Communication

Write it down!

Published April 13, 2006

An old friend of mine, Ken, once told me that if you want to achieve something, write it down. This is applicable weather it is a small task, like doing the shopping, or an important goal, such as achieving a new qualification.

He said that he has no idea why or how it works, but if you write down whatever you wish to achieve, it is far easier to do so.

I think that this works partly because by writing it down, you turn what ever it is from a conceptual goal in your head, into a more material, definable and realistic goal. It helps you to clarify exactly what the goal is, and how you wish to achieve it.

It also helps to include a reason as to why you wish to get something done. Showing the benefit makes it much easier to do.

The next step after writing it down is to put it somewhere where you will see it and be reminded of the goal. Stick it to the fridge, the bathroom mirror or your computer monitor at work.

A simple example is that I wanted to spend a few days without meat or alcohol. I am used to eating mostly vegetarian, but with a little bit of meat thrown in here and there, but had somehow shifted to eating a lot more meat, with a bit of vegetarian thrown in here and there. My body was not feeling very comfortable with this, and I needed a few days to clear my system. So, I wrote :

“Until Thursday, I will not eat any meat, or drink any wine. I will eat health meals, and drink lots of water. This is to clean my body, and make me feel better.”

Well, today is Thursday and I managed to keep to my affirmation, and I really feel better with myself for having done so. It was very simple to write down, but doing so helped me to really make the internal commitment to do it.

Here is an experiment for you, make a list of things you need to do with your house (painting, fix the gutters, new carpets). Then have a look at the list in a few months and see how many of them you have managed to do. Remember to keep whatever is on the list realistic.

If it’s something that may not directly look realistic (such as climbing Kilimanjaro), perhaps you can break it into smaller, more-realistic goals (such as improving fitness levels and climbing Table Mountain).

Alternatively make a list of all the places you wish to visit over the next few years, and see how many of them you are able to visit.

You will be amazed at how many of what you write down you are able to achieve.

So, the next time you wish to achieve something, write it down.

Posted in Communication, Esoteric, Journal |

Blogger Code of Ethics and Policy

Published January 23, 2006

Notes from the Cape – Ethics and Policy (Draft version 1)

This is a working document, so feel free to enter into discussion and provide me with suggestions regarding any changes or omissions.

Code of ethics

Unless otherwise stated (or obviously public-domain), all content (including images) is my own work. I will credit other sources where applicable.
I will disclose anything people might consider a conflict of interest.
I will tell the truth. I will not lie.
Commentary will be accurate and fair.
When accuracy of material or sources is uncertain, it will be clearly mentioned.
Weblog entries, quotations, headlines, photos and all other content will not be misrepresented or used out of context.
Information that is known to be inaccurate will not be published.
Where content is found to be inaccurate, it will be promptly fixed.
The right of reply will be granted to anybody who disagrees with any content.
Comments will never be deleted, except under the following circumstances:
- They are spam.
- They have no relevance to the blog to which they refer.
- They constitute any form of hate speech.
- Unnecessary bad language.
Others opinions and viewpoints will be respected.
I acknowledged that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention.
I will respect your privacy. If an entry reasonably offends your sense of privacy, it will be removed.
I will not grant special favours to advertisers, or to anybody sending me promotional material.
Any breech of this code will result in the offending entry being corrected immediately.

Disclaimer

I am not a professional journalist. This document is a working document, and may be updated from time to time.
Commentary on this site constitutes a personal viewpoint, and should be read as such.
Anything that you do as a result of reading this blog is your own responsibility and is done at your own risk.
I absolve myself from any responsible whatsoever for any actions resulting on this blog being read.
This weblog is provided for entertainment and informational use.

Sources
Material on this entry is a mixture of the authors’ own views, as well as sourced from the following sites:

A Bloggers’ Code of Ethics (cyberjournalist)
Blogging policy examples (Charlene Li)
David Meerman Scott’s Social Media Guidelines

And finally…

Please feel free to use and adapt this document for your own use. However if you do so, please let us know.
This is a working document, so feel free to enter into discussion and provide us with suggestions regarding any changes or omissions.

Posted in Communication |

Tagged ethics |

3 Comments

Presentation tips for PowerPoint

Published January 11, 2006

This is an extract of a training session that I present “Putting the POWER back into PowerPoint”.

Nowadays, many of us use PowerPoint for our presentations. While there are many courses and books on the technical side of how to create slides, there is very little material available on how to create effective slides and presentations. This course helps to address that issue.

Only use slides if appropriate. Nowadays, we often automatically haul out PowerPoint when asked to do a presentation. You need to ask yourself if the particular presentation really needs it, or if slides are not really necessary

Create slides around the presentation, not the presentation around the slides. Remember that the slides are there to enhance and not replace your presentation.

Use few and simple fonts and colours. The fewer you use, the easier it is to read.

Use contrasting colours. As above – it’s easier to read. Also test your slides under a variety of conditions to find what combinations work. My favourite is a navy blue background, with yellow headings and white text.

Use the 7×7 rule. No more that seven words per line; and seven lines per page. Rather put your main points onto the slides than a transcription of your speech. It is easier for the audience to remember a few points than an essay, and it allows for larger fonts to be used, hence making the slides more readable (especially from a distance).

Check spelling and grammar. This is just plain professionalism – it goes without saying.

Don’t read the slides verbatim. We can all read. Rather give us a few seconds to read a slide before speaking about the points on the slide. If you are presenting the slides point by point, then show the point while you discuss it. But please don’t insult me by reading the points aloud.

Use animated effects only if appropriate. They can really look cute, but can be distracting to the main point.

Audio and video clips add complexity to the presentation. Use them only if appropriate.

Rather use graphs than numbers. They are easier to read and simpler to understand. Remember that numbers tell, but pictures sell.

Rehearse with and without the slides. This gives you the power to still deliver a presentation should you have a major catastrophe with the slides (eg: the projector stops working half-way through a presentation).

Arrive at the venue early. This gives you plenty of time to setup and ensure that everything is working. It also allows for you to resolve any issues well-before time. If it’s a really important presentation, try to get there the day before as well so that you can check out the venue and ensure that all equipment is working.

Bring the following to your presentations:

Printout of slides- in case the projector fails.
Electronic copy in a few formats – so you can connect to another laptop should the need be required.
Long extension leads & multi plugs – so you can plug in wherever the plug points are.
Masking tape – tape down any long cables that you (or others) may trip over
Laptop and power supply – even if you know they are supplying equipment, rather have it there as a backup.

Finally two pointers for running the actual presentation:

Don’t run the laptop off batteries (no matter how fresh). I have seen many laptops shutdown or go into standby mode because the laptop was running on batteries, and either they went flat, or the presenter forgot to put the laptop into a “don’t go into standby” mode.

Speak to the audience, not to the screen. Many presenters read the slides (see point above) while facing the screen. This prevents you from making eye contact with the audience, and prevents them from hearing you. It’s also rude.

Posted in Communication, Web and Tech |