Graciela’s Presentation: Case Study for what I’m trying to get us away from That was a network presentation presented to Coca-Cola, and that’s the best they could come up with Univision is fortunate to have a wealth of research at our fingertips, but often we get caught up with needing to use all that information to be the “experts.” But what happens in the end is that our message gets lost. That is the goal of these training sessions, to improve the way we communicate our message from Research all the way to the client. What are some of our biggest areas that we need to improve our messaging? What are your biggest obstacles out there? There are a lot of them, but we can’t focus on getting them out at once, we need to tell each story separately. Or else we end up with what Graciela presented.
So we start at the beginning, with improving the way we Prepare.
Has anyone read the Art of War? Sun-tsu said over 2500 years ago that…(read quote) Meaning, the army that is more prepared is the one that will win the battle and ultimately the war. The same goes in sports…the same goes in business.
Many of you have heard me preach the 5 P’s, who knows what they are? click
But the first 2 are the most important. I don’t think any of us go out unprepared to a meeting…but even the most expert of us can improve the way we properly prepare.
But the first 2 are the most important. I don’t think any of us go out unprepared to a meeting…but even the most expert of us can improve the way we properly prepare.
So in our studies, Lisa and I have identified 3 key steps to help us properly prepare: 1) Creativity, sparking creativity or putting yourself in the best position to spark creativity 2) is the idea of constraints or limitations and how they can help us And 3) Asking the right questions
Who here thinks they are a creative person, quick show of hands??? The different forms of creativity: Sculptor and artist vs. coming up with ideas
But the creativity I’m referring to is coming up with creative ideas.
So we start with a beginner’s mind…
Read quote… Essentially, take a step back and forget that you know everything. Be open to any and all possibilities or any idea.
Then take a step way. Go analog to use our TV lingo Take a paper and pen and get away from your desk…away from all the distractions, the emails, the phone calls, the reports. It is very distracting where you all sit, but it is what it is. So go out and brainstorm for ideas instead of starting with Powerpoint.
Next is constraints, or limitations, or anything that is going against us…
But are they really a bad thing? They can actually be powerful allies.
What are some uncontrollable constraints that we run into?
What about self-imposed restraints??? Or self-limitations???
Read quote: So give yourself your own time limit. If you have 30 minutes to meet with someone, aim to be out in 20 minutes. Try to be as specific as possible with what you want to talk about. Tell the story of this presentation…
Finally, asking the right questions. This is nothing new…we read a whole book on asking the right questions. But that doesn’t make it any less important to really focus our message.
What are some of the wrong questions we ask ourselves??? How many slides? How long should I be? How much research should I use? How many leave behinds?
What about the right questions? Client needs analysis. Know your audience Know your venue
But most importantly, what is my absolute central point? If the audience walks away with anything, what will it be?