Alchemy Communications

10 Things You’ve Been Told about Making Presentations that Aren’t True

Marie-Therese — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 12:45:55 +0000

1. There’s only one right way to do it. The most important factor in being able to successfully and consistently make good presentations is to find your own voice…not your first boss’s, your CEO’s or even your mentor’s. Yours.

2. You have to build up gradually to your most important point. In a business context, you need to hit the point very early on. Time is usually tight. Your audience’s attention peaks naturally at the beginning and at the end of your presentation (after you sat “So, to sum up…). Take advantage of that.

3. Keep your hands and body still. Nothing is more likely to make you feel uncomfortable and tongue-tied than trying not to use your hands when you are speaking – you need to be able to gesticulate naturally to keep up momentum. Remember, more than half of what people pick up from an interaction is from your non-verbal communication – your body language and voice tonality.

4. You’ll be fine as long as you learn the presentation off before you stand up. This is one of the biggest causes of poor performance and stress amongst speakers. If you are trying to remember what you wrote down, you are lost in your own memory game and you’ve forgotten about the most important thing of all – the audience. You need a clear message that’s focused on your audience and a sensible, logical structure. Just concentrating on these two things will go a long way to making you feel relaxed and prepared.

5. It’s not a presentation if you don’t have slides. Slides are visual aids to help the audience to understand and remember more easily. A flip chart and a pen can do the same job and may very well feel a lot more dynamic.

6. Your slides are your notes. See point 4 – they’re visual aids for the audience. Needless to say, most adults can read faster in their heads than you can read your slide out to them. If your slides are your notes, pages of wordy bullets, it’s very hard to avoid playing that (very boring) game.

7. A presentation is a good way of passing on information. Not really. If you want people to understand and remember precise details, send them a document that they can examine at their own speed. What presentations are really good at is changing how someone feels or thinks about something. It’s about engagement and influence, which is why they’re so important in the world of work.

8. If you have a 20 minute slot, you should prepare a 20 minute presentation. There are two reasons why this doesn’t work: firstly, it’s essential to allow time for questions – that’s when the real engagement and communication happens. Secondly, it’ll usually take you about 20% longer to give the actual presentation than it will when you are practising alone. So give yourself some leeway. Think in terms of 75% - so no more than 15 minutes for a 20 minute slot. It gives you a margin of error in terms of time and stops you feeling rushed.

9. If at first you don’t succeed, give up. So many people believe they are poor speakers based on one or two less than stellar performances early in their career. Presenting is a skill that requires work -the more you practise, the luckier you get. Most impressive speakers who make it seem effortless have actually put in a lot more work than you think ( and they might be willing to admit…).

10. It’s easy. There’s no reason to worry. It’s not easy. Every time you stand up in front of colleagues or customers, you take a risk. But it’s a risk you can manage by knowing your audience, tailoring to their needs and focusing on engaging their interest.

Digital Marketing Trends

Marie-Therese — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 12:33:14 +0000

The principles of Public Relations and Marketing haven’t changed though distribution channels are changing rapidly. Collective terms like ‘Social Media’ oversimplify the case when it comes to advising our clients on what is the appropriate channel (print, broadcast, tweet, facebook, blog, iapp,) for any given announcement.

For a review of some of the trends likely to affect your marketing in 2013 this recent Digital Marketing article is a useful guide.

Linking Out

Marie-Therese — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 11:38:42 +0000

For companies like ours, slow to embrace linking our website/blog out. The pointers and tips offered on Point Blank SEO are succinct, helpful and definitely worth reading.

HMV - Don’t Stop Believing…

Marie-Therese — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 09:27:28 +0000

According to The Economic Times, the boss of British music retailer HMV, which is seeking protection from its creditors, said he was sure an administration process would result in the survival of the 92-year old firm in some form.

It is not going to be an easy position to communicate.

The news this week, that a popular high street brand like HMV, is following in the footsteps of digital camera retailer Jessops and entering receivership is sad news for all of those involved in managing and running the company, and for those of us who experienced the retailer, way-back-when the latest release was only available on vinyl.

