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BUY TY |
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The portable, affordable Ty Boyd. |
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TY BUZZ |
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Did you hear what our clients said about us? |
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CALENDAR |
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We have openings in our April 5 - 7 and June 7 - 9 Excellence in Speaking Institute classes. Book now. |
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YOUR TOOLBOX |
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Our tools require no manual dexterity, but they will improve your presentation skills. |
| Your Goals |
Last month's newsletter apparently hit a nerve. I was inundated with notes about what your plans for 2006 include. I love this from Claire Krusch, who says "I resolve to continue to take care of myself. My Aha! moment was last year when I knew that if I didn't take better care of myself, nobody was going to do it for me. I have continued to get up every morning at 5:10 to be in the pool and swim for one hour. At 6:30 AM I am done with exercise for the day. I say to myself "Bring It On!"
Yong Chun Dai in Beijing tells us that he has moved into a plant manager role, where his ESI training is critical. "Every time when I make a speech, I refresh what I learned from your seminar and practice, practice, practice. I am more and more confident to make a speech and enjoy it." |
| Put Me In, Coach! |
| Maybe you and your team have a big new business presentation, and you need someone to perform a critique of your performance. May we suggest that you give us a call so we can discuss our coaching options with you? Check our Executive Services page, or call us at (800)336-2693. |
| About Us |
Ty Boyd Executive Learning Systems changes lives by helping lifelong learners hone their natural communication tools.
We work primarily with people at Fortune 1000 companies in the areas of public speaking, presentations skills, personal improvement and leadership development.
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Share the wealth! Tell your colleagues about us!
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Hello. I need your help. We sent out our Christmas CD as usual this year, but a lot of them came back to us because of bad mailing addresses. We want to make sure that we have the most up-to-date contact information for you. So, would you please make sure your information is correct? I'd appreciate it.
Now, let's get going. Ty Boyd
ty@tyboyd.com
Short Attention Span Theater
In Abraham Lincoln's time people would listen attentively to a two hour speech even if the speaker was not that well polished. Oh, how times have changed.
Today, our kids watch an average of more than eight hours of TV per day, as well as play computer games and talk to their friends online or phone. Adults sit in front of computers at work all day, responding to email and voicemail immediately, while still trying to do their jobs. We are manacled to our cell phones, or have Blackberry devices commanding our every move. Americans already had short attention spans, but this reliance on technology and multi-tasking has cut them even shorter.
A Hewlett-Packard study indicates that 62 percent of British adults are addicted to their e-mail--checking messages during meetings, after working hours and on vacation. Half of workers felt a need to respond to e-mails immediately or within an hour, and one in five people reported being "happy" to interrupt a business or social gathering to respond to an e-mail or phone message.
So, is it any wonder that when you stand up before a group that they are sneaking a look at their Treos and Blackberries, or jumping up to go outside and take a call about 30 seconds into your spiel? To combat the short attention span, you need to give them some theater.
Communications skills are more important today than they have ever been. The advent of technology makes it harder and harder to hold a person's attention through the spoken word. If your delivery skills are average, you are ignored. Great communication skills command attention, even in our plugged in age.
The first few minutes of your presentation are more critical than ever. You must grab the audience before they have time to get anxious and mentally move on to something else.
If you want a money skill for the 21st Century, it is public speaking, hands down. |
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Using Technology In Your Presentation
Business presenters in particular often use technology to support them. But too often, the technology, not the presenter, becomes the star of the show.
Here are a few tips on how to maintain control over your PowerPoint presentation.
Be Simple. Don't overload your slides with elements, logos and colors. Use the ESI rule of 5s and 6s. No more than five lines on a slide and each line should be no more than six words.
Be Consistent. Each page should have an identity (name, company, contact information) and it should be consistent from page to page. If you are using a logo, keep it small and maintain a consistent size throughout the presentation. Do the same for your font sizes, too. A sans serfi font like Arial or Tahoma is easiest to read on-screen. One place you can vary is in your charts. Don't just use one type of chart all the way through. Drop in the appropriate type of chart or graph to drive home important financial information.
Be Error-Free. Make sure you proofread your slides in order to ensure you don't have typos or silly mistakes. Have someone else take a look at them too. While proofreading look for items you can edit out. Tighter is better.
Be Prepared. Set up your equipment early. Place your screen to your left, the audience's right. People read right to left and you - not the slides - will remain the focus in you are on their left. Review your slides one last time. Do a dry run with your slides. This gets you comfortable with transitions.
Be In Charge. Face the audience. Never talk to the screen. This means that ample practice is imperative. Also, adjust your laptop so you can easily glance down to review points you wish to make.
Remember, audio visual aids are for your support. You are the show. The slides do not replace the human element. |
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