A Powerful Start To Your Presentation: Eight Seconds To Success
A powerful start to your presentation sets the tone and prepares the audience for a unique and entertaining experience. As I mentioned in my previous article, presentations for the most part are boring, and we certainly don’t want to put our audience to sleep. Boredom doesn’t say much for us, our product, or service – and it’s not good for business.
So what to do?
First, you need to know about The Eight Second Rule.
The Eight Second Rule says audiences will decide within eight seconds if you’re worth listening to in the first place.
Opening amenities are opening inanities. So don’t waste time on opening amenities such as “It’s a pleasure to be here today…” etc.. Instead, START STRONGLY.
Eight Ways To Begin Your Presentation With a Bang
1. TELL A PERSONAL STORY TO MAKE YOUR POINT
Example: “Two weeks ago, I had a brief tour of a competitor in Korea that opened my eyes. Their R&D facility was twice the size of their manufacturing facility, with a budget three times the size of ours. As I see it, that puts them ahead three years in the product pipeline with a four-year head start in the marketplace…”
(Followed by a call to action)
2. TELL AN ANECDOTE
Example: “You might have read in the Financial Times that if US companies stop seeking short term gains at the expense of R&D, America could once again lead markets worldwide and leave China and India wondering what hit them…”
3. BEGIN WITH THE ENDING
Example: “My message is simple. The US is close to a tipping point beyond which we’ll be unable to recapture our pole position in global markets…”
4. ASK A RHETORICAL QUESTION
Example: “I have just one question…What keeps you up at night? I don’t know about you, but what keeps me up at night is the knowledge that our R&D is down more than 22 percent in the last five years, while R&D in China, Korea, Vietnam, and other emerging nations are up more than 500 percent…”
5. START WITH A QUOTE
Quotes are tricky, so skip the Tennyson and use something contemporary.
For example:
“Last week the Fed chairman said, quote: ‘unprecedented oil and food prices and the dollar’s new low against the Euro’ –unquote –may lead to another downward rate adjustment.
“I take this as a wakeup call that a window of opportunity to regain our competitive edge may be about to close…”
6. PROJECT INTO THE FUTURE
In business, a forward-looking view is valued as a benchmark of leadership. Business isn’t about where we are, but where we’re going.
Example:
“Two years from now, this business will be different from the business we know today – for three reasons..”.
Then, like a lawyer in court, give examples to prove your projection.
7. LOOK INTO THE PAST
A historical overview increases credibility and adds gravitas.
Example:
“Fifteen years ago if I’d tried to tell you (A)…..You’d have thought I was crazy. But ten years ago we started to see (B). And this year the doors really flew open…”
8. HUMOR
Watch out for humor! It can backfire. But if you insist on trying to be funny, obey these simple rules:
- Always tell any humor as if it were true.
- Tell your funny story ONLY to support your theme or make a point.
- NEVER tell a joke as the expense of women or minorities.
- The safest humor is always self-effacing.
When you design your presentation to include a powerful start, you’re on your way to success! Next time, we’ll look at the ROCKET and the NECKLACE
