Disruption Tour --- Run To Survive

Defuse the Bomb

Presentation Secrets for Social Communicators Posted: 28 Sep 2007 05:57 AM CDT Speaking and presenting is something I’m passionate about. Why? Because it’s another way to start conversations and build relationships. Or, it can be, if you think about how you present. Here are some recommendations on ways to turn your bullhorn into a party hat in the presentation world. First, Defuse the Bomb You have less than two minutes to set up your relationship with the audience. Your audience needs to LOVE you. They have to want you to succeed. And as part of this, they want you to succeed, because they’re hoping to learn something about themselves from you. Let me highlight that so you take it home with you: People want to learn about THEMSELVES through what you talk about in your presentations. SUPER SECRET TIP: Tell a funny story. Not a joke. A story. Tell it EARLY. Be as FUNNY as you can muster. Self-depricating humor helps, if you’re any good at that. Be the authority, but be human. Sneak In With Questions You need to sneak into your audience’s hearts and minds. I love asking questions, but not so much the hand-raiser types. Sure, I do that schtick. But if I’m trying to get you engaged early, I want to ask you questions that get you rummaging through your own internal autobiography? Why? Because I want you to be connected and engaged to what I’m saying. If I’m getting you to stir up internal memories, I’ve snuck in. Think Television, Then Break It We are a world of TV viewers. We are used to screens. Think HARD about this when planning your presentation. First, think about slides. Slides are PART of your TV screen. Know who the other part is? YOU. Now, if you and your slides are the presentation, which is more interesting? A big glowing screen? Or you hiding behind the podium.

Being fully present

 

From the Talk it up blog...

by Heidi Miller

 My buddy Vicki Austin has been writing about being fully present and the power of listening when your customers answer your qualifying questions. Nowhere is this more challenging than at a trade show, when hundreds of people are trooping past your booth, and you only have a few minutes to:

1. find out their needs
2. determine if your product or service is a match
3. explain the benefits of your product or service
4. get contact information from them

In fact, most of the time, we have to go through those four steps in fewer than two minutes. Two minutes. And then we go through them again. And again. And again and again, dozens of times in one afternoon. How to you stay engaged? How do you really listen when your feet are killing you, you've only had some bad coffee since 9:00 a.m., you seem to be having the same conversation over and over and badges and faces have become a blur?

This week, I've had the pleasure of working with an exceptional team of people. The company is growing, and everyone there seems to be young, energetic, and focused on the goal of helping the clients. They seem to combat the trade show blahs by (crazy idea) actually caring about their potential customers and by having a genuine desire to help and a sincere belief in their product and company. Even in two-minute conversations, it's clear that they are focusing on long-term relationships, not the immediate sale.

In fact, the overall attitude after scanning a lead seems to be "I can't wait to get home and call that guy again!" Viewing customers as people you want to talk to instead of as a lead to be categorized and (let's face it) lost in the post-trade show shuffle is what makes the difference. After all, every one of those "leads" is a potential customer that you will one day send holiday cards to, call for a birthday and check up on after her foot surgery.

So, the power of full engagement? Hmm. Well, truly, I don't have my typical bulleted list here. I don't really think that I have any snappy tips, either! It does seem very simple, doesn't it? Care. Just care. If the idea of helping your customers doesn't excite you, then you're probably in the wrong line of business and should do yourself a favor and go find something that you are excited about.

Aching feet and grumbling stomachs aside, these are things that we do to help our customers and build relationships. We listen. We pay attention. We care. We find solutions, not just because it's our job but because we genuinely want to help. That's how we become fully present and engaged.

Why Your Proposals Make Readers Drowsy

By Michael W. McLaughlin,
Raintoday.com
For Full Article...

Sometimes I think consulting proposals should include a bright red label warning that persistent drowsiness is a known side effect of reading them.

Not long ago, a consultant wrote to ask me how to make proposals come alive, especially in highly competitive bidding situations. My answer was simple: Write for the first reader and the last reader of each proposal. Otherwise, you're likely to lull your readers to sleep and find yourself without a sale.

Checklist for Speakers: Getting What You Need from Conference Organizers

Entire article here...

By Sarah B

Adaptive Path

Many of us speak regularly at conferences. I’ve found that it is critical to understand the conference’s context, the organizer’s expectations, and any other constraints. Arming ourselves in advance with this information helps me prepare, tailor my message for the audience, and feel confident in my presentation.

When I first started speaking, I was just happy to be accepted. I didn’t ask too many questions. However, I’ve learned through experience (been burned once or twice) to ask some important questions of conference organizers before I agree to speak. Both the conference organizer and I need to make sure that my presentation will be interesting and useful to the audience.

Initially, I ask probing questions to determine if the conference is a good fit. Then, if I decide that I would like to speak there (and the conference organizer is still interested), I move on to more detailed questions.

Private Speaking Presentations

Jeffery Giesener

Private Speaking Engagements June 21, 26, 28, July 10, 13, 14

Disruption Tour/Orange Shoes Tour and the DiD-B/Digital Intelligent Database

Presentation:
Download DiD-B-Masterv8.1.ppt

A Look Around The Corner

Jeffery Giesener to present at MinneBar April 21st
St Paul, MN http://minnebar.org

Topic:

...A look around the corner: How permission-based marketing, data-alignment, and RFID will shape the future of commerce. 

Come and participate in a brainstorm/discussion on how technology will shape the future of marketing and commerce and how it all will affect our time, our privacy, and our business.

Download a_look_around_the_corner.ppt