Thunder71 wrote:I have to admit, the whole time of that presentation I was watching for the trigger finger and hoping the rifle didn't slip and fall from nerves.
But, as I've said before here and many other places, that presentation was awesome... and I think it will be one of the huge contributing factors that may have turned some yays into nays if it comes to a vote.
+1 to that.
I think SHOWING them is an excellent idea, but it has to be executed properly in the presentation, which was done.
I agree about the public speaking and rehearsal. I've done some of that myself (public speaking), and while I'm not an expert in it, one thing I do which helps me is to not just read the words I wrote silently, but aloud and then go back and edit accordingly because while words, phrases, sentences and grammar may flow seamlessly in your head, they may not do the same when you actually speak them aloud. Practicing in a mirror, and even videoing yourself from different angles, are all very useful tools. Making eye contract with your audience, getting each person to think "He's talking directly to ME" is important. There's people out there who have made an entire career about public speaking and coaching for it. Again, I'm no master or expert. If you plan to do more of it though, join Toastmasters, get in some practice, watch the meaningless filler words "like" "ummm" "ah" etc. I'm not perfect and no one is, so it's all about how you can improve so they focus on the message and not the messenger.
Also, people have about a 2 hour attention span before they go brain dead, so even though your presentation/speech/time may only be 15 minutes or less, if they've been listening for 2 hours already, your challenge becomes that much harder to obtain. Also, the longer something is, the less people retain.
Overall, one heck of a good job man. Kudos.