The Nike approach to presentations – ranting again! :)

You know the ads, I’m sure: “Just Do It“.  Just like in sport that’s a two edged sword for presenters.

On the upside it means that people are encouraged to stop prevaricating and actually have a go – to do something… and that’s great.  All too often I find people with great things to say who don’t say them for fear of being laughed at, for fear of making mistakes and for fear of looking foolish. In many ways I empathise with them (because I used to be one of them – and still am when it comes to dancing! ;) ) but also because they’re great clients…

On the downside the ‘JDI’ approach is absolutely and positively dangerous!

Firstly, anyone who goes out there without preparing and practicing deserves to make the practical mistakes they’ll inevitably make.  If presenting was as easy as some people make it look we’d all be doing it…

Secondly, if you JDI, I’ll put good money on the fact that you’ll not have thought through the full question of what your audience needs and wants. JDI presentations (in my almost humble experience) tend to overlap pretty strongly with those presenters who think they can JDI because they can wing it. Here’s the list of presenters I’ve seen recently who actually can wing it:

•  errrr
•  well, perhaps he.. no….
• maybe she could because.. oh, no, she can’t either.

I should add I’ve seen a few who think they can – but that’s different. :)

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you should have a go – by all means get up there if you’ve got something to say, but don’t just get up there because you (think you) can.

Okay, I’ll stop ranting now, before I begin to froth at the mouth, because the only way I know to JDI it is to practice, practice and practice more until it looks like you’re JDI-ing it.

Remember – if it looks like you’re working hard, you’re not working hard enough. It should look like a JDI, sure… but only look like it.