Keep the Lights On It is a common reaction all over the world: Just as the presenter is ready to begin, someone shouts "could you get the lights, please!" And the room becomes shrouded in darkness, save for the light reflecting off the screen. The presenter? She must be there somewhere, I can hear her speaking (or is that the audience breathing?). If you want your presentation to be more effective, then don't touch that light switch. Even when you are using slides, the more lights you can keep on, the better off you will be. Remember, you're trying to connect, to tell a story, to sell an idea to the board or other decision makers. It is very difficult to make a connection if the audience can't see you. The audience is not there to witness the narration of slides; they are there to listen to you and become engaged with you and your topic. If the audience can't see you, they will find it difficult to listen, and they are certainly more likely to tune you out. The audience must experience both your "verbal speech" and your "visual speech." A relatively small part of your message is actually verbal. The rest of your message is expressed visually and vocally. Influencing people verbally becomes far more difficult when they can't see you. Cliff Atkinson reminds us of the evidence that supports the claim that the more the audience can both see and hear you, the better. "It turns out that when you watch people speak, the visual cues help you to predict and understand the auditory cues that follow soon after. These visual cues are actually not limited to the lips, but include the entire human face," says Atkinson. According to the authors of Why Business People Speak like Idiots (Free Press), " human beings are hard-wired to draw much more meaning from people than they are from the information that people present." True, but they've got to see you. Ten years ago, projectors were not all that bright, so turning the lights off made more sense. Today, even inexpensive business projectors are usually bright enough for a smaller venue or teaching situation. There is no good reason for turning off all the lights today in most situations. In many cases, you just have to compromise. The slides may look better with all the lights off, but you'll disappear. With all the lights on, the screen may wash out completely. In this case, you can dim just the lights in front if possible. Look for a balance, but do not present in the dark. 208 Presentation Zen In corporate meeting rooms across Japan, common practice is to turn all or most of the lights off for presentations. It is also very common for the presenter to sit on the side or back of the table operating the PC while the audience stares at the screen as the "presenter" narrates the slides. This practice is so common that it is considered "normal." It may be normal, but it is not effective. Audiences will better understand the presenter's message when they can both hear and see the presenter. Chapter 9 Connecting with an Audience 209 Remote Simplicity: Use a Small Remote to Advance Slides I see a lot of presentations by very smart people, yet all too often the presenter either uses a remote poorly (as if it is the first time he's seen such a device) or does not use a remote at all. Even today, too many presenters stay next to the computer on a table or lectern or walk back to the computer to change slides every few minutes. Remote control devices for computers are relatively cheap and an absolute must. No excuses, you've got to have one. If you are not currently using a remote to advance slides, adding a remote to your delivery style will make a huge difference. The remote allows you to get out front closer to the people, to move to different parts of the stage or room, and to make those connections. When we stay glued to the laptop and look down to advance every slide, our presentations become more like slide shows with narration, the kind our uncle used to bore us with when he whipped out his 35mm slide projector with highlights of his latest fishing trip. Yawn. Remember, you want the technology behind your presentation to be as invisible as possible to the audience. But when you have your hand on the computer and your eyes are moving back and forth from the computer screen, to the keyboard, to the audience (or projection screen), this becomes more like the typical PowerPoint presentation that people complain about. Small and basic is all you need. I prefer small remotes with only the most basic features. You can buy remotes that you can mouse around with onscreen and are equipped with myriad other features, but they are large and call attention to themselves. All I really need is the ability to advance, go back, and turn the screen black. Very simple. 210 Presentation Zen In Sum  You need solid content and logical structure, but you also have to make a connection with the audience. You must appeal to both the logical and the emotional.  If your content is worth talking about, then bring energy and passion to your delivery. Every situ ation is different, but there is never an excuse for being dull.  Don't hold back. If you have a passion for your topic, then let people know it.  