And so it begins.
In amongst the phoney war scenario surrounding us it is interesting to note indicators we can all relate to without an economics degree.
In my copy of Scotland on Sunday today the jobs section ran to four pages rather than the usual ten to twenty pages. This is the premier jobs page in our neck of the bog and frankly this tells us that people are worried in the boardrooms of corporate Scotland.
A problem or another opportunity? (This reminds me of the maintenance manager fresh from an entrepreneurial course who informed his customers that the toilets in his establishment were closed due to an opportunity in the cistern). It has to be said if you can achieve results, faster, cheaper and better then there is always an opportunity out there.
Now we get to the bit where I try to punt some of my key competencies and persuade you towards my website (http://skillpresentations.com thanks for asking).
Presentation skills help you stand out from the crowd and we are delighted to help you develop them.
MG
Sunday, 23 November 2008
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
The 'R' word
First the governor of the bank of England and now the Prime Minister have conceded the possibility of recession (whisper it low). Why the reluctance, after all the ‘r’ word has been the stuff of every news report for … well some time now.
Well of course this illustrates the power of vocabulary particularly in a febrile economic atmosphere in which every pronouncement of the powerful is scanned for hidden meaning attracting the same sort of attention once reserved for the internal organs of unfortunate chickens.
Of course leaders have to be concerned with the message they portray especially when those they lead are unable to see the example they set. So too with a business presentation it is essential that we develop and deploy a precise vocabulary that states clearly and precisely what we wish to communicate.
In difficult situations this will require discipline but it is to be hoped that with some practice and a little technique development it should be possible to express ourselves honestly and precisely without a script, presenting our message heads up.
Well of course this illustrates the power of vocabulary particularly in a febrile economic atmosphere in which every pronouncement of the powerful is scanned for hidden meaning attracting the same sort of attention once reserved for the internal organs of unfortunate chickens.
Of course leaders have to be concerned with the message they portray especially when those they lead are unable to see the example they set. So too with a business presentation it is essential that we develop and deploy a precise vocabulary that states clearly and precisely what we wish to communicate.
In difficult situations this will require discipline but it is to be hoped that with some practice and a little technique development it should be possible to express ourselves honestly and precisely without a script, presenting our message heads up.
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
Perception
I’ve become something of a Robert Peston devotee in the midst of the current turmoil. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/robertpeston/ I was interested by his comments on perception (see above link) in the midst of the current febrile atmosphere.
If you think the world’s financial system is built on anything more concrete I can only presume you have just returned from a holiday on another planet. Was it nice?
From a presentation skills point of view it is interesting to note the favoured tone in such times. Anything other than calm and low is asking for trouble.
Vocal quality and the ability to control tone are massively important skills that can be developed once they are understood. That’s where we come in.
MG
http://www.skillpresentations.com
If you think the world’s financial system is built on anything more concrete I can only presume you have just returned from a holiday on another planet. Was it nice?
From a presentation skills point of view it is interesting to note the favoured tone in such times. Anything other than calm and low is asking for trouble.
Vocal quality and the ability to control tone are massively important skills that can be developed once they are understood. That’s where we come in.
MG
http://www.skillpresentations.com
Tuesday, 2 September 2008
Obama McCain, presentation wars
The first idea for this blog was a comparison between the styles of the presidential candidates, from a strictly apolitical, technical point of view drawing lessons from the presentations we are seeing regularly on TV.
From a business point of view of course there are limited opportunities to speak to an adoring crowd eager to applaud every second word. It was intriguing to watch Obama evidently trying to calm the crowd in order to finish his sentence, though this could also be read as a chance for him to look in charge whilst drawing attention to the hysteria surrounding him.
The applause and hysteria also makes it difficult to truly assess the candidates but it is clear that Obama is a gifted orator, McCain is less gifted in this area.
However that presents the difficulty of separating performance from the person making the presentation. After all there can be a thin line between oratory and acting and in business presentation it is essential that we speak with our own voice when presenting so that our audience feels we can be trusted.
The same challenge holds true for McCain and Obama who have to present on massive stages with conflicting demands.
Slick orator or trusted uncle seems to be the choice.
