This is the first time I have ever disagreed with anything that my mentor at Speechworks has to say. But disagree I must,but only when it comes to my particiular audience.
in his latest post, Joey Asher talks about the perils of talking with a CEO and how important it is to brief. And on that point we are in total agreement.
But here's where I have to take exception :
" Everyone wants short presentations.CEOs are the only ones who have the authority and the willingness to enforce the time limitations.
Next time you have to give a speech, try cutting the entire thing in half. I’ll bet no one will complain."
I spend much of my year making presentations to CPAs (Certified Public Accountants) and they will complain violently if you finish your presentation early.
They will also complain if you go long. But finishing early is a Cardinal Sin (that's bad, for you non-Catholics) if you are speaking at an event that provides CPE (Continuing Professional Education) to session attendees. Session timing is almost as important as the logical flow of the material and having handouts that perfectly match the slides on the screen.
It is one of the hardest parts of being a presenter for this audience. There are very rigid rules of delivery and timing that you must follow. I have seen great presenters who go out of order get lower scores than lousy presenters who follow their slides. It drives me crazy but it's true. It is part of knowing what matters to your audience.
But if you are presenting to a group of salespeople or business owners, Joey is exactly right. And if you are the last presenter before a meal or the bar opening, make it even shorter. But don't mess with those CPE hours. I bet Joey has the same problem when he presents to his lawyer friends who need CLE.
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Geni Whitehouse CPA, CITP, CSPM Author, speaker, trainer > 50% Countess of Communication, Brotemarkle,Davis Co. > 50% Writin', speakin', consultin' Co-founder of SolveServices.com a remote bookkeeping service for wineries. How to hire me. Author How to Make a Boring Subject Interesting : 52 ways even a nerd can be heard I have a ton of other websites including my newest for Twitter newbies www.evenatwit.com Originally from Greenville, SC, I now live in Napa, California. Contact Geni
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 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. 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 [email protected] 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 have also taken training from the amazing Lynda Spillane. 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. 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 Archives
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