Why?

Quality writing and brilliant ideation. This world holds some brilliant people whose ideas I’d never considered, ways of thinking I’ve never had the privilege to be introduced to, and pre-Social Media I would never have met them.

They get my juices flowing.

What does this have to do with you, the grasshopper, who drops by this site to learn tips and techniques to speak with aplomb (love that word, isn’t it cool?) in the public speaking arena?

These authors and their words are a rich resource for speaking topics and dinner conversation:

My number one is not rocket science but I can’t help myself, I have a crush on him. He would be one of those people that if I would have him over for one of those special mind throbbing and idea sharing dinners.

Yes, Mr. Seth Godin

With a name like Erika Napoletano and the graphic in her tab, you can only expect a firebrand. She is! Erika makes me laugh – the big belly kind and she makes me think. Hard. She makes me think about what it means to be a woman and what it means to stand up and make a difference. She is one of my very special shares: The Redhead Writing She tweets too: @RedheadWriting – good for a coffee choke in the morning. I’d like her at my elbow at my dinner party.

Bit Rebels – Ideas, Ideas, Ideas. No more needs to be said, except the contributors are Misty Balardo, Diana Adams, and Richard Darell. They would be seated in the middle to bat ideas around.

Roger Ebert has been through the trials of a daunting illness. He has shown us human strength at it’s finest and his wife has allowed us a glimpse into what it means to stand fast and hard in a relationship. Mr. Ebert would not have come to mind as someone I would have invited to my dinner party when he was doing Syskill and Ebert.

Now, when he is focusing on writing – and he is prolific – I am gaining insight into what a master writer/author is. He has taught me the evolution of ideas and growth. His writing is eloquent and thoughtful. From his writing I am learning how to be a better writer. I’d like to seat him at my other elbow.

Tanveer Naseer, a fellow Canadian, is a thoughtful and brilliant man. He writes on leadership and I’ve watched his writing grow and inspire others. Amongst other things, he says he is a nice guy and unabashedly he should, because he is. He is the father of two young girls who he is supporting to be strong women who he is leading to believe in all that is possible.

The pages of Drive, written by Daniel Pink, are burning through my fingers even though I’m trying to savour them. I think I’m just going to read it again when I’m finished. Why does it resonate so clearly? Because it is confirming what intrinsically I already knew.

The drive to learn and create comes from within. It can’t be boxed in a cubicle with a time clock ticking. It can’t be bought. It is difficult to gain some level of mastery over what you choose to learn and no one is ever a complete master. But when you are in the zone – I call it Nirvana and Pink calls it flow – that is as good as it gets. It’s a toss up for whose at the other head of the table.

What a dinner party it should be…

Would you like to join us?

Unique Selling Proposition or Differentiation

We all know that our lives are continually blasted with noise. Not just the street honking or siren blasting kind. But the buy me because I am the best and shiniest item available and you want me kind.

A previous strategy session with a colleague uncovered that yes, as consultants we all have a USP simply by default. Simply bringing ourselves to the table brings our unique qualities and experiences with us.

Call it What You Will But How Is Your Bar Higher Than Your Competitors?

However any consultant can say they are results driven, have passion for their chosen profession, and/or have super human insight.

What does differentiation really look like? Can it be bottled or is there a formula.

I hit the Google research trail and discovered that I was attracted to sites that were not the same old patter. I was driven to sites that were discussing and proving that new ideas and systems worked.

Not Wowed by My First Result

My first hit: Was a stock zine type article. It didn’t wow me and I questioned the credibility because the points made were not substantiated. This article has no oomph factor, nothing that grabs me to want to pick up the telephone and hire him/her.

Yes, I am attracted to the initial eye candy, but I want it to be substantiated.

Wowed by My Second Result

Here’s what I’m talking about: Information Highwayman

D Bnonn Tennant claims – A unique selling proposition doesn’t have to be unique to you. It just has to be unique to your ideal prospect.

Bnonn substantiates his assertion with an example of success from a credible source: In his book Scientific Advertising, Claude Hopkins…

Bnonn describes himself as: The dashing & debonair word-wrangler, serif-slinger & all-around scoundrel D Bnonn Tennant—Ace Copywriter & Attention-Thief for hire. How cool is that – Attention Thief for hire. Those words grabbed me!

After scouring his website I have decided I would indeed hire him. Why? He stands out from the crowd and has credibility. He claims to be a brilliant copywriter. I didn’t find any errors.

He says that he is a word wrangler and I found his copy eloquent. And yes, I detected the scoundrel.

How do you stand out from the crowd?

Last week I attended a presentation that was hampered by weak facilitation. The result was an audience who quickly lost interest.

