Tag Archive for ‘The One Minute Presenter’ at The One Minute Presenter

Tag Archive for 'The One Minute Presenter'

Why CEOs need to build executive presence among their senior executives

Published

on June 18, 2010

in You the Presenter, executive presence and presenter

. 0 Comments

One of the biggest problems that multinational companies face is having senior executives who lack executive presence. Productivity, profit and morale are all tied in with this concept. Companies urgently need to address this problem because it can increase efficiency in project execution, distribute key messages properly and improve morale through all levels of management.

Gives a Personal Brand

One of the most important things about executive presence is creating a personal brand. Executives create a message simply by the way people see and hear them, as well as think about them. Having a personal brand gets an executive noticed, which allows them to build a successful career and drive progress in their business. Executive presence and personal brand extend to all stakeholders, like customers. This gives the executive a distinct advantage as they project authority to individuals who they have never met, nor worked with. Many call this the “WOW” factor and people with it get listened to more and are often seen as a centre of influence. A personal brand is ingrained with a person’s executive presence; one cannot exist without the other. An executive with presence has a clearly defined awareness of who they are and the value they can bring their company.

Creates Credibility

If an executive shows up to talk with their team wearing a Hawaiian shirt, with cargo pants and sandals on, the executive team may not see the senior executive as a leader. If the company culture supports suit-wearing , dressing too casually will impact how people judge and respect the executive. This could lead to a lack of credibility and result in the executive being unable to motivate his team. All companies have a template of what a leader should be and successful executives match this image. However, executive presence comes from more that dress sense. Credibility is extremely important and something that comes when the executive is seen a true role model. Executives who cultivate their image as a role model are more highly regarded both inside and outside the firm.

Connecting With the Team

One of the most important aspects of executive presence is that it allows the executive to connect directly with their team. They make that person feel as though they are the most important person in the world. A skill that former President Bill Clinton was famous for displaying. This connection, or charisma, is based on superb listening skills and when carried with sincerity becomes an accelerator that drives the team to achieve outstanding results. While over-use of emails tends to diminish this impact, a high performing executive will use a blended approach. Encouraging team members who are located in different sites, while maximizing face time to ensure the team can see and feel the important the executive places on them. These personal connections result in higher performance and productivity. An executive with presence engages their team and keeps motivation high – through good and bad times.

Conclusion

The greatest business leaders all have executive presence. Richard Branson and Steve Jobs use their executive presence to influence their team members as well as their stakeholders. This results in successful companies with highly committed people and a loyal customer base. Today’s executives need to raise their game to match this high benchmark, as the future of their business growth depend on it.

Resource Box

Warwick John Fahy coaches senior finance executives to influence key stakeholders, like clients, regulators, and investors with the innovative model: “The Bamboo Leader - 8 executive presence competencies for multinationals in Greater China”. To arrange an initial free “Build Executive Presence” consultation (value 200 Euros), call Jeremy Potts today +86 21 6101 0486 or download a free White Paper on Building Executive Presence at http://www.thebambooleader.com

Warwick is the author of the acclaimed book, The One Minute Presenter - 8 steps to successful business presentations in a short attention span world. For free executive speaking tips visit http://www.oneminutepresenter.com/blog

For a media interview call +86 1391 786 7502.

Executive Branding: Three Steps to build a senior management career Part 3 of 3 : Project your Image

Published

Warwick

on June 2, 2010

in executive presence

. 0 Comments

To view the other steps in this series, see Part 1 ‘Find your passion’ and Part 2 ‘Uncover your unique value’ .

Project an unique passion

Most executives have never paused to think what image they are projecting.

Although most will have opinions on how others come across! It can be a lot tougher to apply that same thinking inwardly. Work with the executive to see if their actions are in tune with their personal brand? If they desire a fast track career and promotion, is their personal hygiene and dress sense in tune with a high powered executive?

Articulate personal brand

Since the days of Dale Carnegie, one skill which every man, woman and child should learn is the art of effective public speaking. The ability to stand up in front of others and express thoughts clearly and with purpose is invaluable in both career and family life. Encourage the executive to find opportunities to speak with people about their passion. Examples include volunteering to start an interest group inside the company or community.

