A Blog with Tips & Tricks for Enlightened Presenters
The Atmosphere is The Idea
Fine dining restaurants don’t just serve food. They create an experience so you’ll feel a certain way as you dine. Sporting events design an atmosphere of excitement and frenzy to heighten the experience of the game. The Las Vegas strip is the epicenter of decadence and opulence, an atmosphere designed to draw people from all…
3 Questions That Lead to Better Presentations [WORKSHEET]
It’s not an impossible dream. In fact, it’s quite simple to write a great presentation outline. Research conducted by Stanford University has proven that audiences are 40% more likely to retain information accurately when it’s presented with structure, as opposed to free-form. While there are many ways to create structure, our clients find asking these 3…
11 Ways Your Environment Can Help Your Presentation
For the last few months, we’ve been studying the impact of the Persuasive Environment on presentations. By examining – and manipulating – factors of time, location and atmosphere, we can add deeper meaning to our messages, thereby moving audiences in ways we never thought possible. What happens when we dig in and think of literally…
8 Tips for Better Eye Contact
When you’re delivering a presentation, you might be tempted to look down at your notes or stare at the back wall. However, if you want your idea to stick, we recommend you look into one very specific place during your presentation: the eyes of your audience members.
Why are We Addicted to Decks?
Seek first to understand… A good friend reminded me the other day of Covey’s 5th Habit, and I knew it was time to explore this phenomenon in greater depth. After all, any successful mission requires we know how high the odds are stacked against us. So why ARE we addicted to presentation decks? What happens in…
Stories Open the Door to Your Mind
“We’re on the same page.” “Are you riding this wavelength?” “Now you’re speaking my language.” “I’m smellin’ what you’re steppin’ in.”
Room And Bored: The Least Persuasive Place [WORKSHEET]
The presentation is tomorrow. You know your story, and you’ve rehearsed your delivery according to your strengths. You have a sharp understanding of your audience and are prepared to deliver a powerful talk along the lines of empathy. You are unstoppable. Your idea will change the world. Hang on there, cowboy. Where will this meeting…
This Just In: You’re Creative
Funny thing about self esteem: It’s often at its highest when we need it least. The inverse seems true as well: When opportunity knocks, many of us (who aren’t proud to admit it) have been known to pretend we’re not home. This reaction, even though we attach our professional value to the content we share,…
I Share, Therefore I Am
Since our beginnings, we humans have defined our individual value by what we share with others. It’s as important a step in self-actualization as any other: Acknowledgement from an audience (of one or many) for providing information perceived as valuable. Does this mean we’re selfish? Hell yes. And we should be proud of it, too.…
How to Funny: Using Humor in your Presentations
Picture yourself selling an idea to an audience. Do you want your audience to laugh, or do you want them to be all business? That’s an easy answer. Laughing releases oxytocin, the feel-good brain chemical that helps boost feelings of loyalty and trust. Go for the chuckles, and help your audience feel how much they…