Conference Speaking’s Post

“Why am I talking?” The first of the 3 “P”s of good presentations: Your Point Unfortunately, too few of scientists have a clear answer to this question before they start to rattle off their data and results. Your point – or key message – must be clarified in advance. Without a clear central message, your presentation will lack focus, introduce too many ideas, and be confusing. This message becomes your guiding light; the benchmark that you will use to evaluate what data you should present and what you should not. For example, you may have information that is relevant to your general research program, but if it's not relevant to the key message of the specific presentation you are giving, then exclude it. Maintaining focus and clarity in your presentation will serve you and your audience well. #science #communication #effectivecommunication #sciencecommunication

Presentations are not GK lessons. Don't cram them with numbers and facts. A presentation must reflect a narrative. And I cannot emphasize it enough - it has to reflect the sensibilities of the audience. Ditch the data overload! Presentations are journeys, not textbooks. Weave a narrative with a problem, solution, and benefit. Tailor it to your audience - history buffs love dates, and tech enthusiasts crave innovation. Speak their language and your message will resonate. Remember, presentations inspire, not just inform.

In many presentations I have observed a tendency to overwhelm (and impress?) the audience by complex analyses and unclear visualizations. But is it always necessary to have highest #complexity? Sometimes even to a degree, where the presenter has difficulties to understand and to explain the full approach? I am a fan of the KISS-approach – Keep it simple, but scientific! The complexity comes in automatically; but you should always start as simple as possible and meaningful. And then you can develop your method step by step and increase complexity as needed. But not the other way round and start (without need) with the most complex approach. But please don’t get me wrong: Complexity is not a bad thing – but only if it is needed in the specific situation. And only if you care about the assumptions needed for applying complex analyses. KISS can be applied for all analyses, statistical figures, presentations, publications, etc. When did you try this approach the last time?

Use This Framework for Fascinating & Memorable Presentations (Backed by Science)

Preparing to write your conference paper There are several factors to consider as you get started on your conference paper. Determine the structure and style How will you structure your presentation? This is an important question, because your presentation format will shape your written document. Some possibilities for your session include: A visual presentation, including software such as PowerPoint or Prezi A paper that you read aloud A roundtable discussion Presentations can be a combination of these styles. For example, you might read a paper aloud while displaying images. Following your paper, you might participate in an informal conversation with your fellow presenters. You will also need to know how long your paper should be. Presentations are usually 15-20 minutes. A general rule of thumb is that one double-spaced page takes 2-2.5 minutes to read out loud. Thus an 8-10 page, double-spaced paper is often a good fit for a 15-20 minute presentation. Adhere to the time limit. Make sure that your written paper conforms to the presentation constraints. Consider the conventions of the conference and the structure of your session It is important to meet the expectations of your conference audience. Have you been to an academic conference previously? How were presentations structured? What kinds of presentations did you find most effective? What do you know about the particular conference you are planning to attend? Some professional organizations have their own rules and suggestions for writing and presenting for their conferences. Make sure to find out what they are and stick to them. If you proposed a panel with other scholars, then you should already have a good idea of your panel’s expectations. However, if you submitted your paper individually and the conference organizers placed it on a panel with other papers, you will need additional information. Will there be a commentator? Commentators, also called respondents or discussants, can be great additions to panels, since their job is to pull the papers together and pose questions. If there will be a commentator, be sure to know when they would like to have a copy of your paper. Observe this deadline. #snsinstitution #snsdesignthinkers #snsdeaignthinking

This is an encore presentation of Journaling to Create Space. This webinar covers: Why journal?; Tapping into the body feeling; Dreaming wildly; How to sustain a journaling practice (or just get started); and more. If you have a pen or pencil and some paper handy, I’m going to share two writing prompts. We won’t take the time to work on the prompts, so don’t worry if you don’t have the materials. You can watch a rerun of this webinar. If you love these prompts and would like some support in using journaling and sketching for opening up creativity, for making time for self-care, consider signing up for my Creating Space weekly prompts. Each week I will send you a writing/sketching prompt. And you can share your response to the prompt with me directly. If you need more and would like some individual time with me, there are options to book time with me. You can find out more about it on my website www.merylcook.ca under the Be Inspired tab. Thanks for watching and happy journaling! #journaling #findyourjoy #getunblocked https://lnkd.in/ePCntced

