Friday, May 14, 2010

Zing-Zang-Zoom

At the last minute a good friend passed some Barnum and Bailey Circus tickets our way. We felt like kids again.

I have discovered something that I am sure the Circus talent has been doing for a long time now, and if not - they should. During the night incredible acts were performed with unique skill that captured the most of the audience's attention. However, it was in the brief moments that their balance was off and with arms flailing it brought you to the edge of your seat. Whether they do this on purpose or not those are the moments I was most engaged and entertained.

Don't let Mr. Gravity bring you down.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Q's on First



The numbers on my phone have 1 at the top left, then run sequentially left-right, top-bottom.
same with the copier in the office.
same as garage door keycodes

The numbers on my calculator have the 1 at the bottom left, then run sequentially left-right, bottom-top.  Same as the onscreen calculator, same as my keyboard.  I wonder why some product arrange one way and some the other.

 What examples can you think of in your life?

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Words of wisdom from ar-tic-u-la-tion


When preparing for you next presentation remember:
  1. It's all about the audience
  2. Don't be nervous
  3. Slow it down
  4. Body talk matters
  5. Tell me the time, not how the watch is made
HA!
  • Take a deep breath
  • shrug your shoulders
  • laugh out loud, you have nervousness in you body - release it through laughter
65%
  • Non-verbal communication is 65% of your presentation
  • eye contact, posture, clothing, facial expressions, tone/volume, hands gestures
  • Avoid the ping-pong head (looking side-to side across the audience, express one thought, then switch eye contact
  • Avoid moving your hands before you speak, gesture along with voice and tone
"That that is is that that is not is not"
  • Speak like a sentence with punctuation, otherwise you sound really strange. "That that is, is. That that is not, is not"
  • For a comma: pause
  • For a period: take a breath
  • After a paragraph: swallow
  • Silence can be very powerful, it allows people to process what you have said
Case in Point
  • Answer one question
  • Highlight one point
  • Then use the rest of your time to provide support to that one point