Carmine's Webinar on Presenting Like Steve Jobs

In case you missed the webinar this week, here is a link for your viewing pleasure to it.

If anything, archive this and review before embarking on your next speech!

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/286144831

In case you don't have time, here are some key points:

1. Most presentations are poorly structured, so take the time to structure first versus diving in and creating your presentation. Most presenters fail to plan.

2. "I'm not charismatic like Steve Jobs" - well neither was Steve back in the 80s. You have to start somewhere and practice - charisma can be gained.

3. Jobs' presentations are to inspire, not deliver information and facts.

4. Plan on paper first. Sketch it out versus opening Power Point.

5. What's the story behind what you are speaking about? Problem it solves? How different? What facts and visuals will back up the presentation?

6. Set the theme for the presentation - say a catchy headline and then the very first words delivered. Remember to wow your audience and bring in your own personal enthusiasm.

7. Provide a roadmap.

8. In delivering virtually, boost your energy and deliver like you would live so to show that enthusiasm digitally.

9. Make numbers meaningful - i.e. put the number in perspective and context. Number per day? What it means to the market? What about to the end user, business, etc.?

10. Build up to the "wow" moment - the one key scene for people to walk away and remember. This creates an emotional connection with the audience.

11. Avoid death by Power Point and Clip Art! Keep it simple with little to no text and one image.

12. Reherse. By the way, don't be glued to a script but outline.

13. Lastly, don't sweat the small stuff. The audience expects flaws as we are all human. So if you forget a point, the demo doesn't work or the wrong slide comes up, don't sweat it and keep delivering.

Nervous?

No script.

Only 3 dress rehersals.

Over 5000 people awaiting you to say just a few things to make or break you for the rest of the conference.

You are the second presentation, following the Key Note and your CEO.

No pressure, right?



After my most recent, and probably largest "live" audience I have been in front of yet, I thought it would be great to reflect on tips to help you get through your next "big" presentation, no matter how big or small your audience or speech.

1. Butterflies Never Leave
I still remember shaking my knee franticly behind the podium at the White House almost 10 years ago, though I stay focused on delivering influencial words as no one would notice the leg.

This time, my heart raced. It raced until I said the first few words and then calmed. But it raced again a few minutes before I knew my next turn to speak was coming.

Butterflies never go away, well, until you are done and hear the audience applaud. You have to hang tight and thing about the conversation you are about to have with the audience and how you are the expert. They are here to hear your advice.

2. Complete Your Script Then Chuck It
You do need to develop a script to figure out the right flow of conversation, especially if you are interacting with a few people on stage. But once you have the flow down pat, kill the script.

By this I mean now focus on key words or concepts you want to relay, but forget about memorizing the exact lines - that will throw you a curve ball if you all of a sudden forget the next line on stage when you only practiced twice.

You are the expert, right? So if you have the essence of your conversation at hand the "script" should come naturally.

3. Roll with the Punches
No one is perfect and something, at least 1 thing, will choke. Be ready to roll with it - either don't highlight you just choked, because the audience won't notice, or, if a colleague on stage bites it, help him or her out by saying some lines that could trigger the continuation of the dialogue to get the conversation back on track.


In the end your audience is expecting to be entertained, taught something, or moved to take on a call to action, or all three.

Show 'em what you got and make them want to hear more from you in the future.

More on Getting Over Your Public Speaking Fear

Since I'm in a mad dash to head out to the big week, I'm short cutting my advice to re-post a few good articles from over on public speaking woes:

BNI's "Conquer Your Fear of Public Speaking"

Peter LaMotte's Blog Post On Getting Over the Fear

Manager versus Leader Part Duo

Previously I blogged about the traits of a manager versus a leader. Today I was reminded of another comparison from The Source of Leadership.

In the recent note, David references the 12 distinctions between a manager and a leader Warren Bennis published almost 20 years ago:

• Managers administer, leaders innovate
• Managers ask how and when, leaders ask what and why
• Managers focus on systems, leaders focus on people
• Managers do things right, leaders do the right things
• Managers maintain, leaders develop
• Managers rely on control, leaders inspire trust
• Managers have a short-term perspective, leaders have a longer-term perspective
• Managers accept the status-quo, leaders challenge the status-quo
• Managers have an eye on the bottom line, leaders have an eye on the horizon
• Managers imitate, leaders originate
• Managers emulate the classic good soldier, leaders are their own person
• Managers copy, leaders show originality

So, are you a leader or a manager today? What are ways you can evolve yourself into displaying leadership characteristics if you do not already? Can you be both a leader and a manager simultaneously, and do you need to to be successful?

