speaking at a conference

Copyright © 2011 IBM Corporation.All rights reserved.

How to Survive Your First Ten Minutes!

How to Survive Your First Ten Minutes!

Willie FaveroWillie FaveroIBM Silicon Valley LabIBM Silicon Valley LabSystem z Data Warehousing Swat TeamSystem z Data Warehousing Swat Team

Copyright © 2011 IBM Corporation.All rights reserved. of 40

AgendaCreating a PresentationIntroductionPrevious dayThe Day has arrivedBrainstorming activitiesSummarizeNext stepsWrap up


Creating a Presentation


Make the Decision Now!Start thinking right now about what you can present next yearWhat are you good at?

Is there an area you’re constantly asked questions about?Do you give in-house presentations

What topics do you enjoy? Have you written any articles?

An article can make a great basis for a presentation


Call for PapersDo the paper work as soon as possibleGet abstract in before the deadlineDo exactly as they ask

There are reasons for the restrictions on lengths, for example

Pick a good title, not a cute oneThe title may be what gets someone to notice your presentation over all the others

Spend some time on the abstractThis is all the attendees and conference planners get to see


Writing a PresentationDraw a storyboardIt’s true, Pictures do speak louder than wordsDon’t forget the notes

Explain terms and acronyms used on the slidesAdd additional information that may be of interestDO NOT simply add your script to the page. You do not want to sound like you are reading your own notes


Writing Your Presentation Plan on 3-4 minutes per slide

Size does Count! You are probably better off having too few slides than too manyTry to minimize “how much” is on one slideRemember to use a good font size

24-32 point size for slides - smaller is hard to readDo not make everything the same font type

Bold and italics can help emphasize a concept12 point for notes

Build your presentation style into your presentation


When Writing the Presentation Remember your…

Key issuesKey pointsFlow - does it make any sense

Are you planning to tell any storiesPlan ahead where you will be using them

Careful with jokes! You never know what is going to offend someone.Try humorous stories about situations you have been involved


Color makes a great looking foilHowever,

Use color to accomplish a purposeDo NOT use color simply to use color.

Choose your colors carefully…Accents/HighlightsImportant factsAdditional information that will not be coveredDraw ideas together

Always keep in mind… “What will your great color pictures look like when printed in black & white?”


Submitting Your Presentation Remember you will have a deadlineDoes your presentation have to be reviewed by someone

You may have to make changesYou may have to add additional information

Final draft has to published…. Give conference planners enough time to do their job also


You’ve been accepted. Now you have to give the

presentation


Before We StartPlease keep in mind…

Most of this is my opinion base on personal experienceMost of the mistakes you can make, I haveContact me if you have any questions or commentsEnjoy


And Remember…Smile! This is all Pretty Cool

You were asked to be hereThere are plenty of speakers willing and able to speak at a conference or user group

You have been preparing for years for thisYou have the experienceYou are the expert

They came to see you by choiceYou know your stuff so you’re ready for them

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Keep in Mind...Think of being on TV

And your audience has the remoteTry and satisfy a need

In themIn you

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The Day Before…If you’re speaking at a conference…

Locate the room were you are speakingFrom the room you’re speaking in, where is:

The restroomSpeaker’s ready roomBreak areasWater fountainsLight switches

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The Day Before...If you can get into the room, check it out

The room sizeHow the seating is set upWhere will you be standingWhere is the overhead screen set upWhere are the light switches

How far is it to your presentation room?-


The Night BeforeRehearse

You should already know your materialsRehearse how are you going to present it

Review your presentationAre your slides in order you want?What about notes?

Do you have themCan you read themDo you really need them?

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The Night BeforeGet some sleep

Try to get to bed at a decent hourAre you using a computer?

Where are the files?Do you know how to hook it up to projector?Do you have your power supply?

Do you know where power is located?Wireless mouse/pointer?

Are batteries good-


How Are You Dressed?It’s an old expression, however

“First Impressions” do really countAre you using a microphone?

Do you have somewhere to clip the mic?Polo shirts, sweaters, T-shirts do not work well

Where will you put the cord (if not remote)Where will you put the remote packJewelry and mics do not play well together

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Fifteen Minutes to Start TimeGet there early

There’s nothing worse than starting a presentation late. You only have so much time.

Check out the equipmentIs there a microphone (discussed later) Does the overhead projector work

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Fifteen Minutes to Start TimeFigure out where to stand

Make sure you’re not blocking the view of to many peopleIf you move around, make sure there is nothing to trip over

Find your friendsIt’s always nice to have a friendly face to look at occasionallyNo one you know in the room, make a friend -


Know Your Equipment Before...Is there an overhead projector?