This article has looked at the importance of building a personal brand. First, get in touch with passions as they are the foundation for becoming an authentic brand. Then, work on identifying unique value, as the more integrated passion and unique value are, the clearer the personal brand becomes. Finally, project and articulate the brand image.

RESOURCE BOX

Warwick John Fahy is the international executive speech coach for senior executives, business leaders and entrepreneurs who need to influence clients, investors, shareholders and team members. His highly practical approach and deep cross cultural intelligence have made him a sought-after business presentation coach throughout the world.

To arrange presentation skills training or coaching to build your executive presence visit this web site.

For a media interview call +86 1391 786 7502.

Executive Branding: Three Steps to build a senior management career Part 2 of 3 : Uncover your unique value

Published

Warwick

on May 30, 2010

in executive presence

. 0 Comments

To view the other steps in this series, see Part 1 ‘Find your passion’.

Uncover unique value

After uncovering their passions, an executive can define their uniqueness. This can be a block as many executives – especially from financial and technical fields - tend to under-sell themselves. An important step to take is to define expertise more broadly than their job description.

Remember that a personal brand is how other people perceive the executive, not how the executive would like to be seen. An exercise to gain new insights on the value the executive provides is to ask them to answer the question, “ What pain do you solve?” By writing between 20 and 100 small pains or problems they solve, insights will be uncovered into what services they provide – paid and unpaid – to the people around them. Expand the question to include family, friends as well as colleagues and business stakeholders.

Once an executive has defined their passion and the unique value they provide, the next step in personal branding is how to project them.

Watch out for Part 3 coming soon. What else should an executive do to uncover their unique value?

RESOURCE BOX

To arrange presentation skills training or coaching to build your executive presence visit this web site.

For a media interview call +86 1391 786 7502.

Executive Branding: Three Steps to build a senior management career Part 1 of 3 : Find your passion

Published

Warwick

on May 26, 2010

in presenter

. 2 Comments

Ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus said almost 2,500 years ago, ‘there is nothing permanent except change’. Certainly this is true in the modern workplace. Over the last decade it has become increasingly mobile, uncertain and fluid with organizational change increasing the number of short term project-based work positions, a shift in emphasis of career management from the company to the individual, and numerous mega-trends like outsourcing, and freelancing putting even more pressure on the once stable and reliable working environment.

The result has been that many middle managers are becoming commodities in the talent marketplace. Uncertain about their futures and overwhelmed by the wave of social media tools like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN that have unleashed a tidal wave of information to soak up on a daily basis. To make matters worse, up-and-coming younger managers are ambitious, have absolutely no problem in promoting themselves and are much more comfortable with the mobile communications and social networking world we live in.

So how does a middle manager with aspirations to become an executive cope?

They need a personal brand. In “Be your Own Brand”, McNally and Speak define a personal brand as “a perception or emotion that somebody has, that describes the total experience of having a relationship with them.” In other words, everyone has a brand and it’s what people are saying about us. A good way of thinking about a personal brand is to “become more of who you are”. In short, project an unique passion. Let’s take a look at this in more detail.

Find the passion

Let’s begin with passion. When it comes to career, most people would rather be doing something else. Ask the question, “What would you do with your life today if you did not need to work for money?” and not many executives would keep working 12 hours a day in their current job. Most people do have a long list of things they would like to do, be or have. These passions, hobbies and interests are delayed because many executives justify the hard work of today with the belief that they will be able to enjoy them sometime in the future. That’s not a good idea because early retirement is a killer. A British Medical Journal research study, carried out over 26 years, found that the mortality rate among early retirees was almost twice as high in the first ten years after retirement, with men more likely to die at a young age than women.

The one thing that reversed this trend? A healthy active lifestyle. Leonardo da Vinci stayed creative his whole life. He didn’t retire. Tim Ferriss in the 4-Hour Workweek calls for mini-retirements. Use this technique to find a passion. First, an executive should write down a list of what gives them energy and makes them enthusiastic. Ask them to think back to the things they loved to do as a child. Second, cross off items that only relate to personal gain (shopping for another handbag) and that do not have any productive outcomes (watching TV alone). Finally, go through the list and circle any items that they would be willing to do even if they won’t get paid for it. Ask the executive to read through the list, and note down how much time they are investing in their passions today and how they could start increasing this time.

