January 1, 2011
December 22, 2010
The 10 Most Common Presentation Mistakes
What presentation mistakes are sure-fire ways to put your audience to sleep or send them running for the doors? Even the best presentation can be destroyed by a bad presenter -- from the person who mumbles, to the one who talks too fast, to the one who just wasn’t prepared. But perhaps nothing is as irritating as the person who misuses and abuses presentation software. Read on to learn about the 10 most common presentation mistakes.
1. You Don't Know Your Topic!
You memorized the content (and it shows, by the way). Someone has a question. Panic sets in. You never prepared for questions and all you know about this topic is what is written on the slides.
A better scenario
Know your material so well, that you could easily do the presentation without an electronic enhancement such as PowerPoint. Nothing will ruin your credibility as a presenter faster, than not knowing everything about your topic. Use key words and phrases and include only essential information to keep the audience focused and interested. Be prepared for questions and know the answers.
2. The Slides Are NOT Your Presentation
An audience member says that she can't read the slides. You graciously tell her you will be reading them and proceed to do so, while looking up at the screen. Each of your slides in filled with the text of your speech. Why do they need you?
A better scenario
Always remember that you are the presentation. The slide show should only be used as anaccompaniment to your talk. Simplify the content, by using bullet points for key information. Keep the most important points near the top of the slide for easy reading in the back rows. Focus on a single topic area for this presentation and use no more than four bullets per slide.Speak to the audience, not to the screen.
3. T. M. I. (Too Much Information)
You know so much about the topic, that you jump from here to there and back again talking about everything there is to know about your brand new widget, and no one can follow the thread of the presentation.
A better scenario
Use the K.I.S.S. principle (Keep It Simple, Silly) when designing a presentation. Stick to three, or at the most, four points about your topic and expound on them. The audience will be more likely to retain the information.
4. Poorly Chosen Design Template or Design Theme
You heard blue was a good color for a design template or design theme. You found a really cool template/theme on the internet, with a beach scene. Water is blue, right? Unfortunately, your presentation is about some nifty new tools to show at a Woodcarvers’ convention.
A better scenario
Choose a design that is appropriate for the audience. A clean, straightforward layout is best for business presentations. Young children respond to presentations that are full of color and contain a variety of shapes.
5. Electrifying Color Choices
Audiences don't like unusual color combinations. Some are unsettling and red and green combos can't be differentiated by those with color blindness.
A better scenario
Good contrast with the background is essential to make your text easy to read. Dark text on a light background is best. Off white or light beige is easier on the eyes than the typical white. Dark backgrounds are very effective, if the text is light for easy reading. Patterned or textured backgrounds make text hard to read. Keep the color scheme consistent.
6. Poor Font Choices
Small, script type fonts might look great when you are sitting 18 inches away from the monitor. You didn't consider the lady sitting 200 feet away from the screen who can't read them.
A better scenario
Stick to easy to read fonts such as Arial or Times New Roman. Avoid script type fonts which are hard to read on screen. Use no more than two different fonts – one for headings, another for content and no less than a 30 pt font so that people at the back of the room can read them easily.
7. Extraneous Photos & Graphs
You figured no one will notice that you didn't do much research on your topic if you add lots of photos and complicated looking graphs.
A better scenario
“Time is Money” is really true in today's world. No one wants to waste their time sitting through a presentation with no substance. Use photos, charts and diagrams only to emphasize key points of your presentation. They add a nice break to the material, and when used correctly, can only enhance your oral presentation. Illustrate, don't decorate.
8. W-A-Y Too Many Slides
Your vacation cruise was so fantastic that you took 500 photos, and put them all in a digital photo album to impress your friends. After the first 100 slides, snores were heard in the room.
A better scenario
Ensure your audience stays focused by keeping the number of slides to a minimum. 10 to 12 is plenty. Some concessions can be made for a photo album, since most pictures will be on screen for only a short time. Be kind though. Think how much you enjoy everyone else’s vacation pictures!
9. Different Animations on Every Slide
You found all the really cool animations and sounds and used 85% of them in your presentation, to impress everyone with your flair. Except -- the audience doesn’t know where to look, and have totally lost the message of your presentation.