But, is it really a surprise? Blame the current recession if you like, and certainly it may have had some impact, but are these retail receiverships not the inevitable outcome of a world where consumers have entirely shifted their support from the high street to the convenience of a more efficient digital environment.

Many of us have been using online retailers like Amazon.com for the last twenty years and online retailing giants like Amazon as the recent financials show, continue to go from strength to strength. Amazon has just announced that 2012 was a record-breaking holiday season for businesses selling with more than 2 million third-party sellers worldwide on Amazon experiencing record holiday growth. HMV should have adapted to the threat long ago.

At first unknown and intimidating consumers now purchase everything from groceries to entertainment, holidays to home furnishing online. Those coming behind us, who never held the latest LP release in their hands and waited until they got home to listen to it, take on-line for granted and have grown up with the likes of itunes, spotify and the ability to download videos from the comfort of their sofa.

Even the independent music retailing sector is not a sure thing despite the belief that a smaller, specialised and more personal service will last the pace. Last April The Economist predicted the impact the collapse of the last music retailer would have in the independent music retailing market in the UK. If these predictions are correct, events this week do not suggest a strong future for independent music retailers either.

As former customers, we wish HMV well with the business and communications challenge it has set itself in ensuring the survival of some of the outlets. As pragmatists we feel belief will only get you so far.

Cooking Up A Storm

Marie-Therese — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 14:10:30 +0000

Without the concentration on the faces of our models, I doubt the Irish Times article for this local Childcare and Montessori School would have had the same impact. Photograph: Cyril Byrne.

Celebrating Trade with Arab Markets

Marie-Therese — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 10:08:17 +0000

JOINT ARAB IRISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENT CELEBRATES

25 YEARS OF TRADE WITH ARAB MARKETS

Exports up by 34% since 2007 to almost €3 billion.

There is enormous potential for sustained growth of Irish companies across the Arab region which is now firmly established as the third most important market region for Ireland outside of Europe, ahead of North America and China, guests were told, by Louis J. Maguire, Chairman of the Joint Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce (JAICC), at a special event hosted today, Wednesday, 12^th September, in the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin to celebrate the Chamber’s 25 years in operation.

Over 250 invited guests, including Irish exporters to the Arab countries, Ambassadors, and representatives from government bodies were addressed by Mr Richard Bruton, T.D. Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, on the importance of the Arab market place to the Irish economy.

“As I have said on many occasions, a strong export performance will be crucial to delivering the jobs recovery we are all working so hard to achieve. If we are to continue to increase our exports, we must target growth not only in our traditional markets such as Europe and North America, but also in other parts of the world where trade links have not historically been as strong.

“Since 2007 our total exports to countries represented by the JAICC have increased by a very impressive 34% to almost €3 billion. However I believe that there is a lot more potential for growth in our mutual trade links and the Government, in particular through Enterprise Ireland, will be targeting improved performance over the coming years. I commend the Joint Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce on all their work on strengthening those links over 25 years. This evening’s event shows that the relationship is very strong, has potential for further growth, and I am determined to ensure that that potential is realised”.

The Joint Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce (JAICC), a non-profit organisation, was established in 1987. It promotes commercial, industrial, tourist and financial relations between the Arab countries and the Republic of Ireland. The JAICC was established under the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for the Arab Countries. The General Union was founded in 1951 with 21 members representing the national chambers of commerce in 21 Arab states. Similar Joint Chambers have been established in 19 other countries which are major trading partners with the Arab countries including the UK, France, Germany, USA, Brazil, China, Russia and Australia.

“The story of the excellent trade relationships between Ireland and the Arab world is not a new one, yet is certainly worthy of celebration” commented Louis J. Maguire, Chairman of the JAICC. “When the Chamber was founded in 1987, export merchandise trade to the Arab states from Ireland was valued at €256 million. The equivalent trade figures for 2011 were almost €3 billion of which €1.5 billion was made up of merchandise exports and the balance by services”, he continued.

