Even a Nerd Can Be Heard

I presented a session on customer loyalty at Sage Insights this week. One of my messages about generating positive word of mouth had to do with being remarkable. Ever since I read Seth Godins book, The Purple Cow, I have paid attention to how others make themselves or their company "remarkable".  I have also tried to make my presentations include something memorable, surprising, and hopefully remarkable.

But what struck me in the session, during the portion of it that was based on The Dating Game, was that different people can be remarkable in different ways. We had a Customer Loyalty Dating Game in which three Sage Business partners had to answer the questions posed by a prospective customer, played by Dennis Frahmann.  

Each of the partners who kindly volunteered to be potential matches for the customer were remarkable in their own way. Wayne Schultz is a master tweeter, a technology guru who is well known for the advice, answers and information that he freely shares. He is remarkably prolific and uses technology to full advantage.

Jeannie Huckstep is a quiet leader devoted to the success of her Not For Profit clients. She has a team of equally talented business professionals who have helped her become a national expert. She is remarkable for her focus, for her depth of knowledge, and for the sense of calm that she instills in anyone who talks to her. 

And then there is Bettye Baker. If the addition of that extra "e" at the end of her name wasn't enough to make Bettye remarkable, there are the stories. Bettye launches into one of her stories with that Texas accent and you can't help but hang on for the ride. She compares a software implementation to a funeral - and it actually makes sense. She's a one woman show and you get the sense that one woman is plenty. She is remarkable for those stories. 

What is remarkable about you?

I don’t know if this is just a U.S. thing or not. But what is it about foreign accents? When I listen to a speaker from another country, I want them to be successful. I give them far more benefit of the doubt and I listen more closely and carefully than I do locals.

And there is something about respecting people who are outside of your local area.  The further the distance they travel to give their presentation, the more credibility they seem to have. This is true for people from other areas of the U.S and especially for Canadians.  All those Canadians have to do is say “PrOcess” once, and I automatically assume they have something meaningful to share. 

I think I unconsciously apply this knowledge to my own presentations. When I am in Georgia, I talk about all of the strange and weird things that go on in California. I guess I’m trying to show that I am the exotic survivor of life in a foreign, nut- and berry- filled land.  And when I speak in California, my southern accent seems to get heavier and I use my “not from around here- ness” to make an impact. I’m not sure if it helps me gain credibility, but I know it helps me form a connection with the audience.  I think people yearn to make “foreigners” feel welcome. 

Today I listened to a Danish presenter talking about software. The presentation not only brought back fond memories of my experiences as an employee of a Danish company, but it was both entertaining and informative.  I had forgotten about the Danish sense of humor and their very unique style.  It must have something to do with the cold weather and that strange fish they eat over there.

So the lesson for presenters is this, travel outside of your local area to give presentations or learn to speak Danish, Canadian, or a language of your choice.