From a business point of view of course there are limited opportunities to speak to an adoring crowd eager to applaud every second word. It was intriguing to watch Obama evidently trying to calm the crowd in order to finish his sentence, though this could also be read as a chance for him to look in charge whilst drawing attention to the hysteria surrounding him.
The applause and hysteria also makes it difficult to truly assess the candidates but it is clear that Obama is a gifted orator, McCain is less gifted in this area.
However that presents the difficulty of separating performance from the person making the presentation. After all there can be a thin line between oratory and acting and in business presentation it is essential that we speak with our own voice when presenting so that our audience feels we can be trusted.
The same challenge holds true for McCain and Obama who have to present on massive stages with conflicting demands.
Slick orator or trusted uncle seems to be the choice.
Thursday, 21 August 2008
Chris Hoy
Congratulations to Chris Hoy in the cycling, bringing to all our attention forms of the sport we were probably unfamiliar with (Keirin anyone?).
In presentations there is little to replace preparation and planning and all the interviews with Sir Chris (or indeed Chris King of Scots to quote the First Minister) suggest that the same writ runs in Olympic sports.
What is certain is that gold medal performances reflect gold standard preparation and hard work.
Well done from one Edinburgh boy to another.
MG
In presentations there is little to replace preparation and planning and all the interviews with Sir Chris (or indeed Chris King of Scots to quote the First Minister) suggest that the same writ runs in Olympic sports.
What is certain is that gold medal performances reflect gold standard preparation and hard work.
Well done from one Edinburgh boy to another.
MG
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
Identifying the elements of a successful presentation
We are delighted to make available in pdf form our introductory module, 'Identifying the elements of a successful presentation'.
This is the first in the fundamentals series soon to be released at http://skillpresentations.com.
This module is designed to help you appreciate the key elements you must include in any successful presentation, read it now free of charge and without any further obligation at http://skillpresentations.com/pdfbookiii/idel.pdf .
Make no mistake presentation skills are essential for any professional trying to move ahead in their chosen field and skillpresentations is committed to producing accessible, effective training to help you.
Learn to inform, inspire and innovate with skillpresentations.com.
MG
This is the first in the fundamentals series soon to be released at http://skillpresentations.com.
This module is designed to help you appreciate the key elements you must include in any successful presentation, read it now free of charge and without any further obligation at http://skillpresentations.com/pdfbookiii/idel.pdf .
Make no mistake presentation skills are essential for any professional trying to move ahead in their chosen field and skillpresentations is committed to producing accessible, effective training to help you.
Learn to inform, inspire and innovate with skillpresentations.com.
MG
Monday, 14 July 2008
Cracking the credit crunch
Like most things in capitalism the credit crunch is not particularly real, it is a matter of perception as are the prices and values assigned to goods which are based on a notional value rather than an estimate of the costs involved in producing the goods. Regrettably, like other perceptions in the capitalist system, the credit crunch does have some very real effects on people and wealth.
Workology have requested some tips on surviving said crunch so here goes with Mik’s selection.
Spread the risk: Look at your customer base and ask whether they represent a single industry or socio economic group, if they do you better hope that they do well because you are joined at the hip with your customers. In previous business incarnations I have noted the value of having a significant percentage of older customers, people who are less affected by variations in property prices and mortgage rates, these are also people whose income is assured, if modest. If your business is essentially business-to-business you will want to find businesses that are selling to this older age group and try to work with them. Damart and Saga aren’t the only ones in this group but both are very successful.
Identify the groups that are making headway and align your business with them. For instance charities and social housing providers can have significant sums available, even in a downturn. In fact such social businesses can sometimes benefit from an injection of cash from governments keen to show they want to help.
Write a popular bestseller. Easier said than done… now for the hard bit.
Well one and two should be do-able.
Workology have requested some tips on surviving said crunch so here goes with Mik’s selection.
Spread the risk: Look at your customer base and ask whether they represent a single industry or socio economic group, if they do you better hope that they do well because you are joined at the hip with your customers. In previous business incarnations I have noted the value of having a significant percentage of older customers, people who are less affected by variations in property prices and mortgage rates, these are also people whose income is assured, if modest. If your business is essentially business-to-business you will want to find businesses that are selling to this older age group and try to work with them. Damart and Saga aren’t the only ones in this group but both are very successful.
