GOOD EVENING and welcome to our Stock Holders, Board Of Directors, Regional Managers, and last but certainly not least our beloved CEO Bob Slanderer who will be one of our featured presenters for this evenings annual meeting. Tonight we will share with you our exciting and innovative vision for Slanderer & Co. for the years ahead.
Without further delay let me turn the podium over to Bob Slanderer to begin the presentation we have prepared for you. Good evening all I am as most of you know or better know by now I am Bob Slanderer the CEO of Slanderer & Co. of which I am the CEO of Slanderer & Co. As the CEO of Slanderer & Co. of which I am the CEO I will lay out the direction that under my direction Slanderer & Co. of which I am the CEO will go. Dead in the water from the word go!
Feeling drowsy bored and disinterested the unmistakable sounds of yawns, snores, muttering begin to fill the hall. Sights of people squirming in their seats are readily seen. Trips to the bathroom are being made in large groups. In other words the presenter no matter how important his subject matter is nor the 3d graphics in full technicolor the audience is just not “into it” nor are they “feeling it.”
Why isn’t the audience “into it” &/or “not feeling it” or what are the reasons for their disinterest? Is it the “love” (tell me another one) they are not feeling ? The subject matter of the presentation doesn’t pertain to them? With Stock Holders, Board of Directors, Regional Managers plus the CEO along with other luminary’s in attendance you have to surmise something is wrong. Terribly wrong.
So what’s the story here? The graphics are breathtaking as is the future plans for the firm. Excitement should abound throughout the room yet it is not. Let me ask once more what is the story here? The story is very simple not to mention obvious to anybody who has given this some thought. It’s Bob and he is incredibly BORING! Bob may very well be a dynamic driven CEO but as a public speaker he leaves much (to phrase this in a non-expletive manner) to be desired.
Presentations to large groups of people especially those that are important as the scenario I have been laying out can be nerve wracking terrifying experiences if not properly prepared for. Forget all the hi-tech wizardry focus on the human side better known as you who is now on center stage with the spotlights shining down on YOU!
A cute or even funny story is a good ice breaker as is a brief stand-up comedy routine. Grabbing the attention of your audience from the word go is the only way to go. Make them feel like they are playing Let’s Make A Deal (remember that show with host Monty Hall?) with something special behind doors 1, 2, or 3. It is YOU they must buy. Everything revolves around you. If they won’t buy you or buy into you because you flop in front of an audience there is nearly a zero percent chance of success.
Face it not everybody can be as witty as Johnny Carson or as fiery as Martin Luther King or even a likeable father figure such as Former President Ronald Regan was. The bitter acid humor of Joan Rivers nor the dynamic body in constant body in motion that defined the live performances of Robin Williams are also out of the realm of possibility for most presenters.
Yet here you stand on this night where you know what you have to impart is critical with no clear cut idea of what or how to approach your audience so that they will not only listen but want to listen as well. You have exhausted ideas. Deep into the crevices of your mind is the fact you know the gift of gab is not yours.
Consider letting somebody else do the presentation who can entertain, educate and enlighten with ease. Let your part be the closer of the event where little more than some routine words of thanks need to be said. A natural presenter knows how to control his presentation to the point that he manipulates his audience as if he were a puppeteer.
Failing all of the above you can always learn to play an instrument (there is something magical about one person on stage singing a song while accompanying himself on an acoustic guitar) to start the evening off. Before you resort to this make sure you can actually sing without causing all dogs within reach of your voice howling in unison.
Presenting…..Tonight’s Presenter. Time to shrink or shine!
