As someone who has led a variety of virtual calls for the better part of the last 15 years, I often get questions around quick techniques we can use to “jazz things up” with hearing from different people on the call.

While some people will attend a virtual session thinking they can multi-task, if you really want to create a powerful learning context create agreements around engagement and how you are going to call on group members during your time together.

Last week I shared the tip of calling on people from A-Z. This week consider using an East to West (or West to East strategy). This provides a little more interest and mental power in keeping the call moving.

To support this process, during one of your call kick offs as an energizer you may want to get people to share their location (or where they are calling in from – city, state or country) by dotting themselves on a map.

These approaches are yet another quick way we can “Avoid the Death by Conference Call”, creating more engagement for our group members.

Best wishes,
​Jennifer

Jennifer Britton – Potentials Realized 
Leadership | Teamwork | Business Success
Author of multiple books including Effective Virtual Conversations (2017), PlanDoTrack (2019) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (2013)
Follow along with the #90DaysPlanDoTrack series over at Instagram @CoachingBizBuilder 
Join the conversation at the Conversation Sparker Zone - our online community where you can explore virtual and team issues, coaching, productivity and business development).
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For those that work on creating and delivering on-demand courses which people consume at a later time, this week’s Effective Virtual Conversations tip gets you to think about the question “To drip or not to drip?”. What’s dripping you ask? Dripping content that is.

When you create a course that may be several hours in length, it can be useful to consider if you are going to release all the information at once or if you are going to release it “drip by drip”. It could be released on a fixed schedule (ie. weekly, daily or monthly).

There are pros and cons to both approaches. When dripping content, it can provide a continuous stream in bite sized pieces. When releasing it all at once it allows the person consuming the content to do it at a pace that works for them. This may be really beneficial if someone has a limited window of time to work within, but it may not be as advantageous if the content needs to be put into practice before they move on. Withholding the content in that instance may be more advantageous so they need to “put it into practice” rather than move on.

Consider your design work right now – is it best to drip or not to drip? What’s going to work best? What do your colleagues do?

What do your clients want?

Take a look around and see what other courses do. Discuss with others what could work best.

Best wishes,
​Jennifer

This week’s Effective Virtual Conversations tip gets us thinking about what often is the norm, not the outlier- when technology happens. In a virtual setting a core practice is to “always have a back up”. Technology will break down.
Having a back-up is important on many levels. It may include:

• Having another line/service in case your preferred service breaks down
• Communicating to the group what to do in the event of tech failure (i.e. should they try to call in again, and then switch to another platform OR should they look to email to find instructions)
• Having a list of all contacts for the call – this could include email addresses and phone numbers along with your class list
• Having a back-up computer/laptop in case your system goes down (or decides to update)
• Having a back up copy of your presentation loaded to the cloud and/or USB key
• Having a back up copy of your material (print)

 
Remaining calm and moving into contingency mode is key when facing a tech issue. Before anything happens work through your own list of what you will do and write it down. Have these items in a location which you will naturally “go to” in the event of a break-down.

What else is important for you to note around having a back up?
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With best wishes,
Jennifer

When I started the journey with blog post #1 of the Teams365 blog back on January 1st 2014, I didn’t really know where it would take me. Two more books later, and more than 1700 blog posts, I think about the hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of conversations with teams and leaders these posts have also infused.

Just recently, perhaps due to blog size, or other, the search function on the site has changed. It means that you can’t go back and search posts earlier than this year. While you can still find them through tags and dates, it may mean that it’s harder to find older content. That makes these Friday posts even more important where I reach back, and share, an older blog post.
 
Today I am reaching back to one from September 2014, entitled “What’s the WIIFM” . It was Teams365 blog post 265 and here’s what I wrote:

#Teams365 #265: What's the WIIFM?
9/22/2014
0 Comments
 
The WIIFM, or the What's In It For Me, is an essential leadership concept to keep in  mind.

WIIFM has connections with employee engagement, developing and delivering stellar presentations, recognition and motivation.

Let's first look at motivation. Psychology posits that we get motivated through our internal drive, or externally. As leaders, helping our team members connect around What's in it for me when faced with a new project or task, helps increase the internal motivation. It also may provide us with some cues as to what we can do to provide external support for those individuals, given what they find motivating.

