Present Like a Pro

Guest post by: Andy Marken
Become an Author

Free PDF Download
140 Characters Isn’t PR, It’s a Job Opportunity for Real Writers - By Andy Marken

The very best impromptu speeches are the ones written well in advance -- Ruth Gordon

An American actress and screenwriter, Ruth Gordon was correct when she was asked how she gave so many excellent impromptu speeches. Write them well in advance. Practice them until they become second nature.

Present Like a Pro will not make you a polished professional speaker. But it does provide some outstanding insights into what you need to consider when you want to improve your speaking and presentation capabilities.

Maxey and O’Connor provide some excellent points on how to continually improve your speaking skills and become more comfortable and effective with your presentations. Each chapter covers a specific point and subject. The authors present the information in a clear, concise manner that makes it easy to digest and recall at a later time.

What we found particularly interesting, informative and useful were the periodic insertion of boxed comments – coach’s comments, professional pointers, common questions/solutions and personal observations.

In addition to speaking at every opportunity, one of the items we have found to be immensely helpful to us is to watch and study the presentations of successful people.

We enjoyed watching and analyzing the presentations and techniques that GE’s Jack Welch used. We admire the smooth polish that Apple’s Steve Jobs possesses. We find the different approaches that Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer use to be very interesting. It has been interesting to see Intel’s Paul Otellini grow as a spokesperson for the company. The CEA’s president Gary Shapiro has perfected his presentation techniques before friendly audiences and less than friendly congressional committees.

Reading Present Like a Pro can certainly help you understand and learn basic and advanced techniques for nearly every occasion. But we also believe that your management and you can learn a lot simply by watching and analyzing presentations and speeches by people in your industry. We feel the book is both interesting and informative and when combined with studying the presentation skills of other nearly anyone can become an effective speaker. The key is to take advantage of every speaking opportunity – presentations, public events, conferences/seminars as well as business meetings.

While most books we have read on the subject place most of the emphasis on you the speaker and your techniques, Maxey and O’Connor place considerable emphasis on your audience. We found their advice for speakers to solicit feedback and their advice on handling the unruly individual in the audience. Fortunately that’s never been something we have confronted – or even thought about – so the advice was of considerable assistance.

If you do nothing more than skip read Present Like a Pro and spend most of your time reading and rereading the boxed Coach’s Comments and Hints from the Pros, you are well on your way to mastering the art of business and professional speaking. These highlighted segments almost make you feel as though you have a speech coach looking over your shoulder as you read the book.

########

Leaders knows the value of present.

A Presentation needs to be a Present to your audience

Use Your Past, Future and Present to Succeed

The Art of Being Present: How to Manifest In The Moment

Why don’t my goals work?

PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE TENSE

The Art of Now: Five Tips to Living in the Moment

Act on the Present

Life’s a Journey!

Being FULLY PRESENT to Life

On Being Present

LEADERS: NOT THE PAST CONSCIOUS BUT FOCUS ON FUTURE

Too Much Buzz, Not Enough Nectar?

Cost-Bnefit Analysis

Give Yourself the Gift of Presence

Dreams and Visions and Your Fast Track to Fulfillment

Another Technique Catalyst

Business is an Art Form

The Holidays are a Great Metaphor for Sales Success

Isn’t it Time to Add Teleseminars to Your Marketing Mix?

Home > Marketing > Andy Marken > Present Like a Pro > Google +

Free PDF Download
140 Characters Isn’t PR, It’s a Job Opportunity for Real Writers - By Andy Marken

About the Author: Andy Marken

RSS for Andy's articles - Visit Andy's website
G. A. "Andy" Marken President Marken Communications, Inc. Santa Clara, CA Andy has worked in front of and behind the TV camera and radio mike. Unlike most PR people he listens to and understands the consumer’s perspective on the actual use of products. He has written more than 100 articles in the business and trade press. During this time he has also addressed industry issues and technologies not as corporate wishlists but how they can be used by normal people. He has been a marketing and communications consultant for more than 30 years involved in the wild early days of the Internet/Web, heyday of the videogame industry and the maturing professional and consumer video industries. His experience includes years with Internet pioneer CERFnet, TCG and AT&T. Andy has worked in the software, Web 2.0, video and storage industry with Panasonic, Philips, Dazzle, Atari, NTI, ADS Tech, Pinnacle Systems, CyberLink, InterVideo, Ulead and Verbatim.
Click here to visit Andy's website.

More from Andy Marken
A Gazillion Tweets but What Makes the Cash Register Ring
The Publicity Handbook New Edition
Everything Everywhere Home NetworkAs Close As Your Lab
Taking Control of Your Own Future
Marketing Fusion

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.

Share this post and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Present Like a Pro

Related Articles

Related Forum Posts

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.


Name:
Email: