by Summer Thommen of The Henderson Group
Here at the Henderson Group, we endeavor to give you all the tools you need to deliver high quality presentations so you can be prepared for anything. Here are some guys who probably wish they had them. Enjoy!
by Terry Gault
Doug Serena, CIO is a five webisode miniseries produced by Einstein Films for Serena Software that shows an IT leadership team using Orchestrated IT to power their company to tremendous commercial success.
We share this post with you, our gracious readers, because storytelling is a powerful tool in communication. This video embodies our ethos about using storytelling as a way to make your message sticky and hi-impact. When you use vivid stories in your presentations and other messaging, you increase the likelihood that your message is differentiated from the 1000's of other messages your target audience receives on a daily (maybe even hourly) basis. Enter the "Doug Serena, CIO" Trivia Contest
by Terry Gault
Doug Serena, CIO is a five webisode miniseries produced by Einstein Films for Serena Software that shows an IT leadership team using Orchestrated IT to power their company to tremendous commercial success.
We share this post with you, our gracious readers, because storytelling is a powerful tool in communication. This video embodies our ethos about using storytelling as a way to make your message sticky and hi-impact. When you use vivid stories in your presentations and other messaging, you increase the likelihood that your message is differentiated from the 1000's of other messages your target audience receives on a daily (maybe even hourly) basis. Enter the "Doug Serena, CIO" Trivia Contest
The CIO of a large insurance brokerage learns in a boardroom meeting that his company is in deep trouble. The CEO challenges the execs to find a solution — quickly. Can they do it?
By Terry Gault
When I read this piece from Fast Company, I thought this is useful advice not just for entrepreneurs hoping to score some VC money but anyone who needs to influence up to executives to get project sponsorship or their initiative funded. The Executive Communicator workshop we offer with our partner, ExecCatalyst focuses on many of the same skills.
1. Know your numbers. This is the number one lesson from Shark Tank. Whether you're presenting to a team of investors or simply working to grow your business, it's critical that you understand how much cash is coming in and out of the business. While you might think that most entrepreneurs on Shark Tank have a handle on their books, many believe that their passion will sell their wares. However, as we've learned from many of the Sharks, passion only gets you so far–numbers tell the real story.
2. Be a good marketer. Although the boys from The Brewer's Cow didn't get the deal they wanted, there is no doubt that the exposure from the show is extremely valuable. However, as a Shark Tank fan shares on his blog, the company's website is pretty lackluster for a brand that hopes to go national. If you extend the online search to their Twitter feed, there is very little interaction since the show aired. The Brewer's Cow currently has a deal with Whole Foods, but on the online front there is a lot more they could be doing just days after the television broadcast to capitalize from the on-air buzz.
3. Be humble. When a young entrepreneur appeared on the show to sell his custom clothing, he expressed the business drive that the Sharks love, but things started to fall apart when he talked about his lifestyle. Aside from asking for a starting six-figure salary (when the company has only grossed just over $315,000), he also lost some Sharks when he declared, "I'm now living the L.A. life." As Shark Daymond John, founder of FUBU, expressed on his Twitter feed, a statement like this isn't very appealing to a potential investor looking to form a responsible partnership.
4. Understand good timing. There are good and bad times in your business to ask for investment money. For many of the companies diving into the Shark Tank, they have great ideas but it's too early on in their businesses to be on the hunt for a large amount of cash. Mom Raven Thomas was one of the most impressive entrepreneurs on the show in terms of leaking out little bits of information about her business to entice the Sharks, one by one. For example, when she shared that Sam's Club recently put in an order for $2 million for her chocolate-covered pretzels, she had Cuban drooling to seal a deal.
5. Have a good story. When Travis Perry explained his company's motivation to the Sharks, it tugged on their inner musician heart strings. Perry invented his product Chordbuddy to help new guitar players like his 10-year-old daughter avoid frustration when learning how to play the popular instrument. With a great story and a stellar product, Perry got investment help and now has his Chordbuddy product in more than 100 music stores.
6. Be prepared to walk. Some things are not meant to be, which was the case with entrepreneur Scott Jordan. As founder of the successful brands SCOTTEVEST and TEC, he appeared on the show to sell a percentage of the latter (a technology-enabled clothing patent). The Sharks, on the other hand, were interested in Jordan's main business, SCOTTEVEST, which is on track to make more than $20 million this year. After a heated debate with some of the Sharks, Jordan was happy to walk away without a deal but with some new publicity for both his businesses.
7. Be personable. While all of the above will get you closer to your dream of running a successful business, it's also helps to have a winning personality. No one wants to do business with someone who is unlikable, except maybe Mr. Wonderful. As Shark Barbara Corcoran said in a recent tweet, "All the entrepreneurs I've invested in have amazing personalities–no regrets."
Remember all those things you learned about being nice in kindergarten? Those same things apply in the boardroom, no exceptions.
by Terry Gault
"Dying is easy, comedy is hard" is a famous quote usually attributed to Edmund Kean, a famous Shakespearean actor in the 1800s.
David Hurwitz, Senior VP of WW Marketing at Serena Software shared that quote in describing why he wanted to create a dramatic mini-series (with humor) that weaves a demo of Serena's Orchestrated IT solution into a story about a real world problem that CIOs and IT teams face in supporting business execution.
We share this post with you, our gracious readers, because storytelling is a powerful tool in communication. This video embodies our ethos about using storytelling as a way to make your message sticky and hi-impact. When you use vivid stories in your presentations and other messaging, you increase the likelihood that your message is differentiated from the 1000's of other messages your target audience receives on a daily (maybe even hourly) basis.
Enter the "Doug Serena, CIO" Trivia Contest
by Terry Gault
One of my clients will be doing a tour of Asian countries and delivering presentations. The question comes up often, "How do I present to an Asian audience?" This article by Thomas Murrell offers some useful advice and I wanted to share it with our readers.
