We are often told that our presentations should tell a story.  What does that mean?
 
It does not mean that we should tell stories to illustrate the points we want to make, although that’s always a good idea.  However, this approach only makes story the servant of rational argument.
 
Rather, it means that our presentations should borrow from the structure of story—of drama—which is at base the problem / solution structure.
 
Define a problem, provide a solution.  That’s how you tell a story.

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/.

The first is the language you speak–words and sentences that carry meaning.  Choose your words wisely.  Listeners translate them into thoughts.

Then there’s body language, which can turn your words into lies if it doesn’t match your words.  When you say, “I’m delighted to be here,” and look nervous, nobody believes what you say.

The language of intonation trumps content.  “Come into my office,” can be spoken to create joy or dread.

Finally, clothes speak the language of symbols.  Airline pilots wear uniforms to inspire trust, not to fly better.

Aspire to speak all four languages fluently.

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/.

Presentation Pointer:  First get attention

Every year in the U.S. we create 60,000 new books, 18,000 magazines, 20 billion pages of content on food and nutrition alone, and 400,000 scholarly journals.  We mail 15 billion catalogues, and 87.2 billion pieces of direct mail.

We live amidst a wealth of information.  And what does a wealth of information create?  A wealth of information creates a poverty of attention.

What can we do as business communicators, but speak with such clarity and passion that we capture and hold the most fleeting and valuable resource on earth: human attention!

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/.

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