An Extraordinary communicator must Eliminate these 6 Annoying Behaviors.

Reflection: ” A good orator is pointed and impassioned.” Cicero

1. Don’t put all the words of your presentation on the slides. You have a captive audience, so let’s give them all the information we can. If the information does not fit just make more slides with a smaller font.  The Rule of 6 by6 (Six lines with only six words) is either unknown or just ignored. The adult learning principle of providing relevant and concise information is not seen as important by some designers. Only use enough effective words to make your point and inspire the audience.
2. Don’t waste time rehearsing—just wing it. This is just another meeting and not that important as a State of the Union address or Board of Directors meeting. It’s not as if we have the time to practice and rehearse the presentation which is not given the priority it deserves.
3. Read everything on the slides. Sure, throw in a few examples or stories here and there. No one in the audience can verify your claims because they are overwhelmed with a “data” dump. This leads to audience members checking-out and being frustrated.
4. Don’t pay attention to correcting your distracting habit of “fill speak : Saying, “Um” and “Uh” often isn’t that big a deal. In fact this type of vocal miscues sends audiences running for the door, a crossword puzzle or their smart phone. The easy way to stop this irritating and distracting activity is to simply pause and take a breath before making your next statement.
5. “It’s what you say and not how you say it” that matters. Don’t worry about your delivery, your expertise and reputation and overwhelming  content will carry the day.
6. When an audience member tries to ask a question during the presentation– just brush it aside or say you will answer it later in the speech. The participants get the message  not to ask questions or challenge your ideas.  Lose credibility and connection by this tactic. If the question is asked try to calmly and clearly respond to their concerns.

Want to create an edge for your next presentation? –Try this Tip

“Nothing great in the world has been accomplished without passion and belief.”

You have prepared well, designed a powerful message, supported by examples and stories and of course your PPT slides.  Now it is the day of the performance. So you are looking for an extra boost so that the presentation is a success. Here is boost–If I had only one TIP  (to insure presentation success) to give, it would be to create an Aha Moment through story telling. To craft such a story takes time and needs to be relevant to the audience.  In the delivery style for communicating an Aha moment  you need to be passionate  and inspiring about your topic, let enthusiasm out and show your emotion for the subject being addressed.

Yes, you need a powerful AHA message supported by facts, stories, examples and maybe slides if they don’t become the focus of the speech. All this is called great content. And you do need a deep and authentic belief in your topic or all of this preparation is for naught. The biggest item that separates mediocre presenters from excellence is the ability to connect with an audience in an authentic, inspiring and exciting way. Don’t let you fears hold you back. Be confident. And let your passion for your topic come out for all to see. For me it’s a few slides to enhance visually one of your core ideas and a warm and passionate speaker over a cold and dull speaker with slick slides wins every time. So what do you use to get that little edge you need to overcome your fear of failure? Share with us your secrets of presentation success or failure, so we can learn from each other. Stay tune for next blog on the most famous and inspiring 17 minute speech that changed this person’s life and ours. Can you guess who this young man was and what and where he was speaking?

Want to improve your Presentation Skills–Don’t miss this unbelievable offer to “Jump Start” the New Year.

Speaker Training “TASTER” OFFER—Jump start your career by starting the New Year Right

LEARN the KEYS TO “STICKY “PRESENTATIONS

“It is not enough to have sticky concepts and ideas. You have to present them so people get it.” Jay Ehret, The Marketing Spot

Sometimes you’re just not sure whether something is right for you, particularly if you’re thinking of skill training or personal changes. Taking up a new approach or breaking through an old fear, like speaking before a group, can seem daunting.  When it comes to public speaking, it’s usually seen as a bit like going to the dentist – you know that you need to do it to stay healthy or you ignore it till it hurts so much you hardly have a choice or you hate it so much you have to be dragged to the office.!  I took some time to listen to the feedback from a recent survey I ran with participants in my presentation seminars regarding their feelings about learning to be better presenters. Two of the main issues raised were the need to have a more convenient (less time away from office and easier access to coaching at a reasonable and affordable cost) way to get speaker training. Second, is the need to be able to experience 1 on 1 coaching and the opportunity to try out some of the more pertinent and customized advice before committing to a bigger investment in speaker coaching.

I am now ready to be responsive to your needs. I’ve designed a special ‘Taster Offer’ especially for those who’d like to experience a more personalized exposure to improving their presentation skills and confidence without any major financial outlay or time commitment. This special Presentation Training Package is brought to you by Mark W. Hardwick, Ph.D., who has over 30+years of coaching executives, lawyers, accountants and other professionals in how to improve their communication skills.

The current Taster Offer I’ve put together has additional bonuses valued at just over $1,500 and as such, limited seats are available for the program.  The offering consists of the following:

• TASTE training Module will focus on the following: assessment of present skill level and style, planning and preparation basics, as well as feedback on a video tape you will send me along with your application and fee for the “Taste” offering.  This module deals with planning your presentation, how to design compelling and “sticky” messages from the listener’s point of view.  There is also an assignment and several exercises for you to work through with specific and individualized feedback.
• Bonus One you get lifetime access to the private email support group where you can talk to other presenters who have taken the “taster” module about how to overcome any barriers you’re having in executing the presentation system or Smart-Step tools provided.
• Bonus Two you also get access to the private Facebook group, this is a closed membership group and entry is strictly limited to “Taster” participants and presentation coach.
• Bonus Three – two sessions of speaker coaching.  I will personally spend time with you during two 30 minute sessions of speaker coaching.  These normally cost $250/session and take place via Skype. These are 1 on 1 coaching and feedback sessions not a group webinar.
• Bonus Four – a special incentive.  If you like the “TASTE Module” and feel that you’d like to continue with the rest of the course then for those who purchase the Taster Offer there is a discount of 50% off the rest of the course, meaning that you make an investment of $195.00 for the “Taste Module” (including bonuses) as opposed to the regular price of $795-995 for live but not customized group seminars.
• Extra Offer—An on going Coaching and feedback package. You receive Video feedback for three speeches you give during the year for additional $150/review and feedback report.

100% satisfaction or money back—no questions asked. Let’s get going. Just respond to this posting in the comment section with your e-mail or phone and we can set you up for your first session.

Thanks –Mark W. Hardwick,Ph.D.

Want to understand communication “Blind Spots” –Take the Presentation Style Index.

“Whatever strengthens and purifies thinking, ignites the imagination and adds knowledge  about who we are, is useful and necessary for individual growth. “ Mark W. Hardwick, Ph.D.

Presentation effectiveness is all about helping people learn how to connect and communicate with others, starting with ourselves.  Committing to self-understanding and awareness is challenging and risky.  No one else can do it for you.  There are many ways to find out more about your preferences, strengths and areas for improvement.  You can pay more attention to informal/formal feedback from others, access your core personality attributes, seek understanding through trying different life experiences and challenges and seek insight through assessment instruments like the Presentation Style Index (PSI).

Why do many of us know more about our favorite sports team or our next car, than who we are and how our communications are experienced by others? Generally, it is because we do not seek feedback.  We assume that what we have been doing brings us success so there is no need for improvement. This indicates that you might be living in denial, contentment, confusion or fear about learning how you come across to others.

Taking responsibility for our choices and being responsible for life is no small task.  This ownership begins with self-understanding.  In taking the Presentation Style Index (PSI) we encourage you to examine what you say and do.  This knowledge provides information to gauge your impact on others and then own the responsibility for changing those things needing improvement.  Many have said we develop our communication effectiveness by understanding our strengths and managing our weaknesses, so let’s get started on exploring and finding out that unique person –you, your presentation style and how it impacts others.