Short and Concise Speeches

Outstanding speeches are measured on the quality of their content, not the quantity of their content. Too often, speakers forget this important fact and fail to present short and concise messages.

When most people are asked to speak, the first question they ask is how much time is allotted to their topic, and they proceed to develop a presentation to fit the time allotted. The better question to ask is how much time is necessary to present the topic.

Rainmakers should focus on preparing concise presentations. Your clients, colleague and audiences will appreciate your efforts.

Author Scott Berkin shares his thoughts on concise presentation in a recent Forbes.com article entitled, The End of Boring Presentations.

Present Like a Pro!

Nonverbal Cues Can Make or Break a Presentation


At times, our appearance, tone of voice and mannerisms communicate far more than our words. The nonverbal cues we send to an audience during a presentation can electrify them, captivate them or put them to sleep. Often speakers focus solely on the content of their speech and fail to consider the nonverbal cues that they are sending. Accomplished speakers coordinate their words, gestures, tone, nonverbal cues - the entire package when preparing for a speech.

Steve Jobs of Apple is a compelling public speaker. He practices not only the content of his speech but the visual images and nonverbal cues that he wants the audience to see. The narrator in this video does an excellent job of highlighting Jobs' nonverbal cues and contrasts Jobs' presentation style with those of a less accomplished and less prepared speaker. The contrast is fascinating and very instructive. Please take a moment to view the video. It is well worth your time.