Identify the groups that are making headway and align your business with them. For instance charities and social housing providers can have significant sums available, even in a downturn. In fact such social businesses can sometimes benefit from an injection of cash from governments keen to show they want to help.
Write a popular bestseller. Easier said than done… now for the hard bit.
Well one and two should be do-able.
Sunday, 6 July 2008
Momentum
I'm writing this as I watch Nadal v. Federer at Wimbledon on the BBC. Watching two great sportsmen playing a game I don't especially understand I am struck as ever by the importance of momentum. The man or woman with the momentum carries the day. Even when coming from behind the player on the rise brings something else to the game, a sureness of hand, a confidence, a sense of invincibility. This is more than luck (which has a lot to do with practice and nothing to do with limping rabbits).
This is momentum. How can we bring this to our 'game'?
The first point to note is that the sportsmen mentioned above are very good at what they do. So we have to develop the skills we need as a professional, skills which will be specific to our craft or profession. To these individual abilities we have to add that little bit more; life skills that set us apart from the crowd.
Will this give us momentum? Well it won't hold us back and when everything else is even in business the professional with the expanded skill-set will be the man or woman who carries the day.
My interest is the development of presentation skills, a tremendous way to stand apart from the crowd. If you are able to inspire your team, communicate your abilities to clients and employers with a successful presentation you will develop momentum that will carry you beyond your competitors.
Skillpresentations will help you develop your skill-set, check out our free introductory module, identifying the elements of a successful presentation at http://skillpresentations.blogspot.com/2008/05/identifying-elements-of-succesful.html .
As I write the British weather is playing its part in the tennis, by the time you read this it will be clear who maintained their momentum.
MG
This is momentum. How can we bring this to our 'game'?
The first point to note is that the sportsmen mentioned above are very good at what they do. So we have to develop the skills we need as a professional, skills which will be specific to our craft or profession. To these individual abilities we have to add that little bit more; life skills that set us apart from the crowd.
Will this give us momentum? Well it won't hold us back and when everything else is even in business the professional with the expanded skill-set will be the man or woman who carries the day.
My interest is the development of presentation skills, a tremendous way to stand apart from the crowd. If you are able to inspire your team, communicate your abilities to clients and employers with a successful presentation you will develop momentum that will carry you beyond your competitors.
Skillpresentations will help you develop your skill-set, check out our free introductory module, identifying the elements of a successful presentation at http://skillpresentations.blogspot.com/2008/05/identifying-elements-of-succesful.html .
As I write the British weather is playing its part in the tennis, by the time you read this it will be clear who maintained their momentum.
MG
Wednesday, 18 June 2008
Niche sandwich delivery
Ah the joys of statcounter, google and the net.
Among those who have logged on to skillpresentations.blogspot in the recent past was a user looking for ‘niche sandwich delivery statement’. Clearly this chap or chappette was looking for skillpresentations and wasn’t sure how to get there, or perhaps he or she was hungry, or was concerned that he or she had been overcharged in a bread delivery scenario. Either way amongst the more obvious options this searcher was offered skillpresentations on page 2.
If I am honest this was not the route up the rankings I was looking for but as W.C. Fields reminded us ‘there is no such thing as bad publicity’.
There is of course a serious point in here somewhere, the blog in question ( http://skillpresentations.blogspot.com/2008/02/marketing-dilemmas-revisited.html ) was looking briefly at the joys of re-branding and searching for the niche that turns into the chasm everyone wants to pour their cash into: as funds tighten and fuel soars in price resourceful Internet entrepreneurs will be pressing forward with the simple message, develop here, save resources, enhance green credentials and utilise your time to best advantage.
At skillpresentations we think we are on the right track with training you need, whenever and wherever you need it.
Best wishes to niche sandwich marketers everywhere.
