Consistency builds a brand.

Your company probably spends a pile of money on designing logos, marketing materials and packaging that are consistent with its brand. Your company likely has a budget to train staff so they deliver a consistent experience for everyone who comes into contact with you.

I work with a lot of companies that do this. But with many I do end up wondering, after spending all this money to build a brand, why do they leave presentations to the whims of the presenter?

It doesn’t take much to chip away at your image. A grotesque hot pink chosen for a bar graph, a crazy new font that doesn’t appear anywhere in your marketing materials, a bootlegged photo from Google Images and, all too often, a message that is obscured by a clutter of information…these are all ways your brand is undermined in presentations.

Just like everything else, keep your presentations consistent.

I love this video and not because the presenter is slick, polished and perfect. I love it because the presenter is passionate, engaging and fun. He’s even a bit nervous and that’s okay because audiences will find this endearing if they’re being told a great story. I have so many clients who struggle with nerves and they are looking for ways to make the nerves go away. Watch Rodney Mullen. Why worry about the nerves when it’s the story that matters?

Wow is the only word to describe this presentation. There are some basics here that can be applied to any presentation: 1. Prepare a presentation that will grab your audience. 2. Accompany your story with captivating visuals. 3. Practice, practice, practice, practice, practice….and practice. This is incredible.

Prezzip

So excited about this…here are some interesting templates for Prezi, including separate elements that are animated. Have fun!

"The importance of an idea is often judged by the fluency (and emotional charge) with which that idea comes to mind."
– Daniel Kahneman, Thinking, Fast and Slow

Don’t underestimate emotion

Last month, in the U.S., the battle over SOPA happened. Wikipedia and Google launched dramatic campaigns against the bill and, convinced of their rectitude, I sided with them. This month, in Canada, our government is proposing an online surveillance bill that will give police unfettered access to our online activities. The Canadian government is framing this bill around child pornography insisting police are incapable of dealing with this heinous crime without these powers of surveillance. I thought about my position. I decided that any concern over the police seeing my inane Facebook posts or boring banking activities are meaningless compared to slowing down an internet industry fueled by the horrific abuse of children. And so I argued in favour of the bill.

But wait. My positions are inconsistent. On the one hand, I said the government should butt out and allow us our liberties. On the other, I was passionate with my, “Yes! Let the police in and protect these kids.”

Why did this happen? It came down to emotion. Instead of logically assessing my position to see if it fit with my overall view, I went with my gut and my heart.

The truth is most of us do. That’s why, in all likelihood, the Canadian government is making child pornography the bill’s flagship target. It’s smart presentation skills. It’s smart storytelling.

The truth is I still want the government to come up with a way to track bad guys online…but my emotions prevented me from looking closely at what they were proposing and wondering if there were alternatives.

Forget about the emotion and your audience is likely to forget about your idea. And, of course, the opposite is true.

Thanks to Chuck Bean for this one. Imagine arriving at your hotel late at night, weary from travel and all you’re looking for is a sign that says, “Parking.” Instead you get this overly complicated sign. You’d probably drive right past. No connection. In your business presentations remember that your audience is weary from information overload. The best way to stand out is to keep things simple and clear - your language, your visuals and your ideas. It’s the best way to guarantee a connection with your audience so they don’t just drive on past you.

Thanks to Chuck Bean for this one. Imagine arriving at your hotel late at night, weary from travel and all you’re looking for is a sign that says, “Parking.” Instead you get this overly complicated sign. You’d probably drive right past. No connection.

In your business presentations remember that your audience is weary from information overload. The best way to stand out is to keep things simple and clear - your language, your visuals and your ideas.

It’s the best way to guarantee a connection with your audience so they don’t just drive on past you.

What about that, ahem, elephant over there?

Last week in Stand and Command a question came up about questions. In my experience most presenters dread Question & Answer period because they feel they are being grilled, put on the hot seat, or challenged.

The truth is a lively Q&A is the best indicator you’ve engaged your audience, given them something to think about and persuaded them that your idea is worthy of discussion.

So why dread the Q&A?

Usually, it’s because of the elephant. The one objection, hurdle or point of contention you know could prevent your idea from moving forward - that’s the elephant. If someone mentions the elephant surely it will kill your story, destroy your idea and your presentation will be a flop.

Not if you mention the elephant first.

For every Q&A, predict the questions you’ll be asked and rehearse your answers.

If there is an elephant, work it into your presentation and address it as logically and persuasively as you can. You have now neutralized its power and strengthened your idea.

Do this for every high stakes presentation and you’ll be a Q&A master. You might even start to enjoy it.

A terrific visual story that conveys highly technical information in a simple and compelling way. I’m not crazy about the overly dramatic headline - it’s not truthful in my opinion - but the information below the headline is a great example of telling a technical story without boring your audience. Here’s a link if you want to see this close up: http://blog.massivehealth.com/infographics/Carbs_are_killing_you/

A terrific visual story that conveys highly technical information in a simple and compelling way. I’m not crazy about the overly dramatic headline - it’s not truthful in my opinion - but the information below the headline is a great example of telling a technical story without boring your audience. Here’s a link if you want to see this close up: http://blog.massivehealth.com/infographics/Carbs_are_killing_you/

Now this is compelling storytelling. Dr. Goldman is probably the bravest speaker I’ve seen in a long time but it’s not just his bravery that is compelling. He crafts his talk beautifully, uses pauses to let his statements have impact, and speaks from the heart. His passion is contagious.