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No Points for Second Place
by Scott Schwertly, November 19th 2007
 About
Scott Schwertly
Scott Schwertly is a presentation expert.
He has spent the last eight years working for television
network affiliates helping them create story-telling visuals
and has worked in marketing for both the private and public
sector. Today, Scott works with a wide spectrum of clients
that includes Silicon Valley start-ups, publishing houses,
authors, and various companies throughout the world. Helping
individuals and businesses build, design, and deliver captivating
presentations is his passion.
He currently serves as both
Founder and CEO of Ethos3
Communications – A Presentation
Design and Training Company, and is the author of an award
winning blog - Presentation Revolution and a Top 100 ChangeThis.com
manifesto. Scott has a B.A. in Communications and an M.B.A.
from Harding University.
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You spent an entire year slaving behind your desk, you were responsive
via your Blackberry 24/7, and you stayed late Monday through Friday
to prove to yourself that you’ve got what it takes to move
up in the organization. This is you and it is description of everyone
else who is hungry to succeed in today’s competitive environment.
However, have you seen this all fall apart within just a few minutes
for some unprepared individual? I’m sure you have, and it
was probably during this individual’s presentation. Don’t
be the next victim. How you summarize your work will make or break
you. There are no points for second place.
Here’s how you
can secure the top position you were aiming for all year with your
next presentation:
Acceptance
Acknowledge that your presentation is your make or break moment.
Everything you do all year boils down to that one moment. Don’t
fizzle out in zero hour. Stay committed all the way through. If
you hate public speaking – practice. If you hate your slides – get
design help. Put your best foot forward – always – you
owe it to yourself.
Disturbance
Get disturbed. It’s only when you get disturbed that you
will challenge yourself to take it up a notch. Push yourself to
the next level. Don’t settle on your presentation. If you’re
unhappy with any element of your presentation – fix it.
Transcendence
According to the dictionary, transcendence is defined as: Surpassing
others; preeminent or supreme. If you build, design, and deliver
the presentation like you know you should, you will transcend all
others - getting you to the place you know you deserve. There are
no points for second place. Don’t forget it.
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