I was asked a terrific question last week while teaching at the London Stock Exchange.
We were covering compelling communication, and they were kind enough to give me a tour, including their patio, complete with very fine view.
(That’s St Paul’s Cathedral, I mean, not me, obviously!)
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Anyway, the question was how to put together an effective presentation.
I suppose there are an infinite number of answers to that.
But this is what I do, and it always works well.
It’s deceptively simple, but highly effective…
– I try to tell a story
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For example, with the session on compelling communication:
I wanted to show the group how to produce striking content, whether for a talk, presentation, report, analysis, even a social media post.
So I told the story of the way I work:
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First of all, the start is the most important part, in order to capture the attention of the audience, and make a strong impression from the beginning.
So we started with a quiz on famous opening lines from songs and books…
And learned the lessons from them.
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That worked well as it got everyone engaged, there was friendly rivalry, but the learning remained clear.
In other words, it was a striking start.
Just what you’re looking for in any content you may create, and any story you might tell.
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Then it was onto building up the story, the middle, which is where the majority of the action unfolds.
For commercial communication, it consisted of:
- The important facts to include, courtesy of a beautiful rhyme of yesteryear
- The most effective order to put them in, with the help of a trick of journalism
- The use of simple and clear language, illustrated by Cockney Rhyming Slang (yes, really!) and the dreaded management speak
- The beautiful art of less is more, ably illuminated by Abraham Lincoln, no less
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That told most of the tale of how to create content, but...
Stories also love a twist, a big bang of an ending, so I saved one for the finale.
Appropriately enough, concluding by talking about storytelling, and its magical power in making a message memorable.
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I’m delighted I got lots of lovely feedback, and had a thoroughly good time.
So, the strategy of telling a story as the framework for my presentation worked splendidly.
And it’s one I can thoroughly recommend.
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We often get far too hooked up on formalities and fears, details and doubts when putting together a talk.
Try to push those aside.
Instead, imagine give the talk to your grandmother or grandfather…
Where would you start, take them to next, then next, then afterwards, and finally to the end?
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Try it. Right now. Go on!
It only takes a minute, and can even be enjoyable. Which would be an added win.
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Next, look back on what you’ve written.
What do you reckon?
Might you just have found the ideal structure for your presentation?
If so, please let me know in the comments. It'd make me smile!
