The Hidden Edge

This week sees the fifth anniversary of my working in the same job and for the same company.  Don’t misunderstand me; I love doing what I do.  I guess this is one of the reasons why I have kept at it for so long.

It has been, however, a long and difficult year due to significant organisational changes which are unlikely to abate. 

Now the nights are drawing in, following a non-summer and I am probably not the only one to be suffering SAD?  So when I found this on you tube I just knew I had to include it into this week’s Blog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=louXPUW7tHU  

What amazing lyrics, I have always admired how Bowie manages to collate such random, eclectic ideas and turn them into something so powerful. 

I am sure that everyone will have their own story or memory that will connect with the sentiments as they see them.  I remember playing this over and over in the late 70’s when I was going through those difficult late teenage years.  You know the “you treat this house like a hotel” ones.   

This year, I have felt like I have been behaving a bit like a teenager.  I am smiling now with a little situational irony! 

http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/lit_terms/irony.html I think I’ll explore irony a bit more next week.  

In the meantime I’m going to listen to it again – want to join me? Here’s a later version …. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkCc_qiI7UA

but it doesn’t tell the whole story. 

http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=682676873 

I like this photo!  I think it is funny.  And for those of you who don’t know me, (I keep a low profile on this Blog) I am she with the rather large tongue! 

Whilst there is a lot going on, what is it all about? Why have I got my tongue out?  Who is the little boy and why is he pulling away from me?  Who is the women on the left – is she is colluding?  Why is she wearing velveteen trousers – or is she?  Why am I wearing a rain hat when the weather looks perfectly all right?  What time of year is it?  Why are all those people in the background all walking away from this scene?  Why are some of the flags flying in the wrong direction?  Where is this harbour?  Are we wide awake and excited or tiring out and fractious?  What is the man on the right just about to do?  What have I got in my hand and why might that be?  What are we thinking about?  How are we feeling?  Who has taken the photograph?  How did we get there?  Are we hungry or sated? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9uj98Tgm8Y 

Pictures will support your words, but by themselves they don’t say any much about the story true or otherwise.   

What would you say is going on?

This week, I was reminded of a vivid conversation I had with Steve Graham of White Bears

http://www.whitebears.co.uk/fe/htm/01/01.01.asp.  

We were discussing the ‘plagiarism’ of Dr Albert Mehrabian’s work and his often misquoted study of accepted meaning from the way we communicate. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Mehrabian

His oft-cited research suggests that only 7% of the message we receive while communicating with others comes from the words that are used.  Only seven percent!  This means that 93% of the message comes from body language (at 55%) and tone of voice (at 38%).  I have heard, as a post script by almost all presenters, myself included in times gone by, that even though words make up a mere 7%, they are still important!

I have mulled over this and wonder why we should make such a statement.  Then Steve drove the message home (in a phone call as it happened!)  It is not the message that is heard or seen it is a perceived meaning that is heard or seen and the consequence of that. 

Now, Mehrabian’s research was undertaken and published in the 1970s!  Yet so much of our communication now is no longer face to face – the 2.0 era is upon us.  We communicate regularly via email, Blogs, Facebook, My space and text.  There is very little opportunity to ascertain the meaning of what is being said from body language and tone of voice.  No wonder we end up wasting time and energy correcting a misconception from a slightly mis-worded email – 93% of the meaning that we have been used to using is lost!

So getting the content right using these new communication channels has got to be crucial, but so too will be getting the tone right and … I guess - the body language.  The words and the punctuation you use are paramount in offering the right tone of voice, but how do we now communicate body language? 

I am looking for great examples of written communication that makes use of body language to get the meaning of the message across.  In the meantime have a listen to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnejNGprm3I

And if you have any suggestions and/or links please do list them here:

I couldn’t possibly do any better justice to the don’ts of PowerPoint than Don McMillan in his 5 minute comedy After Death by PowerPoint http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLpjrHzgSRM 

However, sometimes I think we learn more from what is done well rather than what is done badly. 

