TJ WALKER - THE HABIT INFLUENCER - Personal Development | LIVE STREAM

16 Mar 2017 · 2 min

Watch on YouTube

2:27

TJ Walker argues that executives obsess over presentation technology when they should obsess over whether audiences understand, remember, and act on their message. He uses Lincoln-Douglas debates and Broadway as examples of why in-person speaking matters, and pushes storytelling and memorable images over flashy effects.

Chapters

PowerPoint is a technology solution. I love technology. I use PowerPoint, I use laptops, cameras, cell phones, smartphones, you name it. I love technology. But one of the beauties of people coming into a room together to hear someone speak is it's one of those rare moments that isn't primarily about technology in the modern world. In some ways, it's no different than people gathering in a room to hear Abe Lincoln and Stephen Douglas debate for five hours. It's an actual live experience. Same with Broadway shows. You might love a movie, but it's a different experience being in the room and seeing people speak. Because of that, you need to realize you can't obsess over every little technological new innovation that comes out. There's always this add on to PowerPoint. There's always this special effect, there's always this new video application. And if you are a PowerPoint professional, sure, you need to keep abreast of those things. But if you're the typical executive and you give presentations as a part of your job, part of your living, part of your life, my advice? Don't obsess over every single little technology innovation. What you should do is is obsess over the reaction you're getting from your audiences. Are they truly understanding your messages? Are they truly remembering your messages? Which stories are they coming back to you and throwing back in your face that they say were so powerful? What images on your slides are they telling you? Help them completely change how they thought about an issue. That's where your obsession should be. You always hear business gurus, they have an obsession for your customers. I believe a presentation guru should say you should be obsessed with your audience. What is really going to help them understand and remember your messages more so they can take the actions you want? It's probably not going to be the latest build or a page turn or a dissolve with your PowerPoint presentation. So focus less on every little technology innovation and more on your audience.