MG
Among those who have logged on to skillpresentations.blogspot in the recent past was a user looking for ‘niche sandwich delivery statement’. Clearly this chap or chappette was looking for skillpresentations and wasn’t sure how to get there, or perhaps he or she was hungry, or was concerned that he or she had been overcharged in a bread delivery scenario. Either way amongst the more obvious options this searcher was offered skillpresentations on page 2.
If I am honest this was not the route up the rankings I was looking for but as W.C. Fields reminded us ‘there is no such thing as bad publicity’.
There is of course a serious point in here somewhere, the blog in question ( http://skillpresentations.blogspot.com/2008/02/marketing-dilemmas-revisited.html ) was looking briefly at the joys of re-branding and searching for the niche that turns into the chasm everyone wants to pour their cash into: as funds tighten and fuel soars in price resourceful Internet entrepreneurs will be pressing forward with the simple message, develop here, save resources, enhance green credentials and utilise your time to best advantage.
At skillpresentations we think we are on the right track with training you need, whenever and wherever you need it.
Best wishes to niche sandwich marketers everywhere.
MG
Friday, 13 June 2008
Bikes and apprentices
Viewers of ‘the Apprentice’ might have enjoyed the fnal programme or perhaps not depending on their enthusiasm for the contestants and ‘Surallan’ as he is known in my preferred paper (the Scotsman). I was heartened to note that the end result was affected largely by presentation skills.
So where does public speaking fit into the business skill set, ‘essential’ I cry, but then I would, wouldn’t I? Of course without a good product, an understanding of business, an ability to organise and sell presentation skills won’t get you very far. On the other hand there is a definite limit to the heights achievable by those unable to get their message across.
On another note I have been commuting by bike for the last two weeks and can only recommend the experience to adrenaline junkies everywhere I have tasted fear and survived… so far.
MG
So where does public speaking fit into the business skill set, ‘essential’ I cry, but then I would, wouldn’t I? Of course without a good product, an understanding of business, an ability to organise and sell presentation skills won’t get you very far. On the other hand there is a definite limit to the heights achievable by those unable to get their message across.
On another note I have been commuting by bike for the last two weeks and can only recommend the experience to adrenaline junkies everywhere I have tasted fear and survived… so far.
MG
Monday, 2 June 2008
Confidence
Surely only a confident person could make an effective presentation in front of an audience?
This may seem a fairly obvious comment; however consider the possibility that the fact of making the presentation can be the source of confidence. Feeling in control of a presentation, seeing the impact you are making on a large group of people is a sure way of developing confidence but how can you find the confidence to stand up there and make the presentation in the first place?
From my point of view I know how I feel if I’m asked to cut a straight line in a piece of wood with a handsaw. With all due respect to my woodworking teacher at Libby High, I’ve never been taught how to do it therefore I have no confidence and for that matter I have never really tried to find out by myself.
Obviously this analogy is chosen to suggest seeking training in presentation skills, which by a remarkable coincidence is the business I am in.
Having learned the basics you can be in a better position than most to use the professional abilities you already have to best effect. I like to think of this as a complimentary skill, a life skill adding value to everything that you do.
We offer online video tutorials in presentation skills available when you need them, where you need them.
http://skillpresentations.com
MG
This may seem a fairly obvious comment; however consider the possibility that the fact of making the presentation can be the source of confidence. Feeling in control of a presentation, seeing the impact you are making on a large group of people is a sure way of developing confidence but how can you find the confidence to stand up there and make the presentation in the first place?
From my point of view I know how I feel if I’m asked to cut a straight line in a piece of wood with a handsaw. With all due respect to my woodworking teacher at Libby High, I’ve never been taught how to do it therefore I have no confidence and for that matter I have never really tried to find out by myself.
Obviously this analogy is chosen to suggest seeking training in presentation skills, which by a remarkable coincidence is the business I am in.
Having learned the basics you can be in a better position than most to use the professional abilities you already have to best effect. I like to think of this as a complimentary skill, a life skill adding value to everything that you do.
We offer online video tutorials in presentation skills available when you need them, where you need them.
http://skillpresentations.com
MG
Tuesday, 27 May 2008
Craft operative
Public speaking is to my mind something of an art, a craft rather than a purely technical expression.
