Recent updates

1. The questions you will get asked can range from insightful and pertinent to bizarre and unrelated. 11 years ago
2. Questions allow the audience to ask about specifics not covered in the session and/or to bring up topics that the talk triggered. 11 years ago
3. Prior to telling a story, clearly explain to the audience the point you are making. Once you have told your story, repeat its point. 11 years ago
4. As you look over the stories in your presentation, clarify for yourself the point you think each story makes. 11 years ago
5. Without a clear point a story may be entertaining, but it will not educate, uplift or enlighten your audience. 11 years ago
6. Remember that a good story always illustrates a key point. 11 years ago
7. As you prepare and rehearse your presentation remove any words or phrases that are insignificant and would weigh down the plot line. 11 years ago
8. Stories should not be so long and drawn out that your tale loses momentum and your audience loses interest. 11 years ago
9. The more precise and detailed your descriptions the easier it will be for your audience to form a picture in their mind’s eye. 11 years ago
10. By unabashedly acknowledging your missteps, mistakes and flaws, the more compelling your story becomes. 11 years ago
11. Don’t be afraid to let the audience in on your personal foibles. People love to know that you are as human, real and fallible as they are. 11 years ago
12. To spice up your speech, try pairing your statistics with a key ingredient – stories. 11 years ago
13. While facts and figures are an important part of your presentation, alone they offer a dull discourse. 11 years ago
14. If you really want to wear black, add a pop of brighter color – such as lime green, coral yellow or red in your tie, scarf or jacket. 11 years ago
15. Part of the speaker’s job is to stand out by being more put together and polished than anyone in the room. 11 years ago
16. Unless you're mixing interesting textures (e.g. a shiny black jacket, matte black pants and a black leather belt) black is too drab. 11 years ago
17. The more fashion-oriented and glamorous your listeners, the more hip and happening your color combinations can be. 11 years ago
18. In general repeating the color of your skin, hair and eyes in your clothing is a good way to go. 11 years ago
19. The colors you choose to dress in when making a presentation communicate a message to your audience. 11 years ago
20. Always ask, “Does anyone need more time?” before ending and debriefing an exercise or role-play. 11 years ago
21. Place the participants in groups or pairs before you begin to give out instructions for a role-play or exercise. 11 years ago
22. If you have paired sharing or small group discussions, be sure to have the participants thank each other at the end of the exercise. 11 years ago
23. When conducting classroom trainings or meetings, whenever possible, use the whole space of the stage or front of the room to move about. 11 years ago
24. If a particular participant gets off on a tangent, rant or long-winded story, build a bridge to bring them back. 11 years ago
25. If you are making a particular point, to a particular participant, move in their general direction. 11 years ago
26. Walking with purpose as opposed to wandering aimlessly or distractedly out of nervousness, adds power to your presentation. 11 years ago
27. When you're talking and delivering information, scan the room in a W pattern to make eye contact with as many different people as possible. 11 years ago
28. Work the room in a clockwise and counter clockwise pattern by choosing people to participate from each area of the room. 11 years ago