And to boot, the audience was just as uncomfortable as the speakers were. First the audience was embarrassed, then they were simply impatient because no one stepped in to rescue a situation that was falling apart.

The facilitator is the key to and responsible for a strong start, middle, and finish.

The Role of a Facilitator – Not a Juggling Act – A Strategic, Well Rehearsed Role

Three Tips to Stop Presentations From Losing the Audience

First Order of Business
Ask the audience to turn off their cell phones. I appreciate the reminder; sometimes my memory lapses and it would be the height of embarrassment for me to have my phone ring during a presentation.

Don’t be afraid to ask, this is a point of common courtesy.

Second Strategic Intervention
Have the presenter write their own bio with two simple directives. First it needs to be pertinent and directed to the speech at hand. Second it needs to be short. We’ve all endured the entire curriculum vitae that takes as long as the presentation.

The audience wants to know why the speaker has the authority to speak. If you receive a bio that is still too long, gently remind the speaker that everyone is there to hear the presentation – the wow factor – not the bio, which will be long forgotten.

Third Bold Move
I expect some backlash from number three.

At the presentation in contention, beyond the seating area, approximately 25 people were standing. And talking. And talking. People who were seated could not hear because of the background din. The facilitator or an organizer needed to ask them to move to another room. Come on folks it’s not high school any more.

You’re choice – do you want to be perceived as a brilliant leader who has the chutzpah to help create a professional event or are you willing to let it slide away because of politeness enabling. Hint: Everyone in the seated area wished that someone had spoken up and taken control.

Next Post

The facilitators role in fielding audience questions post presentation, how to present a gift of appreciation, and a simple method for a strong finish.

Image Credit: Emiliano Spada

What do you think…

I’m proposing that we banish the elevator speech and replace the name with Unlavator speech.

Yes, you’re likely asking why, but deep down you know – you’ve been the victim of that 30 second spit and polish; and you’ve even spewed a few yourself.

Now really, do you think that when you have that chance meeting with Richard Branson and you espouse that perfectly polished speech that Richard will not break out into his famous belly laugh – full on – with pearly whites flashing at you?

Sir Richard will be thinking does this bloke or blokess not have any creativity or originality? Insert eye roll here. If this poor nob has to memorize who he is – well enough said.

Now, you want the deliverable. Right?

It is as easy as this:

1) Know who you are!

• Your core values and beliefs
• Dig deep – your mother is watching

2) Be excited and share it!

• Are you not passionate (not my favourite word but scratching my head for a replacement) about who you are and what you do?
• Crow from rooftops – share that cool thing you do and what you bring to the table

3) Take cues from the person you are meeting! *Hint – find out who they are and what interests them first.

• Here is where you will need to do some nimble thinking. Yes you can! What would they find interesting about you?
• How could what you bring to the table align with their needs or how are you a solution to their problem?

When you have the opportunity to introduce yourself – relax – you are who you are. Be proud and be excited to share. Be interested in who you are meeting.

As my colleague Sam says, “It’s the secret sauce”.

*Photo Credit: David Lat, New York

I have been preaching, ok I’ll tone that down to lecturing, on the benefits of silence while presenting.

It is all right to stop and allow a good few seconds of silence:

When you feel an um coming
When impact is needed
When you need to take a restorative deep breath

I’ve just returned from Southern Utah, driving home through Monument National Park, and the Sierra Nevadas.

Yes, it is a little shaky. I’m new to recording and loving my new Flip camera.

My driving partner in crime will attest to my awe at the sheer magnificence of red rocks, towering precipices, and gushing or meandering waterways.

They made me quiet. They made me introspective.

I realized that it is all right to be present, in the moment. And I deeply understood what I communicate to my clients. It is ok to stand in front of your audience and allow them to appreciate you and for you to appreciate them.

In a few seconds of silence.

Three Workshop Tips for Trainers

My brain is filled with new insights brought back from San Francisco. I attended two workshops last week and both sent me away with food for thought.

From a presenter and workshop provider’s viewpoint, my critical eye often focused on workshop format and execution, in tandem with content. I was looking for:

• Strategies that created engagement and easy discussion
• Tools that inspired & built confidence in new found skills
• Understanding how memorable take-aways are built.

Engagement and Easy Discussion

How do you create an environment where your audience is comfortable enough to interact through discussion, questions, and deep learning? By making them welcome and providing a true learning environment.

Welcome is not just the initial handshake and hello. Know where your attendees are arriving from and acknowledge it – if you cannot personally meet them have someone who will. Let your audience know that you appreciate them taking the time out to come and how energized you are to share your information with them.  Welcome envelopes your entire offering.

When your guests (yes, you are the host) are comfortable they can more easily learn. They will be willing to take chances and ask questions. They will be prepared to make mistakes. But only if you provide an environment that is not judgmental but open to new learning.

