If you don’t want to talk about it, don’t put it on the slide. Knowledgeable people in the audience notice small details and ask penetrating questions. Less knowledgeable people lob random questions to probe for weaknesses in your argument and… Read More »Presentation Skills: Keep it simple
Many people acknowledge that President Obama is a good public speaker. At the same time, many note a significant difference in the quality of President Obama’s speech between those occasions when he uses a Teleprompter and those when he speaks… Read More »Public Speaking: On the use of TelePrompters
Look at this ad from Microsoft. It appeared in a newspaper exactly as it looks, I have not done anything to it. At first glance, it looks like a mistake. It doesn’t belong in a newspaper or a magazine. It’s… Read More »Effective Communication: The unexpected gets attention
This article is based on a book preview in Fortune Magazine, Oct 27, 2008. The book is: Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin. We admire great performers and often attribute their success to a unique talent they have for their… Read More »How to acquire presentation skill, and any other skill
We are often asked to kick-off meetings. What’s the best way to get everyone focused on the task at hand, and demonstrate our own capacity for effective leadership? Start on time. Or, if you must delay, acknowledge those who are… Read More »Presentation Skills: Best practices for meeting kick-off
“Every word uttered evokes the idea of its opposite. “ –Goethe In other words, when you assert your opinion, your listeners will reflexively search their own minds for a thought that could prove your idea flawed. To take the wind… Read More »Presentation Pointer: Speak their thoughts before they do