Here’s The View
from yesterday’s walk by the Charles River. The leaves are changing, or “turning,” as we say. Yes, it’s Fall in New England and this is what happens. Things change, along with the weather, the amount of daylight and life in general.

Sometimes Change Is
foisted upon us and sometimes it just feels like the right thing to do. Have you noticed nothing stays the same forever? That includes our presentations.

Clients Often Ask Me
how to keep the same basic material sounding fresh. Presenting our pitches, monthly updates or quarterly reports can quickly get old. And if it’s feeling stale to you, imagine how it sounds to your audience!

Start In The Middle
Don’t always start the same way and don’t be a slave to chronological order. Can you pull a quote or factoid from somewhere in the presentation and lead with that? Think of yourself as a storyteller, setting up a little suspense. Or pose a rhetorical question to be answered.

Overview First
Before you dive into what everyone’s expecting, take a moment to set the context. Can you connect your info to something new that’s happening right now? Giving your audience something unexpected to think about also gives them a new way to listen.

Every Presentation Starts Anew
Even if the faces you’re talking to are the same, it’s a new day. And we all know the pace of change is only increasing. You don’t have to do the same old/same old.

When You Do Something Different
you literally sound different.  And more compelling. When you really think about what you’re saying, as opposed to just filling in the old script with new numbers, you give yourself an edge and your audience’s ears perk right up!

Change Is Good
although no one said it’s easy. I want to challenge you to do One Thing differently the next time you present. Even small changes or adjustments can have a big payoff. And don’t wait. Act on that impulse and do it today. You won’t be sorry. And your audiences will thank you for it.

“You Must Be The Change
you wish to see in the world” is a quote attributed to Mahatma Ghandi. We’re not aiming for World Peace here, just be less rote. Tired of other people sounding boring? Be the first to change it up!

You can do this.

Be the happy recipient of more great tips and techniques, along with intelligent musings on the state of communications, by signing up for Diane Ripstein’s regular NewsNotes right here.