When a projector is out of focus, the images on the screen are fuzzy, leaving the viewer uncertain as to what he is actually seeing.  His mind darts from blur to blur trying to make sense of the shapes on the screen.

But once the projector is in focus and the images emerge crisply, the viewer feels a sense of relief.

The same holds true for your content.  The audience feels a huge sense of relief when they quickly grasp what you’re saying.

As you prepare, get your talk in focus.  Define for yourself your message and select a limited number of vivid details to bring it to life.

Sims Wyeth & Co. provides public speaking courses, executive speech coaching, presentation skills training, voice and speech training, speech writing, and courses that address stage fright, body language, presentation strategy, and effective use of PowerPoint, all of which contribute to greater executive presence and personal impact.  Sign up for our presentation tips and learn more about us at http://www.simswyeth.com/.

I pulled into a gas station in New York City and there was Andy Rooney of Sixty Minutes fame, pumping his own gas.

A few months later, I got on a plane and saw Morley Safer and Dan Rather in First Class, and then, continuing to my seat, I saw Andy in steerage, just like me.

Earlier this year, I went to a Memorial Day party in upstate New York, where the host and hostess handed out funny hats at the door, and when I got inside, there was Andy…with no hat.

Andy has wit, humility, and stubborn individuality—the kind that allows him to say to the most charming host and hostess in the world, “No thanks.  I don’t wear hats.”

I admire Andy for all these reasons, and for one more: he keeps his observations short.

Sims Wyeth & Co. provides public speaking courses, executive speech coaching, presentation skills training, voice and speech training, speech writing, and courses that address stage fright, body language, presentation strategy, and effective use of PowerPoint, all of which contribute to greater executive presence and personal impact.  Sign up for our presentation tips and learn more about us at http://www.simswyeth.com/.

When selling ideas, products and services, it’s always good to frontload the benefits. However, qubens are better than benefits.

Qubens are Quantifiable Unique Benefits, such as, “Not only will your solar panels help you reduce your carbon footprint, but if you live in your home for at least twenty years, you will make 2.3X your investment, and your property value will increase on average by 5%.”

Far better than vague promises of ROI, or approximations of the delta between the As Is and the To Be, are QUBENS.

QUBENS!  Quantifiable Unique Benefits!  They make your presentation better!

Presenting for Results^SM Update:

We have scheduled our 2nd public seminar called Presenting for Results^SM. If you are so inclined, please join us on Nov 18 & 19, 2010, at the Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, NJ, which is on Rte. 3 East, just east of the Garden State Parkway.  The program is fun, eye-opening, highly experiential and beneficial to your confidence and career, and thus good for your company as well.  Or let somebody who could benefit know about the program. There is very limited enrollment to keep it practical and interactive.  Click here to learn more.

Sims Wyeth & Co. provides public speaking courses, executive speech coaching, presentation skills training, voice and speech training, speech writing, and courses that address stage fright, body language, presentation strategy, and effective use of PowerPoint, all of which contribute to greater executive presence and personal impact.  Sign up for our presentation tips and learn more about us at http://www.simswyeth.com/.