Stay tuned for more on this topic.

Getting Pysched, and Staying Energetic, for The Big Conference

It's that time again, conference season! It's not just any season, it's when the "big one" occurs - over 8000 higher education administrators, technologists and leaders convene to learn about, this year, measurable performance.

As I get ready to head out on my first flight tomorrow (for a partner conference, not the big one just yet) I thought I'd share some "just before you go" tips to make sure you are ready to deliver a powerful presentation, make new connections and to enjoy the conference experience overall.

1. Review Your Outline/Speaking Notes on Your Flight Out
Before leaving for your flight make a print out of your presentation and speaking notes/out line. While en route you can review the outline and practice by closing your eyes, imagining yourself delivering the speech and mouth the words. You want to make sure you have your main talking points and flow of conversation memorized by now, so the flight out is the time to polish your message.

2. Smile
It really is contagious. Before, during and after speaking remember to smile - it will make you approachable. If you have people presenting with you remind them to smile. It can be as simple as what an executive gave me once to make sure I was ready - a sticky note with a smiley on it while awaiting in the wings to go up on stage.

3. Do Your Daily Routine
Basically make the time to exercise, eat and sleep like you normally do, or better than normal. Don't stay up late or drink a lot if you know you have to be on top of your game the next day.

4. Focus on The Conference
If there is work lurking over your head you are to do while you are at the conference, it can wait (make sure you set that expectation with others). Or, you can delegate it to someone else. Thinking about other items, be it email, the next proposal, etc. will distract you from making the most out of the conference you are at.

5. Spend Time With People
Usually the event you are at only happens one time a year. Make sure you take the time to connect with new colleagues and clients and re-connect with old. Hear what they have to say, not just about what you presented, but other topics, themes or "what they wish they heard about". Be open to constructive (and not so constructive) criticism.


If anything, relax and have fun with it!

From Fear to Failure, In Public Speaking

Looks like this is the month of failure. Or shall we say fear turning into failure.

So, here are more tips and tricks on getting over that fear to be a grand success:

From Al Coddington:

• "Possess the Venue" - own the room, move around and run this show
• Determine the need your audience has and answer it during your delivery

From Dr. Ivan Misner:

• Prepare
• Talk about the things you know best
• Use visuals
• Remember you are the expert
• Be creative

And in most tips and tricks by the experts - practice.

PS - If you happen to have a speech you feel like you failed at, do not worry. A few days later reflect on what needs to improve and steps to take next time around, and then find the things that went great - what represents you - to do next time. Remember to be yourself when you speak in public, not someone else.

Failure Part 2 - Try Something New

Ironicly, April looks to be the month of "try try try, it won't matter if you fail" conversation among leadership writers and coaches. The following came through today from "The Daily Source":

"Look for ways to experience failure. Only through failure do we grow, and we just aren’t letting ourselves fail enough. We are stunting our growth. As leader or prospective leader, you likely don’t fail very often. How about trying something new? Go run a marathon. Try-out for a local theatre production. Take the most challenging class you can think of. Buy a canvas and some paint and try to paint a masterpiece work of art. Start to get comfortable out of the band of success."

I'm writing a fiction novel.

What are you doing to stretch yourself?

What Are You Afraid Of?

Failure?

Public opinion?

Or worse, success?

Be it a monetary set back, or a public image set back, what are you waiting for to focus on achieving your goals? If you are driven to deliver on what you are passionate about you really have nothing to lose other than missing opportunities to focus on what you love.

So, what's that obstacle in front of you that you need to confront, tackle and just get over to make your dream reality? Here's my formula to overcoming fears that could be keeping you away from your goals:

1. What is your fear?
Write it down. Read it. Understand it - why does it exist? Where did this fear first arise? How does it come up for you? What are the underlying characteristics of this fear?

2. Imagine going through that fear.
What if you hit that fear - how will that really play out? Imagine it happening to you and the different ways it could go. Is it all that bad?

3. Brainstorm ways to remove or get around your fear.
It's time to play real life "choose your own adventure". What things can you do to get around the obstacle, or, remove it completely? Can someone help you get through or around these fears? Prioritize these ideas in a manner where you can begin to try the first one to three easily to see if it helps you jump over that fear.

For readers that know me very well you know that I originally had a fear of public speaking. My knees would quiver. I couldn't remember what I wanted to say. My delivery was rigid, mechanical and un-life like.

This fear is not completely gone, but I have brainstormed ways to get through and around the fear. For example lots of practice, envisioning a flawless delivery over and over in my head, or only talking on topics I know backwards and forwards.

It's time to get over your number one fear keeping you from making progress - identify and tackle it!