CentreO Blog

An interesting article on Forbes a few months back offered an insightful tip on how to close your presentation with a punch!

As the article mentioned: “ A wise speaker

gives the audience an opportunity to express that collective energy in the form of action”.

Apparently, getting your audience to do something at the end of the presentation can make your talk more memorable, get you better response, ratings and help build a lasting connection.

So what can your audience actually DO?

 

It doesn’t mean giving them a fake assignment to finish in the next few weeks – it is asking them to DO something right there and then, without leaving the room – something that will reinforce the message of the talk.

 

The article gave a very vivid example:

The topic of the presentation was charity. At the end of his talk, the speaker asked everyone in the audience to grab all the loose change they could find in their pockets and wallets and on the count of three – throw it on the floor. He then sent collectors to pick up the money. That speech raised $12 000 for AIDS relief in under five minutes.

Was there a better way to make a point?

So, what about your presentations? Can you think of the right call to action?

 

Macau isn’t only known for its gambling antics, but was the first European settlement in the Far East. Today, strong roots of the colonial past still remain. The Macanese culture is strongly defined by the amalgamation of its Chinese and Portuguese heritages, resulting in some magnificent European architecture, enchanting fusion of foods and a generally far more relaxed vibe than Hong Kong. Macau’s holds top attractions and UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the dramatic façade of the Ruins of St. Paul’s, The Senado Square, the soaring heights of the Macau Tower (11th highest tower in the world), The Grand Lisboa, enthralling temples and of course, the major casinos which make 7 times more than Las Vegas.

                                                                   St. Paul’s Ruins

 

                                                    Site from the Fortaleza Do Monte

                                            

                                                                  The Grand Lisboa 

 

One of the easiest means of getting to Macau is by the Ferry from Hong Kong or China. At the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal there are many ticket stations to choose from (There are some private sellers but they are not always reliable). You are dropped off in Macau port from where you can easily take one of the shuttle buses to the top destinations. These places offer great entertainment such as the ‘House of Dancing Water’ show at the City of Dreams…

and the Venetian Hotel… 

…with its outstanding casino and late night entertainment on different floors for various social clubs and lounges (Club Cubic is recommended in the Venetian hotel if you enjoy a good)…

With all the crazy showbiz, take the time to also taste the famous Portuguese egg tart…

and delightful pork buns…

They can be found practically everywhere with many other light food offerings such as sweets and meat jerky. Macau is a fantastic place and is definitely worth at least a weekend trip. There is a lot to see and it is certainly a destination of a lifetime.

By Kelvin Lau

It has happened to all of us. One moment we are just running down the street for a cup of that morning coffee, and the next –  we have what feels like the best idea of a lifetime! We fly to the coffee shop developing the idea in our head and drawing up plans and then…Then we get to the office, get bombarded with emails and phone calls and somehow the idea first fades and finally winds up at the bottom of a pile of paperwork. At the end, when we get home after a busy day, all we are in the mood for is a sandwich and some quiet. Thus, our ideas (no matter how brilliant) are more often than not forgotten and left to mould quietly in the dark.

It’s a pity, isn’t it?

What if one of those ideas would have radically changed our project? Business? The world? What if after being hit by an apple, Isaac Newton received an urgent phone call and had to rush for a meeting?

So, let’s not let everyday rush get the best of us and our spontaneous creativity.

How can we make sure our ideas live on and have a chance of growing into something more?

Have a system

We all know that we have to keep record of our good ideas. The problem is they (good ideas) often catch us penless, computerless, with a flat battery or simply in the middle of a client meeting. That’s where the system comes in. Instead of jotting it down on a piece of napkin, hold on till you get access to your record keeping device of choice and do it right away. It may be a Word file, Evernote, Faceboom post or good old-fashioned notebook. Just make sure you keep a way and stick to it. This way you will have a clear view if all your amazing thought process at the end of the month .

Get the good ones

You may have a lot of interesting ideas, but let’s admit it – not all of them will or should be acted upon or have the potential to become real businesses. Have a selection process, based on feasibility and note down the ideas you really plan to act upon.

Make it a habit

It may be hard at first, but once you truly get into the habit of keeping these records – it will become a natural and very useful way of making your dreams come true.