P3 - The Perfect Presentations Podcast

  As we hit the one-year mark of the pandemic, it's a good time to see where we are, and what we expect moving through 2021 into 2022. Will we see a return to normalcy? What have we learned about how to successfully execute virtual events? Will we go back to in-person like we saw before the pandemic? Virtual events are endlessly complex, and no two are the same, but there are some universal lessons from the past year. Join us for this episode to hear three key takeaways we think apply to every event going forward. ----- Prefer to read? Transcript: So here's where we are, one year in. The hope that by this time we'd be back to in-person events has faded, even as the news about vaccines and a return to more normality keeps getting better. Because events take so much preplanning, most 2021 events have announced they will stay virtual this year, with hope for a return in 2022. 2022? My god, we're living in the future. I have a robot cleaning my house, a TV that sticks to my wall, and a machine that makes me a really decent cappuccino with the push of a single button. But some of that future has become exhausting. I remember years ago taking hours using these really primitive IRC apps to try to set up a video call with my parents so they could see their grandkids. Now we're on video every day with clients, co-workers, friends. And just like we used to get dressed up to fly on a plane but now it's flip flops and tank tops if you're lucky, our Teams and Zoom standards are eroding as well. I used to have what I called my Emergency Shirt next to my desk. If I had a meeting that required video I'd grab that nice shirt and put it on so I looked presentable. My last Teams call was a hoodie and some strong uncertainty about when my last shower was. The client was dressed the same. I'm not sure if it's better or worse, but I do know I'd really love to take a shower, put on some nice clothes and go out to dinner looking like I cared what I look like.  I'm guessing some of you feel the same. Let's talk then about where we are and where we go from here. Because while much continues to change, you should consider — and plan for — a new normal in how you approach events. The world shifted on its axis in our event world, and we need to shift with it or be permanently out of sync with what our audience wants and expects. I'm going to go over 3 things we think are most important right now First, Live virtual events are hard. Like, really, really hard. You see it whether you turn on the Golden Globes and see an at-home winner give his acceptance speech with his mute button on, and on most events you may have attended that featured technical glitches, crappy sound, poor connections or all of the above. We recently did an event for 500 people where I personally did an announcement between sessions, and although I triple checked my video feeds setup, I still managed to have one button wrong and caused an echo so bad no one could understand me. We're all trying our best, but every live element adds one more point of failure. Since we are all remote, you're coordinating speakers and sessions across different geographies, with people who have differing level of comfort and skill with technology, not to mention the issues with technology and connections themselves. I'm more convinced than ever that pre-recorded sessions, often played during the event as if they are live – what is often called simulive – is the best solution for almost every live event situation. We produced an awards ceremony for Microsoft for the second year using 100% prerecorded segments, from the introduction, entertainment, awards announcements and executive thank yous. It even included a special performance from three Broadway stars, something the client produced separately but which integrated perfectly into the show. The awards show ran a very tight 42 minutes from beginning to end, and the feedback was tremendous. Not one person commented that they were disappointed it wasn't l...