Do you know how to turn it on?Does it work?

Check out both bulbsAre there extra bulbs?

Get contact name and number for A/V support person problemsWhere is the closest phone should a problem occur?

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Your Microphone is A FriendTest mic BEFORE people start to come into the roomTreat it like a new born baby

Do not tap it on the table or with your hand to see if it works

Talk into it with a normal speaking voice and ask someone in the back of the room if they can hear you

Do not blow into a microphone-


More on Your MicrophoneWear something appropriate for a micClip it on where you will always be speaking into it

IE. Not your shirt collar Always assume your microphone is on If you are supplied with a microphone, USE IT!!!

Even when you speak loudly, when talking to the projection screen, no one will hear you


How Do You StartIntroduce Yourself (if necessary)Thank your audience for coming

They did have choicesChit-Chat

Sometimes it’s goodand sometimes it isn’t

It can be calming, just don’t over do itAny time spent “just talking” reduces the time for your presentation materials

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And Your Off…..Talk with your audience , not at them

Use “we”Try to avoid “I”, “Me”, and “You”

Be sincere, let them know you really want to be thereBe up - Your attitude will be contagious, good or bad

If you’re having they will have funBe you, not me (or anyone else)

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Just Stuff to RememberDo not memorize what you are going to sayRather, remember:

Key issuesKey pointsFlowAny stories you plan to use and where to they fit into the presentation

Do not memorize-


Pointing Devices

Your fingerRemember it’s attached to a larger object!!!

A PenMost people have one readily available

Laser PointersWork well

Light/Darker rooms Red is good, green are betterGreen will show on rear projection screensDon’t forget new batteries

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Thirsty?

WaterAvoid ice water

Avoid anything that makes your throat cold. It can put unnecessary strain on your voice.

Room temperature with lemon works wellAvoid soda

Doesn’t matter if it is in a can, bottle, or glassRemember, soda has bubbles


Thirsty? Coffee, Tea, Etc…

Hot liquids are usually better for your voiceIf caffeine makes you hyper, drink something else

My favoriteWarm water with a slice of lemonCoffee

AlcoholAlcohol is NEVER a good idea. Not before, not during. Save it for after.


What About Questions?Decide before you start how to handle and let your audience know

Will there be a Q&A time at the endWill you accept questions while you’re presentingWill you be participating at the “Speaker’s Corner” laterCan they get hold of you if they have additional questions

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And Questions Start to Come!Repeat all questions

Only you have a microphone (in most cases) Try to paraphrase the questions when you repeat it

Allows you to double check that you understand what was really askedIt lets the person asking the question know that you understood

How do you react to a question?Don’t look shocked. They won’t trust the answer.NEVER EVER try to con them! If you don’t know the answer, tell them you don’t and that you will get them an answer.

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More on QuestionsDo not talk with the person asking the question, There are others in the room.When the hand goes up

Acknowledge you see the person with the questionFinish your thought, then address the questionAs long as they know you know they have a question, you don’t have to rush to let them speak

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How Should You Finish?Be aware of the time

Try not to go over. They’re ready for a break.Everyone has some place else to goHave an ending, let them know you are finished

“and in conclusion” or “in summary” used at the wrong time can mess up your audience

Thank them for comingSincerely

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How Should You Finish?Stop!!!

If your presentation is over, STOP talkingTurn off your microphone

We’re not here to make bloopersYou are not finished until you leave the room

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And Finally...Rule #1

Enjoy Yourself - This should be fun for everyone, including you

Rule #2It’s your show, you are the expert, you were asked to be here

Rule #3Enjoy Yourself, you’ll be great

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Bibliography“The How-To of Great Speaking “

Hal PersonsBlack and Taylor Publishing

“I Can See You Naked”Ron HoffAndrews and McMeel Publishing

“The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Speaking in Public with Confidence”

Laurie E. Robakis, Ph.D.Alpha Books


Shameless Self promotion

http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/database/db2zosMy DB2 for z/OS blog…

http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/database/db2zos/


Thank YouMerci

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Danke

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Willie FaveroSenior Certified Consulting IT Software

SpecialistDynamic Warehousing on System z Swat Team

IBM Silicon Valley LaboratoryIBM Academic Initiative Ambassador for System z

IBM Certified Database Administrator - DB2 Universal Database V8.1 for z/OSIBM Certified Database Administrator – DB2 9 for z/OSIBM Certified System Administrator – DB2 9 for z/OS

IBM Certified Database Administrator – DB2 10 for z/OSIBM Certified Database Administrator – DB2 10 for z/OS

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