One auto executive had a passion for fussball (table football). He shifted from playing fussball in bars (fun but relatively unproductive) to organizing a fussball league. Then he moved onto training youth to play fussball, finding sponsors to buy tables and training facilities. Finally, he was even consulted by the national fussball association on how to develop the game. That’s how to turn a passion into something much much bigger!

All executives need to find a way to work these into their current work schedules, while also taking some time at the weekend or evening to learn more, join a club or teach other people about their interests. The more an executive works with their passions, the more authentic they become.

Watch out for Part 2. What else should an executive do to build their personal brand?

RESOURCE BOX

To arrange presentation skills training or coaching to build your executive presence visit this web site.

For a media interview call +86 1391 786 7502.

How to handle mobile phones during presentations Part 3 of 3: The Extreme Approach

Published

Warwick

on May 22, 2010

in Manage all Interruptions and You the Presenter

. 0 Comments

You can read Part 1 on Ground Rules here and Part 2 on Incentives here.

Extreme Examples to Stop Mobile Phone use
While these suggestions will help most business settings, sometimes a presenter will adopt an extreme position to make their point. These high risk approaches can really make an impact but when done well add to the overall impact of your presentation.

For example, one presenter started a presentation by pulling out a mobile phone, placed the phone into a padded envelope, dropped the envelope to the floor, stomped on it repeatedly, picked the envelope back up, and then threw it to the back of the hall. He smiled politely and asked if anyone in the room had another device he could practice on. If so, all they had to do was let it make any noise during his presentation.
The outcome was that with over 200 people in the room for a two-hour presentation, there was not a single instance of a phone ringing, beeping, or even buzzing. The key to these extreme approaches is a certain sense of humour so choose them with care.

Remember as a presenter you need to keep the audience on your side, so while mobile phones ringing in meetings are an irritation, they are a fact of life. Set ground rules, keep a sense of humour and don’t react to a phone ringing in an angry way.

RESOURCE BOX

To arrange presentation skills training or coaching to build your executive presence visit this web site.

For a media interview call +86 1391 786 7502.

How to handle mobile phones during presentations Part 2 of 3: “Incentives” to stop mobile phones ringing

Published

Warwick

on May 19, 2010

in Manage all Interruptions and rapport

. 0 Comments

You can read Part 1 on Ground Rules here.

“Incentives” to stop mobile phones ringing
A ground rule is only as good as the audience’s willingness to follow it. Mobile phones are such a personal device that many people will not cooperate or simply will forget to switch it to silent. What can a business presenter do when a mobile phone goes off in a meeting – and still keep rapport with the audience?

In some Western cultures, presenters have tried this incentive:
“Anyone whose phone rings during a meeting buys a round of beers that night for everyone in the meeting”. In a meeting with many participants that is large motivator. The only opt out clause is if the person takes a call to close a big deal, in which case they would be expected to to celebrate the deal.

In certain cultures, the disapproval of the presenter or trainer can be a motivator. The caveat here is that you have to know the line that you can’t cross with your audience. If you insult them or look down on them or become a dictator then you’re going to find it difficult to get things done with them.

One method is to stop speaking when the phone rings. This signals to the participants that you have been interrupted and can’t continue until the distraction is eliminated. Don’t call out the person’s name or even look in their direction. Keep calm and smile. When the phone is switched off, simply say “Thank you” and move on.

RESOURCE BOX

To arrange presentation skills training or coaching to build your executive presence visit this web site.

For a media interview call +86 1391 786 7502.

How to handle mobile phones during presentations Part 1 of 3: Set Ground Rules

Published

Warwick

on May 16, 2010

in Attention spans and Manage all Interruptions

. 2 Comments

For anyone who has run a meeting or given a presentation to a group, the sound of a mobile phone going off is one of those annoying but common interruptions. What can business presenters do to minimize these distractions?

This article will look at setting ground rules.

Ground Rules
Although you may never completely stop the use of mobile phones in larger meetings, you can let the audience know what the meeting’s expectations are. This can be done by the host or MC of the meeting, written on a flipchart or computer slide. A simple ground rule can reduce the number of distractions.

At the beginning of the presentation, take out your mobile phone, show it to the audience and ask them to switch it to vibrate or silent mode. Explain that when an important call is received, they should step outside the room to take the call.

Good presenters also take this opportunity to explain that the purpose of this ground rule is not to stop the audience conducting their important business but to show respect and politeness for the other audience members. This not only reduces resistance to your ground rule but also elevates the audience to a higher place where they show respect and courtesy for other participants.

Explain to the audience that there will be a ten minute break every hour, and so they can take calls and call back then. This will also reduce the need for immediate calls.

RESOURCE BOX

To arrange presentation skills training or coaching to build your executive presence visit this web site.

For a media interview call +86 1391 786 7502.

Theater Rehearsals: What Executive Presenters Must Know Part 5 of 5: Dress rehearsal

Published

Warwick

on May 13, 2010

in You the Presenter

. 0 Comments

To view the other steps in this series, see Step 1 “Script read through” , Step 2 “Run Through”, Step 3 “Cue to Cue” and Step 4 “Top and Tails”

Step 5: Dress rehearsal
On the day, regardless of what time the presentation is due to start, schedule time for a dress rehearsal. Rehearse in the same room if possible using all the technology planned and microphones needed. This final run through boosts confidence for the live version. The second delivery of the day will be smoother and appear more natural.

Most business presenters skip this step because they start to feel self-conscious of presenting to only a few people, rather than a whole audience. But surely, if you can’t feel comfortable with a small group, how can you scale up to the large one?

Don’t worry about what this small audience are thinking, because chances are they are thinking how professional and thorough you are as a presenter!

iPad product launch: What Makes Steve Jobs a Great Presenter?

RESOURCE BOX

To arrange presentation skills training or coaching to build your executive presence visit this web site.

For a media interview call +86 1391 786 7502.

Theater Rehearsals: What Executive Presenters Must Know Part 4 of 5: Step 4 : Tops and Tails

Published

Warwick

on May 11, 2010

in Create Your Connection, You the Presenter and rapport

. 0 Comments

To view the other steps in this series, see Step 1 “Script read through” , Step 2 “Run Through” and Step 3 “Cue to Cue”

Step 4 : Tops and Tails
The two most important parts of a presentation are the opening and closing. Both parts attract the greatest audience attention and are the best opportunities to deliver a takeaway message. They are often delivered at a higher level of authority and punch. Take the opening two minutes and rehearse as a stand-alone section. Record it and while listening to the recording, look for ways to make the delivery more impactful. Use crisper and sharper words. Make a closer connection to the audience with words they relate with. Likewise, repeat this approach with the closing. This is the final chance to convey the message and leave the audience with a positive impression.

iPad product launch: What Makes Steve Jobs a Great Presenter?

RESOURCE BOX

To arrange presentation skills training or coaching to build your executive presence visit this web site.

For a media interview call +86 1391 786 7502.

Theater Rehearsals: What Executive Presenters Must Know Part 3 of 5: Cue-to-Cue

Published

Warwick

on May 9, 2010

in Manage all Interruptions and You the Presenter

. 0 Comments

To view the other steps in this series, see Step 1 “Script read through” and Step 2 “Run Through”

Step 3: Cue-to-Cue
Always plan a technology check for all types of presentation. For smaller conference room presentations, go at least a couple of hours before to connect your computer to the projector, test the sound and video and ensure the mouse clicker works. For larger settings, arrive the day before and work with technicans in the venue. Spend time on the stage and walk around planning where to start, how to move on the stage and where to finish. Rehearse a couple of sections of the presentation with a microphone to hear what vocal volume is needed to fill the room.

Vary your Lifeforce

Product Launch like an Executive - Memorable product launches Part 3

RESOURCE BOX

To arrange presentation skills training or coaching to build your executive presence visit this web site.

For a media interview call +86 1391 786 7502.

The One Minute Presenter