  As the pandemic shifts, it's a good time to see where we are, and what we expect moving forward. Will we see a return to normalcy? What have we learned about how to successfully execute virtual events? Will we go back to in-person like we saw before the pandemic? Virtual events are endlessly complex, and no two are the same, but there are some universal lessons from the past year. Join us for this episode to hear three key takeaways we think apply to every event going forward.   ----- Prefer to read? Transcript: So here's where we are, one year in. The hope that by this time we'd be back to in-person events has faded, even as the news about vaccines and a return to more normality keeps getting better. Because events take so much preplanning, most 2021 events have announced they will stay virtual this year, with hope for a return in 2022. 2022? My god, we're living in the future. I have a robot cleaning my house, a TV that sticks to my wall, and a machine that makes me a really decent cappuccino with the push of a single button. But some of that future has become exhausting. I remember years ago taking hours using these really primitive IRC apps to try to set up a video call with my parents so they could see their grandkids. Now we're on video every day with clients, co-workers, friends. And just like we used to get dressed up to fly on a plane but now it's flip flops and tank tops if you're lucky, our Teams and Zoom standards are eroding as well. I used to have what I called my Emergency Shirt next to my desk. If I had a meeting that required video I'd grab that nice shirt and put it on so I looked presentable. My last Teams call was a hoodie and some strong uncertainty about when my last shower was. The client was dressed the same. I'm not sure if it's better or worse, but I do know I'd really love to take a shower, put on some nice clothes and go out to dinner looking like I cared what I look like.  I'm guessing some of you feel the same. Let's talk then about where we are and where we go from here. Because while much continues to change, you should consider — and plan for — a new normal in how you approach events. The world shifted on its axis in our event world, and we need to shift with it or be permanently out of sync with what our audience wants and expects. I'm going to go over 3 things we think are most important right now First, Live virtual events are hard. Like, really, really hard. You see it whether you turn on the Golden Globes and see an at-home winner give his acceptance speech with his mute button on, and on most events you may have attended that featured technical glitches, crappy sound, poor connections or all of the above. We recently did an event for 500 people where I personally did an announcement between sessions, and although I triple checked my video feeds setup, I still managed to have one button wrong and caused an echo so bad no one could understand me. We're all trying our best, but every live element adds one more point of failure. Since we are all remote, you're coordinating speakers and sessions across different geographies, with people who have differing level of comfort and skill with technology, not to mention the issues with technology and connections themselves. I'm more convinced than ever that pre-recorded sessions, often played during the event as if they are live – what is often called simulive – is the best solution for almost every live event situation. We produced an awards ceremony for Microsoft for the second year using 100% prerecorded segments, from the introduction, entertainment, awards announcements and executive thank yous. It even included a special performance from three Broadway stars, something the client produced separately but which integrated perfectly into the show. The awards show ran a very tight 42 minutes from beginning to end, and the feedback was tremendous. Not one person commented that they were disappointed it wasn't live.

  As we hit the one-year mark of the pandemic, it's a good time to see where we are, and what we expect moving through 2021 into 2022. Will we see a return to normalcy? What have we learned about how to successfully execute virtual events? Will we go back to in-person like we saw before the pandemic? Virtual events are endlessly complex, and no two are the same, but there are some universal lessons from the past year. Join us for this episode to hear three key takeaways we think apply to every event going forward. .fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 a:not(.fusion-button):not(.fusion-builder-module-control):not(.fusion-social-network-icon):not(.fb-icon-element):not(.fusion-countdown-link):not(.fusion-rollover-link):not(.fusion-rollover-gallery):not(.fusion-button-bar):not(.add_to_cart_button):not(.show_details_button):not(.product_type_external):not(.fusion-quick-view):not(.fusion-rollover-title-link):not(.fusion-breadcrumb-link) , .fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 a:not(.fusion-button):not(.fusion-builder-module-control):not(.fusion-social-network-icon):not(.fb-icon-element):not(.fusion-countdown-link):not(.fusion-rollover-link):not(.fusion-rollover-gallery):not(.fusion-button-bar):not(.add_to_cart_button):not(.show_details_button):not(.product_type_external):not(.fusion-quick-view):not(.fusion-rollover-title-link):not(.fusion-breadcrumb-link):before, .fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 a:not(.fusion-button):not(.fusion-builder-module-control):not(.fusion-social-network-icon):not(.fb-icon-element):not(.fusion-countdown-link):not(.fusion-rollover-link):not(.fusion-rollover-gallery):not(.fusion-button-bar):not(.add_to_cart_button):not(.show_details_button):not(.product_type_external):not(.fusion-quick-view):not(.fusion-rollover-title-link):not(.fusion-breadcrumb-link):after {color: #95b337;}.fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 a:not(.fusion-button):not(.fusion-builder-module-control):not(.fusion-social-network-icon):not(.fb-icon-element):not(.fusion-countdown-link):not(.fusion-rollover-link):not(.fusion-rollover-gallery):not(.fusion-button-bar):not(.add_to_cart_button):not(.show_details_button):not(.product_type_external):not(.fusion-quick-view):not(.fusion-rollover-title-link):not(.fusion-breadcrumb-link):hover, .fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 a:not(.fusion-button):not(.fusion-builder-module-control):not(.fusion-social-network-icon):not(.fb-icon-element):not(.fusion-countdown-link):not(.fusion-rollover-link):not(.fusion-rollover-gallery):not(.fusion-button-bar):not(.add_to_cart_button):not(.show_details_button):not(.product_type_external):not(.fusion-quick-view):not(.fusion-rollover-title-link):not(.fusion-breadcrumb-link):hover:before, .fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 a:not(.fusion-button):not(.fusion-builder-module-control):not(.fusion-social-network-icon):not(.fb-icon-element):not(.fusion-countdown-link):not(.fusion-rollover-link):not(.fusion-rollover-gallery):not(.fusion-button-bar):not(.add_to_cart_button):not(.show_details_button):not(.product_type_external):not(.fusion-quick-view):not(.fusion-rollover-title-link):not(.fusion-breadcrumb-link):hover:after {color: #a0ce4e;}.fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 .pagination a.inactive:hover, .fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 .fusion-filters .fusion-filter.fusion-active a {border-color: #a0ce4e;}.fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 .pagination .current {border-color: #a0ce4e; background-color: #a0ce4e;}.fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 .fusion-filters .fusion-filter.fusion-active a, .fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 .fusion-date-and-formats .fusion-format-box, .fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 .fusion-popover, .fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 .tooltip-shortcode {color: #a0ce4e;}#main .fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 .post .blog-shortcode-post-title a:hover {color: #a0ce4e;}

