During my latest workshop on making successful presentations, I received several questions on a wide range of topics related to public speaking. Since we didn’t have time to cover everything in person, I decided to do a deep dive into these topics here in this blog post. Even if you weren’t able to join the workshop, you’ll still find some useful advice among the links below.
Read MoreIn the spirit of Presentation Zen, my seminars on advanced presentation techniques emphasize clean slides and powerful images.
After a recent seminar, a participant asked me where I sourced my photos--a good sign that my message was hitting home. Finding the right images for your presentation without breaking the bank can often be as challenging as giving the presentation itself.
Read MoreLast month, I gave a 30-minute version of Social Networking and Personal Branding on the Global Stage for Global Taskforce at an event in central Tokyo. This quick presentation focused primarily on global social media use, emphasizing LinkedIn as a key tool for Japanese professionals who want to expand their global professional network.
As with previous versions of this presentation, the main takeaways are:
Read MoreSo you’ve taken the steps to prepare for the Q&A session of your presentation. Despite your best efforts, a tough question takes you by surprise. What should you do? How should you handle it? Here are a few tips that can help you through the experience.
Read MoreOne of the most common questions I receive about presenting is, “How do I deal with Q&A?” Practice makes perfect, but how does one practice for the unknown? Although you can never fully anticipate what will happen during a Q&A session, there are a few things that you can do to make Q&A go more smoothly.
Read MoreIf you study or experience Japanese culture, it’s only a matter of time before you come across the concept of tatemae, the feelings and attitude that one projects to the public. Tatemae may or may not conflict with one’s honne, or real feelings. When it comes to public speaking, embrace tatemae
Read MoreSo you’re comfortable with the basics of presenting and training, and you are ready to integrate something new into your presentation. Most people face a dilemma at this point.
Your existing presentation or routine is probably cozy and safe. It gets the job done, but deep down, you know that you can push your audience or class even more. Of course, changing things up poses a great risk. Most people would rather have a safe, by-the-book presentation than risk failure for something greater.
Read MoreIf you live in Japan, at some point in life, you are going to have to acquire a “hanko” (name stamp). Like a signature in western countries, a hanko is a way to represent yourself in correspondence and business transactions.
The other day, I was staring at my own hanko and wondering how I could get more use out of it. The only place that requires me to use it is my bank—I can simply sign for everything else. Then it hit me: “This would make a great blog post!”
Read MoreSo you’ve been doing your presentation routine for a while now. You’ve gotten used to your regular rotation of topics and can anticipate what the audience will be like for each one. Your stomach is officially butterfly free.
Then it happens. For one reason or another, you are tasked with presenting a new topic, in a new style, with a new kind of audience. You don’t know where to begin, and unfortunately, those pesky butterflies managed to find their way back into your stomach.
Read MoreDriving enthusiasts know how to take a corner. While most drivers ride the brakes or coast through the entire curve, a skilled driver is on the gas just after hitting the apex. A similar thing can be said about skilled public speakers.
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