How many people have sat at conferences, seminars or just office presentations and cursed whoever invented the PowerPoint programme – possibly Bill Gates! With some people there seems to be a compet
South Africa, Republic of (Press Release) March 18, 2008 --
The delivery of presentations can be terribly boring. I was at one recently at Emperor’s Palace where I looked around me to find several people fast asleep. My actions in turning around prompted others to do the same – and a trail of laughter ran through the room. It was more entertaining watching the snoozers than listening to the presentation.
Basically if someone isn’t revealing a way for you to really improve whatever it is you do or perhaps want to do in the future then what’s the point? I recently watched a public relations colleague present a very good presentation based on a case study she had worked on for the Sippah Straw. She showed, through very simple slides, just how a difficult client could have a really successful press campaign. No-one fell asleep and notes were taken – always a good sign. I presented straight after her and managed to get people laughing and taking part with me in my presentation on dealing with the media. That’s what I think is important – making the audience part of the deal and putting a smile on their faces. Why do presenters have to be so serious? Do they think they won’t get paid if they smile? Then again that’s often the catch with these conferences that YOU pay so much to attend. The organisers try not to pay their speakers. They use top directors (which certainly doesn’t mean they’re great speakers) and tell them to think of the publicity they’re getting for their companies. Doesn’t matter what you say or how you say it – hell, you’re the head of …….. Bank or …..Investments – you must be good!
Maybe if they just spoke from the heart, instead of reading from notes or their slides it would be more entertaining. Or is entertainment not part of the game?
Marion Scher
Media Mentors
www.mediamentors.co.za
pr@mediamentors.co.za
Basically if someone isn’t revealing a way for you to really improve whatever it is you do or perhaps want to do in the future then what’s the point? I recently watched a public relations colleague present a very good presentation based on a case study she had worked on for the Sippah Straw. She showed, through very simple slides, just how a difficult client could have a really successful press campaign. No-one fell asleep and notes were taken – always a good sign. I presented straight after her and managed to get people laughing and taking part with me in my presentation on dealing with the media. That’s what I think is important – making the audience part of the deal and putting a smile on their faces. Why do presenters have to be so serious? Do they think they won’t get paid if they smile? Then again that’s often the catch with these conferences that YOU pay so much to attend. The organisers try not to pay their speakers. They use top directors (which certainly doesn’t mean they’re great speakers) and tell them to think of the publicity they’re getting for their companies. Doesn’t matter what you say or how you say it – hell, you’re the head of …….. Bank or …..Investments – you must be good!
Maybe if they just spoke from the heart, instead of reading from notes or their slides it would be more entertaining. Or is entertainment not part of the game?
Marion Scher
Media Mentors
www.mediamentors.co.za
pr@mediamentors.co.za
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