In developing presentations or public speaking, helping your audience connect with their WIIFM (What's in it for me) creates a richer learning experience. We should always be trying to design presentations (content, approaches, flow) from their perspective as well.

Employee engagement and recognition continue to be hot button topics. WIIFM is central to engagement and puts our team members in the heart of being part of the driving force of what creates an engaged workforce. Create a habit of asking people to consider their WIIFM and contribution with new initiatives, and as change processes happen.

Finally, in recognition (something we don't often get enough of), lead from individuals WIIFM. 

Where else could you get people you work with to consider the WIIFM?


Enjoy your weekend!
Jennifer

Today's Sunday video is a short 2 minute video which includes tips for fluid speaking. From formal presentations, to off-the-cuff introductions, skills in presentations are critical for team members and leaders today.

Check out this week's Teams365 video - bringing to life Teams 365 #651:

It is Friday and time to go back into the vault to take a look at a past post. One of the Leadership Practices posts this week was on Presentations, a topic I know is of interest, and concern, to many professionals. Presentations are one area that often can improve over time, regardless of how much experience we have had. If you haven't taken a look at this week's Leadership Practice post, I would invite you to.

​Here's another Teams365 post I think you will enjoy - Teams365 #643: Three Keys to Strong Presentations from 2015:

"Powerful presentation skills are key for anyone in today's business world. This post focuses on three quick ideas you can incorporate to boost your next presentation.

1. Remember that people remember the start and end of things. What are known as the "latency" and "recency" effect play out for your group members. They will most likely remember how you start your presentation and how you end it, and the mid-point is likely to be fuzzy. Ensure that you reinforce key messages at the start and end of your presentation.

2 Less is more - Trying to fit too much into your presentation may lead to a sense of overwhelm and lack of clarity. Consider what are the key messages you want people to remember and/or take action on. As you go to prepare consider what are :
a) the key messages you want to communicate - if you had to bullet the presentation down to 3 bullets, what would they be?
b) what elements of the presentation are essential  - at the core, what do you want to make sure you want to cover?
c) what needs further reinforcement - what key ideas need reinforcement? When and how will you reinforce these?
d) what needs to be pruned - yes, sometimes we do need to cut out a chunk!

3. Make it about the participant's experience. Leading from the WIIFM - What' sin it for me - helps people connect early on with how a presentation connects with their world. it puts them in the driver's seat right away. What can you do to help people connect with the WIIFM?

In an upcoming presentation, consider how these three areas can further strengthen what you have to say."

Have a great Friday,
Jennifer

​

One area where a lot of leaders find a stretch zone is in the area of presentations and public presentations. This is not always an area we find well modeled for us, nor is it an area where there may be a lot of feedback beyond "good job". Likewise, there may not be a lot of urcing in this area for further development. Today's post includes five things to keep in mind as you go to develop your next presentation:

1. What are your top three points? Taking time to consider what are the main points you want to reinforce throughout the presentation, allows for a more structured, and focused presentation. Many presenters adhere to the "rule of three" - focusing on delivering 3 main points, with reinforcement 3 times throughout the presentation.
What are the three main points of your presentation?

2. Recognize the three main parts of the presentation - The start, middle and end. The start of a presentation or "opener" usually takes about 5-10% of the time available. In this section you want to let people know about where you are going - the three main points.
In the body of the presentation we want to expand upon our three main areas. We want to provide a deeper dive into the topic area.
The close of the presentation should include a summary of what you have discussed, and get people thinking about next steps. This should also take approximately 5-10% of your presentation time.
What will your open, body and close look like?

3. Connect people early on to their WIIFM - What's In It For Me? We have limited time, and one time, to make a first impression, but also to connect people to why this topic is  important to them. Asking people a question along the lines of "What's your biggest opportunity in this area?" or "What is your biggest stretch as it relates to x right now" can help get people engaged in the conversation. Consider how y ou will get people to connect with their WIIFM in the opening, as well as in the body, and the close of the presentation.
How will you connect people with their WIIFM?

4. Change the pace - Keeping presentations moving is critical in great presentations. This can involve pace changes as well. Consider how you can switch things up with breakouts, reflection questions, or hands on activities during your presentation. A good rule of thumb is to consider changing pace every 7-10 minutes in a face-to-face presentation, or more frequently in a virtual one.
What approaches will you use to change your pace?

