Are you ready to take your presentations to the next level and captivate your audience from the very beginning?
One surefire way to make a memorable impact is by incorporating interesting statistics and little-known facts into your opening.
In this article, we will explore a brilliant example of how industry expert Lisa Poole used these techniques to engage her audience and set the stage for her presentation delivered at a PayrollOrg convention about “Adding Value to Your Organization Through Job Costing.”
Be my guest at Captivate Your Audience of Five or Five Hundred in 30 Seconds: Unlock the Secrets to Powerful Openers
Web event Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 10 AM Pacific / 1 PM Eastern
Register: https://www.smmconnect.com/events/3479?gref=PF
The replay will be available.
Let’s dive in and discover the power of intriguing statistics!
To begin, Lisa drew inspiration from the lively atmosphere of a recent event, the Payroll Palooza. She began her introduction with a playful reference to the attendees’ likely tired state after the late-night festivities: “Good morning! Did you enjoy last evening’s Payroll Palooza? After that party, I bet you slept very soundly!” By immediately connecting with the audience and acknowledging their shared experience, Lisa instantly captured their attention and created a relatable atmosphere.
Lisa spoke of her personal experience working at Simmons Bedding Company, where she discovered the intricate process of manufacturing over 50 different styles of mattresses, each consisting of up to 37 distinct parts.
She engaged the audience by highlighting the various job positions involved in creating a single mattress, using a touch of humor by questioning the validity of the word “ruffler and borderer.” By painting a vivid picture of the teamwork and expertise required, Lisa ensured that her audience was fully immersed in her topic.
Lisa said, “Imagine the following job positions having a hand in making your great night’s sleep last night:
A Cutter and Closer
A Sewer and Quilter
A Coiler and Foamer
A Hog Ringer and Nailer
A Ruffler and Borderer – is that even a word?
A Baler and an Edger
An Assembler and Stitcher
A Topper and Stager
A Builder and Mechanic
A Packer and Shipper
An Inspector and a Sweeper
A Scanner and an Upholsterer
And finally, a Capper!
And I’m sure I left a few off this list!
By sharing this behind-the-scenes perspective, Lisa not only showcased her industry knowledge but also emphasized the importance of job costing in the mattress manufacturing process. She reinforced her point, “Our Production Managers knew to the penny the exact cost of each mattress type by raw material and labor function.”
This statement immediately conveyed the value and relevance of the upcoming session, setting the stage for an engaging and educational experience.
Lisa’s presentation demonstrated the power of utilizing interesting statistics and little-known facts to captivate an audience. By incorporating these techniques, you can create an immediate connection, spark curiosity, and set the tone for a memorable and impactful presentation.
So, the next time you’re preparing to deliver a technical or industry-specific talk, consider incorporating theatrical techniques and engaging statistics to make your opening truly shine.
Lisa Poole, CPP, is the Vice President, Payroll Governance Manager at Truist.
Be my guest at Captivate Your Audience of Five or Five Hundred in 30 Seconds: Unlock the Secrets to Powerful Openers
Web event Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 10 AM Pacific / 1 PM Eastern
Register: https://www.smmconnect.com/events/3479?gref=PF
The replay will be available.
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