New learning is accomplished when you show that you are in control, know your topic, and have every detail and problem taken care of. Your audience will be responsive to you when they know they can trust your competence – done through being a diligent and confident host.

Inspiration 101

True learning is not done by sitting in a seat and being a one way receiver. Concepts are deeply learned by execution. Get your attendees up and moving, interacting with their seat mates, and practicing concepts in small groups. Yes, this is situational and of course breaking into pods won’t work for large audiences.

Three attendees were chosen before event day for one of the workshops. They came with one minute speeches. Each was filmed after a new technique was learned and we watched a playback and compared. At the end of the day we viewed a before and after which showed remarkable improvement.

The impact of the new skill achieved remains top of mind. After each skill was demonstrated all of the attendees broke into groups and practiced together. Everyone felt comfortable (because of the trust in the facilitator) making mistakes and taking suggestions.

One of the techniques learned was to drop the tone of the last syllable – aka no Valley Girl speak. I’ve been practicing on the Cinch recording software and I am improving, but as always, there is room to tighten it up.

Create Memorable Moments

The most memorable learning in the four days I was in California was that the show must go. Of course there was glitches. The sound system speakers shorted out during an afternoon session. The presenter was completely nonplussed. Because he was so well practiced – he hardly took a breath and simply carried on.

The presenter did not deliberately foresee this learning opportunity but showed his prowess while being calm during a small storm.

a world of ideas

Vangelis Thomaidis

I’m experimenting with Cinch’s Beta version. Hear a glimpse of what I learned in San Francisco about what it takes to run a successful workshop.

Students and clients are surprised when I share the importance of listening as a presenter. It is easy to conclude that as a presenter, your job is orator. Wrong. To be effective at the craft a presentation needs to listen.

Three Keys ~ When to Listen

While constructing the presentation, keep the needs of your target audience in mind, listen rather than speaking is key. Throw your bias out and understand that your perception/history is different than your audiences’.

Listen with your eyes and ears. Is your audience riveted or are they exercising their digits on their Smartphone? If they are squirming now is the time to engage them. Ask questions or move to Plan B. You do have a Plan B…

Q & A – Listen to what you are being asked. Did you cover the point in your presentation? Think about why it did not connect. Or does the question help you realize that you have created engagement and generated deeper level thinking? Strong listening skills at the Q & A stage gives you concrete insight into what worked and what did not. Great ammunition for your next presentation.

I came across this TedTalk presentation, thanks to the SoloTraveler. The power of listening personified by John Frances:

A brilliant article in New Scientist collaborates the cerebral feeling I get when I smile will help me to live well into my 80’s. We live longer as smilers and our social networks run deeper. The article also states that forced smiles increase longevity too. Hmmm, let’s just call that practice smiling or the warm up to genuine smiles, only because I am not a fan of disingenuous smiles. Humour me.

As a speaker, smiling does help me to feel connected to the audience. Certainly when I rest my eyes for a few second on an audience member and elicit turned up corners of a mouth. The audience member’s reaction enables us to feel we are both on the same page and encourages me. The return smile also gives me insight into audience reaction in that my ideas and concepts are resonating.

While presenting, the importance of audience engagement and connecting to individuals can’t be stressed enough. As a vulnerable human being, whether through storytelling or facial gestures – smiling –  you improve your chances of communicating your ideas.

I look forward to getting to 80 sage and smiley years. Will you join me?

A smile was the original form of social media ~

http://photodaisy.blogspot.com/

This past two weeks Vancouver and Whistler have hosted a party like no other. I live in Yaletown which was smack dab in the middle of the action. The streets have been teaming with Olympic fans ~ I’ve never seen anything like it. It was the energy. What a vibe. I believe that we have shown the world who Canada is and given them a glimpse into our mettle.

Donald Sutherland was interviewed on CTV this morning and he made me cry. FYI he is Keifer Sutherland’s dad and has a long lineage in Canada that roots back to Tommy Douglas the father of our notorious all embracing medical system.

Sutherland shared the story of a tribal elder who spoke to his community about the good and evil in all of us. A young member of the tribe asked, “Who wins?” The elder said, ” The one who is fed the most.”

Sutherland explained, “Canadians have a history of feeding their good side and they have given the world a glimpse into their respect for themselves and others.” “They have shown the world that a country can work when it is peaceful and respectful.” I choked and the tears streamed down my cheeks.

It was not only Sutherland’s words but his emotion and passion while he spoke. His Canadian heart was proudly exhibited on his sleeve.

Something Canadians aren’t often caught doing.

We are a humble lot.

Image attribution: Bartek Ambrozik