A better scenario
Animations and sounds, used well, can heighten interest, but don't distract the audience with too much of a good thing. Design your presentation with the "less is more” philosophy. Don't let your audience suffer from animation overload.
10. Hardware Malfunctions
The audience is settled. You are all set to start your presentation and - guess what? The projector doesn't work. You didn’t bother to check it out earlier.
A better scenario
Check all the equipment and rehearse your presentation, using this projector long before your time to present. Carry an extra projector bulb. If possible, check the lighting in the room you will be presenting in, prior to your time in the limelight. Make sure you know how to dim the lights if the room is too bright.
1. You Don't Know Your Topic!
You memorized the content (and it shows, by the way). Someone has a question. Panic sets in. You never prepared for questions and all you know about this topic is what is written on the slides.
A better scenario
Know your material so well, that you could easily do the presentation without an electronic enhancement such as PowerPoint. Nothing will ruin your credibility as a presenter faster, than not knowing everything about your topic. Use key words and phrases and include only essential information to keep the audience focused and interested. Be prepared for questions and know the answers.
2. The Slides Are NOT Your Presentation
An audience member says that she can't read the slides. You graciously tell her you will be reading them and proceed to do so, while looking up at the screen. Each of your slides in filled with the text of your speech. Why do they need you?
A better scenario
Always remember that you are the presentation. The slide show should only be used as anaccompaniment to your talk. Simplify the content, by using bullet points for key information. Keep the most important points near the top of the slide for easy reading in the back rows. Focus on a single topic area for this presentation and use no more than four bullets per slide.Speak to the audience, not to the screen.
3. T. M. I. (Too Much Information)
You know so much about the topic, that you jump from here to there and back again talking about everything there is to know about your brand new widget, and no one can follow the thread of the presentation.
A better scenario
Use the K.I.S.S. principle (Keep It Simple, Silly) when designing a presentation. Stick to three, or at the most, four points about your topic and expound on them. The audience will be more likely to retain the information.
4. Poorly Chosen Design Template or Design Theme
You heard blue was a good color for a design template or design theme. You found a really cool template/theme on the internet, with a beach scene. Water is blue, right? Unfortunately, your presentation is about some nifty new tools to show at a Woodcarvers’ convention.
A better scenario
Choose a design that is appropriate for the audience. A clean, straightforward layout is best for business presentations. Young children respond to presentations that are full of color and contain a variety of shapes.
5. Electrifying Color Choices
Audiences don't like unusual color combinations. Some are unsettling and red and green combos can't be differentiated by those with color blindness.
A better scenario
Good contrast with the background is essential to make your text easy to read. Dark text on a light background is best. Off white or light beige is easier on the eyes than the typical white. Dark backgrounds are very effective, if the text is light for easy reading. Patterned or textured backgrounds make text hard to read. Keep the color scheme consistent.
6. Poor Font Choices
Small, script type fonts might look great when you are sitting 18 inches away from the monitor. You didn't consider the lady sitting 200 feet away from the screen who can't read them.
A better scenario
Stick to easy to read fonts such as Arial or Times New Roman. Avoid script type fonts which are hard to read on screen. Use no more than two different fonts – one for headings, another for content and no less than a 30 pt font so that people at the back of the room can read them easily.
7. Extraneous Photos & Graphs
You figured no one will notice that you didn't do much research on your topic if you add lots of photos and complicated looking graphs.
A better scenario
“Time is Money” is really true in today's world. No one wants to waste their time sitting through a presentation with no substance. Use photos, charts and diagrams only to emphasize key points of your presentation. They add a nice break to the material, and when used correctly, can only enhance your oral presentation. Illustrate, don't decorate.
8. W-A-Y Too Many Slides
Your vacation cruise was so fantastic that you took 500 photos, and put them all in a digital photo album to impress your friends. After the first 100 slides, snores were heard in the room.
A better scenario
Ensure your audience stays focused by keeping the number of slides to a minimum. 10 to 12 is plenty. Some concessions can be made for a photo album, since most pictures will be on screen for only a short time. Be kind though. Think how much you enjoy everyone else’s vacation pictures!
9. Different Animations on Every Slide
You found all the really cool animations and sounds and used 85% of them in your presentation, to impress everyone with your flair. Except -- the audience doesn’t know where to look, and have totally lost the message of your presentation.
