The last PowerPoint slide in a presentation often coincides with a very predictable closing from the presenter: “Any questions?” This often results in an equally predictable silence. Presenters and instructors tend to interpret this silence as evidence that the audience … Continue reading →
Whether you are chatting online with relatives from Nebraska, brainstorming with colleagues, or meeting with your team, there is no question that webcams can add a welcome visual component. Experts tell us that over half of communication is non-verbal and … Continue reading →
Imagine that you are presenting in a warm conference room or classroom, not long after lunch (pizza), and are covering data displayed on PowerPoint slide #47. You notice an attendee on the second row, after a valiant struggle to stay … Continue reading →
I could tell that the presenter was about to lose it. There had been intermittent side conversations going on between audience members for most of the morning, and the presenter’s facial expression betrayed his increasing annoyance. Finally, it happened. “Excuse … Continue reading →
Sometimes, in my train the trainer or presentation skills workshops, I receive a bit of push-back regarding my advocacy of frequent interaction with an audience. Although the evidence is clear that interaction has multiple benefits (e.g., keeps people attentive, provides … Continue reading →
Trainers and presenters, particularly those who are experts in their fields, have long struggled with selecting the right content for a presentation. How much is too much? How deep do I go? Where do I stop? Unfortunately, what often happens … Continue reading →
Good trainers, presenters and facilitators know the importance of audience participation. The experts tell us that audience participation sustains attention and interest, provides feedback that people are “getting it”, and enhances the retention of key points. But, what about the … Continue reading →
You’ve seen the data. Survey after survey, going back decades, suggests that public speaking is people’s greatest fear. Called “glossophobia”, it consistently beats spiders, snakes, flying, and even death in the lexicon of least favorite things. (e.g., “Kill me, just … Continue reading →
Presentation software (and PowerPoint® specifically) is the target of heavy criticism these days. The phrase “Death by PowerPoint®” is commonly used to describe the abuse of this medium: Too many slides, too many words, annoying animations, bizarre color choices, gratuitous … Continue reading →
We’ve all been there. Mid-morning in an overly air-conditioned corporate or hotel meeting room. Mind wandering, bladder painful, left leg asleep, minutes crawling by. Then…salvation! The welcome rumble of the 10 a.m. break cart rolling down the hallway. The traditional … Continue reading →