January 27, 2009
MuniManners.com stellar presentation at Pecha Kucha #30
by Terry Gault
Last night I was at Pecha Kucha #30 in SF with Robert Graham of GrahamComm, a fellow presentation trainer. This was my 3rd time, Robert’s first.
I first heard about the event in 2007 when I read an article in Wired. It first started in Tokyo and there are chapters all over the planet. However, the SF chapter is the second most active going and just completed their 30th edition. Pecha Kucha is Japanese for "chatter” and they have strict guidelines for presentations: exactly 20 slides displayed for 20 seconds each. Hence, all presentations are limited to 6 minutes and 40 seconds: Presentation Haiku. You can get a sense of the event from this YouTube video.
Pecha Kucha has recently picked up Autodesk as a sponsor which seems a perfect fit for both since the event was started by and features designers. The event was held at Autodesk’s new lobby museum in the Landmark building at 1 Market which I’d read about in Fortune’s article last November. The space is only open to the public one day a month, so this was a Triple Treat and a great experience!
I saw the semi-famous XO Laptop from the terrific One Laptop Per Child project.
It was Pecha Kucha’s second event in the space, a BIG upgrade on their previous space a restaurant and club in SOMA.
I saw the hip and charming duo behind MuniManners.com. They delivered the best presentation by far, in my estimation.
Usually, the presentations are done by designers who show striking images and beautiful design work but have treated the spoken piece as an afterthought. Several came across as inarticulate, using the verbal filler phrase “sort of” as though it's taught in design schools across the country. One exception stood out: the divas behind MuniManners.com, a nifty little blog about etiquette on riding SF’s Muni that is read all over the planet.
It seems they’ve tapped a nerve. I’ve asked my blogging associate Nicole to do a post about their blog later this week.
As for their presentation, they had clearly thought through their message and had worked on their timing. They tag-teamed their patter, trading off as a new slide appeared. Their speech was crisp but informal and they were enjoying themselves.
The genius of these two marketing professionals was clear when they told their story about starting up the blog anonymously. They were only known as Muni Lady 1 and Muni Lady 2. That changed in Sept of 2008 when Angelie Agarwal and Julie Hayes came out on KTVU TV.
Their use of mystery, clean simple design and cheerful, fun, friendly but never snarky style are evident both in their presentation and their blog.
Bravo, Muni Manners Mavens, Angelie Agarwal and Julie Hayes!
photo credit: luisvilla
Comments on MuniManners.com stellar presentation at Pecha Kucha #30 »
We Muni Ladies couldn't ask for a more glowing review of our presentation! We're thrilled that you enjoyed our Pecha Kucha, and hope to see you at future events. We've got more in store!
Smooth riding,
Angelie & Julie
My pleasure, Muni Manners Mavens. You were uber-charming!
Well said, Terry. Of all the presentations we saw that night, the Muni Manners Mavens stood out. They were funny, irreverent, had great energy, were well-rehearsed and had some superb visuals.
Your point about them enjoying themselves is one aspect of presenting that people often miss. If you look bored or anxious, your audience will be as well. If you look like you are switched on and having fun (a novel concept for many while presenting), there's a good chance your audience will feel it too.
Robert Graham
Well said, Robert. I tell all my clients, "If you are not having fun, you are not doing it right."