If you’re not considering THIS when developing your next presentation… you’re missing the mark. Back in the 1980s, psychologist John Sweller introduced the Cognitive Load theory, which basically says that our brains can be overwhelmed with too much information and sensory inputs (sights/sounds/etc.). This leads to not remembering important details and making less-than-ideal choices… not great if you’re trying to present to a client or potential customer. So what can be done to help out our brains? Remember these three things when building your next presentation: 1) Make it simple: Turn complex topics into smaller segments of information. Think about how you can not only make sure each slide is quickly digestible but how you can use visuals to tell your story as our brains process imagery at a MUCH faster rate than text. 2) Adapt to your audience: This one is fairly obvious BUT assumptions of knowledge are often made and that can severely impact the rate of absorption for the information you’re presenting. 3) Little Choices help lead to Big Choices: Try to remember that it’s easier for your brain to make small choices and work down the funnel toward more specific decisions. For example, list products in groups before providing more information on what is available in that individual group.

Winning first prize in a paper presentation is not just a moment of triumph but a culmination of dedication, hard work, and passion. Reflecting on my experience, it was a journey filled with challenges, learning, and ultimately, gratification. The journey began with the spark of an idea, a concept that intrigued me and fueled my curiosity. Research became my compass, guiding me through a labyrinth of literature, studies, and discussions. Hours were spent poring over articles, analyzing data, and synthesizing information, each moment bringing me closer to shaping my paper. The process was not without its hurdles. There were moments of doubt, where obstacles seemed insurmountable, and the path ahead appeared daunting. Yet, it was these challenges that pushed me to persevere, to delve deeper, and to refine my work until it shone. Preparation for the presentation was meticulous. I honed my communication skills, crafted compelling visuals, and rehearsed tirelessly to convey my ideas with clarity and conviction. Each practice session brought refinement, refining my delivery and instilling confidence in my ability to articulate my research effectively. The day of the presentation dawned, nerves tingling with anticipation. As I stepped onto the stage, I felt a surge of adrenaline, a mixture of excitement and apprehension. But as I began to speak, passion took over, and words flowed effortlessly. Engaging with the audience, I felt a connection, a shared enthusiasm for the subject that transcended the confines of the presentation hall. The Q&A session was a test of knowledge and composure, but I welcomed the opportunity to engage with fellow researchers, exchanging ideas and perspectives. Each question was a chance to demonstrate my expertise and deepen the discussion, further solidifying my confidence in the strength of my work. When the results were announced, and my name was called as the winner, it was a moment of pure elation. All the hard work, the late nights, and the sacrifices had paid off. But more than the accolade, it was the validation of my efforts, the recognition of my passion, and the affirmation of my abilities that meant the most. Winning first prize in the paper presentation was not just a personal achievement but a testament to the power of perseverance, dedication, and the pursuit of knowledge. It was a reminder that with passion and determination, anything is possible, and that the journey is often as rewarding as the destination. #snsinstitutions #designthinking #snsdesignthinkers

The formatting of this article is an experiment. Usually, I do not publish texts that are still drafts, especially if they have comments that challenge their ideas. (Thank you Bryan Boyer Emily Harris, FCA and Arianna Smaron) Not because I do not like to be challenged, but because they might confuse you, the reader. But what if confusion is the necessary friction that gives you the space to shape your own opinion? Let me know how you experience this format. https://lnkd.in/dV8PUdzj

Do you need to share numbers and statistics in your presentations? Numbers, particularly big ones, often cause speakers headaches. It's easy to trip over them, confuse your audience and lose the impact you are trying to make. Here are some tips for using numbers and statistics effectively in your presentations (more specifically, four!) 🔢 Write them out fully in your script. It's not 182 143 units; it's one hundred and eighty-two thousand, one hundred and forty-three units. 🔢 Round them up or down. It's not 1 643 124 kilometres; it's just over one point six million kilometres 🔢 Make it relatable. It's not 50 000 nanometres, it's one-half the thickness of a regular piece of paper. 🔢 Keep numbers separate from each other so you don't overwhelm the audience or confuse yourself. So, add in your insights, a story or a comparison before rattling off a list of numbers. Adding in specific numbers adds to your credibility. Give yourself and your audience the best chance to make them stick!