Matt Lauer Gets Roasted

On Friday, October 24th I attended the Friar's Club roast of Matt Lauer at the NY Hilton. It was a star-studded event with a surprise guest-Tom Cruise. Tom came out while the lights were dim and gave a funny tribute to Matt. On the dais were Donald Trump, Katie Couric, Ann Curry, Al Roker, Meredith Viera, Martha Stewart, Joe Scarborough, Clay Aiken, Omarosa, Miss America, Miss USA, Jeff Zucker, Brian Williams, comedians Richard Beltzer, Pat Cooper, Jeffrey Ross, Bob Saget, Gilbert Gottfried and others. In the ballroom of 1900 guests were Howard Stern and his wife, and Joy Bahar of The View. Aretha Franklin sang the national anthem. After she sang, Stewie Stone said it was the first time he heard the fat lady sing before it was over. Aretha communicated her response with a New York gesture.

Many of us have an opportunity to give a toast but roasting is less common and requires a special skill. It was interesting to experience how some people can read a script and be funny where others are not. It's all in the delivery. The best comedian was Jeffrey Ross. Jeff Zucker, TV anchor Brian Williams, and Meredith Vieira were surprisingly funny. Richard Beltzer kept tripping over his lines and finally Matt got up and read it for him. At the end of the luncheon, Matt Lauer gave a gracious thank you speech.

A roast is expected to be funny and raunchy especially when it's for entertainment celebrities. But in a business setting it's important to be careful. You need to remember that humor in the workplace is a great release when it's appropriate. But unlike the celebrities who went home after the event, you live in your workplace. You'll see the same people the next day. So when you roast, make sure it's well done.

And the Winner Is...

Tony Osime from Lagos won the contestand and received my free ebook, Difficult Conversations. She organized adult learning methods in order or most active to most passive learning. Why is this important? Because most speakers rely on lecturing and reading notes. To increase retention try some of these methods:

1)Teach Others
2)Immediate Use of Learning
3)Practice by Doing
4)Demonstration
5)Audio visual
6)Lecture
7)Reading

You can get your own ebook at the online store - www.diresta.com

What Joe the Plumber and Ronald Reagan Know about Pubic Speaking

Why all the hoopla about Joe the Plumber? A man asked a simple question. He wanted to buy a business. He was concerned that he would not be able to afford to do so if his taxes were increased. Why does Joe's 15 minutes of fame seem to have a life of its own? Because it struck a nerve.

Joe the Plumber represents the common man. He wants practical answers to everyday issues that affect his life. He doesn't want theories about spreading the wealth. He wants to know in practical language what he can expect so that he can make a decision.

How often do financial speakers present their numbers without telling the story behined the numbers? What about technical speakers who don't translate how the technology actually benefits the end user?

Ronald Regan knew how to relate to the general public. He spoke in simple terms. He appeared as comfortable having a beer with a group of blue collar workers as he did when dining at a state dinner.

The lesson here is know your audience. Never underestimate or ignore a question. Speak simply and clearly. And adjust your style to match the style of your listeners. In other words, speak their language.

Make Your Message Stick

Most speakers go into default mode. It's called lecturing. But lecturing is only one form of speaking and it's passive learning. Your audience needs a variety of methods in order to remember your message. So get active!

Arrange these seven learning methods in order of most active (1) to most passive (7).
Post your answers. The first person to answer correctly will win a free copy of my book, Conversations on Success.

Audio visual
Demonstration
Lecture
Practice by Doing
Reading
Immediate Use of Learning or Teach Others

Can You Spell Boring?

Last night's presidential debate was a lesson for any business presenter or public speaker. Your audience will forgive almost any gaffe or foible except for being boring. Where was the fire in the belly? Enthusiasm sells!

Both candidates may as well have been giving a P&L report. There was no passion, no conviction that created a feeling of excitement in the listeners. They were calm and matter-of-fact but did not inspire leadership. It was a safe presentation. There was nothing controversial and nothing memorable. Who won the debate? Nobody. They both lost the opportunity to rally the crowd

I always tell my clients there are no boring topics-only boring presenters. Well, Obama and McCain certainly proved my point.