Next time you have to present, consider whether you can use something surprising to keep your audience tuned in!

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

Next comes what you know and how you know it.  What gives you the credibility to talk to the audience about this topic?  Our attorney let us know that he want to law school at Notre Dame and that he had been specializing on the day’s topic for more than 10 years.

Common Cause

This last item sounds a bit like “connection” but it means something different.   Connection helps your audience to relax.  They feel safe because they feel like you have said that you are like them, not better than them.  Common cause is about the bigger purpose that unites you and the audience.  Our attorney told us that he does what he does because he wants to improve the quality of education in America.  So did we!  Why else would we be at an 8-hour workshop on a Saturday?

For more ideas telling stories that help you connect with and engage your audience, check out Annette Simmon’s book, The Story Factor.

For some specific techniques to use at the start of your talk, check out this great blog post from presentation advisor, Jon Thomas:  5 Ways to Start Your Presentation Off Strong.

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”.

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!

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!

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.

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.

#2:  Appeal to a sense of purpose

Following the four clips, the narrator said, “I’ll bet you are thinking that someone else with less important things to do should be here instead of you.”  This got a good laugh as we all realized that we all thought our agendas were more important than everyone else’s. After empathizing, the narrator then came on to say, “We know you might not be thrilled to be here, but you are playing an import part in the process that makes our country great.”  The video went on to talk about the role that juries play in giving people a fair trial and how important each juror is to the process.

#3: Provide details of the plan.

Only after relating to what people were feeling, and appealing to a higher purpose, did the video go inot the nuts and bolts of how the process would work.  This stage a) gave the jurors information about the types of juries, the selection process, etc. and b) helped us know what to expect for the rest of the morning.

What struck me most was the fact that if the information in this video had been covered in a different order it would not have been nearly as effective.  Whoever wrote the script realized that starting with emotion, then moving to purpose, and finally getting into details/plans/information would fit the psychological state we jurors were in. If the video had started with information – I have no doubt that we would have rolled our eyes and felt unappreciated. 

All in all, a great example of how a well crafted message can turn resisters into supporters.

• 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:

Click here to view the embedded video.

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.

Too see a World Cafe in action, check out this video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

“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:

• What about the strategy/vision (fill in the blank) excites you?
• What concerns you? 
• What questions do you have?

Make sure that someone from each group captures the responses (either on a handout or flipchart).  When time is up, spend 15 – 20 minutes listening to what people have to say.   You will be amazed at how much you learn. 

Looking for more on town halls?  Check out my previous post, Tempted to Try a Town Hall? and Sarah McAdam’s recent blog post on ragan.com, Turning the Town Hall on its Head.