On visiting a Lowry exhibition sometime ago I was struck by the trademark pictures of industrial scenes with simple ‘matchstick’ figures; it was a mistake however to presume that the great man painted this way because he couldn’t paint ‘properly’. Other sketches on display showed him as a young man learning his craft, which once understood he was able to marshal as required.
So too with public speaking and presentation skills, there are certain technical abilities and understandings we have to acquire, within these however there is scope for us to give expression to our own personality, our own take on life and business.
As we make the leap from a simple technical expression to a consummate craftsman or craftswoman and frankly we can add another dimension; as we express ourselves we can enjoy ourselves and derive greater satisfaction from the task in hand.
So in public speaking we seek to understand structures, body language, means of emphasis, vocal quality and so on; having grasped these qualities we are in a position to do something remarkable with them, to inspire our audience.
Inform, inspire, innovate with skillpresentations.com.
MG
On visiting a Lowry exhibition sometime ago I was struck by the trademark pictures of industrial scenes with simple ‘matchstick’ figures; it was a mistake however to presume that the great man painted this way because he couldn’t paint ‘properly’. Other sketches on display showed him as a young man learning his craft, which once understood he was able to marshal as required.
So too with public speaking and presentation skills, there are certain technical abilities and understandings we have to acquire, within these however there is scope for us to give expression to our own personality, our own take on life and business.
As we make the leap from a simple technical expression to a consummate craftsman or craftswoman and frankly we can add another dimension; as we express ourselves we can enjoy ourselves and derive greater satisfaction from the task in hand.
So in public speaking we seek to understand structures, body language, means of emphasis, vocal quality and so on; having grasped these qualities we are in a position to do something remarkable with them, to inspire our audience.
Inform, inspire, innovate with skillpresentations.com.
MG
Thursday, 8 May 2008
Identifying the elements of a successful presentation
with compliments
Skillpresentations are delighted to release a free version of module 1 in the fundamentals course. The presentation lasts less than twenty minutes so why not use your lunch hour, or some dead time at the airport or a service station stop to review what makes a presentation successful because skillpresentations courses are available wherever you can access the internet.
See http://skillpresentations.com/ for the full course, it isn't free but it is very reasonably priced at £8.95 per module; a very small price to pay for a big leap forward in your career.
I hope that you enjoy our free introductory module, Identifying the elements of a successful presentation' now offered on this website. Look out for the key factors we need to include in our presentations, if you want to continue the course 'Fundamentals' is designed to help you utilise this knowledge by incorporating these elements in your own work.
Keep a note pad handy to note the key ideas, and make sure you have a cup of coffee to hand too!
Wishing you every success.
MG
Friday, 25 April 2008
Mixed messages
As government ministers tell us there is no need to panic, queues develop at filling stations in Scotland. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7367488.stm
In fairness there is a particular problem for politicians in the matter of trust but for anyone speaking to an audience trust is vital. Work too obviously to persuade the audience to trust you and many will respond by digging in their heels and looking for the catch.
In business as in the rest of life trust is earned, so the public speaker must take care to speak honestly not attempting to use sleight of hand. After all we will generally be speaking to people we wish to preserve a relationship with; colleagues, customers, bankers, board members.
If we have a name for telling it like it is, even when that does not appear to be for our short-term advantage, we can expect a better response when we advise, ‘don’t panic’.
Techniques for building trust tend to concentrate on eye contact and appropriate body language and for good reason, we respond on a sub conscious level to these prompts and these responses help us decide who we are going to trust.
http://skillpresentations.com
MG
In fairness there is a particular problem for politicians in the matter of trust but for anyone speaking to an audience trust is vital. Work too obviously to persuade the audience to trust you and many will respond by digging in their heels and looking for the catch.
In business as in the rest of life trust is earned, so the public speaker must take care to speak honestly not attempting to use sleight of hand. After all we will generally be speaking to people we wish to preserve a relationship with; colleagues, customers, bankers, board members.
If we have a name for telling it like it is, even when that does not appear to be for our short-term advantage, we can expect a better response when we advise, ‘don’t panic’.
