Chart Wars!

The following clips combines several things we really like all in once 5 minute video.
Sticky Talks
Ignite Talks
Infographics

• Sticky Presentation - The talk is really sticky. Unexpected, simple message, stories, concrete and credible examples - a little emotion (humor) thrown in as well.
• Ignite Talk - We REALLY dig the concept of ignite talks - especially after spending countless hours on a conference call or meeting listening to people trying to make a point. The idea is simple, you have 5 minutes, maximum of 20 slides, slides are on auto so you cannot say next, it is evenly timed through out the talk. Now go make your point. We have used this in a few meetings and it has worked really well. It will take time for everyone to understand this concept, but it will pay dividends in the future.
• Infographics - The content of the talk is all about infographics. How to display data so that it is not misleading and make sense.

NOTE: There is one bad word in this talk. NSFW.

Seth Godin: What Matters Now

Seth Godin is a namesake on this blog, and a fellow sticky presenter brought to our attention that he's got something new as 2009 comes to a close.

Hey guys,

Jai Swaminarayan! You may know how much I like Seth Godin's stuff, he is a mover and shaker. He just put out a new e-book that really goes over a lot of the things we've started conversations about...

Here is an excerpt:

Speaking soon? Keep this in mind: people at events are hungry for authenticity. Saying something you might not have said elsewhere is a good way to find your authentic voice.

For my own conference, I often give advice to speakers before they come on stage. Here’s an exercise for anyone who wants to connect with an audience.

A few weeks before the event, when you start preparing the talk, write out everything you spend your time doing - professional work, side projects at home, everything.

Now pick the one thing you’re most excited about.

Now consider: why is that so important to you?

Design your talk from that point, as if you started by saying, “My name is X, and I’m passionate about XYZ because...”

The rest of your talk should fall into place easily enough. Yes, it’s important to know your audience, use A/V materials wisely, watch your time, and so on. But you have to build the talk around your passion.

Here’s the final measure of your success as a speaker: Did you change something? Are attendees leaving with a new idea, some new inspiration, perhaps a renewed commitment to their work or to the world?

Be honest, be authentic, and speak from your passion. Yes, it means taking a risk. But the results might surprise you.

Mark Hurst runs Gel and founded Creative Good, a customer experience consultancy.

This does not do this eBook justice, it is REALLY good. You can read one page in about four minutes!

Link: http://sethgodin.typepad.com/files/what-matters-now-1.pdf

Read Me: 3 Pages, 7.33 Minutes

It will take exactly 7.33 minutes to read the following 3 pages. (I timed myself so you have to read as slow as I do, I am sure your time will be faster). This will be the best 7.33 minutes you have spent on improving presentations skills. This little excerpt is that good. If you want to borrow a copy of the book or audio book that this came from send an email in the comments page and I will get it to you. Happy presenting. Goal for 2009: Each of us makes 10 amazing presentation before the end of the year.

This is the write up and book that started this whole thing so we owe a great debt of gratitude to the Heath brothers and their amazing book - "Made To Stick." (Click on the pictures above to read the pages).