Presentation-Secrets-Of-Steve-Jobs
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
190 REFINE AND REHEARSE<br />
her to eliminate the fillers almost immediately. I’ve used it a<br />
few times since with equal success. <strong>Of</strong> course, this technique<br />
requires a second person to watch you and to tap the glass<br />
during your presentation rehearsal.<br />
» Record yourself, and play it back in the presence of others.<br />
If you are serious about improving your presentation skills, record<br />
yourself on video, and replay it with someone else in the room.<br />
You don’t have to tape your entire presentation, just the first<br />
five minutes. That should give you all the information you need<br />
to make some adjustments. You might be floored to hear how<br />
many filler words you use. For most people, simply watching<br />
themselves on video is enough to overcome some issues. Video<br />
feedback is even more effective in the presence of others who<br />
can pick up on some verbal mannerisms you might overlook.<br />
A few “um”s and “ah”s from time to time will not detract<br />
from your ability to persuade an audience, but a steady stream<br />
of fillers can damage your efforts. The good news is that once<br />
you are made aware of the problem, you can easily follow the<br />
suggestions here to reduce or eliminate them.<br />
can’t put the brakes on designs and plans set in motion years<br />
ago. In January, I spoke to a group of auto executives who were<br />
designated spokespeople for new car models arriving soon to<br />
showrooms in North America. They were looking for advice<br />
on how to answer tough questions from the media. The same<br />
day, U.S. secretary of state–designate Hillary Clinton was fielding<br />
questions from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in<br />
a confirmation hearing. The Associated Press called her performance<br />
“smooth,” and NBC’s Tom Brokaw said Clinton is known<br />
for her “legendary” preparation. I told the auto execs to prepare<br />
for tough questions in the same way that Clinton had probably<br />
prepared for her five-hour appearance.<br />
It’s a technique I call the “bucket method,” and it is used in<br />
one form or another by CEOs, politicians, and, yes, <strong>Steve</strong> <strong>Jobs</strong>,