PowerPoint: Sometimes You Have to Laugh to Keep from Crying June 30, 2007
Posted by Gary in Articles, Humour & Laughter, Public Speaking, The Shy Speakers' Guide, Videos & Podcast.add a comment
I wanted to Post this from Garr Reynolds’ Presentation Zen a long time ago… but didn’t due to several reasons. Most because I was very proactive at procrastinating. I’m sorry!
But the good news is… it’s here!
I like this post because of it was structured to included visual aids and a video to highlight certain points about improving our PowerPoint Presentations, and more so how it can be used as a tool for Humour! Oh yes, don’t we all enjoy a good laugh?
So here it is! Enjoy!
PowerPoint: Sometimes You Have to Laugh to Keep from Crying
PowerPoint is a great tool for displaying visuals that enhance, illustrate, and generally magnify your narrative. It’s been used effectively for years by millions of professionals from such disciplines as academia, engineering, medicine, business, education, government (mostly ineffectively in this case), design, technology, and comedy. Comedy?
PowerPoint as pure comedy gold
Below are a few examples of presenters using PowerPoint to help illustrate their messages. In each case the tool actually enhanced the presenter’s ability to make a connection with the audience and drive their messages home. The first two presentations are by Don McMillan. Don is a former engineer with a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford. He gives some good advice on using the PowerPoint tool properly.
Is there life after death by PowerPoint?
Users guide to life
Whoever it was that designed humans did a pretty good job, McMillan says, but they provided no good documentation. McMillan has compiled his own data and shares some of it below in what he calls the Users Guide to Life.
http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=969866081
Economics explained in ten bullet points
Standup economist Yoram Bauman (he’s an actual economist too) uses PowerPoint and bullet points to effectively state his case. See, bullet points are not always a bad thing.
Chicken, chicken, chicken
It is said that only about 7% of our messages are expressed verbally. Is it possible, then, to make a connection with an audience and make meaning using traditional death-by-PowerPoint techniques and limiting your vocabulary to one word? Watch this presentation below by Doug Zongkers and find out.
Motivational business presentation by David Brent
No PowerPoint here, but what would presentation comedy be without reviewing a presentation from business guru and Renaissance man David Brent (Ricky Gervais), know for his maverick management techniques and political correctness. Below David gives tips on motivating employees.
(I love to laugh; it’s good for health. I know I’m very slow, but last week I finally received my DVDs of the complete series of The Office (BBC). Believe it or not, I’d never seen it (nor the U.S. version). This show is absolutely brilliant. I’ve become a huge Ricky Gervais fan and just love Extras as well. The subtlety of the humour is priceless and really brings a “smile to the mind.” Hope some of the clips above brought a smile to your mind as well.)
I hope you enjoyed the posts and videos!
To access the full video links, you may check out the permalink to the article on Presentation Zen!
Cheers!
Animate Your Message! June 28, 2007
Posted by Gary in Body Language, Humour & Laughter, Personal Development, Public Speaking, The Shy Speakers' Guide, Videos & Podcast.add a comment
In a research report published years ago, it was noted that words constituted a considerably small portion of a message. Naturally, non-verbal messages such as our vocal tone, rhythm and body gestures form a considerably larger portion of of the messages we’re trying to communicate!
To highlight this, I found a little video on Youtube which showcases how a message or a point may be brought to life when accompanied with a suitable mix of body gestures, facial expressions and vocal variety.
See if you can spot the ways the actors used the above throughout the video!
(Actually, it’s quite hard to miss… *wink*)
Have fun!
Related Posts: More Than Words
The Beautiful Thing About Being Human… June 28, 2007
Posted by Gary in Personal Development, Public Speaking, The Shy Speakers' Guide, Thoughts and Reflections, Values and Beliefs.add a comment
One of the most beautiful things about being human, is human ability to learn something new.
Wouldn’t you agree?
Ever since we were born, we’ve constantly been learning and growing with bombardment of information and knowledge. Cultivated and socialised by our parents and friends as we grew up and learned about how to “fit into society”.
