How Will You Show Your Blind Audience?

If you want to show them what you see - how will you do that?

If your purpose is to persuade your audience to see things your way - what will you do if they are blind? Often your audience is blind to your message. This old poem by John G. Saxe is a good reality reminder. Not everyone can see things the way you do. By the way, I used this poem as an example when I delivered an important explanation to our cynical corporate auditors about our procedures. This poem saved my skin.

Read Saved by a Cartoon.

Your audience is blind until you open their eyes. If they don't see - it's your fault not theirs.

The Blind Men and The Elephant

It was six men of Indostan,
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the elephant (Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation Might satisfy the mind.


The first approached the elephant,
And, happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl;
'God bless me! but the elephant Is very like a wall!'

The second, feeling of the tusk,
Cried: 'Ho! what have we here
So very round and smooth and sharp?
To me 'tis mighty clear
This wonder of an elephant
Is very like a spear!'


The third approached the animal,
And, happening to take The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus boldly up and spake:
'I see', quoth he,' the elephant Is very like a snake!'

The fourth reached out his eager hand,
And felt about the knee:
' What most this wondrous beast is like Is mighty plain,'quoth he;
' Tis clear enough the elephant Is very like a tree!'

The fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,
Said: 'E'en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most;
Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an elephant Is very like a fan!'

The sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope,
Than, seizing on the swinging tail
That fell within his scope,
'I see', quoth he, 'the elephant
Is very like a rope!'

And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right
And all were in the wrong

—John Godfrey Saxe

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Power Presentations Tip 49: Entertain Your Audience

Entertain Your Audience


After you create the content for your presentation, the next step is to sprinkle entertainment throughout.

Why? Because the entertainment grabs the attention of your audience and makes it easier for them to listen to and digest the morsels of content. The more dry and boring the content might seem to your audience – the more important it is for you to include the entertainment.

The perceptions of what is boring or entertaining are relative based on the interest and understanding of the audience for your message.

Notice that even sporting events use color commentary to keep it interesting for the audience.

An old rule of thumb stated that you needed to include entertainment about every seven minutes. That rule was written before Google, Twitter and iPhones. My guess is that today you might need to entertain at least every three minutes.

You don’t need to break into song or dance – unless you are very good at it and that form of entertainment fits with your message and audience.

Here are three simple and effective forms of entertainment that you can easily inject into your presentation.

• Tell a story


• Use a metaphor or analogy


• Play with words

Tell a Story

This might be the simplest and most powerful way to entertain. The story is our most enduring way of communicating from cave dwellers to texters.

Personal stories are the best because you know it and it distinguishes you from other speakers.


Use a Metaphor or Analogy

The simplest way that most of us learn is by relating new things to what we know already. How is this new thing like or unlike what we already know? We constantly think in metaphors so it’s natural for you to use metaphors that link your message to your audience. When you present new concepts you must rely on metaphors to make it easier for people to understand and remember your message.

Likening the World Wide Web to a spider web helps us visualize the linkages of the Internet.


Play with Words

This might take a little more thought and it’s worth it because your audience appreciates the cleverness of your presentation.

Rhyme your words – the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.

Use alliteration – persuade people with Power Presentations

Use a pun – Biscuits and speeches are better when made with shortening. Matt Veinosky


You don’t need to be hilarious, amazing or worthy of an Oscar. The entertainment only needs to lighten the moment and support your message. Don’t entertain for the sake of entertainment only. Entertain to make your message more palatable and memorable.

Entertain people and you will be more like the puppeteer than the puppet.

George Torok

Author of Power Presentation Tips

The Speech Coach for Executives

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Ooh Ooh - What now?

What do you do when things go wrong during your presentation?

Things will go wrong. Remember Murphy's law. And the more you depend on technology for your presentation - the more likely things will go wrong.

Microphones screech, lights blow and computers sometimes act like teenagers. And it's all a plot to make you look bad. At least you might feel that way at the time.

What should you do?

First pause, breathe and smile. Every one will be amazed at your apparent composure.

Appear to be in control - even if you don't feel that way.

Then deliver your line.

That line doesn't need to be clever or funny - but people will usually laugh because they will think that you are so clever that you were calm and the line will relieve their tension.

After Ronald Reagan was shot, he said to his wife, "Honey I forgot to duck." It relieved her tension. Reagan was a master at delivering a line on cue. That's why he was called "the great communicator. He had been an actor so he was almost always prepared with a key line.

You can learn from that.

Always have a line ready to use in case you need it.

There you are on stage and the equipment is sabotaging your presentation. What do you say? Never blame anyone or anything. Remember to smile.

I suggest that you memorize a small collection of lines from movies, TV or entertainment that might fit some future presentation disaster.

Here are a few suggestions:

"Houston, we have a problem."

"Scotty, beam me out of here."

"Resistance is futile."


Or twist a common expression:

"Well, that computer is shovel ready."


The next time that you watch a movie look for lines that you can use in your presentations - when thing go wrong.


