Would you prefer it goes Peter O'Toole? Don't forget we are two countries separated by a common language.
On Thu, Sep 12, 2013 at 10:36 AM, James Rankin <[email protected]>wrote: > Thanks everyone for all the many tips given here. If everything goes Pete > Tong on the day, then at least it won't be for a lack of preparation and > advice :-) > > Cheers, > > > > JR > > > On 12 September 2013 15:30, Ben Scott <[email protected]> wrote: > >> On Wed, Sep 11, 2013 at 4:54 PM, <[email protected]> wrote: >> > What bothers me the most is trying to remember my lines (although I >> guess the >> > PowerPoint slides will make good prompts) ... >> >> I haven't done much presentation, but one thing I do know: Do *NOT* >> fall into the trap of reading your slides to the audience. Slides >> should be visual aids, completely separate from your speaker's notes. >> Most slide programs have the ability to add notes to each slide, you >> can use that. Or just have a list of bullet points on a sheet (that's >> what I usually do). As others have said, memorizing lines will sound >> forced, so it's better to have a list of reminders than a full script. >> >> Personally, I'm a fan of a smaller number of slides, used for things >> like graphs, photos, example code, screen shots, etc., brought up as >> needed. This makes it a mixed-media presentation -- speaking some >> info, showing other info. I dislike slides which are just a bunch of >> titles and bullet points, advanced for each point the speaker is >> making. However, some people like the textual reinforcement. Not >> everyone learns the same way, so they're not wrong, just different. >> One way to address that is to provide a companion document with that >> info (or plug your book/website/blog), but that requires more >> resources (prep time especially, also money if you're printing >> audience packets). >> >> > ... the possibility of getting some left-field questions at the end. >> >> Remember that one of the smartest things anyone can say is, "I don't >> know." Nobody knows everything, that's impossible. Experts are >> experts because they have a solid foundation, good experience, and can >> solve new problems. If the problems weren't new we wouldn't need >> experts, just a checklist. >> >> So if someone asks you a left-field question, you can answer >> honestly and to the best of your ability. If the answer is, "I've >> never encountered that before, I would have to research it", that's >> fine. If the answer is, "I've encountered that before, but I don't >> remember the details -- I'd had to check my notes. Get with/email me >> after the presentation", that's fine. (Also makes you look good for >> following through and for having notes.) If the answer is "There are >> too many possibilities, I'd have to look at the environment in >> detail.", that's fine. Bonus points for adding "But I'd start by >> looking at...". And as others have said, don't be afraid to politely >> tell someone to shut up. It's a one-to-many presentation, not a >> one-to-one support call. >> >> -- Ben >> >> >> > > > -- > *James Rankin* > Technical Consultant (ACA, CCA, MCTS) > http://appsensebigot.blogspot.co.uk >