I guess you can use PowerPoint for lots of different reasons and so for the purpose of this Blog I am referencing its use as a prop to support a presentation.  I am, of course, using the term ‘prop’ in a theatrical sense rather than a staff or crutch.  Anyone who needs to use PowerPoint as an autocue should, perhaps, not be presenting at all. 

Presentations are story telling for a purpose.  Without wishing to generalise too much, the purpose tends to be about communicating a message which needs to be understood by the audience.   

We prefer to learn in different ways:  audio, visual and kinaesthetic; tell me, show me, let me think about it!  The presentation in itself neatly caters for the auditory learners; visual learners can be nicely stimulated by visual connections if properly supported with PowerPoint graphics.  If you are really clever you can integrate exploratory ideas in the slides that will engage the kinaesthetic learner too.  These learners like to explore, reflect, and internally debate a point.  The key factor is that it is you who is pivotal to the presentation and PowerPoint really needs to be supporting what you are saying.  So you must only let it do what you can’t do with the spoken word. 

Top tips to consider when compiling your first draft! 

• Do not use a Microsoft template.  It is too tempting to fill the slides with words.
• Plan not to use bullet points at all!  Instead illustrate what you would say with a picture but not clip art.  Pah!
• Check out Google Images or Flickr – there are stacks of pictures that are copyright free to help you illustrate your points.
• People buy into emotion and justify with fact – choose images that convey emotions.
• If you must use words in a presentation then consider the five words per line and five lines per slide rule.
• Use the largest font size you can and make it bold – the smallest font size should be no less than 18.
• If you are scanning images in from another source please bear in mind the point above.  What you can see on your computer screen is not how it will look once projected.
• Use the deepest contrast of colours.  It is easier to read dark words on a light background than it is the other way around.
• Use different fonts according to the subject matter, each font can convey its own message (kinaesthetic learners will love you!)
• You can frame text for emphasis and/or readability.
• As a rule of thumb use no more than 30 slides per hour of presentation.  That equates to two minutes of explanation per slide.
• The above can be extended for those who have humorous slides that need no explanation and are there to break a sequence.
• Keep to one concept only per slide.
• Use graphs, organisational charts, graphics, pie charts but keep them simple.
• You can also include blank slides when the emphasis of the presentation requires the audience to focus on you the speaker.
• Use animation and sound sparingly – the attention should be on you, the presenter.
• In the West we read left to right; top to bottom so if you use slide animation consider that.  It is easier to assimilate if you follow the same format.
• You may wish to refer to a video to illustrate a point – YouTube can be fab for that. 

Here’s how you can embed one into your PowerPoint presentation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yzUxNbi1h4

When you have put together your PowerPoint slides, ruthlessly edit by asking yourself what the audience will learn from each slide and whether it adds anything to the value of your presentation.  If it does add value leave it in – if it doesn’t scrap that slide. 

PS extra top tips! 

• Design is important and critical in terms of getting the message across.
• If you need to use a script then use the notes section available.
• When you move onto the next slide give the audience a moment to assimilate the new material – if you speak at the same time you will be competing with your prop.  Give the audience time for their curiosity to be satisfied with the concept of the new material.  The amount of time you need to give depends on the complexity of the material on the slide.  I say keep it simple; one concept per slide!
• Actively collaborate with the PowerPoint presentation using pointer options: 

Please do add your own top tips on how to make good use of PowerPoint during presentations.

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This You Tube link is quite a long one so I have placed it at the front of this Blog.  It’s the sort of music that you will be able to read and listen to at the same time … that is, if you don’t get mesmerised by the visual graphics. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMWAMhLyn58 

I have been threatening to write this Blog for three weeks!  But I have been putting it off!  Actually it is not the link to a slightly depressing subject matter, rather the fact that I live in the moment.  Let me explain! 

