Posts Tagged ‘powerpoint’

5 cool ideas on how to be a better presenter overnight

Thursday, February 7th, 2013

Michael Angelo Caruso speaker Acquiring a skill takes time.  About 10,000 hours, if you believe Malcolm Gladwell’s research.

If you want to be a polished speaker, for example, it’s best to immerse yourself in the discipline. 

Allow yourself to grow into the new skill set through a routine of dedicated study, experiential learning, and monitored feedback loops.

But when your boss asks you to assemble an awesome presentation for a major client inside of just four hours, you may have to skip the immersion and dedicated study.

 

Want to be a great speaker, like, tomorrow?

Here are 5 cool ideas that will help you become a better speaker quite quickly.  You might begin improving, by not using the word “like” as frequently.

1.  Search YouTube for the top speakers in your line of work.  Focus on people who are  better presenters than you so you can learn from them.  If you happen upon some crappy speakers, pay attention so you can be reminded of what not to do.

2. Eliminate 10% of your weakest PowerPoint slides right now.  Trust me, no one will miss them, including you.  Start by taking out the slides that have you saying something like, “You probably can’t see this from the back of the room.”

3. Record yourself.   If listening to a recording of yourself will make you want to quit your job, watching a video of yourself may give you thoughts of suicide.  But hang in there (pun not intended, but I kinda like it).  Recording yourself is painful, but it is without a doubt the fastest way for you to discover what needs to be fixed.    

4.  Study a helpful information product, preferably a DVD.  Reading about speaking is like watching the radio to learn how to dance.   

Present like a Pro michael angelo caruso speaker training 5.  All good presentations end with a call to action.  Make sure you conclude every presentation by asking the audience to do something.  The call to action doesn’t have to involve a business transaction.  Learn more from the Present Like a Pro DVD, my best information product on the subject.

From Royal Oak, Michigan-

Michael Angelo Caruso, 248-224-9667

 

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Posted in Career development, Communication, Creativity, Customer Service, Entreprenuers, Funny, Growing Your Business, Information products, Keynote, Personal Development, Problem Solving, Self improvement, Selling, Speaking, Success | No Comments »

5 cool ideas for meeting your goal

Wednesday, August 8th, 2012

not to do list michael angelo caruso blogLife is full of distractions.

Sometimes these diversions are good, but most of the time, they just pull us away from what we should be doing. 

I teach presentation skills.  Every client I’ve ever had could be a better speaker if they just practiced their presentation more.  But people get distracted by PowerPoint and modeling ineffective communication techniques.

Goals in and of themselves are not always difficult.  But focusing on one big goal and seeing it through to completion can be quite challenging, if one is distracted. 

While most of us regularly make a “to do list,” we might do better to create a “not to do list.”

 

5 cool ideas for meeting your goal

1.  Study your desired goal for one hour a day.  There’s no shortage of books, white papers, magazine articles, podcasts, YouTube videos, etc.  Within a few months, you’ll be an expert.  Achieving your goal will be much easier when you actually know what you’re doing.

2.  Get in better physical shape.  Even if your goal has nothing to do with athletic performance, you’ll gain increased energy, better stamina, and more confidence.

3.  Network like crazy.  Associate with others who are connected to your goal.  Seek out people who share your goal, ideally people who have already achieved something similar.  Connecting with these folks will almost guarantee more opportunities and a faster learning curve. 

4.  Approach your goal differently.  History tends to remember people who take the road less traveled.

5.  Work toward small victories.  Keep your eyes on the big prize, but be ready to celebrate small victories. 

 

All great achievers share one skill — the ability to focus

Miguel Cabrera get things done michael angelo caruso

Miguel Cabrera

The Olympians you watch on TV completely dedicate themselves to their event, dedicating thousands of hours to practice, training, and conditioning. 

The great Michelangelo was once asked how he created the statue of David.  He said he didn’t focus on the form of the statue, or the texture or the dimensions.  He said he focused on what to carve away from the block of marble.

Thomas Edison was known to lose all track of time–and days–when he was inventing.

And Miguel Cabrera, the Detroit Tigers slugger, is also an expert at getting things done.  Tigers manager, Jim Leyland, says that Cabrera has the unique ability to “relax and concentrate at the same time.”

 

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You may reprint this content on your website, blog or in your newsletter at no charge.  Simply send us a message stating your intentions.

 

Be more successful in 21 days!

Michael Angelo Caruso personal improvement guaranteeBehavioral psychologists say that it takes the average person about 21 days to make or break a habit. 

Statisticians remind us that 73% of the all people consider themselves above average. :-)

That being said, it should be easy for you to experience success regarding an important goal in the next three weeks providing you make the right changes to your routines and habits. 

One habit that always delivers is the consumption personal improvement information products.

Listen to Michael Angelo Caruso’s Creating Success Habits to collect on sweet success in short order!