A better scenario
Animations and sounds, used well, can heighten interest, but don't distract the audience with too much of a good thing. Design your presentation with the "less is more” philosophy. Don't let your audience suffer from animation overload.
10. Hardware Malfunctions
The audience is settled. You are all set to start your presentation and - guess what? The projector doesn't work. You didn’t bother to check it out earlier.
A better scenario
Check all the equipment and rehearse your presentation, using this projector long before your time to present. Carry an extra projector bulb. If possible, check the lighting in the room you will be presenting in, prior to your time in the limelight. Make sure you know how to dim the lights if the room is too bright.
December 20, 2010
November 23, 2010
Playing it Safe in the Social Media World
Rants about your boss or your job may have once been reserved for during after-work drinks at a bar, but employee gripes are now being voiced in the social media sphere.
Workplace complaints posted on popular sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace could get you fired, and often times not hired. Workers should still be wary about what they post on social media sites. About a quarter of employers recently surveyed had disciplined an employee for improper activities on social networking sites. If a worker posts something negative, and a manager finds it, he or she can legally be fired.
Now, how can you engage in online forums without losing your job?
1. Think before you post
Imagine if the comment you posted or tweeted will appear in the local newspaper. While that rule of thumb may sound extreme, it is a safe way to manage your content. On a social media site, the audience is unlimited, and the content is permanent. An employee may post one photo and quickly remove it, but someone could still archive the page or make a copy.
2. Be picky about who you friend
Only allow people you trust into your social network. Instead of casually accepting all the co-workers or managers who ask to friend you, be selective about who you allow to view your posts. Employees may forget who they let into their network and that could lead to problems later on.
3. Do it on your own time and computer
Try to limit your Facebook and Twitter activity to your personal computer. If you engage in problematic activity on the company property and time, this can provide the managers more leverage. Many employers and workplaces already ban the sites at the workplace to prevent social media spats from becoming an issue.
4. Watch what you post at home
Many workers are unaware that mentioning their company in a negative light on the internet -- even if it's done on personal time at home -- could lead to disciplinary measures. Many organizations have departments that monitor social media comments and photographs that pertain to the company.
5. Keep the dialogue positive
Social media can be a great way to foster conversations about an employee's recent promotion or a company event. But certain topics such as trade secrets should never be disclosed online.
6. Figure out privacy settings
Social media privacy settings may be tricky, but take the time to consider all the different settings. Implementing filters and grouping co-workers and bosses is recommended so that certain information does not reach everyone.
7. Learn your employee rights
Employees need to make the effort to understand corporate policy regarding the use social media at work and at home. However, most companies don't have such policies in place.
Workplace complaints posted on popular sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace could get you fired, and often times not hired. Workers should still be wary about what they post on social media sites. About a quarter of employers recently surveyed had disciplined an employee for improper activities on social networking sites. If a worker posts something negative, and a manager finds it, he or she can legally be fired.
Now, how can you engage in online forums without losing your job?
1. Think before you post
Imagine if the comment you posted or tweeted will appear in the local newspaper. While that rule of thumb may sound extreme, it is a safe way to manage your content. On a social media site, the audience is unlimited, and the content is permanent. An employee may post one photo and quickly remove it, but someone could still archive the page or make a copy.
2. Be picky about who you friend
Only allow people you trust into your social network. Instead of casually accepting all the co-workers or managers who ask to friend you, be selective about who you allow to view your posts. Employees may forget who they let into their network and that could lead to problems later on.
3. Do it on your own time and computer
Try to limit your Facebook and Twitter activity to your personal computer. If you engage in problematic activity on the company property and time, this can provide the managers more leverage. Many employers and workplaces already ban the sites at the workplace to prevent social media spats from becoming an issue.
4. Watch what you post at home
Many workers are unaware that mentioning their company in a negative light on the internet -- even if it's done on personal time at home -- could lead to disciplinary measures. Many organizations have departments that monitor social media comments and photographs that pertain to the company.
5. Keep the dialogue positive
Social media can be a great way to foster conversations about an employee's recent promotion or a company event. But certain topics such as trade secrets should never be disclosed online.