Through that process, many skills are learned and gained. Perhaps, ingrained! Looking through the years, many of us have successfully learned to read and write (of course! Otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this!), and speak, and walk and run! Some of us have even learned to play the piano, or dance! Others, to fight, swim and debate? The list goes on…
Yet, do you realise that non of these had ever been possible for us when were still residing at the stage of dreamy infants? Seriously, unless you have an IQ of 152 like that 3 year old little girl recently featured in the newspapers to have an IQ equivalent to Stephan Hawkings, non of these skills above would have come naturally to you! Still, though she’s blessed with such an advanced IQ, it still does not discount her need to learn! (Admittedly, her mother has also hinted for her daughter’s need “grow up” because she throws tantrums! Hey… she is three years old after all! *winks*)
Now, do you still recall the first time you tried to learn something? Walking? How many times did you fall down? Or going to school (now let’s face it… how many of us really enjoyed going to school when we were younger)? First day at work?
Can you still remember the anguish and pain and frustration that you went through when you were put through the learning curve? Was it comfortable at all? How many times did you fall while learning to ride the bicycle? Were you afraid of crashing when you were learning how to drive?
These skills, like many others did not come naturally to us. Yet, for many of us, they now form a vital part of us.
Such is the human being’s natural capacity to learn… and grow. Hey, I didn’t say it would all be comfortable and plain sailing! And I’m still not saying it would be!
All I’m saying is we’re ALL blessed with this natural ability. And more often than not, our hard work will be worth it.
Could you still remember how you felt when you finally succeeded or mastered a skill or do something which you’ve never thought you could ever do? Do you recall that sense of victory and accomplishment?
Did you feel like you were the king of the world?
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again. Skills can be learnt… and mastered.
That applies to public speaking and communication.
Learn it, use it… or lose it.
* * *
What would your success story be?
Conversation Starter: Crouching Cuppa, Hidden Dagger June 23, 2007
Posted by Gary in Dealing with People, Image and Impressions, Networking & Small Talk, The Shy Speakers' Guide, Thoughts and Reflections.add a comment
Like some great inventions, some great techniques in inter-personal relationships and communication are discovered by accident. I discovered one through such an accident today.
I was helping out in school (yes, I’m still studying!) as a facilitator during our Freshman Admission Day exercise when a group of facilitators (all ‘boys’) gathered and chattered eagerly among themselves. Apparently, they caught sight of a pretty freshman and were daring each other to make the first move to talk to her. She was alone and standing at a corner.
It took awhile for them to mumble among themselves before chickening out. By the way, these ‘boys’ were my seniors in school!
Whilst they were tripping over themselves egging on each other to make the first move, I was at the refreshments counter… when suddenly a thought came to mind. Picking up a cup, I filled it up with punch, walked over to the girl and offered her a drink – which she gladly accepted. We spoke on for the next 15 – 20mins… and I forgot all about the ‘boys’.
In all honesty, I’ve never really created ‘props’ like this before to initiate conversations. And today’s experience has highlighted to me the important role props may play where it comes to initiating contact with strangers.
Seriously, a conversation prop may serve as both a shield and a sword.
Allow me to explain the dynamics:
Prelude
Taking this morning’s event as an example, since the lady was standing alone, my sudden approach could have had a startling and destablising effect on her. And especially for Asians, this sudden approach may appear weird since our culture dictates that we be more reserved, and we can be quite shy.
Secondly, since the room was bustling with people and she was standing alone, I couldn’t really be sure if she was a crazy psycho waiting to snap, or if she was waiting for someone else. Therefore, I needed a test to know her current state of mind.
The Shield
Notice that there can only be two outcomes to my offer: She either accepts it, or declines.
Should she decline, I’d know that she’s not in the ‘friendly’ mode and it’s better to leave her alone. And since her declination of the drink is just that – a declination to drink. She was not rejecting me personally, and there’s no damage inflicted on my ego.
The Sword
Now on the other hand, since she had accepted the drink, I knew that she had accepted my gesture of goodwill and that split second allowed me to determine that she was in a receptive state of mind. The result of the ‘test’ allowed me to take a step closer to knowing her better, and build on the conversation.
So here’s one more strategy you can use to initiate conversations and make the first move! If you like to know more about starting and maintaining conversations and the dynamics of small talk, feel free to check out my related posts below! I believe you may also find Doug’s comment about how the prop his dad used to initiate conversations under my post titled Conversation Starters.
Seriously, I think these are valuable resources for anyone who hates retreating into their shell whenever they want to meet new people, or for anyone who simply wants to make more friends! They are easy to use and execute, and don’t require much money to execute!
All one needs is the desire and willingness and knowledge on how to breakthrough!
Now go out check them out and make a new friend today!