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Posted in Career development, Creativity, Growing Your Business, Personal Development, Problem Solving, Self improvement, Success | 2 Comments »

5 Cool Ideas for a better presentation

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

Michael Angelo Caruso IACPA Iowa accountantsSpeaking is a lot like driving.  We all think we’re good drivers, but there are a lot of dented cars on the road!

Here are 5 Cool Ideas for sharpening your next presentation, followed by a link to order my Present Like a Pro DVD:

1.  It’s better to make mistakes when you’re alone.
I teach managers and salespeople how to be more effective.  The fastest improvement occurs when clients adopt my motto:  It’s better to screw up when you’re alone.

2.  Practice the beginning of your talk more than any other part.
Your nervous system is most likely to be under siege at the beginning of your presentation.  Practice the first part of your talk more than the middle or the end.

3.  Call your own voice mail to record sections of your presentation.
Use this “poor man’s” recording technique to listen to yourself and make improvements.

4.  PowerPoint often hurts more than it helps.
Stories are far more effective than bullet points because people tend to make buying decisions using the “emotional side” of the brain.  Use stories to inspire, motivate, and get the audience involved.  Develop a strong “signature story” and work it, baby.

5.  Be specific with your time-sensitive call to action.
All good presentations end with a clear call to action.  Don’t say “Please take this form back to your office and send it to me when you have time,” when you can say, “Please fill out this form before you leave the room.  I’ll be at the door to collect it from you.”

Order the Present Like a Pro DVD now!  It will be especially helpful to your leadership and sales team!

Place your order within 48 hours and I’ll immediately e-mail you a fantastic 30-page, companion e-book at no extra charge.  Watch for it and download it quickly.

As with all my products and services, you’ll get much more than you pay for.

Speaking about speaking,

Michael Angelo Caruso, Keynote Speaker                  T   248-224-9667  

P.S. You must order Present Like a Pro within 48 hours to receive the bonus 30-page e-book.

P.P.S. You’re welcome to publish these 5 Cool Ideas in your corporate newsletter, on your Web site and blog.  Just send a quick message to Reprint@EdisonHouse.com.

www.MichaelAngeloCaruso.com

The Fifth, 432 S. Washington, #1105  Royal Oak, MI  48067

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Only one PowerPoint slide?!?!?

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

Michael Angelo Caruso not using powerpoint blogI haven’t used PowerPoint in over six years.

Now that the word has gotten out, I’m being asked to teach people how to improve their presentations by NOT using the most popular presentation tool of the 21st century.

Call me old-fashioned, but I think it’s more important to use business presentations to establish rapport, build relationships, and develop conversation that helps clients.

I can’t understand why salespeople or other leaders would take the trouble to assemble an audience only to say, “Please look away from me to the screen while I turn down the lights.”


PowerPoint trick #56

If you feel you must use a handful of PPT slides, put them in the middle of the presentation.  This way you can look into the audience’s eyes at the beginning of your talk and at the end.  The end, of course, is where all good presenters stage the “call to action.”

Recently, I started using PowerPoint again, but with a twist . . .


I use a single slide during my talks

This one graphic image is so powerful, you can hear a pin drop when it appears on the screen.  This slide is all audience members can talk about when the presentation is over.  And get this–the slide usually has no direct connection to the subject of my talk!

What is this magic slide and how can you use a similar technique to strengthen your presentations?

Well, the slide is a very unusual graphic based on a personal story.

When my father was in the hospital a few years back, our family kept a journal at his bedside.  We used the notebook to  track Dad’s progress and leave each other reminders of what to ask the doctors.

Dad even wrote in the journal, especially after the medical team inserted an “NG tube,” an eating tube which kept Dad from being able to speak.

Anyway, about two weeks into his hospital stay, Dad’s health was failing due to mysterious complications.

We were all looking for clues about how to help him get well, so in a quiet moment, I asked my father what he thought was happening.

Michael Angelo Caruso father story

Dad's parting words

He wrote, “I think I’m improving.”

And then, he died the next day.

Although this story and the accompanying slide are not usually the core message of my speeches, it’s incredibly easy to integrate its optimistic theme. 

After all, a dying person who remains upbeat can teach us all a bit about having a better attitude.


Try using only one effective slide

I’ll bet you can can improve your speeches and presentations using a similar strategy.

Learn more about how to improve your talks by listening to my How to Give Killer Presentations audio CD.  It comes with a 30-page e-book loaded with tips to make you an even better communicator.

As with all my info products, How to Give Killer Presentations, comes with an unconditional money-back guarantee if you’re not fully satisfied.

Can you say “no” to PowerPoint and use only one slide in your presentation?  It just might make you a better speaker.

 

Learn more at a one-day retreat at Michael’s home

Michael will teach you how to develop a one-slide PowerPoint presentation by sharpening your storytelling skills.

This one-day training session is like a master’s course in public speaking and will give you skills you can use the rest of your life. 

Inquire about his next event at 248-224-9667.

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