George Torok
Speech Coach for Executives
Presentaton Skills Training for Sales Teams


Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.

Funny Audience

Sometimes it's you - sometimes it's the audience

I spoke to a group today that loved to laugh. Was I funny, engaging and entertaining? Yes. And the group loved to laugh. They laughed at lines that most other groups didn't. They smiled and encouraged me with their attention and active participation.

It would be easy for me to believe that I was hot. I was very good. The audience was terrific.

Sometimes you and your audience really click. That's heavenly. Bask in the glow when it happens. Don't let it inflate your ego because the next presentation might be tougher. Never think that you can wing it.

George Torok
Presentation Skills Training
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George W. Bush memorable lines

George W. Bush Quotes

George W. Bush will be remembered for many things. One of those might be his mangling of the english language.

Below are statements credited to Mr Bush:

'The vast majority of our imports come from outside the country.'

'If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure.'

'Republicans understand the importance of bondage between a mother and child.'

'No senior citizen should ever have to choose between prescription drugs and medicine

'I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy - but that could change.'

'One word sums up probably the responsibility of any Governor, and that one word is 'to be prepared'.

'Verbosity leads to unclear, inarticulate things.'

'I have made good judgments in the past. I have made good judgments in the future.'

'The future will be better tomorrow.'

'We're going to have the best educated American people in the world.'

'One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures.' (during an education photo-op)

'Illegitimacy is something we should talk about in terms of not having it.'

'We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur.'

'It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.'

'I stand by all the misstatements that I've made.'...George W. Bush to Sam Donaldson

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George Torok

Presentation Skills Training

Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.

Tim Gard Professional Speaker

Tim Gard - professional speaker

If you want to be a better speaker, watch and learn from other speakers - political, business and profesional.

Notice the techniques that work or don't work and ask yourself, "Why?".

Notice their style and decide if it conveys who they really are - or is it forced and plastic.

Tim Gard is a professional speaker. He talks about simple every day issues and he has a unique style that is Tim Gard. I've seen hims speak a few times and enjoy his presentations.

Watch this short video and notice how he brings the audience into his stories and especially how he waits for the auidence to get it. A big part of comedy is waiting for the audience to get it. Count the seconds that he waits and you will get the idea of how long you might wait.





Tim Gard is speaking at the national convention of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers.

I will be there and I look forward to seeing Tim Gard present again.


George Torok
Canadian Business Speaker
Speech Coach for Executives
Presentation Skills Training


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Presentation Recovery after a Flop

Presentation Recovery after a flop

A business presenter should never try to be a comedian. Yes, it is a good idea to include humor, but don't relay on the humor to make your point.

We can learn a lot from stand up comedians whose job is to be funny and make people laugh. So when a joke flops - what do you do?

Watch how one of the best, Johnny Carson, recovers from a flop - hereeeees Johnny!




Always be ready to recover when things flop. More likely it will be a technical or logistical thing in your presentation. Keep a saver line ready to save your presentation.


George Torok
Presentation Skills Training
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Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.

George W Bush

George W Bush is a funny speaker


W is an effective public speaker. There are two reasons. His speech writers write good speeches. They are simple. They use simple words that people understand and they use short sentences. That's the secret to great speech writing. The second part to success is delivery. George W Bush delivers the speeches magnificently. His greatest presentation strength is his pacing. And that pacing is demonstrated very well in this video of George W Bush delivering a funny presentation that approaches the success of a stand up comic.

Humor is dependant on pacing. Notice how well George W uses his pacing to make people laugh. I think this is the best of George W.





What was the purpose of this presentation? To show the media that George W is human. He delivers 5 minutes of funny followed by 2 minutes of warmth.

Well done. Perhaps the media audience went away thinking - nice guy.

I suggest that you watch this video a few times. It is a good presentation.


George Torok
Business Speech Coach
Presentations Skills Training
Motivational Speaker



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Cartoon, Quote and Parable to the Rescue

Saved By a Cartoon
The Six Blind Men and the Elephant

Props provide a powerful way of enhancing presentations. Verbal arguments aren’t enough to convince people of your message. Try using visuals such as charts or cartoons, or physical props such as products or tools. Verbal props come in several forms: quotations from famous people, anecdotes, plays, poems or even questions.

The following is a true report of how I used my new-found communication skills and a combination of props to get me out of hot water with my company’s auditors.

The auditors had submitted a report suggesting that I, as the chief supply manager, had exceeded my purchasing approval authority. I strongly disagreed and tried explaining to them the difference between our use of approval authority and implementation authority within the computer system. They did not buy my explanation – that is, until I had a chance to meet with them.

The meeting seemed to take forever. Tension clouded the room, because the auditors intended to remain firm on their “observation” and everyone knew my position.

Finally, it was my turn. I started: “I offer the quotation from George Bernard Shaw who said, ‘In the right key you can say anything, in the wrong key, nothing.’ So to help set the right key I ask you to look at this cartoon and parable that I am passing out.”

