tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11195787.post6273365687284863336..comments2024-02-25T07:30:31.454-06:00Comments on SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED: Conference Speeches Are Not Always TED Talksthomsingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230569732505245876noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11195787.post-26761699315004835262012-09-17T11:10:09.343-05:002012-09-17T11:10:09.343-05:00Thom,
Great article! Those TED speakers are amazi...Thom,<br /><br />Great article! Those TED speakers are amazing! However, I think their presentations should be 18 to 20 minutes. Audiences tend to get bored easily. The TED's format is great for TED. But, it won't work for most events. Those same speakers would have to somewhat modify their presentation style for the kind of conferences you and I keynote.<br /><br />Meeting planners that try to model TED would have to completely remodel their events flow as well. You and I know that every meeting has it's own personality. That's why I give the same speech to 10 different audiences and get 10 different reactions. Fortunately, as professional speakers, we can make adjustments in real time.<br /><br />I mean, just repositioning the stage makes a difference in how the audience respond. The seating arrangements and all the other aspects of planning a meeting make a difference. <br /><br />TED speakers are for the most part the opposite of what we do on stage. Many of them are talking heads. What they have going for them is really an audience that is well conditioned to respond a certain way. They expect those kinds of presentations. <br /><br />For example, when I get the invitation to speak at TED, I have to change my delivery style. Of course, I already have an idea on how to deliver a narrative that is TED like. <br /><br />Until then, I will continue to deliver a high-energy presentation that engages all the senses. It takes powerful stories to stir up emotions in order to make sure the takeaways are embedded in a way that cause the audience to take action to change their condition. <br /><br />No matter what they say, adults love to play and have fun. Yes, they may say otherwise. But, their behaviors at my keynotes suggest that we are really big kids pretending to be serious adults. <br /><br />Hey, as they saying goes, if Henry Ford had listened to his customers, he would give them a better horse.Rene Godefroyhttp://www.businessmotivationalspeaker.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11195787.post-61160291022200808032012-09-17T06:54:19.516-05:002012-09-17T06:54:19.516-05:00Disclaimer- I got an email from a person who was...Disclaimer- I got an email from a person who was upset that I would "dis" TED.<br /><br />This article is NOT saying the short format talk is bad or has no place. There is certainly value in shaking things up with many, many different formats.<br /><br />My point is that just because there is a new format... the more traditional format is neither bad or dead.<br /><br />I like TED. I would enjoy speaking at a TEDx conference (I would rock those 18 minutes!!!). All I am saying is that not all talks at every event should be short.<br /><br />Thank you - and now you can return to your regularly scheduled programming. ;-)thomsingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08230569732505245876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11195787.post-35493729477952800662012-09-16T13:22:44.773-05:002012-09-16T13:22:44.773-05:00Judy -
I love the "fast food" analogy. ...Judy -<br /><br />I love the "fast food" analogy. <br /><br />thomthomsingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08230569732505245876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11195787.post-32765529117649196292012-09-16T13:21:46.646-05:002012-09-16T13:21:46.646-05:00Thom-
I agree with you. I wonder, "when did ...Thom-<br /><br />I agree with you. I wonder, "when did the memo go out that "Fast Food" speeches should become the norm at every conference?".<br /><br />You know what they say about fast food: it is alright to have occasionally, but not every day.<br /><br />The same is true for our conference speakers. Every speaking style has merit and should be considered for inclusion in our events. I think we are making huge assumptions that our attendees will no longer appreciate the longer style keynote and will become bored or even<br />leave, so we go "drive thru window" with our lineup and allow attendees to choose between shorter presentations: TED, Pecha Kucha, Ignite and Bl!nk.<br /><br />We need to become more thoughtful about our speaker selection process and remember that some folks will always want the Happy Meal, but others will appreciate the slow roasted, cooked to perfection gourmet dinner.<br /><br />Great....now I am hungry LOL<br /><br />Thanks for a great post!<br /><br />Judy KucharukJudy Kucharuknoreply@blogger.com