Techniques for building trust tend to concentrate on eye contact and appropriate body language and for good reason, we respond on a sub conscious level to these prompts and these responses help us decide who we are going to trust.
http://skillpresentations.com
MG
Monday, 14 April 2008
Debrief
It may sound a bit on the side of Le Carre but a debrief session is essential in developing your presentation skills, especially after a successful event; after all it’s good to know what you are doing right so you can do it again.
How would you define a successful presentation?
You might be concerned with your audience’s responses, were they appropriate to the material presented? Did they nod at the right bits, were there signs of notes being taken, were they relieved when you finished or enthusiastic in asking follow up questions?
If the response wasn’t what you hoped for, don’t blame the audience; look at your material, consider the way you presented the information, try to work out what that audience needed from you.
There will be times when you are sent to speak to an unreceptive audience or there is a mismatch between your topic and the people present, nonetheless it is your job to speak to the audience you have, not the one you think you should have.
Check out identifying the elements of a successful presentation at skillpresentations.com.
P.S. if they didn’t laugh at your jokes it is probably because they are not funny.
How would you define a successful presentation?
You might be concerned with your audience’s responses, were they appropriate to the material presented? Did they nod at the right bits, were there signs of notes being taken, were they relieved when you finished or enthusiastic in asking follow up questions?
If the response wasn’t what you hoped for, don’t blame the audience; look at your material, consider the way you presented the information, try to work out what that audience needed from you.
There will be times when you are sent to speak to an unreceptive audience or there is a mismatch between your topic and the people present, nonetheless it is your job to speak to the audience you have, not the one you think you should have.
Check out identifying the elements of a successful presentation at skillpresentations.com.
P.S. if they didn’t laugh at your jokes it is probably because they are not funny.
Wednesday, 19 March 2008
Leadership
Recently quoted in the Scotsman (14 March 2008) were Norman Schwarzkopf and Colin Powell, themselves quoted in the FBI’s leadership course. These luminaries were cited by Gordon Meldrum director general of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency.
His summation was as follows: “You can be light years ahead of everyone else, but if you don’t actually have an ability to turn around and communicate it to the people who work for you and with you, you just end up leading yourself”.
Teams have to be persuaded to follow and whilst threats and intimidation may achieve something in some settings, in a business setting they are most likely to lead to a claim for constructive dismissal.
So persuasion it is!
A team inspired by a leader can achieve great things but only if the leader can impart his or her ideas clearly to the team. When the leader can inform the team of the key ideas and inspire them to follow through, inspiration can’t be far away. This takes time and effort but ultimately adds value to the company and with economic storm clouds gathering inspiration is going to be a much needed quality.
Presentation skills and the ability to understand the component parts of successful communication are essential pieces of kit for any leader.
MG
Skillpresentations.com
His summation was as follows: “You can be light years ahead of everyone else, but if you don’t actually have an ability to turn around and communicate it to the people who work for you and with you, you just end up leading yourself”.
Teams have to be persuaded to follow and whilst threats and intimidation may achieve something in some settings, in a business setting they are most likely to lead to a claim for constructive dismissal.
So persuasion it is!
A team inspired by a leader can achieve great things but only if the leader can impart his or her ideas clearly to the team. When the leader can inform the team of the key ideas and inspire them to follow through, inspiration can’t be far away. This takes time and effort but ultimately adds value to the company and with economic storm clouds gathering inspiration is going to be a much needed quality.
Presentation skills and the ability to understand the component parts of successful communication are essential pieces of kit for any leader.
MG
Skillpresentations.com
Saturday, 8 March 2008
Off the record…
Recent political events in the American Presidential campaign have raised the question of off the record comments.
In public speaking there is no such thing, the luxury simply does not exist of saying something and then commenting to the effect ‘this is what I think, but it isn’t what I want you to hear’.
Presenting to a room of colleagues, a board or a group of customers it is essential that you say what you meant to say. To achieve this it is clear that you must know what it is you wish to communicate to your audience. Having identified your theme you must be focused on this key idea.
This is achievable through preparation and practice, note however that ad libs and off the cuff comments represent real danger areas for the speaker (or interviewee).
Make sure your message gets through, prepare, rehearse, rehearse and then rehearse some more.
