Demystifying Excellent Keynote Presentation - A Case Study (Video)
This week, I followed Microsoft's recent announcement at their "Microsoft Ignite" event. As someone with a background in tech, I watch a lot of keynotes in this industry. Because i believe working in tech requires the ability to simplify complex technical information and clearly communicate it to diverse audiences, same thing if you are in the medical field or financial sectors.
I want to highlight three key speaking skills that Satya Nadella utilizes effectively, skills I often train executives on. By examining his approach, you can learn valuable lessons in effective communication, particularly when introducing new products or representing a major corporation like Microsoft.
Point 1: Use of Slides
In Satya's first announcement of a new product, he used slides that passed what I call the "glance test," a term coined by presentation expert Nancy Duarte. The idea is that the slide should be clear enough for a quick glance, allowing the audience to look at it but keep their focus on the speaker.
Many speakers make the common mistake of adding elements like QR codes during their presentation. When you ask the audience to take out their phones, you've lost a significant portion of their attention because the phone is full of distractions. So, avoid this completely if you want to ensure audience engagement.
Point 2: Use of Analogies
Satya uses analogies brilliantly to simplify complex concepts. For example, when he said, "Co-pilot is the UI for AI," this analogy was very clever because it made a new and unfamiliar product like Co-pilot relatable to the user.
Analogies are a powerful tool. They're like comparing the blood circulatory system to the flow of water, or the heart to a pump. The easier you make it for the audience to understand what you're saying, the more likely they are to stay engaged.
Point 3: Focus on the Customer Journey
Satya didn't focus on the product features, but on the problems it solves. He mentioned these problems using a three-part framework: problem one, problem two, and problem three. This three-part framework is very powerful because it makes it easy for the audience to remember the key points.