Dr. Mario's 2nd 🧠

Even a Geek Can Speak

4 min read

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Highlights

Formulate the MO as follows: “By [insert what you want to accomplish] you will [insert what your listener wants].” (Location 198)

No more than three points – even for long presentations. (Location 217)

A hook might sound like this: Last year, 5,000 companies lost in excess of $1 million as a result of hackers sabotaging their information systems. (Location 229)

Then there is a Recap, in which you restate your MO and three points, (Location 244)

In writing a memo, letter, or a magazine article. John Jantson, a consultant at Kurt Salmon Associates, wrote an article for a trade publication using the Formula for his organizational structure. Remember, just tell the readers the MO at the beginning and the three key points. (Location 363)

But again, even a fellow geek in this situation probably doesn’t want a brain dump (Location 506)

The best way to begin a presentation is to just begin. (Location 867)

Don’t Ever Apologize (Location 871)

Or leave that stuff out altogether, especially if you’ve already been introduced. Most of the time, your listeners know who you are and where you work anyway. And frankly, they don’t need to know that you’re glad to be there with them. (Location 881)

Usually, jokes thicken the ice because they are neither funny nor relevant. Sometimes the joke is offensive, turning off substantial portions of the audience before the presentation begins. (Location 886)

Transitions Are Most Critical for Long Presentations (Location 1032)

Visuals reinforce a speaker’s message and help the audience remember key points. However, the presenter should always be the focus of the presentation, not the visuals. (Location 1056)

Recap. Use the same Preview/Agenda Slide. (Location 1087)

When Your Slides Rely on Words: Less Is More Rely on key words rather than entire sentences. (Location 1091)

If you write too much on your slides, two things happen: You will read your slides. Boring! Your listeners will read your slides. What do they need you for? (Location 1098)

Hand out a version with speaker’s notes. But don’t undermine the quality of your presentation by giving your listeners something to read while you present. Hand out the detailed notes at the end of the presentation. You want your listeners watching you during your speech. (Location 1121)

Dark backgrounds with bright letters are best (Location 1133)

Don’t mix styles of clip art. Uniformity creates a nice look that doesn’t offend the eye. (Location 1137)

Too much animation can distract from your message. (Location 1141)

There is absolutely no evidence that this stuff makes you connect with your listeners better than you do without it. Common sense suggests that the technology (Location 1153)

What About That Stick-in-Your-Eye Question You Wish They Wouldn’t Ask? You know those horrible questions that you wish they wouldn’t ask? Don’t include those on your list. Instead, put the answer in your presentation. When I was practicing law, we called that “getting the stink out.” (Location 1284)

If there is something you find uncomfortable that the audience may be interested in, you should take control and air the issue before someone else airs it for you. That way you can put your own spin on the issue and you retain your credibility with the audience. (Location 1301)

Many questions call for a simple “yes” or “no.” If that is the case, the first word out of your mouth in response should be either the word “Yes” or the word “No.” Then, you should give a concrete piece of evidence backing up your answer. (Location 1308)

Perhaps the most neglected aspect of presenting is rehearsal. Many people will take the time to write a presentation, even brainstorming possible questions. But very few people will rehearse. People seem to think that just thinking about the answers is enough. Well, it’s not. You have to feel the words coming out of your mouth to know whether you can deliver them with authority. (Location 1325)

  1. Admit you don’t know (gasp!) and commit to finding an answer. (Location 1336)

New highlights added 2023-02-21

Step One: Come Up with a Message Objective (Location 182)

As you wrap up, you need to implore the audience to put your idea into action. (Location 235)

” The best way to begin a presentation is to just begin. (Location 866)

” Or leave that stuff out altogether, especially if you’ve already been introduced. Most of the time, your listeners know who you are and where you work anyway. And frankly, they don’t need to know that you’re glad to be there with them. (Location 881)

” Transitions Are Most Critical for Long Presentations (Location 1031)

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