Say the Colors, Not the Words.

Oldie but goodie: Found at eBaum’s World.

What Not To Say in a Presentation

Avoiding certain phrases during a talk or presentation means you’re not making particular mistakes. Preparation and staying on track during a talk allows you to engage the audience. A bad presentation makes people bored and restless. So don’t say…

• 1. MAKE SOME NOISE!!! Unless you’re at the MTV Music Awards this isn’t much of a crowd pleaser. The key point is this: Know Thy Audience. Your audience should dictate your style, approach, the words you use, etc. If you can’t modify your pitch to your audience you’ll turn people off quicker than you can say…

• 2. Um… The dreaded “um” is so commonplace in our speech we often overlook it. But when you’re standing in front of a crowd, selling ‘em whatever you’re selling ‘em (and don’t be mistaken: you ARE selling) too many “ums” shows a lack of preparedness and comfort.

• 3. Did That Make Sense? Actually, it didn’t. And on top of that, because you had to ask me I’m so disengaged at this point that I’ve started playing a game on my BlackBerry. The key here: Practice. Do it in front of a mirror. Do it in the shower. Do it in front of others. Do it in public. If you present in front of friends and family who aren’t in your field of expertise and they get it, you’ve got yourself a winner.

• 4. What Else Can I Show You? I don’t know, you tell me, that’s why you’re standing up there on the stage and I’m sitting here eagerly in the crowd. Presentations are stories – they need a beginning, middle and end. It doesn’t matter the setting, format or style of presentation/conference/meeting. If you’re standing in front of people and telling them something, you’re spinning a story. And that means it needs all the elements of a good one.

• 5. I Guess That’s It. Well is that the end or not? You would know better than me. Blog professionals often talk about ending strongly, and the same holds true when giving a presentation. Even saying, “That’s the end” is kind of lame – your final point (and the entire presentation arc) should make it obvious enough, and you should be able to transition instantly into the next step – be it questions, slinking off the stage, hours of clapping…

It takes practice to be a good public speaker. Don’t just find different ways to say these things.

5 phrases you never want to hear in a presentation

Secret places of the Earth

Great video showing secret places of our planet via Google Earth software.

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Forrest Gump 2?

It’s been thirteen years since Forrest Gump first ran into theaters, and now it looks like America’s favorite chocolate loving mental deficient may be back for a sequel. Forrest Gump II isn’t a new idea, Paramount has been kicking it around since the original movie made a bajillion dollars, and in 2001 they even hired Forrest Gump writer Eric Roth to pen a sequel screenplay.

It seems that old 2001 Eric Roth screenplay is being dragged out of development hell for another look by Gump producers Steve Tisch and Wendy Finerman. Remember that the first Forrest Gump movie was based on a novel by Winston Groom. Roth’s sequel script was based on Groom’s followup novel, “Gump & Co”. “Gump & Co” takes place several years after “Forrest Gump” and finds Forrest’s shrimping business failed and Jenny dead, leaving Forrest a single unemployed father. As you’d expect, Gump still stumbles through more important historical events. In this case it’s a cavalcade of history from the 80s and 90s. He even meets Tom Hanks.

So, why didn’t Paramount make this five years ago when Roth first wrote the script? Apparently the project got bogged down in a big legal tiff between Groom, the book’s original author, and the studio. Groom claimed he wasn’t properly paid for Forrest Gump, and so refused to sell them the sequel rights to his other book. Evidently they’ve now worked it out.

The truly important question here is whether or not Tom Hanks will return. It is however likely that Gary Sinise will be back as Forrest’s battle damaged buddy Lt. Dan. If Tom can’t be talked into it, will they replace him? Word is they want this in theaters within the next couple of years, so while it’s possible, let’s hope they’re smart enough to scrap it if he’s not interested. No one does a better potty dance.

Rollable Displays

The new generation of display technology is a fact. Watch the video about the e-ink display that is totally rollable, created by Polymer Vision. Electronic paper displays which can be rolled up have been developed by E Ink.

Snickers – Don’t stop

Cool new Snickers tv commercial aired in the Middle East

HandBra – Tired of the Wonderbra?

I think the picture tells more than a thousand words. These bras would look absolutely hilarious under a tight shirt!

Fighting Desktop Icons

This is a very bizarre animation of what happens when icons fall out, it’s certainly different. Animation over here.

Table doubles up as Post-it notes

Now this is definitely one of the more creative tables that I have ever come across, and the best part is you can virtually recycle it along the course of its life. Made from 5,000 sheets of paper that are bound via some careful application of PVA glue, you no longer have to worry about looking for a piece of paper ever again to write down that phone number or message somebody leaves behind. All you need is a pen to scrawl it over the Post-it Note Table and you’re good to go. I wonder what 3M has to say about this creative expansion of one of their best selling products.

It goes without saying that with time, your table will slowly end up getting lower and lower, and you run the risk of having the top page flipping away in the presence of strong gusts of wind. Make sure there is a paperweight of some sort on top as you go about your everyday business. One word of warning though – I highly recommend you not to place beverages of any kind on top of the Post-it Note Table as a spill could soak into the “table” itself, leaving unsightly stains many pages down.

All in all, the Post-it Note Table is strictly a novelty item, and if you really want one for yourself, just be able to cough up £700. Delivery services are available, but only to those residing in the UK. For those interested in a little trivia, the Post-it Note Table managed to pick up the OXO Peugeot Design Awards way back in 2002 for the furniture category.

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DHL Delivers Everything

I am considering them for my next order ;o)