Archive for December, 2009
Overused words
Have you noticed how we all use some words to the point where they drive other people to distraction?
For a while I was guilty of saying ‘actually’ at the end of every sentence. It didn’t last long because someone had the temerity to tell me that it had become extremely annoying – I stopped!
No doubt I still use one or two words more than I should; and they may well be used out of context. Such an example came up in the last day or two.
Currently, I am involved in some training in Manchester. So I decided to stay at the Manchester Airport Travelodge for three nights. It is convenient and easy for my work especially since the days are very long and tiring. On night one I was sent off to my room happy in the knowledge that each evening I would be able to return and ‘crash out’.
On day two I returned to my room and couldn’t get in. I went downstairs and queued behind a long group of people waiting to be checked in. As each person was checked in the female receptionist would give them their room cards, they would say “thank you” and she would reply “not a problem”. Fifteen minutes later I reached the front of the queue, explained my problem and got my key renewed. I thanked her and she replied “not a problem”. I didn’t say anything.
On day three after a very long day I returned to the hotel and went to my room. I couldn’t get in. I went down to reception and queued again for about ten minutes. The same receptionist was there.
When I reached her I explained that it had happened again. At this point she told me that the key card is renewed every day. I asked why I hadn’t been told that on day one or why she hadn’t told me the previous night. She told me that I should have known!
Anyway, she renewed my card and handed it to me. I said “thank you” and she said “not a problem”. At this point I felt it incumbent on me to explain to her that it was indeed a problem; along with the myriad of other small problems I had experienced over the past three days. At this point her minimal training failed her and she had no idea what to say other than . . . . .
Presenting to the visually impaired
I faced a new and interesting challenge earlier this week when undertaking a one day workshop for a group of people. Within the group were three visually impaired people.
Naturally, much of the work I had prepared was in PowerPoint format and for two of them they were not able to see the slides.
Between us, me struggling somewhat whilst they were very helpful and understanding, we managed to have a great day. The first lesson I learnt was to be up front and find out from them the best way to carry out the presentations.
The second lesson was to vocalise everything. So every time I changed a slide I said that I was doing so and then explained as I discussed each point made. Where there were photographs and graphics either I or another member of the group would describe them in detail before we proceeded.
Of course, what it really forced me to do was to return to my roots and conduct my delivery as if giving a presentation without visual aids.
Nevertheless it made us all realise how much we rely on body language to reinforce the spoken message. Instead I had to think about how I could describe each action in word pictures.
There are a couple of morals to this story. Always check who is going to be at a presentation and check whether additional aids might be needed. If you are presenting to a visually impaired audience then try and get the slide placed into braille beforehand. This means putting all the wording into a MS Word document first. Obviously graphics or photos cannot be changed.
Despite my bumbling incoherent start to the day, we all managed to make it work and I learnt to be better prepared in the future.