10 Ways to Help Your Audience Remember Your Power Point or Winging It Presentation

In my recent article on PowerPoint Presentation or Winging It , I mentioned that I will be giving Presentation Tips based upon my experience in integrating PowerPoint and Winging It in my free monthly newsletter.

However, in this post, I want to just give you 10 ways to help your audience to remember your message whether you are making a PowerPoint Presentation or Winging It. 

Here they are:

1. People remember the first and last things you say. Put your most important points up front and drive them home.

2. Audiences absorb as little as 25% of what you are saying. Be clear, logical, succinct, and repeat your message.

3. Attention spans are short, so don't get bogged down in extraneous detail. Make every sentence count.

4. People retain visual information. Paint pictures with your words in vibrant language.

5. First impressions are difficult to change. Look, act, and speak like a confident professional.

6. Research shows that your message is conveyed: 7% through words; 38% through your vocal inflection; and 55% through body signals. Rehearse not just words, but your voice and actions.

7. Never read your presentation to the audience. 93% of your message is non-verbal. Eye contact, smiles, and natural gestures help to make the audience like you.

8. Don't try to be who you are not. Let your own personality shine through rather than trying to copy another speaker.

9. Make sure your audio-visuals, PowerPoint, or whatever are of top caliber, and use them properly and effectively.

10. Practice Q & A in advance. Ask some of your colleagues to come up with some questions that your presentation is likely to generate. Ask yourself ten questions you would hate to get. Fashion your answers in advance.

As I mentioned in my article, I have a preference for Winging It and have been successful in doing so, but since everyone now expects to have a PowerPoint presentation when they come to a workshop, I have decided to integrate PowerPoint in my presentations.
 
What is your preference?

The Insecure, Small-Minded Boss

A colleague mentioned to me the other day, that the executive director at her part-time job likes to criticize and browbeat his employees in their weekly staff meetings. It occurred to me that it is typically the insecure, small-minded person who resorts to that kind of behavior.

Over thirty-five years ago at an organization where I was consulting, the staff there had a similar type of boss to deal with. They resorted to sabotaging the boss and the organization which ultimately resulting in the boss being removed. But, before then the organization suffered and undeserved its constituents.

These bosses almost always have advanced degrees. So consider this, learning without wisdom is like a load of books on an ass' back.

If you know of anyone or if you have had an experience like this, let me know about it and and how it was handled.

How to Fund your Child's College Education the Right Way

Funding a college education at the rate that tuitions continue to rise can be extremely difficult for a single parent. For example, in Illinois the range for in-state 2010-2011 tuition and fees for a state University such as the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana is $13,640 while the tuition for a private university such as Northwestern University is $40,247. Other educational institutions in Illinois may have tuitions that maybe a few thousand dollars more or less. Each educational institution has to be evaluated on their own merits. 

Moreover a two-year junior college may be an option for the first two years. Or even forgetting the liberal arts universities altogether and choosing a technical or trade college maybe even the best option depending on your child's aptitude and interests.

Nevertheless, as a single parent you need to prepare to meet at least some of the cost of financing your child education. And, because your child is clearly dependent upon you, the value of life insurance is a must for consideration.

There are three major types of life insurance to consider: Whole life, Term, and Universal life. Whole Life offers a death benefit, tax-free guaranteed cash buildup, an opportunity to borrow money without any requirements, and proceeds distributed tax-free. Term provides for a larger face amount for the same premium but only for 10, 20, or 30 years. Some term plans allow for return of premium at the end of the time period which may be a good option to consider. Universal life is essentially a hybrid that encompasses the best features of whole life and term, is interest-rate sensitive, has a guaranteed cash value, and allows for flexibility in premium payment.

Here is an example of a whole life cash buildup of for a 38-year-old female single parent with a four-year old child. For a monthly premium of $97.06, a major life insurance company here in Illinois will provide a death benefit of $100,000 and $12,471 in cash value in 14 years. She can borrow this money without having to meet any qualifications and never pay it back if she chooses not to. The amount borrowed would just be deducted from her death benefit. While this loan will not fully fund the child's education, it would cover some significant expenses and would be self-completing by paying the beneficiary $100,000 if she passes away before the child reaches college age.

The other option which allows you to contribute to your child education is a 529 plan, however, this is considered an investment decision with both the benefits and drawbacks and no guarantees. Moreover, politicians can make changes in these plans as a matter of state legislation. And, as this is just an investment plan, it is not self-completing in the event of an untimely death.

All things considered a whole life insurance plan should be your major vehicle for funding your child education. If you choose a 529 plan to augment it, do your homework and choose very carefully.

Any thoughts? Leave your comments below.