Comments on: Observations of a Speaker Idol Event http://MarkFreedman.com/index.php/2008/07/18/observations-of-a-speaker-idol-event/ Productivity through technology, and other related topics. Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:51:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Mark Freedman http://MarkFreedman.com/index.php/2008/07/18/observations-of-a-speaker-idol-event/comment-page-1/#comment-438 Mark Freedman Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:21:07 +0000 http://MarkFreedman.com/?p=111#comment-438 Great points, Michael. I'll update the list shortly. Great points, Michael. I’ll update the list shortly.

]]> By: Michael http://MarkFreedman.com/index.php/2008/07/18/observations-of-a-speaker-idol-event/comment-page-1/#comment-437 Michael Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:43:45 +0000 http://MarkFreedman.com/?p=111#comment-437 I am sure he didn't mean anything by it but when you speak in public you are subject to differing opinions and added to the list of presentation tips should be that the speaker should always make himself/herself reachable for questions and feedback not just after the meeting but several days afterwards as well. The user groups that are sponsored by Microsoft should also have a formal survey process a few times a year for people to share their feedback because the developers and other people who attend these meetings make a huge time commitment to attend these meetings in an effort to remain competitive in their jobs. I am sure he didn’t mean anything by it but when you speak in public you are subject to differing opinions and added to the list of presentation tips should be that the speaker should always make himself/herself reachable for questions and feedback not just after the meeting but several days afterwards as well. The user groups that are sponsored by Microsoft should also have a formal survey process a few times a year for people to share their feedback because the developers and other people who attend these meetings make a huge time commitment to attend these meetings in an effort to remain competitive in their jobs.

]]> By: Mark Freedman http://MarkFreedman.com/index.php/2008/07/18/observations-of-a-speaker-idol-event/comment-page-1/#comment-428 Mark Freedman Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:56:57 +0000 http://MarkFreedman.com/?p=111#comment-428 Good point about the tangential questions. What I should have suggested was that for these types of presentations, especially with a dedicated Q & A period after the 10 minute presentation, almost all questions should be deflected for that time slot. The only time a question should be addressed is if it's critical for the direction of the rest of the presentation. The moderators should clarify this at the start of the event. There is a general perception that highly energetic speakers can come across arrogant at times, and when they get into flow, they may at times speak before thinking. I'm sure he meant no malicious intent. Good point about the tangential questions. What I should have suggested was that for these types of presentations, especially with a dedicated Q & A period after the 10 minute presentation, almost all questions should be deflected for that time slot. The only time a question should be addressed is if it’s critical for the direction of the rest of the presentation. The moderators should clarify this at the start of the event.

There is a general perception that highly energetic speakers can come across arrogant at times, and when they get into flow, they may at times speak before thinking. I’m sure he meant no malicious intent.

]]> By: Michael http://MarkFreedman.com/index.php/2008/07/18/observations-of-a-speaker-idol-event/comment-page-1/#comment-420 Michael Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:06:03 +0000 http://MarkFreedman.com/?p=111#comment-420 Stephen Forte is energetic but he has a tendency to be arrogant at times. He once made an age-joke directed at an older member of the audience at a meeting I attended last year. Stephen Forte is energetic but he has a tendency to be arrogant at times. He once made an age-joke directed at an older member of the audience at a meeting I attended last year.

]]> By: Michael http://MarkFreedman.com/index.php/2008/07/18/observations-of-a-speaker-idol-event/comment-page-1/#comment-419 Michael Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:03:28 +0000 http://MarkFreedman.com/?p=111#comment-419 One thing that is missing is how to handle tangential questions in the middle of a presentation. Most speakers try to be too nice and will let one member of the audience take over the meeting and ask unrelated or esoteric questions which frustrates the rest of the group. It is very important to be firm as a speaker and to say that his questions can be addressed later after the presentation. One thing that is missing is how to handle tangential questions in the middle of a presentation. Most speakers try to be too nice and will let one member of the audience take over the meeting and ask unrelated or esoteric questions which frustrates the rest of the group. It is very important to be firm as a speaker and to say that his questions can be addressed later after the presentation.

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