6. Figure out privacy settings
Social media privacy settings may be tricky, but take the time to consider all the different settings. Implementing filters and grouping co-workers and bosses is recommended so that certain information does not reach everyone.
7. Learn your employee rights
Employees need to make the effort to understand corporate policy regarding the use social media at work and at home. However, most companies don't have such policies in place.
November 18, 2010
November 17, 2010
When Stress is Good for You
You may have heard that there's "good stress" and "bad stress." Do you know what people mean by that? We rarely hear people say, "I'm really feeling stressed -- isn't that great?" But if we didn't have some stress in our lives -- the 'good stress' variety -- we'd feel rudderless and unhappy. If we define stress as anything that alters our homeostasis, for good or for bad, then good stress, in its many forms, is vital for a healthy life. However, good stress can turn into bad stress, and vice-versa. Here's what you need to know about good stress.
Good Stress Vs. Bad Stress
So-called "good stress," or what psychologists refer to as "eustress," is the type of stress we feel when we feel excited. Our pulse quickens, our hormones change, but there is no threat or fear. We feel this type of stress when we ride a roller coaster, gun for a promotion, or go on a first date. There are many triggers for this good stress, and it keeps us feeling alive and excited about life.
Another type of stress is acute stress. It comes from quick surprises that need a response. Acute stress triggers the body's stress response as well, but the triggers aren't always happy and exciting. This is what we normally think of as "stress." Acute stress in itself doesn't take a heavy toll if we find ways to relax quickly. Once the stressor has been dealt with, we need to return our body to homeostasis, or its pre-stress state, to be healthy and happy.
The type of stress we really have to worry about is chronic stress. This type of stress comes when we repeatedly face stressors that take a heavy toll and feel inescapable. A stressful job or an unhappy home life can bring chronic stress. This is what we normally thing of as serious stress. Because our bodies aren't designed for chronic stress, we can face negative health effects (both physical and emotional) if we deal with chronic stress for an extended period of time.
Sources of Good Stress
Okay, back to good stress. Knowing about the different types of stress, it makes sense to get more good stress into your life. Because you actually can get too much of even the good type of stress, it's important to choose activities in your life that make you feel good, happy, and excited about life. It's also a good idea to cut out as many activities as you can that drain you, or lead to the experience of chronic stress. One good way to gauge whether or not an activity is worth your time is to pay attention to how the thought of it makes you feel. Do you feel excited at the thought? Is it a "want to" activity, or a "have to" activity? Be sure your "want to" activities are all things you really do want to do, and your "have to" activities are all absolutely necessary.
How Good Stress Can Become Bad Stress
Good stress can become bad for you if you experience too much of it. This is because your stress response is triggered either way, and if you're adding that to chronic stress, or several other stressors, there is still a cumulative effect: lots of stress! That's why it's important to be in tune with yourself and be able to tell when you've had too much.
How Bad Stress Can Become Good Stress
Not all forms of bad stress can become good stress, but it is possible to change your perception of some of the stressors in your life, and this shift in perception can change your experience of stress. This is because the body's stress response reacts strongly to perceived threats; if you don't perceive something as a threat, there is generally no threat-based stress response. If you perceive something as a challenge, the fear your would normally experience may turn into excitement and anticipation, or at least steeled resolve. You can often make the shift in perception by focusing on resources, seeing the hidden potential benefits of a situation, and reminding yourself of your strengths. Getting into the habit of thinking like an optimist can also help. Once you are in the practice of looking at things as challenges more often, it becomes more automatic.
Overall, it's important to have good stress in your life. By making the effort to cut out as much chronic stress as possible, changing your perception of stress where you can, and adding some positive activities in the mix to promote eustress, you can create a nice balance of good stress in your life.
Good Stress Vs. Bad Stress
So-called "good stress," or what psychologists refer to as "eustress," is the type of stress we feel when we feel excited. Our pulse quickens, our hormones change, but there is no threat or fear. We feel this type of stress when we ride a roller coaster, gun for a promotion, or go on a first date. There are many triggers for this good stress, and it keeps us feeling alive and excited about life.
