Engaging Audiences
Adorable and Effective Video
Any presenter today faces the challenge of getting and keeping their audience’s attention. Thomas Airways does a brilliant job of engaging their (often cynical) audience of travelers with this adorable and effective video:
Next time you have to present, consider whether you can use something surprising to keep your audience tuned in!
Succcess Secrets for Starting a Presentation
On Saturday I attended an all-day workshop for educators. Our first presenter was an attorney who did such an excellent job with his opening that I feel compelled to write about it!
In my experience, if you want to engage your audience, it is critical to begin any presentation with the Three C’s: connection, credibility, and common cause. Here are a few thoughts on each, along with examples from our attorney.
Connection
With most audiences, I recommend starting with a personal connection. What do you have in common with the group? How are you similar in thinking, background, approach, etc? Our Saturday presenter started his talk by letting us know that he had been a teacher (with Teach for America) and that he is married to a teacher. You could see the smiles spread around the room of educators instantly!
Credibility
Use Video to Increase Learner Engagement
Imagine ethics and compliance training so compelling that your employees hack in to your computer system to see episodes before they are released!
This isn’t a fantasy. One company actually made it happen by making it’s mandatory training funny, relevant, and educational through the use of video.
Steve Mack, executive producer for Impact Video Production, just released this video blog showing how several companies have made training more engaging by creating video parodies of the TV series, “The Office”.
Actively Engage Employees with Video Contests
Corporate communicators have been using video to share messages for decades. But in just the past year or two, more and more companies are recognizing that employees are more actively engaged when they create the video themselves. Here is a great example of this approach.
Hospital Video Contest: Washing Hands
Rather than creating a corporate Wash Your Hands campaign, one hospital asked employees to create and submit their own videos. Here’s a compilation of results:
Consider inviting your people to create your next important message themselves!
Great Presentation Skills Resource
Two colleagues of mine here in Colorado Springs, Howard Stableford and Michael Gardner, specialize in helping leaders improve their presentation skills. Their company is called Authentic Communication Training.
Authentic Communication Training uses cutting-edge learning technologies and proven presentation strategies to easily and effectively help clients become authentic and extraordinary presenters–in small and large groups, on-stage and in front of the media.
Looking for a taste of what Howard and Michael offer? Check out their free audio book, “Six Things You Must Know before Being on TV or Video.” I learned a lot from it. My favorite tip: Don’t wait in the green room for your interview – hang on on set instead and observe others.
Keep the great tips coming guys!
New Data on Customer Engagement
I’ve written about employee engagement in previous posts, but today is all about the customer.
PeopleMetrics, Inc. recently released it’s 2009 Most Engaged Customer Report. According to their study, the companies that have the most engaged customers include:
Ritz-Carlton
Google
The Four Seasons
Netflix.com
Cartier
Armani
Newegg.com
Wegman’s Food Market
Coach
Costco
Not suprisingly, a number of the companies that made the top of engaged customer list are also companies that are famous for their focus on employees, including Wegman’s, Ritz-Carlton, and Costco.
Want to read more about engaging customers and employees? The Executive Summary is available online for free.
Dealing with Resistance – An Effective Example
I was summoned to appear for Jury Duty today and was pleasantly surprised when the experience resulted in an effective example of communicating with an audience full of resisters.
After the 30 or so of us signed in with the Court Clerk, we were shown a video. I admit to bracing myself for something preachy and boring. However, 30 seconds into watching “The Colorado Juror” I was digging in my bag for a pen and paper to capture notes on how good the video was! I thought it was an effective example of the order in which to cover points when dealing with a resistant, skeptical, or hesitant audience.
#1: Start with empathy for the emotions people are feeling.
The video started with clips of four past jurors talking about how anxious and annoyed they were when they received their summons. As people chuckled and nodded along, the tension in the room started to dissapate.
Speaking Advice from Bruce Springsteen?
A few nights ago, Bruce Springsteen was a guest on The Daily Show. In addition to giving a moving performance of his new song, Working on a Dream, Springsteen talked about going on tour and connecting with audiences. I was struck by how relevant his advice is to anyone who speaks or performs. Here is a recap:
- Celebrate the history you have with the audience.
- Share your new work (thoughts, ideas).
- Connect to what is happening in the world now.
He went on to emphasize that there are many different audiences that make up the crowd at any performance. Some believe what you believe. Some want to be entertained. Some will disagree with you. Springsteen says to recognize that fact, but stay true to who you are.
Great advice for singers and speakers!
Haven’t heard the song? Check out the YouTube video:
Leading a World Cafe
A few years ago, my good friend Jennifer McCollum introduced me to a method of engaging people in powerful dialogue. The method, known as World Cafe, was created by Juanita Brown and David Isaacs. A World Cafe centers on inviting people to meet at small “coffee shop” type tables to have several rounds of conversations. Participants rotate from table to table, building on ideas as they move. Brown and Isaacs have used World Cafes with anywhere from 12 to 12,000 people and their method has been replicated around the world.
In my work, I’ve used the World Cafe method to engage employees at all levels in dialogue about the key issues their team, group, or organization is facing. By moving from table to table and focusing on having conversations, rather than making decisions, participants broaden their own thinking and begin to understand and value different perspectives.
To read stories about successful World Cafes and to learn how to host one yourself, visit www.WorldCafe.com.
Improving Town Halls
Alison Davis of Davis & Company recently posted about town halls on her blog. Here’s what she had to say:
“The key reason that employees are reluctant to speak out during meetings is because meetings are poorly structured to encourage interaction. A 10-minute Q&A section does not elicit participation—it shuts people down. If you really want employees to speak out, they need time (lots of it), a safe venue (breakouts, for instance, not a big crowd), and leaders who demonstrate that they welcome all kinds of feedback, including negative comments.”
In situations like these, I like to use a quick & dirty method for actively engaging with the audience. After your presentation, divide participants into small groups. Ask each group to spend 5 minutes discussing each of the following questions:
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What about the strategy/vision (fill in the blank) excites you?
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What concerns you?
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What questions do you have?