Three weeks ago, Mark Pitcher challenged us to write our epitaph.  What would we like to be said about us at our funeral?  He asserted that this would really put our visions and goals into perspective.  Fired up with his enthusiasm I set about writing my own …………. 

The trouble is, that I am not unhappy with my life.  I love where I live, who I share my life with, I love what I do for a living and I have no regrets.  I live now to my max and whatever comes my way that challenges my fancy then that’s what I’ll do.  This makes it really difficult to say, for example, that I travelled the world or lived in the Outback or climbed Mount Everest or any other equivalent as this is not what does it for me!  I do love to ski but negotiating black runs doesn’t do it for me either as I am more the serious social skier.  Hic! 

However, I do have that book or three that I am planning to write; and one day I would like to see it (or them) published.  This is something that I have been challenged with since I met a guy called Alan Taylor, who started at Debenhams Guildford at the same time as I, back in September 1980.  He was writing a fictional fantasy not dissimilar to Gormenghast.  In fact he introduced me to Peake, Tolkein and Donaldson’s work, for which I will always be truly grateful. 

And so … “she lived each moment for the moment, everything had to be done now or not at all.  She learnt loads from others and relished in that.  Her greatest accolade is not what she achieved but the number of people she touched with her enthusiasm and encouragement.  She did, of course, have her best seller – for a while.  This touched many others.   

She will be remembered in her adopted town of Weymouth quite fondly as a staunch business advocate for Southwest Dorset and Lady Town Mayor.  Latterly she undertook the Wanderer’s role for the Dorset Echo, a position that had not been filled since the late Stiv departed.  She and she loved that role. Hic!”

Tell us; how would you like your epitaph to read?

My Blog this week continues the story telling theme.  However, this is about shortening the story to a one liner that really gets the message across. The thought was kick started when Mark Pitcher, an associate reminded me of Victoria Beckham’s goal “I want to be more famous than Persil Automatic”. 

Then on Tuesday night VB in a self portrait piss take muttered the throw away comment – “It’s hard work being fabulous”.  I will be using that one – watch me! 

Subsequently, I found some interesting stuff on a recent Blog by Mike St. Pierre  http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/8-one-liners-that-stick.html  As I alluded in my comment on Mike’s blog, I think there is a lot more than that to the one-liner.  

A great one-liner I have used earlier this week to describe the effect of an eye ulcer was thanks to Robbie; “I look like Kiss but without the makeup!”  These are some other one-liners that I love:

Life is like a box of chocolates¨                

Listen is an anagram of silence¨                

How many do you want exactly?¨                

Whether you think you can or you think you can’t; you are right – Ford¨                

It’s not who you know; it’s whom you know!¨                

Half the people in the world are above (or below) average.¨                

Frustration is the flip side of passion¨                

I’m modest and proud of it!”

And of course for those who know me – I have many more of my own that I use incessantly that still get titters from those who haven’t heard them recently …  “You have ten minutes, ten minutes only; to have a wee, grab a coffee and someone else you fancee … talking to and take a new seat” 

Now it’s your turn to add to the list and while you think about it there’s a few pointers in this: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB_FK3q9Bi0

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Over the last couple of weeks the benefit of telling stories (not untruths of course) has come up in various different guises.  The great thing about telling a story is that it tends to have a beginning, middle and end.  It usually has a purpose, some structure and is therefore more easily remembered by the listener.  The listener can use his/her imagination to relate to the story which then takes on its own uniqueness personal to them. 

·         It came up as a piece of advice I gave to someone wishing to get more referrals out of networking.  There is power when you can tell a story of how you have overcome a client’s problem with a proven solution.

·         It also came up as a good way for another client to get a particular message across in a webvert. A story conveys the somewhat boring uniqueness of his product by illustrating the benefits to one particular customer.

·         It was evident in Diana’s memorial concert.  The testimonials, in between the music, from those who had felt supported by her genuine empathy, moved even the most sceptical; I included.