MG
Skillpresentations.com
In public speaking there is no such thing, the luxury simply does not exist of saying something and then commenting to the effect ‘this is what I think, but it isn’t what I want you to hear’.
Presenting to a room of colleagues, a board or a group of customers it is essential that you say what you meant to say. To achieve this it is clear that you must know what it is you wish to communicate to your audience. Having identified your theme you must be focused on this key idea.
This is achievable through preparation and practice, note however that ad libs and off the cuff comments represent real danger areas for the speaker (or interviewee).
Make sure your message gets through, prepare, rehearse, rehearse and then rehearse some more.
MG
Skillpresentations.com
Thursday, 21 February 2008
Whither the economy
So where are we headed for the near future? Do we invest or hunker down and draw in our spending?
Perhaps the greatest danger from a business point of view is that of talking ourselves into a recession, with the simple result that fear of the future creates a future to be afraid of.
I am no economist but from previous experience things that seem too good to be true usually are. It’s fascinating to think that approaching bankers to get a loan to invest in a get rich quick scheme will result in a simple no, unless of course you are also a banker being offered the scheme by another banker in which case allowances have been made.
Everyone predicts a rough ride but as ever niche market exploiters can survive and in a competitive market it will be more important than ever to stand out from the crowd.
If I might be so bold, presentation skills, added to professional ability, can differentiate between a competent professional and a positive asset.
Develop your skills a little at a time with skillpresentations lunch sized modules.
skillpresentations.com
MG
Perhaps the greatest danger from a business point of view is that of talking ourselves into a recession, with the simple result that fear of the future creates a future to be afraid of.
I am no economist but from previous experience things that seem too good to be true usually are. It’s fascinating to think that approaching bankers to get a loan to invest in a get rich quick scheme will result in a simple no, unless of course you are also a banker being offered the scheme by another banker in which case allowances have been made.
Everyone predicts a rough ride but as ever niche market exploiters can survive and in a competitive market it will be more important than ever to stand out from the crowd.
If I might be so bold, presentation skills, added to professional ability, can differentiate between a competent professional and a positive asset.
Develop your skills a little at a time with skillpresentations lunch sized modules.
skillpresentations.com
MG
Sunday, 10 February 2008
Getting the point of powerpoint
Powerpoint is a fantastic tool for presentation as are the alternatives which are available via Lotus, open source etc.
Using these tools well creates impact, impresses main points and makes audiences take note. And yet…
And yet time and again these powerful tools are utilised as note paper, sharing the speaker’s notes with the audience, turning brains to mush and switching people off. The truth is that most audiences don’t want to see your notes, nor do they care what kind of bullet points you use and frankly most would rather send a lowly assistant than attend a bullet point fest themselves.
The value of these tools is missed entirely. Dare to press B, send the screen blank, talk to the people, interact with them. Don’t give them a print out of your bullet points, they will not look at them ever again and if they do they will be meaningless: unless of course you use them in a meaningful way, to create an impact, to underline and reinforce.
Visual aids should be used sparingly. Less really is more.
MG
http://skillpresentations.com
Using these tools well creates impact, impresses main points and makes audiences take note. And yet…
And yet time and again these powerful tools are utilised as note paper, sharing the speaker’s notes with the audience, turning brains to mush and switching people off. The truth is that most audiences don’t want to see your notes, nor do they care what kind of bullet points you use and frankly most would rather send a lowly assistant than attend a bullet point fest themselves.
The value of these tools is missed entirely. Dare to press B, send the screen blank, talk to the people, interact with them. Don’t give them a print out of your bullet points, they will not look at them ever again and if they do they will be meaningless: unless of course you use them in a meaningful way, to create an impact, to underline and reinforce.
Visual aids should be used sparingly. Less really is more.
MG
http://skillpresentations.com
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
You're quite right, but...
Many thanks to Simon Raybould for his comment to my post on interview skills.
He is of course quite right. Presentation skills lend a strategic edge in addition to the tactical advantage they present to the user.
Understanding the processes of communication cannot be anything other than advantageous in any forum, the opportunities they impart in an interview situation can be immense.