5. Prepare, practice, practice - Taking some time to prepare for important presentations and then practice, practice, practice can help you with your own confidence, as well as ensuring the flow of a conversation. Speak the presentation out loud rather than just reading it. If you can, also get feedback after the event on what worked well, and what adjustments could be made for future presentations of the same type.
What will you do to prepare? To practice before the event? To get feedback and further adjust your skills?

Best wishes,
Jennifer

"Yesterday's Team Building Tip got us thinking about ingredients for a successful presentation. Whether we are leading a virtual or in-person presentation, it can be very useful to think about how to set ourselves up for success.

​Today's FlashbackFriday and I wanted to take us back to a post from 2015 on "Four Tips for Fluid Speaking" (Teams365 #651). These are four quick things we can all keep in mind prior to our next presentation. Enjoy!

Here it is:

​In keeping with our theme of enhancing your public presentation skills, today's post includes four tips for fluid speaking. Consider these tips next time you are scheduled to deliver a presentation, give a webinar or lead a class:

Practice, practice, practice - practice makes perfect. Run through your presentation several times, speaking it out loud, not only reading it through.

Visualize yourself giving the presentation . Imagine yourself giving he presentation and the audience reaction. Consider where you want to put the most emphasis, picture the location, think  about the close. Visualization from start to finish has been shown to be an important strategy for professional athletes. Why not try it out for your nets big presentation.

Consider what can be expanded if you are moving more  quickly and what can be compressed if you are moving too slow. In From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching I refer to this as the "accordion" effect. This can be a great strategy for ensuring flow, and a lack of panic.

Really hone your start (and end) -the start of a presentation can be the most stressful for many of us, and this is a key phase as first impressions are critical, as ae the first few minutes for connecting with your audience. Consider your start and how you will engage the audience - is it a question you will pose? A story you will share ? Something else? Hone your start and end.

Consider putting a focus in these areas in preparation for your upcoming presentation and let us know what impact it has for you."

Have aa terrific weekend!
​Jennifer

​

Today we are at the leadership myth of S for which I've chosen "That's too simplistic!". We operate in a context today where bigger is often seen as better, when in fact, simpler and more simplistic may be better. We operate in a context of complexity, and most of us are on overwhelm. Consider this, how many messages have you been bombarded with since you turned on your device today? How many different messages have you received from your boss? Your colleagues?

Simplifying does not mean making things too simple. In fact, weeding out the non-essentials can help us with focus and productivity. Neuroresearch continues to show that the brain is unable to process multiple tasks at once in an efficient manner. Just because we can do it, or think we can do it, doesn't mean it works.

Consider these ideas in terms of simplification:

1. This week, focus messaging with the team on the top 2-3 items which really need attention, and need to get wrapped up. Strategically, when should other messaging happen?

2. Think about upcoming presentations you have scheduled. Review one of them with an eye to asking yourself, what's essential? What's over-doing it? What could be put aside without losing impact overall.

3. Simplifying your workspace - As we move into the holiday time and year end it can be a really good time to clear your workspace. Take a a look around. What has gone beyond it's shelf-life? What needs to be moved, thrown out, passed on to create more space for focus and/or newness.

4. If you have any reports due, take an eye to simplifying the core message, and recommendations. Does your report have an Executive Summary section? A recommendations section? Inclusion of these can help others quickly cut to the core of the report.

5. Simplifying meetings - Meetings continue to be a huge "timesucker" for many organizations. This week consider what "Simplifying meetings" might look like for you? Consider implementing this in the next month and notice what happens to your time.

Have a great start to your week,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, MES, CPT, PCC
Potentials Realized
Supporting Team Leaders to do their best work, one conversation at a time
Coaching Skills Training | Teamwork | Leadership
Author of From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 2013)
(416)996-TEAM (8326)
The Teams365 Team Leader Cards are now available - put some jazz in your 201 meetings with better questions

This week's Sunday audio includes four presentation faux pas you will want to avoid next time you are giving a business presentation. Listen in as I talk about these four areas:

1. Lack of clarity and structure
2. It's all about the presenter and not the audience
3. Speech fillers
4. One way dialogue

What can  you do next time to avoid these traps? What will take your next presentation hit the mark?

Check out the various posts I have written over the past few weeks on presentation skills for leaders.

Have a great Sunday - listen in here:

Best wishes,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, MES, CPT, PCC
Potentials Realized
Leadership, Teamwork and Coaching
(416)996-8326