  Enough time has elapsed since the start of the pandemic (and the temporary end of in-person events) that we can make some early observations about trends – and mistakes – we're seeing in the event space. In this episode we provide some cautions about the current market and offer thoughts about your own events through the end of 2020 and beyond. We are in a time of both uncertainty and opportunity, and only a smart strategy and creativity will prevail as businesses fight to gain your attention and participation. .fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 a:not(.fusion-button):not(.fusion-builder-module-control):not(.fusion-social-network-icon):not(.fb-icon-element):not(.fusion-countdown-link):not(.fusion-rollover-link):not(.fusion-rollover-gallery):not(.fusion-button-bar):not(.add_to_cart_button):not(.show_details_button):not(.product_type_external):not(.fusion-quick-view):not(.fusion-rollover-title-link):not(.fusion-breadcrumb-link) , .fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 a:not(.fusion-button):not(.fusion-builder-module-control):not(.fusion-social-network-icon):not(.fb-icon-element):not(.fusion-countdown-link):not(.fusion-rollover-link):not(.fusion-rollover-gallery):not(.fusion-button-bar):not(.add_to_cart_button):not(.show_details_button):not(.product_type_external):not(.fusion-quick-view):not(.fusion-rollover-title-link):not(.fusion-breadcrumb-link):before, .fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 a:not(.fusion-button):not(.fusion-builder-module-control):not(.fusion-social-network-icon):not(.fb-icon-element):not(.fusion-countdown-link):not(.fusion-rollover-link):not(.fusion-rollover-gallery):not(.fusion-button-bar):not(.add_to_cart_button):not(.show_details_button):not(.product_type_external):not(.fusion-quick-view):not(.fusion-rollover-title-link):not(.fusion-breadcrumb-link):after {color: #95b337;}.fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 a:not(.fusion-button):not(.fusion-builder-module-control):not(.fusion-social-network-icon):not(.fb-icon-element):not(.fusion-countdown-link):not(.fusion-rollover-link):not(.fusion-rollover-gallery):not(.fusion-button-bar):not(.add_to_cart_button):not(.show_details_button):not(.product_type_external):not(.fusion-quick-view):not(.fusion-rollover-title-link):not(.fusion-breadcrumb-link):hover, .fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 a:not(.fusion-button):not(.fusion-builder-module-control):not(.fusion-social-network-icon):not(.fb-icon-element):not(.fusion-countdown-link):not(.fusion-rollover-link):not(.fusion-rollover-gallery):not(.fusion-button-bar):not(.add_to_cart_button):not(.show_details_button):not(.product_type_external):not(.fusion-quick-view):not(.fusion-rollover-title-link):not(.fusion-breadcrumb-link):hover:before, .fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 a:not(.fusion-button):not(.fusion-builder-module-control):not(.fusion-social-network-icon):not(.fb-icon-element):not(.fusion-countdown-link):not(.fusion-rollover-link):not(.fusion-rollover-gallery):not(.fusion-button-bar):not(.add_to_cart_button):not(.show_details_button):not(.product_type_external):not(.fusion-quick-view):not(.fusion-rollover-title-link):not(.fusion-breadcrumb-link):hover:after {color: #a0ce4e;}.fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 .pagination a.inactive:hover, .fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 .fusion-filters .fusion-filter.fusion-active a {border-color: #a0ce4e;}.fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 .pagination .current {border-color: #a0ce4e; background-color: #a0ce4e;}.fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 .fusion-filters .fusion-filter.fusion-active a, .fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 .fusion-date-and-formats .fusion-format-box, .fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 .fusion-popover, .fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 .tooltip-shortcode {color: #a0ce4e;}#main .fusion-fullwidth.fusion-builder-row-1 .post .blog-shortcode-post-title a:hover {color: #a0ce4e;}

