Lessons from a ShamWow. 06/30/2010
Today's lesson comes from the actual product, not the infomercial. If you happen to be one of the millions of people who, like me, purchased one of these marvellous miracles of absorption, then you know that they are actually quite good, right up until the moment when they become saturated. Once they are soaked through, they can't absorb any more liquid. Now apply this idea to your next presentation. You have laid out your outline, covered all of the topics that you want to cover and created all of your slides. You've got your handouts and materials and you're ready to go. Your audience starts to show up and you get an adrenaline rush. You love teaching this stuff. It's wonderful to see people interacting and learning. You get through all of your material and then think of some new point or technique that you want to add in - right at the end. You have to cover it quickly because you are running short on time. So what's the problem? Your audience is saturated. They're ShamWows, full to the brim with all of those other concepts, they don't have room for one more thought. And it's the end of your allotted time. They're anticipating the wind-down. Don't be tempted to become that informercial host who says "but wait, there's more." Comments07/03/2010 16:58
I completely agree with you Geni. There is nothing more boring than to sit in a presentation that you feel will never end. When I get what I get, I completely shut down and won't be able to absorb anymore. 08/22/2010 19:02
You bring up a great point - I've seen a lot of presenters fall victim to this one. People go from "informative" to "Ginzu knife infomercial" quickly, and essentially ruin a great presentation. Leave a Reply |  Geni Whitehouse
Countess of Communication Brotemarkle,Davis and Co. LLP Author of How to Make a Boring Subject Interesting : 52 ways even a nerd can be heard I am an accountant on a mission. I want to permanently remove the blight of BORING that has attached itself to members of my profession. But the boring blight doesn't stop there. It's everywhere. I've found it in wineries (although it's a tad more palatable when served with alcohol), in science labs, even in Art museums. And technology people carry the "B" gene too. But the condition need not be fatal. I work with CPAs through my strategic partner, Mentor Plus, an organization that has been providing CPAs with the skills their clients crave for more than 19 years. I lecture around the country to accountants and technology audiences and I have a ball. I was a partner in an Atlanta CPA firm when I realized technology was my true passion and I have been fighting the nerd versus geek battle ever since. And through some stroke of absolutely amazing luck, I now find myself in Napa -- the most gorgeous, hospitable place imaginable. Are you on Twitter? You can follow my nerdy life there : evenanerd Contact me geni@evenanerd.com I am a graduate of the Jeff Justice Comedy Workshoppe and the Persuasive Speaker course taught by Speechworks. I highly recommend both of these organizations. I am not unbiased, nor do I wish to be. I have done work for anyone and everyone in the software industry or the accounting profession. But if I am not impressed by what you do or can't find an angle that is interesting or unique, I won't work for or with you. And if you are stodgy or boring, there are not enough dollars or even euros to make me help you. See samples of my writing here: www.salestaxradar.com www.mybizcounts.com  ArchivesJanuary 2012 CategoriesAll Other websites you might enjoy: |
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