Home Archives for Communication
July 6, 2008 Leave a Comment

Welcome to the PowerPoints Blog!

The purpose of this blog is to provide tips and insights to help you create a strong message and to present your points with power. Sometimes you will use MS PowerPoint as one tool to help you with your presentation. But not always.

I will post many articles to help you get the the most out of PowerPoint. And I will upload numerous video lessons demonstrating PowerPoint techniques. However, the content of this blog will not be limited to discussing PowerPoint.

My focus is on helping you to communicate effectively.

Never confuse PowerPoint slides with your message!

As someone once asked, “Did Abraham Lincoln need PowerPoint to deliver the Gettysburg Address?” It is a silly question, of course. But it makes a powerful point:

PowerPoint, alone, can not craft a powerful and persuasive presentation.

PowerPoint does not deliver your message. You do!

I invite you to return to this site on a regular basis. If you find the content useful, please book mark it or subscribe to my RSS feed. And tell your friends and colleagues about this site.

I also invite you to add your comments, questions or suggestions. You can do so on this site. Or you can email me directly – danny@thecompanyrocks.com

Thank you for visiting!

News! My new DVD, “The 50 Best Tips for PowerPoint 2007” is available for purchase. Visit my online store for details.

Link to this post!
Filed Under: PowerPoint, Powerpoint Techniques Tagged: ,
May 5, 2008 Leave a Comment

Simple, strategic questions

“Judge others by their questions rather than by their answers.”

– Voltaire

I found the perfect sequel to my previous post (“The difference between what and how”)  I found it on Chris Garrett’s blog. His article is titled,  “Who, What and So What?” Read it – you will be glad that you did so.

Here is a short excerpt from Chris’ article:

“When you are writing, what is your first thought?

If it is what you are going to write, I expect that would put you in with the majority.

“Who for” is perhaps a more important part of the equation. Connecting to your audience, bringing them something value, means addressing who they are.

A much overlooked aspect though is “So What?”. What should the reader take away? Where is the benefit? Why should we listen to you?”

Great advice! And not just for bloggers. Why?

  • Do you sell a product or service? Does your prospective client clearly see the “So what’s in it for me?”
  • Are you a manager? Do you delegate tasks? Does your staff clearly see the “So what’s in it for me?”
  • Do you send out e-mail messages? Does your audience clearly see the “So what’s in it for me?”

If you are not getting the results that you hoped for, go back and review your message. Re-read it from your audience’s perspective. Do you make it easy for them to see the “So what’s in it for me?”

If your answer is “No,” then it is time for you to revisit what you write and how you phrase it or say it.

Peter Drucker reminds us that:

“It is the recipient who communicates… Unless there is someone who hears, there is no communication. There is only noise.”

People see, hear and act through the filter of “What’s in it for me.”

It does not matter what you want or what you write or what you say. That is not enough to get your audience to see, hear or act on your suggestions.

It does not matter who you are. Do you connect with your audience? Do they see themselves in the picture that you are painting with the words that you write; the words that you speak?

Give your audience the answer to the question, “So what?” Why? Because it does matter – to them!

  

Link to this post!
Filed Under: Business Communications, Communications, Sales Tagged: , ,
April 3, 2008 Leave a Comment

Life is a Song

Do you remember the first time your heard “your song?” Sure you do! You remember where you were, who you were with, what you were wearing, what car you were driving.

You remember because … that song speaks to you. In a very special way. Actually, it might speak for you. All of the words and sentiments that you wanted to say. If only you could form the words yourself. To someone. About something. About yourself.

Thank God for giving us gifted songwriters. Thank you for allowing your voice to blend into our voice.. Thank you for giving us “our songs.” The music of our life,

The NY Times just published a terrific article on the art and craft of writing a song:

“The Three H’s: How to Write a Song and Other Mysteries,” by Darrell Brown (Click here to read the piece.)

The Three H’s – Honesty, Humanity and Hooks are the foundation for effective communication. Be it a speech, a story or a plea for support.

You can’t fake honesty. When you speak, you must speak from your heart.

Tell your story. No one else can tell it the way that you do. You help us to see ourselves in your story when you tell directly – honestly – when you speak from your heart. You can’t get into our head until you touch our heart.

Be memorable. Hook us in. Help us to understand. Help us to remember. What is your point? What do you want us to do? What is your hook?

I look forward to reading future articles in this series – The Blog is titled “Measure for Measure.”

A great way to start my day! With a song. Imagine a world without one. The day would never end. What is “your” song?

Tell us. And tell why.

Link to this post!
Filed Under: Business Communications, Communications Tagged: , , ,
February 27, 2007 Leave a Comment

How Well Do You Communicate? I Don’t Hear You

“It is the recipient who communicates. The so-called communicator, the person who emits the communication does not communicate. He utters. Unless there is someone who hears, there is no communication. There is only noise.”

– Peter Drucker

As always, the late, great Peter Drucker put his finger on the key issue. Unfortunately, too many speakers, salespeople, marketers, supervisors and spouses ignore this point – at their peril!

Communication is a two-way process.

Speakers may speak, but they are only words … unless the words that they speak reflect the experience of their audience. Salespeople may try to sell, but there will be no sale … unless their prospective customer perceives that there is a value for them. Marketers market everywhere everyday … but unless they market the right product to a receptive audience, it is just a waste of advertising dollars. Supervisors try to supervise daily … but most of the time their employees fail to respond in the way the supervisor hoped they would. Why? We know that spouses and significant other talk past each other on a regular basis … and to what result? The divorce rate is at an all-time high.

“What we have here is a failure to communicate!” This is a famous line from the movie, “Cool Hand Luke.” And it comes back to Peter Drucker’s observation:

“Before we can communicate, we must, therefore, know what the recipient expects to see and hear.”

No one can move an individual or an audience from Point “A” to Point “B” unless they really know the audience’s definition of Point “A.” It’s exact geographic and emotional location!

And this may vary from individual to individual in each audience and from audience to audience. If you want to be successful in sales (and who doesn’t?), you should spend more time asking questions of your potential customers than practicing your (one-size-fits-all) “spiel.” Successful marketers spend a considerable amount of time identifying – and locating – a “target” audience – one that has a high likelihood of being receptive to a (personalized) message. When the “communication” is “on-target” a demand is made – that the consumer makes a purchase or, at a minimum, asks for more information.

I am reminded of a book in my library by John Wooden – “You Haven’t Taught Until They Have Learned.” It’s the same principle at work here (as per Peter Drucker): Continue reading “How Well Do You Communicate? I Don’t Hear You” »

Filed Under: Business Communications, Business Practices, Communications, Main Page, Marketing, Public Speaking, Sales Tagged: , , , , ,