Comments on: The 7 Worst Speaker Mistakes

By: Bud Bilanich

Bud Bilanich — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:31:40 +0000

Lydia, Peter:
Thanks for your comments — and great common sense advice on making good presentations.
I like both of your ideas on preparation –from knowing exactly where you’ll be speaking to anticipating audience questions.
Have a great weekend…
Bud

By: Peter Bowler

Peter Bowler — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:48:02 +0000

In my top seven, I’d include “Know your audience.” Knowing your audience would include audience research and knowing how to behave, speak and act when on the podium. What’s appropriate for an after dinner speech is probably not appropriate for the Trade Association conference!
I wouldn’t need point seven, political correctness; that’s already covered. Instead I’d include “Prepare questions and answers” as my seventh point. Preparing answers to potential questions can be a real help to building audience understanding.
Your point about the Harvard study will make me check my references again. Good one.
Peter

By: Lydia Ramsey

Lydia Ramsey — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:13:30 +0000

I have made my share of mistakes during presentations. The worst was doing a program at a hotel with two separate towers so distant from one another that an underground tram ride was offered to take attendees from one tower to the other. I made the mistake of looking on the hotel map for the room in which my presentation was scheduled. Unfortunately, I didn’t physically check out the location earlier in the day because I had another presentation prior to the fatal session. By the time I went to the 22nd floor of Tower A, found out it was the wrong location, descended 22 floors, was unable to locate a tram going back to Tower B, ran the distance and made my way up the the 22nd floor of Tower B, I was late for my own presentation and gasping for breath. Some of the audience members never forgave me. I never forgive myself and have not repeated that mistake.