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Title: Knockout Presentations: How to Deliver Your Message with Power, Punch, and Pizzazz by Diane Diresta ISBN: 1-886284-25-3 Publisher: Chandler House Press Pub. Date: 15 October, 1998 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 5 (12 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Appeals to anyone who will ever speak in public
Comment: Knockout Presentations is a 'how-to' book that gives the reader practical advice on becoming an effective public speaker. As the author explains, most people ' students and top executives ' are absolutely terrified of giving presentations. However, being a good presenter is now considered a necessity rather than an option. Public speaking skills are especially important since good communication is key to job promotions, raises, more sales and better relationships (to list but a few of the reasons for developing presentation skills).This book is quite interesting as it identifies and dispels strongly held myths about public speaking. One of the biggest myths shattered is the unfounded belief that good speakers are born rather than developed. In addition to providing well written, easy to read content, the author also encourages the reader to make practical use of the learned skills by participating in various exercises presented throughout the book. The interactive setup of the book encourages the reader to take a break from passively reading the contents and to actively participate in the exercises and the surveys. Checklists summarizing what an effective speaker should or should not do are also prove to be a great resource.AudienceA major strength of Knockout Presentations is that it appeals to anyone who will ever speak in public. The audience encompasses the broad range from students to top executives. The clearly written style and exercises will appeal to the less experienced speaker while the conciseness of the book will serve as a great resource for a busy executive. An instructor or a teacher may also want to consider this book as a teaching tool. Content and Format of Knockout Presentations 1.Secrets of Platform Effectiveness 2.Stage Presence: Sizzle or Steak? 3.Fear Fixes: Conquering Nervousness 4.Listening: The Other Side of Speaking 5.Research and Analyze your Audience 6.Building Your Presentation 7.Listener-Centered Communication: Principles of Communication 8.Seeing is Believing: Visual Aids 9.Setting the Stage 10.Q&A, Difficult People, and Deadly Disasters 11.Special Speaking Situations In each section, you can expect to find a number of relevant exercise drills. For example, in the Listener-Centered Communication section, an exercise requires you to list the features of your shoes, the benefit of each feature and then ask the question 'so what?'. If you can learn to persuade someone about the benefits of your shoe, then you can probably be persuasive about any topic. Although, the exercises can be somewhat time consuming, doing some of them can prove to be quiet beneficial in learning the concepts that may be difficult to understand by simply reading about them. Each section is also broken up with entertaining case studies, insightful surveys and helpful checklists. The visual learner will be happy to find the use of informative charts and graphics.Level of DifficultyKnockout Presentations is organized in a clear and easy to follow format. The author communicates directly with the reader in common, everyday language. The reader can simply take in the content of the book without having to exert unnecessary effort. Interesting acronyms are used for a lot of major ideas making it easy to recall the contents of the book and use the ideas in practical terms. For example, DiResta suggests ALARM for handling the Q&A period. That is, the presenter should Anticipate and prepare; Listen; Repeat or rephrase; Answer concisely, and; Move on to the next question.The entire book is organized around three major principles involved in becoming a good speaker. The author refers to these as the YAM formula. That is, to be a good speaker, you must know yourself, know your audience, and know your material. This is a very simple and concise structure that makes it easy to read the book and to learn the main points being highlighted by the author.What I likedThe best thing about this book is the confidence that the reader gains from constantly being told that ANYONE can be an effective public speaker. The reader is constantly reminded that the best speakers are not born that way. If you are willing to put in an effort, there is hope for you in front of any crowd. It is really nice to learn that most people are not phobic about public speaking rather they are simply nervous. When it comes to conquering the nervousness, DiResta explains that 'what you resist, persists'. Although, easier said than done, it is good advice that the only way to overcome your nervousness is to embrace it.The author's expertise and creativity oozes out of this book. One of the best examples is when DiResta wants to show how important listening is for being a good speaker. She does this by challenging the reader to find the secret word in LISTEN. The reader is both amused and impressed to realize the word being sought is SILENT. At that point, it is impossible to miss the message: you must be silent and listen in order to be a good speaker. The author ties in the importance of listening to the next section of the book which emphasis the significance of knowing your audience. The comprehensive content and well-developed writing style makes it difficult to believe that this is DiResta's first book.HR. COMmentaryKnockout Presentations is an excellent book if you want to learn to be an effective public speaker from a great teacher. This is a concise and well-written book that can prove to be an indispensable resource. The motivational value of this book is what sets it apart. Reading this book is like having Diane DiResta, a knowledgeable and respected expert, speak directly to you. .... a small price to pay to have such an experienced communicator mentor you through the nerve-wracking world of public speaking.The only thing that I found to be lacking is the title of the book: Knockout Presentations: How to deliver your message with power, punch and pizzazz. The title seems to be a bit cheesy. Maybe it's the word 'pizzazz'. Given how creative the author is in her writing, I am sure that a better title could have been chosen. As the famous saying goes, 'never judge a book by its title'.Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve his or her communication style. The advice provided by the author will be valuable in both professional and personal relationships.About the AuthorDiane DiResta is an international communications coach and speaker who has helped numerous organizations, including AT&T, Chase Manhattan Bank, Grey Advertising, IBM, Reuters, the NBA, and the WNBA. She has also provided media training for sports and entertainment celebrities such as Vanna White, Bob Lanier, and Rolando Blackman. She is a faculty member at New York University and lives in Staten Island, NY.
Rating: 5
Summary: So You Want To Give A GREAT Presentation? Buy This!
Comment: If you've spent way too much time and effort putting together a presentation, felt uncomfortable presenting, and came away disappointed, buy this book now. It'll make you and you presentations better almost immediately.
It gives great advice, from projecting your voice to developing a truly persuasive presentation to making the most of your visual aids. It gives actionable tips and techniques to help with each of these items, so you can improve immediately.
Best of all, the book is a great reference tool. It's very easy to go back and find the section on Developing a Persuasive Presentation or Knowing Your Audience (or whatever), in just a minute. From there, you can follow the simple steps and make a big difference in the presentation.
Just got done developing 2 presentations to our CEO, and this book saved me a TON of planning time, and helped me to really get the point across. He was sold!
So, don't hesitate. If you spend way to much time and anxiety worrying about your presentations , this is worth every penny!
Rating: 5
Summary: The best book on Presentation Skills
Comment: Diane's book is terrific--easy to read and implement ideas and tips.
I find myself going back many times and use it as a resource!
I've read many books on this subject--she is number 1!
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Title: 101 Ways to Captivate a Business Audience by Sue Gaulke ISBN: 0814479200 Publisher: AMACOM Pub. Date: January, 1997 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: Presenting to Win: The Art of Telling Your Story by Jerry Weissman ISBN: 0130464139 Publisher: Financial Times Prentice Hall Pub. Date: 03 March, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Presentation Skills For Managers by Jennifer Rotondo, Mike Rotondo Jr. ISBN: 0071379304 Publisher: McGraw-Hill Trade Pub. Date: 18 October, 2001 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: What to Say When. . .You're Dying on the Platform: A Complete Resource for Speakers, Trainers, and Executives by Lillet Walters, Lilly Walters ISBN: 0070680396 Publisher: McGraw-Hill Trade Pub. Date: 01 April, 1995 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Presentations Plus: David Peoples' Proven Techniques, Revised Edition by David A. Peoples ISBN: 0471559563 Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Pub. Date: 17 April, 1992 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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