve watched that really get to me are the ones that connect on an emotional level where the presenter appears genuine, and by way of letting that guard down and sharing a story, vulnerable. Here’s how U2′s Bono does it with a comment on global poverty at this year’s TED 2013 conference in Long Beach.

Vulnerability. Not something I’ve been comfortable with in a work environment. Controlling my emotions and projecting what I perceive to be acceptable to succeed, yes, but standing up in front of a room full of strangers or even acquaintances and really and truly being myself?  MMmmm…scary. Will they LIKE the real me? Isn’t the old adage “Never let ‘em see you sweat”? Isn’t it still sort of prevalent today? Maybe connecting with other humans is about being willing to be vulnerable, tell a story in your voice, make it real.

Janice passed along a blog post that talks about letting the walls down, even in business. Being real with others builds trust. Trust builds relationships. And relationships are what life, and business, are all about. Have a read.

Sage advice from Sara Wachter-Boettcher of the Pastry Box Project. Thank you Sara!

To Your Voice,

Corrie

 

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Create Memorable, “Sticky” Slidedecks For Your Presentations

April 18th, 2013 Posted in Blog

By Corrie Miller

In our last blog post we talked about why your presentation might fail to meet its objective (connect with your audience, convert the sale). One of the biggies: Bad slidedecks. If your visuals don’t add anything to your talk, you’re wasting your time and your audience is tuning out. Let’s address this and show you some examples of what works.

According to the  Media Education Centre, research at 3M Corporation has shown that:

The brain processes images a whopping 60,000 times faster than words.

It’s called the Image Superiority Effect.

 

Furthermore, in the same article it is said that Psychologist Albert Mehrabian demonstrated that:

93% of communication is nonverbal.

Yes body language, eye contact and the like are crucial, but a big part of that non-verbal communication is what visuals you choose to compliment what you say.

Incorporating images into your presentations:

a) Gets your audience’s attention

b) Can contradict a point to be provocative, or for humour’s sake and

c) Reinforces a point to make it resonate with the audience. It makes it “sticky”.

Key messages strategically placed alongside your use of images can go a long way to aiding the retention of your subject matter in the classroom, in a sales pitch, or at that keynote address.

Ultimately if your audience remembers what you spoke about they remember you.

In my previous post I gave this example of what not to do:

Who hasn’t at some point been in a lecture hall where the speaker/teacher droned on and on (and.on.) while you frantically took notes, all the while not hearing one iota of what was being said? Yep, me too.

So what does work?

Here are some examples of Calculated Presentations’ slides using images to aid in the audience’s retention of information. These were used in a recent presentation given on the topic of presenting. Notes were available afterward.

If you have a very information-heavy presentation, speak to that fact but use fewer slides and hand out the notes afterward. Letting your audience know that you will have information for them after the talk let’s the audience relax and enjoy your presentation without having to worry about scribbling their way through it.

Always remember when putting together your next presentation that:

Images evoke emotion and emotion is what makes people remember. It’s what makes people BUY: Your product and  your idea.

Many companies still require their employees to present with very text-heavy branded slidedecks. If that is what you are up against, we would challenge you to insert just one or two slides where images serve as the backdrop to your information into your next presentation. Change can be made but sometimes it just takes some time to change conventional thought. When your presentations are getting that sale or influencing your audience and the competition isn’t, conventional wisdom will change.

Good luck!

To Your Voice

 

Corrie

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80% of Presentations Fail – Do yours?

April 11th, 2013 Posted in Blog, Uncategorized

By Corrie Miller

Being able to present well is essential.  If people listen, if you can achieve audience buy-in and engage when you speak, you have the ability to persuade. You can change minds. You can get the sale.

According to Phillip Khan-Panni, UK champion business speaker and author,

80% of presentations fail to deliver their objective.

If there is any truth to this (and we think it’s pretty close),  that means that 80% are boring tune-outs that the audience forgets as soon as they leave the room.  A lot of wasted hours on both sides of the stage, and a shame really when you think of it.  The audience is largely there because they hope to get something from the speaker. The speaker is there to educate, sell or otherwise persuade the audience, all the while getting an opportunity to potentially increase personal and business profile.  If 80% aren’t doing that, what a wasted opportunity!

WHY PRESENTATIONS FAIL

1. DON’T KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE – Janice and I gave a presentation at a Canadian Public Relations Society session this week and I tell you, we spent a LOT of time trying to decipher what that audience would want from us. How senior would they be in their positions? Why had they chosen to attend? These questions determined how deep we would go with the material we’d chosen for a 1-hour talk, and how much would be covered accordingly. Ask around. Talking far above or below your audience’s reasons for being there will be a sure fire tune-out.