·         And I have just reconnected with an old school friend via Friend Reunited.  The last time we saw each other was when we were 16.  In three emails a piece we are patching together the last 29 years in instalments.  It’s great fun!  As each piece of information comes out there are links to the past and the present that makes the story telling fun as well as memorable.  In his words “better than a TV soap… look forward to the next episode.”

·         Then of course there has been Live Earth this weekend …. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RshSnCfPlck  

I know that it might take a little thinking about but what stories you can tell me that have made a difference either to you or to your clients? 

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I have just reached 101 direct connections on LinkedIn. That means I am one removed from two thousand connections and three removed from 375, 000.

I know that I am a very sad person but …

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-DcNPFWhbk&mode=related&search=

LinkedIn is an online social community - a bit like Friends Reunited but for professionals.  It is designed to be a tool that makes six degrees of separation work.

If you want to get started on LinkedIn, the first thing you ought do, after getting registered, is to complete your profile.  As you do this LinkedIn will identify those ex colleagues who are registered that worked in the same companies as you, during the same period of time.

It is good to reconnect with those; as people do business with those they know, like and trust.  These people already know you from your history together.

So send them an automatic invite.  I have reconnected with the CEO of a previous employed position, which in itself is quite wow.  I nearly killed him on the M25 when I was driving him around my region and talking too much at the same time.  Who says women can do two things at once?

It is easy to gain critical mass by engaging with those who are already registered on LinkedIn, as they already have accepted the value of connections.  So have a look around to see who you might already know, and then who they have connected to them.  If you know these people too and have their email addresses you can easily ask them to link up with you too.

When you have a critical mass, you can start to invite those who are not already on LinkedIn within your own network.  This may require composing your own emails rather than using the box standard ones that LinkedIn provide.  If your intended recognises that it is you (due to the way that you write or what you have written) then they will be more open to the suggestion that they link up with you. 

Personally, I think it is also important to address the fact that in the most part belonging to LinkedIn is completely free.  It only costs if you choose to upgrade.

Now, please don’t ask me what I am going to do with the potential 375K contacts that I have, because I have no idea.  I just know that if I did need them that they are there in my current and up to date network of contacts, which would take months to build if I were starting from stratch.  Not a bad contingency when you think about it!

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Last weekend, challenged by my Blog master to go Blog elsewhere, I, in a roundabout way, found myself on Friends Reunited.  http://www.friendsreunited.co.uk..

It has been six years since I first registered. I was amazed at the upgrades.  In addition to finding an old colleague that I had lost touch with for 10 years, (we have emailed twice now) I found a couple of secondary school friends, added two names to the “do you know this person” list, emailed a girl who I don’t know but who lived in the same flat as I in the same year, in Worthing, and learnt how to upload photographs.

However, here I am at the point to this Blog! In the profile FR asks you to list your top twenty words.

 Well, being a wordsmith I got stuck in - and then I thought how common and superficial they were so scrubbed them out.

I have listed another top twenty here to get your view point.

My top twenty words: 

1.    Surreptitious

2.    Elf

3.    Panegyric

4.    Martians

5.    Sea

6.    Geldolf

7.    Soup

8.    Cummonangetaff

9.    Play

10. Jigsaw

11.  Study

12.  Action

13.  Share

14.  Values

15.  Tap 

16.  Zapp! 

17.  Herb 

18. Bowie 

19.  Snow 

20.  Farce

These are all words that stimulate my creative thinking.   A process that I have to work at big time! Tell me what are your top ten (twenty I have decided is too many)  and why?  Whilst you consider these and your own key words here’s a little light entertainment!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-TwjbHn-JA&mode=related&search= =

PS you will be pleased to know that despite the bizzarre and longish words in this list the readability stats is 84% and the reading ease is 5.  http://thehiddenedge.blogwessex.com/2007/03/01/keep-it-simple-stupid/

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