The spread of the coronavirus has caused an unprecedented shift in our personal and business lives. The first priority as we adjust to a new reality is taking precautions and staying safe. We hope you are. Businesses are feeling the impact in many ways, including having important events canceled or postponed, eliminating a vital connection to customers and prospects. The challenge now is how to pivot quickly and continue to create experiences that mirror the benefits of in-person events and meetings. In this episode of P3, we shift topics somewhat from presentations, to discuss ways to plan for online events that don't feel like a terrible webinar, something that will soon be all-too-common. We'll offer ideas for how to create an event that attracts attendees, keeps them engaged, and ways to continue conversations after the event is over.

It took a tour of colleges for a light bulb to go off in my head. That's when I realized that PowerPoint dread begins at an early age. But there are valuable lessons to be learned about how your average, everyday business presentation can benefit from some "big room" thinking from the presenters who do it right. In this episode we learn to approach presentations--every presentation--like a big lecture, or a TED Talk, and how that translates into huge time saving and a more focused message and audience.      

Want to lose your audience? Of course not. But when you put up spreadsheets and complex charts, that's exactly what you're likely to do. Audiences can't uncover the story you want to tell by looking at a slide with 5, 10 or 50 data points. In this episode of P3, we tackle one of our top 3 problems with practical tips on how to bring your data to life, and let it enlighten your audience, rather than lose them. Your data has a story to tell. Make sure it's being heard!    

If you're a sales executive, there's nothing more frustrating than an office full of salespeople working on non-sales tasks. And if you're a marketing executive, you want to support that sales team, but you aren't resourced to create one-off sales presentations, leaving them largely to their own devices. There IS a way to build an internal machine to support the sales team and let them focus on selling. Along the way you'll save money, and your company's brand.  In this episode we dissect the cost of doing it the wrong way, and outline the requirements and benefits of building a sales presentation machine that let's salespeople do what they do best...sell.    

It seems intuitive enough. Every presentation should have a "big idea" behind it. But few do. And without it, your audience is likely to get lost (if they ever really engage to start with). In this short episode, we'll show you how to stop wasting time, money and people power, and how to build a powerful idea that resonates with your audience. No matter if you're in front of a large group or giving a status update to a group of co-workers, your ability to deliver a meaningful presentation rests on the central idea behind it. Let's build your Big Idea!  

Main stage presentations, keynotes speeches, ballroom talks. If you've been invited to address a large group, you've got a unique, exciting opportunity ahead. How do build a presentation with impact that lives up to your star billing in the spotlight? In this podcast we delve into storytelling, pacing and passion, and how to put them to use. You'll leave your audience wanting more, and excited to share what they've learned from the expert. The chance to grace the main stage at a conference is a rare chance for most presenters. Make the most of the opportunity!    

Do you struggle to keep your talk on track when you present to executives? Perhaps you lose control of the conversation, and get taken off topic. In this episode of Perfect Presentations Podcast, we'll explain what you might be doing wrong, and share techniques for establishing order from the start, and retaining it as you present. Presenting to a group of strong-willed executives is no easy task, whether they are equals or superiors. But you can win the day and ensure your message is heard. Discussed in this episode is a Global Executive Study from quartz.com. You can find it here.

Welcome to the Perfect Presentations Podcast, created for executives and business people who struggle to create and give compelling presentations. We're going to break down the breakdowns...to share with you the tools and techniques we teach to executives around the country that help them craft presentations that stick. In our first episode we'll talk about understanding your audience, and the ways most executives fail to consider who their real audience is. We'll discuss a method for segmenting your audience, and how to get them to understand, buy in, and act upon your message. If you're frustrated with your ability to hook your audience, keep them engaged and get them to act, this podcast is here to help.