Category Archives: Preparation

How to Design a Presentation like Apple

Posted on 02/01/2013 by John Zimmer

Emily Stewart recently brought my attention to a short animated video that she and her team produced for OnlineMBA that illustrates some of the key values that Steve Jobs and his team espoused when designing products for Apple. The video is clever … Continue reading →

Posted in Preparation | Tagged Apple, Design, presentations, RSA Animate, simplicity, Steve Jobs | 9 Comments

When Things Go Wrong: Ten Presentation Lessons from Apollo 13

Posted on 24/09/2012 by John Zimmer

OK. The day of the big presentation has arrived. You’ve prepared, you know your material and you’ve arrived at the venue early to get set up. You check the room and everything looks fine. The stage is ready, the sound … Continue reading →

Posted in Preparation, Slide Presentation, Speeches from Film | Tagged Apollo 13, Keynote, PowerPoint, Problems, public speaking, Scott Berkun, Slide Presentation, Tom Hanks | 17 Comments

Lost in Translation – Ten Tips for Working with Interpreters

Posted on 08/04/2012 by John Zimmer

Lost in Translation is a terrific film that received critical acclaim when it was released in 2003. Starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johanson, it’s the story of an aging actor and a young college graduate who meet in Tokyo and … Continue reading →

Posted in Delivery, Interpretation and Translation, Preparation | Tagged Bill Murray, Interpretation, Interpreters, Lost in Translation, public speaking, Scarlett Johansson, Translation | 41 Comments

Lessons from a Stunning Three-Minute Stop Motion Film

Posted on 24/03/2012 by John Zimmer

I recently rediscovered this brilliant—and it is brilliant—three-minute stop motion film commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Olympus PEN camera. I first came across it in 2009, the year in which it was released. According to the people who made … Continue reading →

Posted in Delivery, Preparation | Tagged creativity, Emotion, Images, Olympus, public speaking, Stop motion, Story, storytelling | 12 Comments

Speakers: It’s About Time (and How to Manage It)

Posted on 22/01/2012 by John Zimmer

A while back, I wrote a post about why speakers should stay on time when giving a speech or presentation, and how failing to do so is a sign of disrespect. I encouraged speakers to finish on time or, if … Continue reading →

Posted in Delivery, Preparation | Tagged audience, Keynote, lectern, Microsoft PowerPoint, Presentation, public speaking, Speech, time | 19 Comments

10 Ways Public Speakers Should Be Like Santa Claus

Posted on 24/12/2011 by John Zimmer

1. Prepare thoroughly. Santa spends most of the year getting ready for his one big night. When he takes off in his sleigh, there’s no turning back. Similarly, when you step on that stage, be sure that you know … Continue reading →