Another type of stress is acute stress. It comes from quick surprises that need a response. Acute stress triggers the body's stress response as well, but the triggers aren't always happy and exciting. This is what we normally think of as "stress." Acute stress in itself doesn't take a heavy toll if we find ways to relax quickly. Once the stressor has been dealt with, we need to return our body to homeostasis, or its pre-stress state, to be healthy and happy.
The type of stress we really have to worry about is chronic stress. This type of stress comes when we repeatedly face stressors that take a heavy toll and feel inescapable. A stressful job or an unhappy home life can bring chronic stress. This is what we normally thing of as serious stress. Because our bodies aren't designed for chronic stress, we can face negative health effects (both physical and emotional) if we deal with chronic stress for an extended period of time.
Sources of Good Stress
Okay, back to good stress. Knowing about the different types of stress, it makes sense to get more good stress into your life. Because you actually can get too much of even the good type of stress, it's important to choose activities in your life that make you feel good, happy, and excited about life. It's also a good idea to cut out as many activities as you can that drain you, or lead to the experience of chronic stress. One good way to gauge whether or not an activity is worth your time is to pay attention to how the thought of it makes you feel. Do you feel excited at the thought? Is it a "want to" activity, or a "have to" activity? Be sure your "want to" activities are all things you really do want to do, and your "have to" activities are all absolutely necessary.
How Good Stress Can Become Bad Stress
Good stress can become bad for you if you experience too much of it. This is because your stress response is triggered either way, and if you're adding that to chronic stress, or several other stressors, there is still a cumulative effect: lots of stress! That's why it's important to be in tune with yourself and be able to tell when you've had too much.
How Bad Stress Can Become Good Stress
Not all forms of bad stress can become good stress, but it is possible to change your perception of some of the stressors in your life, and this shift in perception can change your experience of stress. This is because the body's stress response reacts strongly to perceived threats; if you don't perceive something as a threat, there is generally no threat-based stress response. If you perceive something as a challenge, the fear your would normally experience may turn into excitement and anticipation, or at least steeled resolve. You can often make the shift in perception by focusing on resources, seeing the hidden potential benefits of a situation, and reminding yourself of your strengths. Getting into the habit of thinking like an optimist can also help. Once you are in the practice of looking at things as challenges more often, it becomes more automatic.
Overall, it's important to have good stress in your life. By making the effort to cut out as much chronic stress as possible, changing your perception of stress where you can, and adding some positive activities in the mix to promote eustress, you can create a nice balance of good stress in your life.
October 4, 2010
September 29, 2010
September 24, 2010
10 Things You Do On Facebook That Make You A Loser
1. You Play Farmville
2. You Promote For a Club / Bar
3. You Are A Member of Over 500 Groups
4. You Use the Like Button Way too Much
5. You Mobile Upload Pictures Taken of Yourself in the Bathroom
6. You Poke People
7. You Change Your Status Every 15 Minutes
8. You Comment on Your Friends Picture with Beautiful and Adorable
9. You Have Over 3,000 Friends
10. You Bug Others with Your Mood Feeds and Location Every 30 Minutes
2. You Promote For a Club / Bar
3. You Are A Member of Over 500 Groups
4. You Use the Like Button Way too Much
5. You Mobile Upload Pictures Taken of Yourself in the Bathroom
6. You Poke People
7. You Change Your Status Every 15 Minutes
8. You Comment on Your Friends Picture with Beautiful and Adorable
9. You Have Over 3,000 Friends
10. You Bug Others with Your Mood Feeds and Location Every 30 Minutes
September 14, 2010
The Biggest Lit Cross In The World
An illuminated towering cross is seen in the village of Qanat Bakish, in the Lebanese mountains 1,800 metres above sea level on September 13, 2010. Lebanon's Maronite Christian church inaugurated the towering cross that stands 73.8 meters tall. The cross lit up with 1,800 lights was built on a mountain near a church constructed in 1898. Building the cross took about two years and cost some $1.5 million, mainly using donations from the Maronite church and a French Catholic group. The cross which its builders say is the largest in the world was inaugurated on the eve of the Elevation of the Holy Cross, marking the recovery of the cross on which Jesus Christ is believed to have been crucified by the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius in 627 AD after defeating the Sassanid Persians.
Photo: AFP PHOTO / JOSEPH EID
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
