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Want to Present Like Steve Jobs?
(Founder of Apple Computers)
This is the first part of a two part series on how to present like a pro.
Comparing a Steve Jobs presentation to most presentations is impossible. He’s in a league all his own. Apple’s chief executive is arguably the most charismatic pitchman in business today. His presentations are brilliant demonstrations of visual storytelling that turn customers, employees, and the entire computer industry into evangelists.
In January 2007, Jobs gave perhaps his greatest presentation to introduce the new iPhone. This speech demonstrates the techniques he and other inspiring leaders use to wow their audiences - techniques you can use in your next presentation.
Things you will need:
• $0. Although Jobs relies on a team of designers to create amazing slides, you can replicate his techniques for nothing.
• 10 hours to rehearse for a new 30-minute presentation. It may sound like a lot, but if you want Jobs-style drama, you need to know your material cold.
• A Vision: If your topic can’t be summed up in 10 words or less, it’s too broad.
• A Clear Structure: An organized speech is easier for the audience to follow.
• Visuals: Eye-catching graphics form the basis of the most compelling slides.
• Dramatic Flair: A few time-tested storytelling devices help build excitement.
Presentation success is centered around four goals: engage the listener, present a theme, explain the real world problems and use a captivating story line.
Ignite Your Enthusiasm
GOAL ONE: ENGAGE YOUR LISTENERS’ PASSION BY TAPPING INTO YOUR OWN.
Steve Jobs is passionate about designing cool, fun, and easy-to-use computers, digital music players, and now phones. And he’s not too bashful to admit it. His words and phrases reflect his enthusiasm. These quotes are from the iPhone launch and from previous presentations:
• “We’re going to make some history together today...”
• “Today we’re introducing revolutionary products...”
• “We’ve got amazing stuff to show you this morning...”
• “This is an awesome computer...”
• “This is an incredible way to have fun...”
• “This is the coolest thing we’ve done with video...”
• “We are so excited about this. It’s incredible...”
Jobs is exciting to hear, and many public speakers consider him to be a role model for their own presentations. Rarely, however, do most speakers take the opportunity to express their excitement about a particular product, feature, or service.
What Not to Do
STRIKE THESE FROM YOUR SPEECH
Some words and phrases, like the ones below, are meaningless, trite, and overused. You don’t have to eradicate each and every one of them from your speech, but try to avoid them as much as you can.
• Maybe
• I think
• Well, you know
• Kinda
• Sorta
• Uh, Um, Ah, and other filler words
• Buzzwords of any type (e.g., mission-critical, optimized, monetize, synergy, no-brainer, slam-dunk, etc.)
Navigate the Way
GOAL TWO: PRESENT YOUR THEME AS A MANTRA TO HELP YOUR LISTENERS REMEMBER IT EASILY.
Jobs has always been able to craft a vision so vivid and powerful, he rallies his listeners to the better future he sees and, in so doing, persuades them to go along for the ride. When Jobs was attempting to lure then-Pepsi CEO John Sculley to lead Apple, Sculley was reluctant. Jobs asked him, “Do you want to sell sugar water all of your life or do you want to change the world’” Jobs’s vision is to change the world, and we believe him.
To reinvent the phone. This mantra is simple, bold, and reflects a concise core purpose that is easy for listeners to remember and to rally around. Note that it is also under ten words.
Nitty Gritty
OUTLINE YOUR PRESENTATION
Even after Jobs has articulated his vision in a clear, concise mantra, he continues to navigate the way by providing a verbal outline for his presentations. He starts by describing the structure, then opens and closes each section with clear transitions. By letting your listeners in on the structure, you help them understand where they are in your story.
Start practicing these techniques today in your everyday business and personal interactions. Next month we’ll present goals 3 & 4: Explaining the Real-World Problem, then Offer Your Solutions & Use a Captivating Storyline to Structure Your Presentations.
By: Carmine Gallo, BNET
We’re always available to assist you with your HR and Employment Trainings and presentations. Click here to check out our training & development products on our website.