2. LACK OF AUTHENTICITY –  If you can’t bring yourself to the game or are trying to be something you’re not, people can sense it. Be professional, but be yourself as much as possible. That is good enough, and in most cases better than the alternative.

3. LACK OF STORYTELLING –  Storytelling has become quite the buzz word of late, but truly if I were to get up there and ONLY spew stats at you, are you going to remember them?  Maybe one or two but there are two ways to evoke memory. One of those ways is by using analogy to make your point or share your statistic. The other is through images (more on that later). Find a way to convey your dry information (as is often the case) in a creative way.

Steve Jobs when introducing the iPod, didn’t talk about all the technical details about his new music player at first. He said:

“1000 songs in your pocket”. Much more visual, right?  Much more engaging.

4. BAD SLIDEDECKS –  Who hasn’t attended a talk, or been lectured to in a classroom where there were so many words projected on the screen that you were too busy taking notes to hear a word the speaker/lecturer was saying.

Less is more. Pictures are better than words.

The brain processes images 60,000 times faster than linear language.

That according to a recent study by 3M Corporation. Seize the opportunity to do slides well!

5. UNPREPAREDNESS – Nancy Duarte, who helped construct Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” has said that a successful presentation should take about 90 hours to put together. 30 hours to construct content. 30 hours for the slidedeck. 30 hours of practise. Practise, practise, practise.  The more you speak it out loud the more you’ll know your content and the more confident you’ll be.

Don’t be afraid to look a little crazy and talk to yourself. It’s worth it.

6. ANXIETY –  This is a big one and the reason people most often decline speaking engagements, or even just speaking at all in front of others. We’ll address this in a later post. A little adrenaline sharpens your mind and makes you perform better. Too much anxiety can be crippling.

Are your presentations boring tune-outs? We hope you are in that 20% of speakers that effectively deliver the message, that engage, that enlighten. If you are, you’ve significantly narrowed the competition.

What do you think are the biggest fails when you hear a talk that makes you want to exit stage left?  We would love your input.

To Your Voice

- Corrie

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Always Presenting – Women Build Communities and Inspire Change

March 29th, 2013 Posted in Blog, Featured, Uncategorized

by Corrie Miller

Women are doing amazing things.  They are building their communities, they are striving to better themselves and they are inspiring global change.

It’s no secret that every day of our lives we are presenting, putting ourselves “out there” and making impressions on others. And it struck me recently just how many amazing, dynamic women have crossed my path of late.

Calculated Presentations will begin to feature women that are making a difference here on this blog on a regular basis. We help women on the way up with their presentation skills (click to find out more!), so we feel it makes sense to feature some who are presenting well in all areas of their lives.  After all, whether we like it or not, life is one big exercise in public speaking. At least if you want to connect with others.

A few friends of mine have headed back to school long after they walked up on stage to collect their high school diplomas and others long after seeing the inside of their local college or uni. Two of these women are in their late thirties, one went back in her late forties. Tanya went into Dentistry, Cassandra is becoming an Art Therapist , and another intrepid entrepreneur started her own successful communications firm. I am inspired. You see, it proves that it doesn’t matter what stage you are at in your life, you can always strive to be a better version of yourself.

just do it

 

My friend Jen Schaeffers is a connector of humans and a philanthropist. She saw a need for a website that would showcase Vancouver networking events that would allow people to connect. She filled that void with www.networkinginvan.com.

Networking In Vancouver is proliferating and she is doing this while sitting as Executive Director of the CKNW Orphans Fund and raising two young kids. And making the the rest of us look bad (tongue planted firmly in cheek).  It inspires me to see women like Jen who seem to be able to keep a million balls in the air and remain so engaged, present, and happy. I suppose the lesson is

Find your passion, and just do it. The rest will follow.

 

My sister in law Jennifer Trayler and her friend Danielle Nesbit decided they wanted to start a business. So they did (a premium ice supplier for hospitality and consumer verticals), but one of the first things discussed was that they wanted their business to help affect the change they wanted to see in the world.

Compassionate Eye Fundraiser

Last week On The Rocks Ice partnered with the Compassionate Eye Foundation to fund clean water projects in places like Kenya and Guatemala. Jen’s presentation on why she organized this event and why it’s so important nearly brought me to tears. She spoke from the heart, which is all we should ever try to do.

 

Women  are doing amazing things. Its a fortunate time… to be one.

Do you know an amazing woman that should be featured here?  Please leave your comments and we will make it happen.