There were some raised eyebrows at this point, but no one objected to my strange approach – yet. After everyone had a copy of the handout I continued:

“This cartoon shows the parable of the six bind men and the elephant. The six blind men went to see the elephant, but being blind they had to examine the elephant with their hands. Each touched a different part of the elephant and noted their observation. For example, the first clutched the swaying trunk and said, ‘The elephant must be a snake.’ The next grabbed the tail and noted, ‘The elephant is really like a rope.’ Another fell against the side and exclaimed, ‘Oh my, this elephant is like a wall.’ Hugging the leg the next argued, ‘The elephant is like a tree.’ The fifth, while holding the tusk, stated, ‘You are all wrong, I know it is like a spear.’ And finally, the sixth felt the flapping ear and noted, ‘This elephant is surely like a fan.’”

The nervous laughter dissipated the tension and now the people were more relaxed. Then I explained how the computer system we were using was very big and complicated, like an elephant, and that we had poor documentation. Therefore, it was unreasonable for any visitor to fully understand the workings in a two-week period (this was the duration of the auditors’ visit). The heads nodded in agreement at this point. Then I showed a flowchart of our approval process – emphasizing that the “approval” they were focusing on was only “an approval to print”.

The bottom line is they understood my point, and the audit report was changed. It is important to know that the facts were unchanged from my earlier discussions with them, but this time I packaged my sale and they bought it.

When was the last time you had a proposal or idea turned down? Could it have gone better if you had taken more care to sell it? To deliver a powerful message understand your audience, be clear on your purpose, plan your approach – and use props!


© George Torok delivers inspirational keynotes and practical seminars. He trains managers and sales presenters how to present to win. Arrange for George to work with your people by calling 800-304-1861.

For more information and to receive free monthly tips on presentation skills visit http://www.torok.com/ or http://www.speechcoachforexecutives.com/


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Kramer's Arrogance

Kramer’s Arrogance

Remember Kramer’s meltdown at the comedy club? What surprised me about this incident is that a seasoned pro like Kramer, (Michael Richards), succumbed to fear. When you let the fear of rejection defeat you, you will say stupid things. Every presenter must be willing to deal with rejection. That is the number one rule about selling, presenting and comedy acts.

What ever you do some people might not like you. Or you might wrongly think they don’t like you because of what they do or say. Ignore it. That’s life.

As a business presenter you often are under a lot of pressure. It is normal to be nervous when presenting to your clients. And it is normal for things to go wrong. You would be foolish if you destroy yourself. You might be bidding on a $20m project, presenting your idea to the management team or selling your $50,000 proposal.

If it appears that your presentation is not going well – what should you do?

Pause

Smile

Restate the last thing you said.

Then, pause and smile.

If you said something stupid, correct and move on. If you were distracted by a question, comment or interruption, pause, smile and move on.

Never attack your audience or any members of your audience. Always give them the benefit of the doubt. They might have misheard you and you might have misheard them.

When things go wrong in your presentation: pause, smile and move on.

Never attack your audience. Never! Because you will lose everytime.


George Torok
Speech Coach for Executives
Presentation Skills Training

Presentation Jokes - Should you tell a joke?

Presentation Jokes

No jokes please.

If you are performing stand up comedy – tell jokes. That’s what the audience wants. They want to be entertained. They don’t want a message. When you are delivering a business presentation don’t tell jokes. Your audience did not come to hear jokes. They came to hear your message.

Remember that the purpose of your presentation is to get a particular message across in a convincing way that moves your audience to act in the way that you desire. In a business presentation you might want your audience to buy, to approve, to work, to donate or to volunteer. That is your purpose and everything in your presentation should focus to achieve that purpose.

In a business presentation your purpose is not to tell jokes. In fact you should avoid telling jokes. There are three reasons:

1. Most business presentations cannot tell a joke well in front of an audience. It might look easy but those standup comics know the art and science of telling jokes and they practice a lot.

2. Too many presenters tell a joke that has nothing to do with their message. The disconnect leaves the audience confused, Instead of listening to what you say after the joke they are thinking, “What was that about?”

3. Most jokes make fun about other people – some other race, sex, culture, religion etc… That might offend some of your listeners. Don’t use humor that pushes people away from you.

You can and probably should help them laugh. So how can you help people laugh without telling jokes during your presentation?

Tell funny stories or anecdotes about yourself. Tell them about some thing you goofed up, a personal frustration or a minor flaw. Reveal your imperfection.

When you do that the audience warms up to you because they see you as human – imperfect like themselves. And the bonus is they might laugh or at least lighten up. And that is all you want. There is no need to have them rolling on the floor convulsed with laughter.

Two important rules to keep in mind when telling a story:
1. Keep is as short as possible. Be sure to rehearse it well.
2. The story must support your message.

There you have it – no more excuses for telling jokes in a business presentation. Start practicing your funny stories. Watch for more tips on telling stories later.

George Torok
Speech Coach for Executives