Related Posts:
Conversation Starters
It’s All About You
It’s All About You – Body Language
Effective Emcee-ing! June 22, 2007
Posted by Gary in Effective Emceeing (Tips!), Events & Experiences, Public Speaking, The Shy Speakers' Guide, Thoughts and Reflections.48 comments
I’ve learnt a great deal during my stints as Emcee over the last couple of months… and here are some insights for anyone who wishes to be an effective emcee or are just starting out emceeing themselves.
Role of the Emcee
As the Emcee, (or Masters of Ceremonies), you are the bridge between the audience and the “Stars”. These are usually the contest participants (if you’re hosting a contest), or the speaker/trainers (if you’re hosting a seminar, workshop or lecture).
You are the star maker, not the star! You are the grease that lubricates the flow of events of the programme. You are not there to hog the limelight, or steal it from the main characters of the night.
The role of the Emcee is to facilitate the event and ensures that programme materializes without a hitch (or minimise those hitches that come up).
Responsibilities of the Emcee – Remember T.I.M
Time – As Emcee, you are the king of the programme. You are the one in charge of the time and sequence of events. You are in CONTROL! You are responsible for ensuring that events start and end on time.
Introducer – Members of the audience may or may not know the speakers/participants as well as you do. Yet, the success of the entire event is very much dependent on them knowing the credentials of the speaker or background of the participants. This background knowledge is crucial in establishing credibility and rapport between the speakers and participants respectively.
Do your job well and the next person who follows will have a much easier time saying their piece. The event will move on smoothly. Otherwise…
Mood Setter – As Emcee, you are the participant’s leader. You have to lead them in applause and appraisal. You are their guide and you’ve to win the crowd over with your enthusiasm! Your enthusiasm is extremely contagious, and if you work it correctly, the audience will follow your cue at reacting and appraising the speaker/participants.
Some things to do as Emcee: 1 A 5Bs
Be Enthusiastic – Your Attitude’s Contagious! Infect the crowd with it!
Be Proactive – As the Programme Controller, you’re IN CHARGE! You’re the bridge between everyone (audience and speaker, speaker and organiser, organiser and timer etc). Know what has to be done and make sure it gets done.
Be Early – Reach the event venue before the first guest arrive so that logistical and technical (ie: microphone tests and the sound system) matters can be ironed out. Also, meet and discuss your concerns (if any) regarding anything that you think needs to be done. Arriving early will also give you time to settle down and observe and analyse the crowd to help you adapt your style later.
Be Professional – Do not eat, drink, or smoke on stage. As the Emcee, you’re part of the face for the event. The audience will not get a chance to see the backroom staff and technical assistants. As mentioned, you are the glue for the event. Maintain the decorum and leave a positive image for everyone to carry home. If you’ve got to eat, drink, or smoke, do it where nobody can see you!
Be Prepared – Know the programme and prepare notes if you must. Memorise the sequence of events if you need. No. It’s best if you memorised it! You’re allowed to hold some cards or the programme sheet or cue cards in your hand. But do not attempt to read from the script which you’ve prepared the night before!
Handling Apologies – Understand that mistakes may (and WILL) occur from time to time. Apologise and move on. Keep your cool and get on the with the programme. There’s no need to freeze or apologise profusely. The audience aren’t there to hear you apologise, they’re there for the programme!
* * *
There you have it!
Some tips and strategies for effective emceeing!
It’s my first post. But don’t count on it being the last!
Maybe Someday… June 20, 2007
Posted by Gary in Hope & Inspiration, The Shy Speakers' Guide, Thoughts and Reflections, Values and Beliefs.add a comment
Maybe Someday, you’ll start living every day true to the best that is within you and seriously pursue your most treasured dreams.
Maybe Someday, you’ll stop holding back and live the richness of every moment and show the world who you really are.
Maybe Someday, you’ll explore the best of those possibilities that you know in your heart are there.
Maybe Someday, you’ll see how truly beautiful life can be and understand that nothing can hold you back
Maybe Someday, you’ll wake up, see how useless most of your worries have been and stope letting others hold you back.
Maybe Someday, you’ll decide that your life cannot wait any longer and you’ll wonder why you ever waited so long to start living.
Maybe Someday, you’ll decide to go for it.
Maybe Someday, is coming.
Maybe Someday, is here.
Maybe Someday, is today!
I came across this poem whilst randomly browsing in the bookstore. I found it beautifully written… and I hope you’ve enjoyed reading it too!
And then, perhaps someday, you’ll do something about it?
