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Archive for March, 2008

Dick Cavett on Communicating

Posted by Bert Decker   |   March 30th, 2008   |   Leave a Comment   |  Tweet This

Dick_cavett
Dick Cavett calls out the Presidential candidates, and has most of it right!

Read his article in the New York Times here – it has great insights on speaking and communicating. Written in his own humorous style, as a comedian he rightly emphasizes humor. And he tells stories -  well. If only politicians could do that.

Although I think he misses the mark with Barack Obama (Obama is a great orator but he does NOT use the teleprompter well) Cavett gives a lot of tips and techniques from a pro that are very useful to any communicator.

Ike_at_desk_2
But the most interesting new tidbit is how Dwight D. Eisenhower became likable. Robert Montgomery was his speaking coach, and here’s what Cavett says:

Read the rest of this entry »


Categories: Communication Skills, Political Communications, Short Bits, Speakers
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Don’t go to the PowerPoints!

Posted by Bert Decker   |   March 20th, 2008   |   2 Comments   |  Tweet This

Slideshare_logo Last year I was a judge in SlideShare’s The World’s Best Presentation Contest. Their blog is running full speed ahead with a great new series called "Design in Presentation." Garr Reynolds kicked off the series last week, and I’m featured this week. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m no design guru, so I’ll leave that aspect of presentation to the experts like Garr and Nancy Duarte. Instead I begin with the essential precursor to design…purpose.

To put it all in context, here’s how to prepare for a powerful presentation:

  1. Create the message: one that is listener-based, focused and with action.
  2. Develop the slides that best support the message – but don’t become the message.
  3. Deliver it powerfully, remembering that YOU are the presentation. (Hint: Use black slides!)

Check out the full article


Categories: Communication Skills

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Handy Guide to Speaking Like a Pro

Posted by Bert Decker   |   March 8th, 2008   |   1 Comment   |  Tweet This

Marketing_sherpa
Marketing Sherpa just put up a very nice post with
15 Tips on Behavior, Visuals & Rehearsing.

Actually this "Handy Guide To Speaking Like A Pro" was from an interview with Garr Reynolds and me, with some pointers on creating a great communication experience with your personality and when you are using PowerPoints and giving a Web 2.0 presentation.

The top three tips:Powerpoint

  1. Make Eye Contact (rather than looking at your slides, etc.)
  2. Use Black Blank Slides (rather than giving an illustrated text lecture.)
  3. Record Your Presentation (to get very valuable feedback.)

Worth looking at for many more pointers …..


Categories: Communication Skills, Public Speaking, Short Bits
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