Remember hara hachi bu. It is better to leave your audience satisfied yet yearning for a bit more of you than it is to leave your audience stuffed and feeling that they have had more than enough.  Keep the lights on; the audience must always be able to see you.  Remove any barriers between you and the audience. Avoid podiums (lecterns), if possible. And use a wireless mic and remote control for advancing slides so that you can move around freely and naturally. Chapter 9 Connecting with an Audience 211 [...]... Presentation Zen Conclusion So, what's the conclusion? The conclusion is there is no conclusion, there is only the next step And that next step is completely up to you In fact, far from being the conclusion, for many this is just the beginning In this book I have tried to give you a few simple things to think about as you work toward improving your presentation preparation, design, and delivery skills... The lessons are everywhere It's just a matter of seeing It's Within You Already The key is in knowing that it is within you already Do not rely on Microsoft or Apple or anyone else to dictate your choices Most of all, do not let mere habit and the habits of others—dictate your decisions on how you prepare and design and ultimately deliver your presentations The secret is in increased awareness and being... great presentations: it's not about technique Once you begin to focus on technique and tricks and flash and making an impression, all is lost If I never played music I would miss all the lessons Get Out Nothing great will ever happen to you if you stay in your comfort zone So as much as you can, get out of your office or school or house and make connections and look to exercise the right side of your... graphic design what's effective and what's not— during the morning commute on the trains Trains here in Japan are clean, comfortable, and on time The trains are also full of print advertising hanging and affixed to every conceivable space I enjoy scanning the print ads while I commute as this gives me a chance to keep abreast of new products and events, and also to study graphic design trends and observe... yourself and develop your creativity; exercise your creative brain Take a drama class Take an art class Go to a movie Go to a concert Go to a play or a musical If you're a musician, join an orchestra or jam with friends or form a band Or just go for an inspirational walk alone Or visiting a temple in Kyoto Chapter 10 The Journey Begins 219 Lessons Are All Around You We can find inspiration and lessons in... nightclub I no longer play music fulltime, but I still perform from time to time with local jazz musicians or blues bands in Japan It's so good for the creative soul to play live and connect with other musicians and an audience Blues especially is about connecting and telling a story through the words and music It's about feelings Playin g the blues well is similar to making great presentations: it's not... world and all the lessons around you We cannot truly move forward and learn the new if we cling to the old The essential key to improvement is simply having an open mind, an open heart, and a willingness to learn and even to make mistakes in the process There are many ways to improve and transform yourself In this chapter, I have listed just a few that I hope will be of help to you 220 Presentation Zen. .. also to study graphic design trends and observe the way graphics and print are used in the media You can learn a lot about fundamental design principles and develop a critical eye through careful examination of graphic design found in posters, banners, street signs, store fronts, and so on We usually ignore or take for granted so much of the design in an urban setting, but just walking down the street... skills This book focused on presenting while using slideware such as PowerPoint or Keynote, yet the use of multimedia technology is not appropriate for every case You decide But if you do use slideware in your next talk, aim to design and deliver your presentation while allowing the principles of restraint, simplicity, and naturalness to be your gentle guide Enjoy the journey Chapter 10 The Journey Begins...Exercise Your “Right Brain” It is important for working professionals—no matter what their field is—to stay in touch with their "creative soul" and to nurture it What a waste it would be to ignore one of your passions or talents Frankly, you just never know where inspiration will come from Inspiration, clarity, or a new perspective may materialize unforced as you climb that mountain, . on the Presentation Zen Web site (presentationzen.com ) which are related to presentation design and delivery. Most of the items recommend are not necessarily about presentation skills or slideware. will be of help to you. 220 Presentation Zen Conclusion So, what's the conclusion? The conclusion is there is no conclusion, there is only the next step. And that next step is completely up. black. Very simple. 210 Presentation Zen In Sum  You need solid content and logical structure, but you also have to make a connection with the audience. You must appeal to both the logical and the