Top Ten Tips For Better Business Presentations To Asian Audiences
Audiences around the world are all different. Cultural, social and religious differences impact on how people learn, take in information and interact with presenters.
After delivering three presentations to managers and franchisees from the largest fast food company in the Philippines, these are my thoughts on how to make an impact.
This is the result of extensive feedback and practical knowledge of what works and what doesn't after delivering business presentations throughout Asia.
Here are 10 Tips on Delivering Better Business Presentations to Asian Audiences.
1. Do Your Research.
Find out as much as you can about the country and organisation you are working with. Read guide books, travel magazines, search the Internet and use the local media to gain as much knowledge as you can about the cultural background and history of the people you are working with.
2. Use local language and key phrases as an icebreaker, welcome address or to highlight important points.
Modify the content of your presentation to account for local differences. For example, in my work in the Philippines I used a range of local 'Tagalog' (one of the two official languages) words in both my welcome and presentation to make points and this was very effective. Former US President JFK used "Ich bin ein Berliner" to great effect in Germany during one of his speeches.
3. Use local examples.
Nothing goes down better when trying to explain a new concept than using a local example. This will make your presentation more relevant. Be sure to research your examples so they are relevant and understand the cultural context of your examples.
4. Get to know the audience.
It is most likely you will be a foreigner and many in the audience may not know you very well at all. Meet as many people personally before the presentation as possible. When presenting, let the audience warm up to you before throwing questions at them. I've noticed light-hearted bantering with the audience at the beginning of a presentationworks well.
5. Speak slowly and clearly.
For many Asians, English is not their first language. Speak with less of an accent and present more slowly than you would with an Australian audience. Remember it is more important for each person to hear you accurately then it is to put more information in your speech, use your time effectively.
6. Use of Visual Aids.
Again, because of language barriers back-up your verbal message with clear and easy to understand visual aids.
7. Use Humor.
This tried and true method works across cultural boundaries. Use universal humour and avoid material that is country specific and not relevant. Never ever use inappropriate humor in any situation.
8. Physically involve the audience.
Most audiences, no matter what cultural background, tend to switch off after 20 minutes of information from the presenter. Use a physical activity or interaction to keep the audience awake and alert. One word of warning though, don't try this at the beginning when they haven't got to know you.
9. Cut out some content.
You will be speaking more slowly and spending time getting to know the audience and interacting with them. This will take time and you will need to cut out some content. Otherwise the presentation will be rushed. I find with most presenters put too much content in their presentations.
10. Evaluate, review and continually improve.
I never stop learning. Every time I speak in front of an audience, I always learn something new. Presenting to audiences outside of your comfort zone is always a challenge. Be prepared to learn, improve and be a better presenter.
About the Author: Thomas Murrell MBA CSP is an international business speaker, consultant and award-winning broadcaster. Media Motivators is his regular electronic magazine read by 7,000 professionals in 15 different countries. You can subscribe by visiting http://www.8mmedia.com Thomas can be contacted directly at +6189388 6888 and is available to speak to your conference, seminar or event. Visit Tom's blog at http://www.8mmedia.blogspot.com
photo credit: xurde
Doug Serena, CIO is a five webisode miniseries produced by Einstein Films for Serena Software that shows an IT leadership team using Orchestrated IT to power their company to tremendous commercial success.
We share this post with you, our gracious readers, because storytelling is a powerful tool in communication. This video embodies our ethos about using storytelling as a way to make your message sticky and hi-impact. When you use vivid stories in your presentations and other messaging, you increase the likelihood that your message is differentiated from the 1000's of other messages your target audience receives on a daily (maybe even hourly) basis.
David Hurwitz and the Serena marketing team were terrific partners. David had a clear concept from the start which made the entire process much more effective. We're very proud of the result. If you like the video series, please share it with others via blogs, Twitter and Facebook. Serena is employing an interesting and fun Twitter campaign via @DougSerenaCIO.
Once a quarter The Henderson Group holds a "By Invitation Only" Complete Communicator and Art of Presentation workshop in San Francisco, led by our VP of Services, Terry Gault.
Complete Communicator June 21-22, 2012
in San Francisco
Art of Presentation May 31-June 1, 2012
in San Francisco
Apply now or Contact us for more information
"Dying is easy, comedy is hard" is a famous quote usually attributed to Edmund Kean, a famous Shakespearean actor in the 1800s.
David Hurwitz, Senior VP of WW Marketing at Serena Software shared that quote in describing why he wanted to create a dramatic mini-series (with humor) that weaves a demo of Serena's Orchestrated IT solution into a story about a real world problem that CIOs and IT teams face in supporting business execution.
We share this post with you, our gracious readers, because storytelling is a powerful tool in communication. This video embodies our ethos about using storytelling as a way to make your message sticky and hi-impact. When you use vivid stories in your presentations and other messaging, you increase the likelihood that your message is differentiated from the 1000's of other messages your target audience receives on a daily (maybe even hourly) basis.
We worked in constant collaboration with David and his stellar team on the script then we handled casting, assembled the crew, and managed production and post production.
We're very proud of the result. If you like the video series, please share it with others via blogs, Twitter and Facebook. Serena is employing an interesting and fun Twitter campaign via @DougSerenaCIO.
Enter the "Doug Serena, CIO" Trivia Contest
by Terry Gault
There is much controversy and debate over this video and the organization behind it which I don't want to wade into here.
My view is this: If you think of this video as a piece of art, it is amazingly effective. The video has two basic messages as I see it:
- We have the power using video and social media to create the kind of world we want.
- We can use that power to cause justice in the world starting with catching this brutal criminal, Kony.
As the old saying goes, "There is no such thing as bad press."
