"Is that a big number or a small number?" asked my presentation coach.
"What do you mean?" I thought the question was a bit odd - after all, 305 is 305. "Many firms are much larger, but fewer than 5% of engineering and architectural firms have more than 100 employees..."
"That's not exactly what I mean," said my coach. "There is information in that number that you are leaving out. So I ask you, is it 305 professional and support staff," (he said this softly while yawning) "or is it: THREE-HUNDRED AND FIVE PROFESSIONAL AND SUPPORT STAFF!" (he said this enthusiastically and emphatically, punctuating it with arm gestures).
Immediately, I understood his question. I was being precise, but precision alone did not provide context. I want my firm to be known for having THREE-HUNDRED FIVE PROFESSIONAL AND SUPPORT STAFF.
"Remember," said my presentation coach, "speaking is visual."
Yikes - I had been acting as if it were the written word, but spoken.
He was right. Speaking is visual, and the visual power of speaking exists even in the ordinary everyday words we use. You have to mine your words for their visual potential. Today, if I use the word "tall" in a speech I will raise one arm to illustrate how tall. If I use the word "heavy", I will act as if I am lifting a heavy weight.
You get the idea. Read your presentations with this thought in mind: 'How will I visually illustrate this word as I speak?' Don't go overboard - the idea is to use the visual to enhance meaning, not distract the audience. But a few well-placed words acted out at the lectern will add meaning to all you say in your presentations.