A Heart to Learn to Love… June 17, 2007
Posted by Gary in Dealing with People, Hope & Inspiration, Personal Development, The Shy Speakers' Guide, Thoughts and Reflections, Values and Beliefs.1 comment so far
A heart to learn to love, and to love to learn. (Because there) are so many things in life to love and appreciate
I came across this quote while blog surfing (randomly of course!) and found it beautifully written by the author.
A heart to learn to love and love to learn… piques my imagination and belief in the need for appreciation in life, yet more importantly before we could fully appreciate, to learn how to appreciate the common blessings which we’ve all come to take for granted.
Appreciation is a beautiful concept that allows one to see the sun and sight of beauty, rather than the ugly and weak. It’s not really about covering up or sweeping one’s weaknesses under the carpet, but the willingness to see light in the event of darkness.
Nobody’s perfect. We’ve all our own shortcomings. Yet, are we all going to harp at each others’ weaknesses and inabilities, or rejoice at our individual strengths and uniqueness?
Which one makes you happier?
Which one makes life worth living?
What can one do by focusing on one’s weaknesses…?
I think the choice is clear.
Have a heart to learn to love, and love to learn… and appreciate.
Related Posts: Flattery VS Sincere Appreciation
Pour Your Heart Into It! June 16, 2007
Posted by Gary in Networking & Small Talk, Personal Development, Public Speaking, The Shy Speakers' Guide.add a comment
Where it comes to speaking and fulfillment of goals, it came to my attention that seldom does one succeed without enthusiasm, passion and belief.
Like a laser beam, I believe that when we are able to focus all our energies – mental and physical – onto a particular task or goal, half the battle is won with our intense desire to win.
Can you imagine a motivational speaker who’s trying to inspire his audience to embrace nobler ideals and beliefs, when he himself isn’t convinced in what he’s preaching?
How about a product salesman who’s trying to sell you something… would you believe in his sales pitch that “it’s the best product in the world” when even he hesitates to use it?
*
Belief is a crucial factor where it comes to summoning our passion, enthusiasm and abilities.
I believe, that with total belief, our minds become focused on achieving a particular task. Suddenly, all that we see are the things that we CAN do, and HOW CAN we solve the problems. The question becomes: “HOW CAN WE SUCCEED”, instead of “how we could fail”.
Beliefs breed confidence. And confidence breeds action. Action breeds results. And results in turn breed more confidence. This is what I call the empowerment cycle.
Confidence is a funny concept. Somehow, it’s extremely infectious!
A confident general inspires his soldiers, and they’d gladly give their lives at the command of their leader.
Same goes to a confident partner in a romantic relationship. A confident partner instills security in the other person and leaves him/her assured of their mutual stature for each other. Could you imagine two insecure people together in a relationship!? It’s not going to be a pretty sight, that’s for sure!
People are generally drawn to those who possess the energy and drive in life. These are the passionate and enthusiastic individuals that we so often see making waves in the corporate or social organisations. Of course there are exceptions. Yet, it’s hardly usual to see an insecure person helming an organisation for long. Wouldn’t you agree?
Similarly, where it comes to making a powerful and impressive speech, it is crucial to bear in mind that it’s not really about WHAT you say. It’s about HOW you say it!
When was the last time you found yourself swayed by a person who sounded immensely excited about what he has to say? It could have been the discovery of a new stock/share on the market with immense potential (or less than immense potential) and you went along with it just because he sounded so enthusiastic and convincing?!
Regardless of the content, who would you prefer listening to? A person who’s genuinely excited about what he/she has to say, or a person who’s just really excited (like that bland tasting cup of coffee)?
I’ve observed that it’s always easier to speak about what you’re keenly interested and passionate about than to speak about something you’ve no interest in. Isn’t that true?
Incidentally, it’s always more pleasurable to listen to someone who knows what he’s saying (or think he knows what he’s saying) than someone who appears jittery and nervous. Isn’t that true as well?
If you were to speak about the first time your son/daughter got a 100% in his/her quiz or the time when he came out tops in a local competition, would you have to think about it much before you began sharing about it to your neighbour(s)? Or have you met someone who couldn’t stop talking to you about their favourite stamp collection album… could you get them to stop (even after 323 attempts at trying to stop the conversation)?
Granted it, the last example’s a negative one! We really don’t want to bore our audiences! Yet, I’d like to use that example to highlight how much easier speaking could be when we Pour Our Heart Into It.
And how about the case of trying to make impactful speech?
Same thing goes: Pour Your Heart Into It! Let your passion and enthusiasm show! But this time, make sure it relates to the audience. There’s no point talking about your stamp collection when your listener is only interested in collecting bottle caps!