The JAICC’s primary role is the facilitation of trade through the provision of essential certification documentation and services to exporters from Ireland to the Arab markets it represents. As it celebrates a significant milestone, the Chamber is also expanding its role to promote opportunities for key Arab and Irish business interests to meet and develop trade and investment potential. “We at the Chamber believe that Ireland should look to emerging Arab economies as part of an overall strategy for the next phase of its economic growth. We are proud of the Chamber’s contribution so far and justifiably optimistic about the enormous growth potential waiting to be tapped”, Maguire concluded.

Interesting facts about Ireland’s relationship with the Arab Markets:

· Irish companies are exporting the following merchandise to the Arab countries;

Market % of all exports

Food and Live Animals 21.8%

Beverages and Tobacco 0.4%

Crude Materials (non fuel) 0.4%

Mineral fuels, lubricants and related products 0.1%

Chemicals and related products 51.0%

Manufactured goods 1.07%

Machinery & transport equipment 20.2%

Miscellaneous manufactured articles 5.1%

Commodities 0.01%

· Arab states represent Ireland’s third biggest export market region outside of Europe (behind North America and China).

· Ireland’s three largest Arab trading partners are:

Country % all exports

Saudi Arabia 34%

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) 20%

Egypt 9%

· The Department of Foreign Affairs has a permanent Ambassador resident in all three countries. Additionally, the following countries have opened their own Embassies in Dublin: Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Palestine with Honorary Consuls also representing Tunisia, Jordan and Oman.

-ENDS-

For reference:

http://www.jaicc.ie/

http://www.jaicc.ie/trade_statistics

http://www.doingbusiness.org/reports/regional-reports/arab-world/

Hypnofertility Expert Opens New Clinic

Marie-Therese — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 11:33:54 +0000

A recent article on behalf of our client Helena Tubridy which appeared in the Irish Times Health Supplement.

A copy of the full article is available here.

Branding and Begorrah: The Importance of Ireland’s National Brand Image

Marie-Therese — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 11:27:22 +0000

Published in December 2011, this article about the important of the national brand from the Marketing Institute is no less relevant now and particularly with the advertising for The Gathering beginning to ramp up.

QBE Insurance Updates Chamber of Commerce on Cyber Threats

Marie-Therese — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 11:05:14 +0000

Cybercrime is becoming so widespread that in May 2012 the Irish Government moved to establish a computer emergency response unit in order to protect state assets and infrastructure.

Insurance companies are alive to this threat to business. Last month, one of our clients, QBE Insurance, hosted a successful business briefing at the Dublin Chamber of Commerce on the subject of cyber threats.

Issues raised by attendees at the briefing demonstrated a growing awareness that the threat of litigation, and ensuing damage to corporate reputation, resulting from a cyber breach, are no longer being ignored.

In a recent article on cyberliability in The Broker magazine, QBE reported that more than 440 Irish companies were the victims of cybercrime in 2011. The reality is that there were probably many more companies affected as no business manager wants to admit their customers’ data is not secure.

As one quarter of Europeans believe the risk of cybercrime is increasing, and given the rise of cyber crime in recent years, the Commission has designed a coordinated policy in close cooperation with EU States and the other EU institutions to address the issue. These policies, if implement, will place a new onus on commercial organisations to protect their customers’ and clients’ data.

The Politics of Communication

Marie-Therese — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 09:27:51 +0000

According to a recent Harvard Business Review article, the key to high performance teams lies not in the content of a team’s discussions, but in the manner in which it is communicating.

Clearly, there are more wide ranging issues underlying the recent departure of Junior Minister for Health Roisin Shortall from the Irish Department of Health, however, a breakdown in communication between the Minister and the Junior Minister seems to have been a key factor.

Good communication is key to the success of any political coalition, much like it is to the success of companies following a merger.

The Golden Rule is the role of leadership. Not so easy to deliver in a political situation where coalition partners expect equality, which begs the question of whether Tánaiste or Taoiseach should have taken a stronger leadership position on this occasion. However rhetorical that question is now, the outcome is political uncertainty because of a clear lack of communication management. As the Irish Times pointed out last week, it does not bode well for the sensitive negotiations needed to bring in the next Budget.