To Your Voice,

Corrie

 

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Three Powerful Public Speaking Techniques used by TED speaker Ron Finley

March 19th, 2013 Posted in Blog

Did you catch Ron Finley’s presentation at TED 2013? He was a powerhouse who captivated his audience and received a resounding standing O. If you haven’t watched him you should:

 

 

Ron beautifully demonstrates what separates presenters who have their audience enthralled from those who don’t.

But a little aside…understand that it didn’t come easy nor was it a quick process for Ron to get to the TED stage.

When I was introduced to Ron he had a solid draft for his 12 minute presentation. This was about two months before he was scheduled to speak. His TED presentation was significantly different that his first rendition delivered at the Vancouver audition a few months before we met.

Just like writing a book or a movie script the final draft of a presentation often is very different than the first. It is a work in progress — a process.

Ron is a creative and a designer by trade. He was no stranger to the creative process and embraced it.

Tip #1 – Be patient while building your presentation. Give yourself lots of time to be creative and let your tap of insight flow.

Ron’s presentation was memorable. The TED conference twitter stream was jumping with nuggets of wisdom. These gems were purposefully built in to have legs and stick in the minds of the audience for weeks and months after.

 

 

 

And then this memorable finish in Ron’s vernacular …

 

 

Tip #2 – Invest the time to create the nuggets … those little gems that your audience will carry away with them and remember.

 

The qualities that I most admire in Ron was that he spoke from the heart (passionate man) and never wavered from the integrity of his story. Ron asked for feedback from many colleagues and peers. And many advised him to water down his words. I advised him not to – to stick with his story and deliver with the rawness that it is. I’m glad that he stuck to his guns because the proof of a story well told, that captivated hearts and minds, showed itself in February, 2013 on the TED stage in Long Beach, California.

Tip #3 – Your story is your story. Don’t give anyone the license to make yours wallpaper paste.

Well done and well said Ron – kudos! It was a pleasure working with you. Enjoy what grows ….

 

 

To Your Voice

Janice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Michael Santos: Out of Jail and Trying to Change the World- By Corrie Miller

March 18th, 2013 Posted in Blog, Uncategorized

Michael Santos is a man on a mission. Released from a US prison in August of last year after     spending 25 years behind bars, Michael has set to work educating any and all he can about how not to make the mistakes he did. He teaches how to survive life behind bars and most importantly how he would like to see a system that is largely broken that keeps 2.3 million Americans incarcerated, fixed. Santos obtained both Bachelors and Masters university degrees while in prison on drug trafficking charges, has written books on the subject of prison reform, and in February spoke to a group of students at the University of California, Berkley. I found the video of his presentation in an article published on Mashable written by Michael himself. It was well worth the read. And the watch.

What surprised me wasn’t just his story but that once I had clicked on the link to his lecture, that I sat through the entire thing. All 39 minutes of it!  I have no vested interest, don’t know anyone battling the legal system, nor is this subject typically on my radar.  But he was passionate, well-informed, clearly very intelligent, and had an inspiring call to action that asked me to think differently about those that make big mistakes early on in their lives.

It was all in the presentation.

From an audience engagement standpoint, Michael’s presentation did everything it was supposed to do. And considering the fact that he was released into a half-way house just a few short months ago (and now under home confinement), he was remarkable. His visuals were captivating, and save for of course a few improvements we can all make, he really hit the target. Have a watch (not all 39 minutes, but if you find yourself glued, feel free!).

As for tips, Janice has a couple that would make Michael even that much more effective.

1. Michael’s messages are sticky. This he does well. Being sentenced to “45 years behind bars under the King Pin Statute” is something that would put fear into anyone. One thing Michael could do better is to slow these key phrases/messages down a tad so that they resonate more. Remember, not everyone knows what you know. Sometimes spelling it out and varying your pacing can have a huge impact.

2. Movement on stage should be very directed and with a purpose. Training yourself to stand your ground and make your point, then move on, goes a long way toward grounding your whole presentation.

Good luck on your journey Michael and good luck on your first teaching gig at the University of San Francisco this Fall.

Keep inspiring change.

Follow Michael @MichaelGSantos.

- Corrie + Janice

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Public Speaking Workshops | Vancouver, BC | April 2013

March 14th, 2013 Posted in Blog

Are you a woman on the way up? A new executive or manager? Would you like to be a better public speaker? We’ve got two workshops coming up in April that will help you present with confidence and polish. Join us won’t you?

 

 

Equality for Women in the Workplace: Still a Hot Button Issue. – By Corrie Miller

March 13th, 2013 Posted in Audience, Blog, Communication

I’ve been working closely with Janice Tomich for a few weeks now and we get into some pretty great rip roaring conversations. As two women in the room, this one particular chat got fiery right away.

