Once upon a time there was a businessperson who had the task of convincing an audience of the need for the business to plan better for the future. Instead of starting out with a spreadsheet and a long list of numbers he started with a story we all know, "The Three Little Pigs." He engaged his audience with the brilliance of the little pig who built his house out of brick then used that metaphor to segue into his discussion of long-term planning.
There are many ways to communicate depending on the message you need to deliver, who the targeted recipient is, and the urgency of the message.
The military officer orders.
The advertiser entices.
The leader inspires.
The trainer, supervisor, or coach motivates.
Since few of us are in a position to communicate by barking orders, we have to learn to become more effective in enticing, inspiring, and motivating. Perhaps the most effective method is to think back to the days when you were a child and your parents told you a bedtime story. Many of these stories are parables ? a short tale that illustrates a lesson or moral attitude in an entertaining manner. Compare the well-known childhood favorite, "The Little Engine That Could" with a lecture on the values of "persistence." The story is really a romantic rendition that captures the imagination of a youngster so much better than a discussion of sticking to a task. But stories are not just for little kids, we all listen more intently when we are entertained.
Listeners become engaged when being told a story. Our comprehension and empathy increases as we identify with the circumstances, the people, and events that we imagine when an entertaining story is told with skill and emotion. A story is so much better than a dry, factual laundry list of "do's" and "do nots."
When you have to convince, motivate, inspire, sell, or entertain, think of preparing your communication in a form your audience will react to with enthusiasm and wonder. It will help them better prepare for the day that big bad wolf comes to huff and puff and blow the house down.
Larry Galler coaches and consults with high-performance executives, professionals, and small businesses since 1993. He is the writer of the long-running (every Sunday since November 2001) business column, "Front Lines with Larry Galler" Sign up for his free newsletter at http://www.larrygaller.com
Do you ever get frustrated with your marketing? Are you... Read More
Whether you are training preschoolers in the classroom or executives... Read More
MANAGING MEETINGS--BEING PREPARED MAKES A DIFFERENCE: You can schedule all... Read More
At a number of business seminars and presentations, I passed... Read More
"Let it be known, no person, thing, or situation... Read More
So you're going to have a booth at a trade... Read More
Never rehearse at the last minute. This creates undue tension... Read More
Some speakers say, "I could never use humor in my... Read More
At some point in your presentation you will be expected... Read More
As a former owner of a National Speakers Bureau, I... Read More
Have you ever had to give a speech?Do you remember... Read More
"The human brain starts working the moment you are born... Read More
Regardless of what response technique may be convenient in a... Read More
Summer is here! It's time to bring out your summer... Read More
"I'm not an expert on this topic, but . .... Read More
Regardless, if your goal is to make a sale or... Read More
Have you ever been slideswiped? You walk into a meeting... Read More
You've spent a lot of time preparing your PowerPoint presentations... Read More
Since the events of September 11th and the economy slipping... Read More
The quality of your sales presentation will often determine whether... Read More
Regardless of the nature of our job or social standing,... Read More
Tip #1 The purpose of your speech is to get... Read More
Kvetching is the Yiddish word for complaining, hand to the... Read More
First of all, what is a bio sheet and why... Read More
Whether you need to address large groups or small, familiar... Read More
First and foremost, you must deal effectively with your own... Read More
You have presentation style habits that automatically appear when you... Read More
Flip charts are so common that we all think we... Read More
(Excerpted From the Jim Rohn Millennium Weekend Event)Persistence in your... Read More
Did the "Painless" part of the title get your attention?Speaking... Read More
We all fear that moment. You look out on a... Read More
"I didn't have 3000 pairs of shoes. I had only... Read More
Delivering humorous speeches involves a lot more than simply having... Read More
If you are taking your newest products to a trade... Read More
A client recently called to say she was going to... Read More
Did the "Painless" part of the title get your attention?Speaking... Read More
Whenever and whatever you're pitching, dozens of factors will figure... Read More
You're in a conference room. You're giving a PowerPoint presentation... Read More
Whether you are training preschoolers in the classroom or executives... Read More
You've spent a lot of time preparing your PowerPoint presentations... Read More
"I have a love/hate relationship with PowerPoint. In the right... Read More
When was the last time you thought about what you... Read More
Does the thought of speaking in front of others send... Read More
The CEO of a worldwide business asked me to help... Read More
So you're not a professional speaker. That's no excuse for... Read More
Last week my husband and I attended an awesome 4... Read More
Are poor presentations costing you business?The ability to deliver a... Read More
ALTERNATIVES TO THE LECTURE FORMAT: How often do you use... Read More
As I travel around the world I always enjoy sampling... Read More
What is it about overhead projectors that causes us to... Read More
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EFFECTIVE FACILITATOR: As chairperson, focus on the... Read More
I had been working on a logo idea for several... Read More
1. Play "find the meeting" by changing the location and... Read More
The social skills of a small businessperson, franchisee, independent contractor... Read More
Long long ago, it was the time when time itself... Read More
Cattiness is something no one ever wants to be accused... Read More
Your job as an event planner doesn't stop with the... Read More
8 Ways to Improve Your Presentation Skills 1. Join Toastmasters.... Read More
How do you come across in your emails?As I receive... Read More
Ever had that uncomfortable feeling of not knowing where to... Read More
"I didn't have 3000 pairs of shoes. I had only... Read More
Flip charts are so common that we all think we... Read More
SUCCESSFUL DEMONSTRATIONS: All of us have seen demonstrations in one... Read More
The most important tip...EVER!Make sure that you always think of... Read More
Some speakers say, "I could never use humor in my... Read More
A top complaint from audience members is that many presenters... Read More
Presentation |