TED Talks always offers furtile ground for us bloggers on presentation and public speaking.  This particular presentation is from Hans Rosling, who is a Professor of International Health at Karolinska Institutet and Director of Gapminder Foundation, in Stockholm, Sweden.  His talk is about a weighty topic - mortality rates across the globe.

This is one of the best uses of graphics I have ever seen.  In addition, Roslings enthusiasm and energy, conversational and self-effacing style make him a charming and effective speaker.  He opens with an amusing story about how he started teaching global development to Swedish undergraduate students.  His use of graphics to support his story is clever and funny.  It's a remarkable use of visual media.

I won't comment much on the graphics and statistical analysis because Andrew Dlugan, author of the stellar public speaking blog Six Minutes offers up an outstanding review of Roslings use of statistics here.

Click on the photo  below to be transported to the video URL.  Enjoy!

As always, the wisdom and humor of Scott Adams' Dilbert strip uniquely captures the corporate culture.  This speaks to the importance of authenticity and credibility.  Those of you in sales organizations should get a kick out of this.

I recently came across this post card and this video about public speaking.  The hyperbole of the post card and it's retro style made me smile.

 The video does offer some good advice though it's dated quality is amusing.  Enjoy!

Tim Lee is a comic based in San Francisco.  After obtaining a PhD, he decided to enter the lucrative field of stand-up comedy.  (That's a joke, BTW.)  He uses his scientific background, PowerPoint, and personal life to great effect in his comedy sets.  This one is particularly funny and demonstrates that PowerPoint (and Keynote for you Mac users) are versatile medium - they can do comedy, too!

I came across this video today on YouTube.  PJ Kim took first place in the Harvard Business School's Public Speaking Contest in 2006.  He deserved it.
 

PJ models some important elements of public speaking:

1. A compelling opening hook
2. Humor
3. Movement
4. Authenticity
5. Storytelling
6. Metaphor (parallels dating and job hunting)
7. Vulnerability
8. Props
9. A simple structure (3 points)

The video's been edited into 3 pieces.  Enjoy!

Part 1