The topic has been debated at length, but please allow me to share our two cents.

Marissa Mayer, the CEO of Yahoo, has been making the news recently re: her decision to recall Yahoo’s large work-from-home-force.  It turns out that Ms. Mayer is a stickler for statistics, and that remote workers were not checking in to their VPN with enough regularity. Fair enough.

But instead of the story being about Yahoo employees not doing their jobs it becomes:

“Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer.  A Mom we love to hate”.  That’s the headline in a recent issue of the Toronto Star.

Would you ever read the headline “A Dad we love to hate” in relation to a business decision in the daily newspaper?  Maybe I’m wrong (it’s happened once or twice you know) but I strongly doubt it.

It reinforces to me that although yes we’ve come a long way as females in the work force, we still have a long way to go. After all, there are only 21 women CEOs at Fortune 500 companies. That’s only about 4 per cent. And we’re still largely being paid less than men in the same positions. It’s hard to believe that in 2013,  it’s still a hot button issue.

Janice: “I want to see more woman in positions of power, sitting on boards, and in CEO positions. I see so many events where the men are up there doing the speaking when the audience is largely women.  The fact is that men can be very good at promoting themselves while many women are hesitant. The bottom line is that if you are up there front and center you get the jobs, you gain the profile.”

I want to help more women get the jobs.

“ When I went back to school, 25% of the class were men and I was shocked to find that that 25% ruled that classroom.  I just could not believe it.  For the most part the younger women were much quieter. That’s where I realized that there is such a need for what I do.”

I believe you can communicate assertively, authentically, AND as a woman,”

Our next Presentation Skills for Women on the Way Up workshop is 2 mornings April 18 & 19th at L’Hermitage Hotel in Vancouver.  We’d love to have you join us for these intimate and interactive sessions. To register and for more information click here.

Have a fabulous day!

-Corrie

 

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Stars Aligning and Crashing with Applause

February 27th, 2013 Posted in Blog

 

Have you had times in your life when you are open to opportunity and the universe decides it is time?

I had the very good fortune to be introduced to Ron Finley by my good friend and colleague Dragana Djurasic of Radiant Minds. Ron auditioned at the TED auditions here in Vancouver this past Spring. Dragana knew he was someone special and that he had a powerful story to tell. She graciously introduced us.

Since I began my business in late 2009 I had dreamed of working with a TED speaker.

And I had the pleasure of collaborating with this lovely and humble man who is doing good work in South Central Los Angeles. I hope he is as proud of himself as I am for him. He received a standing ovation today…and I even heard whispers that his presentation was better than Bono’s. He charmed the audience and spoke his story from his heart.

You all know how I always go on and on encouraging (well maybe nagging a little) you in my blog posts to be yourself when you have the opportunity to speak in public. I have expressed many times that being comfortable and confident in yourself and your words is what separates the best speakers from everyone else.

That’s what Ron did today and I can’t wait to give him a giant hug in person. Hopefully he will be invited to TED 2013 in Vancouver.

Helen Waters, who I had the pleasure of meeting in Doha at the TEDx Summit this past April, has written a fantastic blog post about Ron and his presentation at TED. She describes the heartwarming boulevard garden project that Ron has instigated and given legs to.

Today, for Ron and myself, the universe and stars aligned. It was a good day…

I would like to hear from you — has the universe aligned for you when you took your place and spoke from your heart? Was it a time when you were open to possibility and opportunity?

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Using Video to Get Your Message Out: CPRS Event (Vancouver)

February 23rd, 2013 Posted in Blog

The buzz is all about viral videos. Those videos that do the rounds on YouTube and have that certain something that captures millions of hits.

Corrie and I attended an early morning 7:30 am session (thank goodness for hot coffee) held by the Canadian Public Relations Society who hosted Nathan Lusignan the CEO of Point Blank Creative.  Nathan shared with us how to use video to strategically get your message out into what is now a crowded and competitive landscape and have the impact that you planned for.

My biggest takeaway? Align yourself with colleagues who have a large social media reach and get them onboard. Have them share to their followers and, fingers crossed, your video will spread through the masses exponentially. Or having someone like Jimmy Kimmel love your video and talk about it on prime time doesn’t hurt either.

Here’s Corrie and me with Nathan.

 

Nathan Lusignan, Corrie Ashton, Janice Tomich, CPRS, Vancouver

 

 

Guest speaker at CPRS Vancouver Nathan Lusignan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks Nathan for your insight!

To Your Voice ~

Janice & Corrie

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