January 1, 2020.
It was the beginning of a new year, and most would say, a new decade.
Many people, and certainly most leaders, look at the beginning of a new year to look ahead to what might be – to dream.
Since it was a new year, many of those dreams might even be worded as “resolutions” – or goals – for 2020.
Of course, looking back to January 2020 from the vantage point of early 2021, no one on earth could have predicted what the year was going to turn out like.
In spite of that, no, even BECAUSE of the way the year went, the team at Auxano would like you to focus instead on clarity.
Clarity isn’t everything, but it changes everything.
To help you understand clarity from a different perspective, this issue of SUMS Remix departs from our usual format of a common problem statement, with solutions from three books and accompanying action steps.
Instead, we invite you to take a brief look into the lives of two of the most brilliant, creative, and clarity-practicing geniuses: Walt Disney and Steve Jobs.
Though born in different generations, and living vastly different lives, Disney and Jobs have influenced millions of people through the respective outputs of the companies they founded, the Walt Disney Company and Apple.
The first installment was a look at Walt Disney. The second installment of the four-part series is a brief excerpt from a select biography of Steve Jobs, giving you background on his excellent of use of “vision” and “communication.” The third installment, along with this one, will give you a brief excerpt from other books that illustrate these two concepts from each man, each with action steps to help you do the same.
As you look at some specific events of their lives through the lens of “vision” and “communication,” it is my hope that you will be inspired to live and lead 2021 with clarity.
THE QUICK SUMMARY – The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs by Carmine Gallo
Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ wildly popular presentations have set a new global gold standard―and now this step-by-step guide shows you exactly how to use his crowd-pleasing techniques in your own presentations.
The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs is as close as you’ll ever get to having the master presenter himself speak directly in your ear. Communications expert Carmine Gallo has studied and analyzed the very best of Jobs’ performances, offering point-by-point examples, tried-and-true techniques, and proven presentation secrets in 18 “scenes.”
With this revolutionary approach, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to sell your ideas, share your enthusiasm, and wow your audience the Steve Jobs way.
A SIMPLE SOLUTION
According to author Carmine Gallo, if you want to utilize the techniques he writes about that Steve Jobs used so successfully, you must also understand and practice another quality of Jobs: a profound sense of mission.
If you are passionate about your topic, you’re 80 percent closer to developing the magnetism that Jobs had. Steve Jobs didn’t just lead a company to develop and build computers, music players, phones, and pads – he fell in love with the vision of how personal computing would change society, education, and entertainment.
He then translated that vision with a passion that was contagious, infecting everyone in his presence. It was that passion that comes across in every presentation, and can serve as a model for you.
The most inspiring communicators share the ability to create something meaningful out of something esoteric or everyday products.
In keeping with Jobs’ metaphor of a presentation as a classic story, here are three acts, along with the respective “scenes” that flesh the acts out.
Act One: Create the Story. These seven scenes will give you practical tools to craft an exciting story behind your brand. A strong story will give you the confidence and ability to win over your audience.
- Plan in Analog – Visualize, plan, and create ideas before you open the presentation program.
- Answer the One Question that Matters Most – Why should I care?
- Develop a Messianic Sense of Purpose – What is the foundation of your charisma?
- Create Twitter-like Headlines – Be persuasive in fewer words.
- Draw a Road Map – The rule of three.
- Introduce the Antagonist – What is the common villain of your audience?
- Reveal the Conquering Hero – Who will offer your audience a better way?
Act Two: Deliver the Experience. In these six scenes, you will lean practical tips to turn your presentations into visually appealing and “must-have” experience.
- Channel Their Inner Zen – Be simple, visual, and engaging.
- Dress Up Your Numbers – Data is meaningless without context.
- Use “Amazingly Zippy” Words – Discover and use words that work.
- Share the Stage – Treat your presentations as a symphony.
- Stage Your Presentation with Props – Deliver demonstrations with pizzazz.
- Reveal a “Holy Cow” Moment – Plan surprises for maximum impact.
Act Three: Refine and Rehearse. The remaining five scenes will take topics such as body language, verbal delivery, and making “scripted” presentations sound natural and conversational.
- Master Stage Presence – Understand and utilize body language.
- Make It Look Effortless – Perfect practice makes perfect.
- Wear the Appropriate Costume – Know your audience and dress accordingly.
- Toss the Script – Talk to the audience with strong eye contact.
- Have Fun – Even when things don’t go according to plans.
Carmine Gallo, The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs
A NEXT STEP
If you haven’t already, check out samples of Steve Job’s product presentation events listed below. Even if you have already viewed them, rewatch them with the 18 “scenes” above handy for reference.
Watch videos of Steve Jobs conducting select product launches:
How can you improve your presentations with these guidelines?
Excerpt taken from SUMS Remix 135, released January 2020.
Part of a weekly series on 27gen, entitled Wednesday Weekly Reader
Regular daily reading of books is an important part of my life. It even extends to my vocation, where as Vision Room Curator for Auxano I am responsible for publishing SUMS Remix, a biweekly book “excerpt” for church leaders. Each Wednesday on 27gen I will be taking a look back at previous issues of SUMS Remix and publishing an excerpt.
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