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Live Communications |
..continued The first thing we did was write the script. Then we had him read it out loud. As his familiarity with the material grew, we put him in front a lectern in a private room. Then we took the notes and the lectern away. Each time he rehearsed we provided feedback, and as the date got closer we taped him so we could show him the improvements. When the time came, he stood on stage and delivered a clear, concise, insightful message. He was fully coordinated with audio visual material that was controlled from off-stage. After years of observing people in Toastmasters clubs and on camera, it became obvious to me that it doesn't mater if you are an introvert or an extrovert. If you are prepared and rehearsed, you will say what needs to be said, and you will do a better job of it than most. Of Course, the challenge is that executives are busy people and they don't have time to do it all themselves. We help with the writing and visual presentation development, and when necessary we help you prepare yourself for the live performance. |
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When a reporter sticks a camera in your face, you only have a few seconds to come up with a good answer; you think on your feet and you do the best can! When you know you're going to be on stage in a month, why would you wait until the last second to figure out what you're going to say? After several years of public speaking, working with executives, professional speakers, and politicians in community television, I finally figured it out. Those who plan and rehearse do better than those who don't. You can prepare for an interview the same as you would a staged presentation. In either case, if you know in advance what needs to be said, there is a far greater chance you will actually say it. Case In Point! I was hired to film a live, senior management presentation regarding a do-or-die initiative. The plan was to produce a DVD and send it around the world. It was easy to see that the CEO was prepared. He knew when to look at the audience, and when to look at the camera. He was brief, to the point, and knew when to use humor. The executive who was responsible for the presentation and carried the meat of the message was a different story. He was not prepared. While he seemed to have a knack for engaging the audience, he was off topic and failed to make the point. His slides were sloppy and his conversation was out of sync with the screen. It looked more like improvisation than a critical corporate message. We decided to re-shoot part of his presentation in the studio. The camera rolled and he froze. Again, he was not prepared but this time he had an additional problem! He was an extreme extrovert and he would always 'wing it'. He was comfortable in front of an audience but the camera was a different story. On the opposite end of the scale I had the privilege to work with an international executive who had been flown in to 'save a company'. He was scheduled to address a live audience of 500 people and make his case for change, but when he learned about that part he said he would rather quit and go home than go on stage. After much persuasion we convinced him we could get him through it if he did what asked him to do. ...continued top right
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