Understanding the aims of communication and the means of delivery places an interviewee in a great position to discern the real concerns and goals of the interviewer. If the interview is a negotiation, and after all business is negotiation, then questions, statements, silences and pauses, patterns in speech, gestures and facial expression are the tools of the trade.
Knowing how to use this skill-set places you in a powerful position when it comes to assessing its use by others. Good research, tactical deployment of presentation skills and a keen eye and ear should yield good results.
You are quite right Simon.
MG skillpresentations.com
He is of course quite right. Presentation skills lend a strategic edge in addition to the tactical advantage they present to the user.
Understanding the processes of communication cannot be anything other than advantageous in any forum, the opportunities they impart in an interview situation can be immense.
Understanding the aims of communication and the means of delivery places an interviewee in a great position to discern the real concerns and goals of the interviewer. If the interview is a negotiation, and after all business is negotiation, then questions, statements, silences and pauses, patterns in speech, gestures and facial expression are the tools of the trade.
Knowing how to use this skill-set places you in a powerful position when it comes to assessing its use by others. Good research, tactical deployment of presentation skills and a keen eye and ear should yield good results.
You are quite right Simon.
MG skillpresentations.com
Saturday, 2 February 2008
Marketing dilemmas revisited
So we launch a new approach to pricing our product making modules available as individual items. This makes it possible to access modest amounts of information at impressively modest prices.
The modules are short enough to be covered over a lunchtime, why not treat yourself to a leg up the career ladder along with your tuna sandwich? Actually, if anyone can help me combine Internet sandwich delivery with online training systems we could be on to a winner.
Learn and lunch, could this be the way forward?
The simple fact is that with uncertainty in the market place this is a great time to give yourself a competitive advantage in the job market. Nothing marks out a potential leader as presentation skills do, so we thought we’d make it easy to acquire these key skills.
MG
skillpresentations.com
The modules are short enough to be covered over a lunchtime, why not treat yourself to a leg up the career ladder along with your tuna sandwich? Actually, if anyone can help me combine Internet sandwich delivery with online training systems we could be on to a winner.
Learn and lunch, could this be the way forward?
The simple fact is that with uncertainty in the market place this is a great time to give yourself a competitive advantage in the job market. Nothing marks out a potential leader as presentation skills do, so we thought we’d make it easy to acquire these key skills.
MG
skillpresentations.com
Wednesday, 2 January 2008
Hi ho and here we go...again
For better or worse 2007 has gone and now we get to know the stranger known as 2008.
Yet for something new there is a lot that is familiar, turn on the news and the tone is very similar to last year. Open the papers and the same hopes and fears are still there and of course from a business view the questions are the same.
Will we grow? How can we grow? If everyone else takes a backward step how can we minimise the impact on our business? What's wrong with my tie?
Ok the last one may be specific to me, but this is a moment when we can take stock and make plans; even as I write this I realise that this can't be the only time we do that. Businesses need constant monitoring and re-evaluation if they are to survive, never mind succeed.
For 2008 I'm putting my money on the growth of accesible, affordable, time efficient training as part of the road to growth for SMEs in Britain and beyond. The caution required in a slowing market place may well lead to conservative investment decisions, but as ever well trained and confident staff are the best business investment any of us can make.
Will I be right? Ask me next year.
MG skillpresentations
Yet for something new there is a lot that is familiar, turn on the news and the tone is very similar to last year. Open the papers and the same hopes and fears are still there and of course from a business view the questions are the same.
Will we grow? How can we grow? If everyone else takes a backward step how can we minimise the impact on our business? What's wrong with my tie?
Ok the last one may be specific to me, but this is a moment when we can take stock and make plans; even as I write this I realise that this can't be the only time we do that. Businesses need constant monitoring and re-evaluation if they are to survive, never mind succeed.
For 2008 I'm putting my money on the growth of accesible, affordable, time efficient training as part of the road to growth for SMEs in Britain and beyond. The caution required in a slowing market place may well lead to conservative investment decisions, but as ever well trained and confident staff are the best business investment any of us can make.
Will I be right? Ask me next year.
MG skillpresentations
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