Tag: Presenting

I had the honour of presenting at an ISC2 London Chapter meeting a little while ago, and my chosen subject was ‘Mobile: Changing the Face of Identity Management (IM)’. What I thought was going to be half an hour of me espousing my ideas (or ranting, depending on your point of view), turned into the most lively debate I have ever had in front of an audience.

Initially I wondered if my 10 slides was going to be enough (although I never actually read to the material), but I didn’t even make it past slide 7. By the time I was on slide 5 the questions started, then the dissenters chimed in, and by the time I reached slide 7 the presentation was forgotten. My 30 minute slot was over before I knew it, and it was clear a lot of people had a LOT more to say, which they did over beers afterwards.

The culmination of this discussion was when I heard the following; “I don’t agree with ANYTHING you are saying!”, which for a lot of people (especially ‘expert’ presenters) can be the cause of anger, considered a challenge, or can even cause outright panic. To me it should only ever be the cause of curiosity; WHY am I wrong? I certainly don’t think I am, and probably still won’t after I hear your explanation. I’m curious nonetheless.

But what I will do is hear what you have to say as objectively as I can, and respond as neutrally and I can. Usually without much success mind you, we are all very attached to our opinions, but I will at least try.

Presenters are supposed to be experts in their fields, otherwise why the Hell are they on stage, but that does not [necessarily] make them right, especially when the subject is focused on future-state concepts as opposed to subjects which are long established. I have no idea where Identity Management will be in 5 years, but I have a rough idea. Also, my ideas are also right for ME, but I am decidedly on one side of the privacy challenges that surround the field of identity and privacy like a miasma.

I guess in the end you must decide for yourself if you want to be a lecturer, where your subject is not really up for debate (like when I train groups in PCI for example) or a presenter, when your ideas must be open to not only comment, but potentially ridicule. I have to admit, it makes presenting is a lot more fun, and if I only have to produce 7 slides to get an audience engaged, then I have a lot less work to do! 🙂

The lessons I learned in that presentation will stand me in very good stead for the next one, and who knows, maybe I’ll even finish all 10 slides.

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One of these days I will learn to do some proper research on my blogs in order to provide the links to materials that I only assume exists. I can say there are thousands of articles out there on presentation skills, and not quote a single one.

Not going to this time either, but when I type in ‘presentation skills tips’ into Google, I got 17.5M hits, so it’s out there.

This is not about HOW to present though, that’s been covered by people far better at it than me, this is about WHEN to present, or more specifically, when NOT to.

A phrase occurred to me today that I feel sure I’ve stolen (and more than likely corrupted) from someone else, but I can find it’s like;

“A good idea presented badly, is often less effective than a bad idea presented well.” 

To illustrate, I will go to the extremes.  Fascism is a VERY bad idea, but I know of two people in history that turned their entire countries to it.  Ending World hunger is a VERY good idea, but the altruistic pleas of those who dedicate their lives to it, fall on mostly indifferent ears.

How is this possible?  Well, the two Fascists I’m thinking of were incredibly charismatic (according to the history books), and understood human nature innately (exploitive).  The people who want to end world hunger are usually too busy working toward that goal to do the rounds, and the chances are, they are not much into oratory (givers).

Humans are basically good, and it’s not that we don’t care, it’s that we have our own lives to get through, and we are generally far more receptive to the concept of mutual benefit than we are towards ‘one sided’ charity.

So what does this have to do with presentations?  Let me ask you; Are you good at presenting, and do you enjoy it?

I can guarantee that more people THINK they are good at it than actually are, and that the ones that don’t enjoy it, never are.

So whom do you want presenting your business plan to angel investors?  Or whom do you want presenting your company’s proposal for a multi-million $/£/€ deal?  Right, someone who’s really good at it, but for some reason this is not always a prerequisite.

Presentation skills are up there with any skill you want for your business, from sales, to finance, to consultancy, to R&D, and should be every bit as important a entry on your CV/resume as your education and work experience.  Smart hirers even have their candidates perform a presentation during the interview process.  Candidates have 1 hour to create a 5 slide presentation, and 15 minutes to delivery it + Q&A.

I’m not saying don’t hire people who CAN’T present well, they may simply not have the experience, but you have to KNOW this both for your business’s sake, and the candidates.  If their job requires significant face-time with the client, the importance of presentation skills is almost paramount.

Every organisation needs a couple of people who are their ‘big guns’ in terms of presenting, and they should be brought out when the stakes are high.  Choosing your presenters by availability is asking for trouble.

If you are poor at presenting, this is the one time I will say work on your weakness, it will pay dividends.

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