Speak with enthusiasm! Live with passion!
What would your success story be?
Podcast: Speak Smart June 10, 2007
Posted by Gary in Public Speaking, The Shy Speakers' Guide, Videos & Podcast.add a comment
I was randomly surfing for public speaking materials and sites when I came across this podcast on Public Speaking!
It’s a conversational recording of two trainers sharing some of the tips and strategies that are critical for anyone who are venturing into the arena of public speaking, and for those who want to take their public speaking skills to the next level!
To give you more background on the podcast, the speakers go on to highlight certain key areas to note whilst speaking, ie.: body language, voice and volume and crowd handling etc. I must say it is very informative where content is concerned, and I’d recommend it to anyone’s looking to gain greater awareness about the dynamics of public speaking and communication!
Ok, enough selling *wink*, here’s the link to Speak Smart.
I hope it helps!
It Just Keeps Getting Easier! June 6, 2007
Posted by Gary in Events & Experiences, Hope & Inspiration, Personal Development, Public Speaking, The Shy Speakers' Guide, Thoughts and Reflections.add a comment
In an earlier post, I shared about how We Can Only Get Better! In today’s post, I’d just like share some of my thoughts and reflections I gathered from my latest public speaking adventure to reiterate once again how a particular task can only get easier after the initial trials!
I was Emcee-ing at the NUS Political Science Society’s Social Night Dinner! And though I’m still relatively new at Professional Emcee-ing since my maiden attempt at the NUS Toastmasters Club Speechcraft Workshop ,things were much easier tonight as compared to when I first began as a professional Master of Ceremonies!
Granted it, I’ve been a speaker and trainer for awhile. Yet, entertaining a group is pretty much a different ball game altogether from educating or informing a crowd! And the skills required to make people laugh and have them participate have to be learnt, practised and improved upon!
The point is, we do get better, and we can only get better if we stay the course and concentrate on becoming better communicators!
I’ve witnessed too many cases of people giving up before they even realised what went wronged and gave up on giving themselves the opportunity for change and improvement! Personally, I feel that it’s a great pity for someone to give up on opportunity of what could be and ability that has yet to materialise! It’s like throwing away a winning lottery ticket prior to the eventual revealing of the results: the winner will never know that he won… and he will never be able to claim his prize.
Winners never Quit.
Quitters never Win!
Stay the course! Be the change! Your life is in your hands!
Handling Criticisms June 2, 2007
Posted by Gary in Networking & Small Talk, Personal Development, Public Speaking, The Shy Speakers' Guide, Thoughts and Reflections.add a comment
To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing
Most people hate getting critcised. Many people try to avoid it. Yet, there’s really no way to get away from it.
I recall this story of the mule and the Old Man and His Grandson…
There was once an Old Man and his Grandson, travelling to the city market with their mule and luggage. Midway through their journey, they chanced upon a group of men, who commented that the couple were “idiots for walking” when they had a mule.
Thinking that they made sense, the old man lifted his grandson onto the mule and joined him soon after.
A little while later, they came across a group of middle aged women. Like the men earlier, they too commented. This time, however, they criticised the pair for lack of sympathy and thoughtlessness for making the mule bear both their weight.
Taking their words to heart, the old man alighted and proceed on foot.
Again, (they must have been cursed or something) a little while later the pair chance upon another group of women who criticised the grandson for making his aged companion walk!
Ashamed, the little boy alighted and had his grandfather rest atop the mule.
To complete the sequence (and prove that they were really cursed!), the pair came across one more group of a few teenagers a few moments later. Incensed that the man was making the young boy walk, the group criticised the old man for being selfish!
Bewildered, the pair did next best thing they could…
…THEY CARRIED THE MULE FOR THE REST OF THE JOURNEY!
* * *
Moral of the story: You cannot please everybody.
Since we can’t please everyone with whatever we do, then why bother getting so preoccupied with it in the first place?
Many of us become so concerned with pre-empting criticisms that our actions and thoughts revolve around trying avoid getting criticised than what’s the best thing to do. The opportunity cost of this is often a result that is less than appealing and attractive than what we could’ve achieved had we dedicated our efforts to evaluating our choices and next course of action!
What do you think?
Are you preoccupied with what people might think of you when speaking or meeting new people?
Or are you really focused on getting to know other people and giving them value?
“I don’t know what the key to success is, but the key
to failure is trying to please everyone.”
- Bill Cosby