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Teens in the Workplace: What Employers Should Know
It's hard to believe, but summer is almost here. And if you're planning on hiring young workers to add to your ranks during the summer months, now's the time to read up on the special safety rules that apply to teens in the workplace. In fact, May is Safe Jobs for Youth Month in California. Below, we review what you should know about jwhat obs teens can't perform.
Generally, California and federal law prohibit teens from working in hazardous industries and jobs. In particular, teens cannot work in these industries: meat packing, mining, logging, roofing, demolition, and pipe or brick manufacturing. You can also get into trouble for allowing minors to work around explosives; radioactive materials; or power equipment used for baking, meat slicing, woodworking, hoisting, or metal formation.
Minors under age 16 can't work in industries such as building construction, public utilities, storage warehousing, public communications, transportation, and manufacturing. They're also barred from operating farm machinery; working from high scaffolds or ladders; or dealing with dangerous animals, large timber, hazardous storage areas, manure pits, or chemicals. Other jobs that are off-limits to 14- and 15-year-olds include retail or food-service positions that involve working around boilers or engineering rooms, operating or maintaining power equipment, washing windows using ladders, loading and unloading goods, or using freezers and coolers.
We’re always available to work with you on your unique recruiting needs to learn additional wage & hour requirements for minors. Contact one of our experienced consultants at 916-444-6200!
Click here for a checklist on what you need to employ minors.
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Are you Using Recruiting Sources Wisely?
Recruiting from Universities: Four Tactics that Work
To get the best and brightest college graduates, you have to know how to recruit them. Here are some tactics that work:
• Evaluate your needs first. Analyze your organization to determine which areas you want to grow. Then direct your attention to colleges and universities with a reputation for producing the best graduates in these areas you need to expand – e.g., marketing, technology, communications.
• Use alumni connections. Go to your employees and look for alumni ties to schools you’re interested in. Personal relationships are a great way to build bridges between top schools and your company.
• Write specific job descriptions. Campus job counselors will be better able to steer you toward appropriate candidates if you can be as specific as possible about the jobs you’re trying to fill. College students with limited work experience will also want to know as much as they can about the opportunities they’re exploring.
• Emphasize stability. Many recent graduates will enter the workplace with a load of debt on their shoulders. Entice them to your organization by emphasizing its position in the industry, its stability, and the long term opportunities for growth and advancement of workers.
For assistance with recruiting techniques, click here.
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National Youth Safety Month
The US Department of Health has designated May as National Youth Traffic Safety Month. The Department has teamed up with NOYS which is a Coalition of youth serving and youth organizations that focus on youth safety and health. For more information on projects they are currently taking place to address youth safety or health visit their website at www.noys.com.
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Share the Road: May is Motorcycle Awareness Month
With pleasant weather, more riders are on the road. Each May, Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month provides the National Safety Council with another good reason to urge Americans’ attention to safe sharing of the roadways. This year that need is especially urgent, as our nation is experiencing a dramatic increase in motorcycle fatalities.
Unintentional injury-deaths related to motorcycles have more than doubled in recent years, as has the number of bikers on the road. Our nation’s experienced a 48 percent increase in motorcycle registrations since 1995 and a steady rise in buyers.
Five Things All Car & Truck Drivers Should Know About Motorcycles
1. There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road, and some drivers don’t “recognize” a motorcycle; they ignore it (usually unintentionally.) Look for motorcycles, especially when checking traffic at an intersection.
2. Because of its small size a motorcycle may seem to be moving faster than it really is. Don’t assume all motorcyclists are speed demons.
3. Motorcyclists often slow by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, thus not activating a brake light. Allow more following distance, say 3 or 4 seconds. At intersections, predict a motorcyclist may slow down without visual warning.
4. Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping quickly difficult. Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle because it can’t always stop “on a dime.”
5. When a motorcycle is in motion, don’t think of it as a motorcycle; think of it as a person.
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