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Claudio Perrone, profile picture
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Crafting Outstanding Presentations - Storytelling Techniques

1. The document outlines Claudio Perrone's journey from being afraid of public speaking to becoming a successful presenter. It describes how he was initially offered a speaking opportunity that scared him but he eventually joined the movement to move beyond bullet points in presentations. 2. Claudio discovered the importance of storytelling and using dramatic structure in presentations. He shares a seven-step process for crafting stories to engage audiences. 3. Through practicing new techniques like moving beyond bullet points and unleashing the power of story, Claudio was able to overcome his fear of public speaking and become a confident presenter. He advocates finding one's own voice and style in presentations.

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@agilesensei Claudio Perrone
How relevant are presentations to your career?
In late 2007, I was leading a happy life
One day, my phone rang…  
I was offered to speak at a conference BIG
On the one hand, it was a fantastic opportunity
On the other hand, public speaking scared me to death
Year: 1997 Location: C.E.R.N.  
I trained 15 scientists for a week
They skinned me alive
I’ll never forget that experience…
There was no way I was going face another possible humiliation
Besides, I could brain-damage people with PowerPoint
What would you do?
1   Move  Beyond   Bullet  Points      
In Feb 2008, I joined the revolution
“ Simplicity     is  the  ul<mate   sophis<ca<on   -­‐-­‐-­‐  Leonardo  Da  Vinci  
Despite my efforts, my first dry-run was a disaster
I had strong images, but lack of structure confused the audience
At first, I created a “logical” outline Main Point: Agility + Communication + Creativity lead to success 1. Supporting detail: Agility 2. Supporting detail: Communication 3. Supporting detail: Creativity Summary: Agility + Communication + Creativity lead to success
Then, I discovered BBP!
Let’s “script” the first 5 slides
Let’s see how they “play” Action!
The downturn threatens the future of many individuals and organizations
You are an entrepreneur, meeting an investor for the first time
Investors can be so H A R D t o p e r s u a d e
You’d love them to invest in your great idea
I suggest... Move beyond bullet points Unleash the Power of Story Tame your story to persuade
…And Cut. Well done! (you’ll add the cool pictures another time)
But wait… What if Spielberg showed up?
Dude, you are telegraphing. Your “story” has no drama.
How about this? telegraphing vs. dramatic irony vs. dramatic tension
2   Unleash  the     Power  of  Story      
Enter a new world
Why Story? People make choices based on emotions (and use data to justify them)
What’s  a  good  story  idea?   Someone [character]   wants something badly [desire]   and goes after it against great odds [obstacles]  
Story revolves around conflict Protagonist   vs.   Antagonist Nature Society Self
Story has good structure O u t e r j o u r n e y
Often, there is a character inner journey WŸA=C W: Weakness (psychological and moral) A: Action (and struggle to accomplish it) C: Changed Person
Let’s see the “highlights” of a past presentation Action!
Most  IT  projects  fail   Will  yours?  
Once  upon  a  1me  I  was  a  successful   so6ware  developer…  
My  technical  skills  made  me  feel  invincible  
Un<l  one  day…  
…I  entered  a  world  of  decep<on  
It  was  Hell  from  day  1  
What  would  you  do?  
I  choked  
…but  then,  I  decided  to  fight  back  
This  is  what  I  tried:   2   Effec<ve     Communica<on   1   Agility   3   Deliberate   Crea<vity  
1   Agility      
…but  the  project  was  s<ll  at  risk  
2   Effec<ve   Communica<on      
3   Deliberate   Crea<vity      
So,  what  happened  to  the  project?  
Amazingly,  it  succeeded  
Lessons  learned...   “ “ We  moved  from  the  Flintstones  era  to  the  future.   -­‐-­‐-­‐  an  end  user   I  was  part  of  something.  I  belonged.   -­‐-­‐-­‐  a  developer  
…And Cut!
Agile  Tales  Walk-­‐through  (1/3)   Setup   Seng     (+Hook)   Setup   (ordinary  world)   Character   flaw   (“naivety”)   Inci<ng   incident  
Agile  Tales  Walk-­‐through  (2/3)     Development   Enter  special   world   Complica<on   Dilemma   Turning  point     Ac<on  /   Resolu<on   New   complica<on   (will  he  succeed?)   Refusal  of  the  call   Ac<on  /     Resolu<on  
Agile  Tales  Walk-­‐through  (3/3)     Resolu<on   Drama<c   ques<on   (restated)   Climax   Adermath   Theme  
How do you craft your own story?
3   Tame     Your  Story      
I used to rewrite a story ~30 times
Not anymore
I use a 7-steps process
Step 1: Research (Create a Data Dump)
Step 2: Prepare Subject   POV   Listeners   Ac<on   Benefit  
Step 3: Fill and cluster content
Step 4: Identify Story Ideas
Reverse Benefits (what,  how)   Features     Steel  Nib   Body   Cap   Blue  ink   ...   (why,  WIIFY)   Benefits   Does  not  leak   Provides  physical  pleasure   Thoughts  flow  on  paper   Can  write  beau<ful  poetry   …   (lead-­‐to  why)   Reversed  Benefits   Leaks   Inflicts  physical  torture   Thoughts  don’t  flow  on  paper   Writes  terrible  poetry   …   E.g.:  Candidate  Scenario  1   A  poet  struggles  to  leave  her   mark  on  this  earth.  She  writes   terrible  poetry,  her  thoughts   don’t  flow  on  paper,  all  the   pens  she  tries  are  physical   torture  for  her  hand.   Un<l  one  day…  
Step 5: Create a dramatic outline Complication: Claudio fears public speaking Development: 1. Claudio moves beyond bullet points 2. Claudio unleashes stories 3. Claudio tames stories Resolution: Claudio conquers fear
Step 5. Dramatic outline II (saga) Major Complication: Claudio fears public speaking Semi-Major Complication: Claudio kills with PowerPoint Development 1,2,3 Interlinked Complication: Spielberg challenges Claudio Semi-Major Resolution: Claudio moves Beyond Bullet Points Semi-Major Complication: Spielberg challenges Claudio Development 1,2,3 Interlinked Complication: Stories consume Claudio Semi-Major Resolution: Claudio embraces stories Semi-Major Complication: Stories consume Claudio Development 1,2,3 Semi-Major Resolution: Claudio tames stories Interlinked Complication: Claudio fears public speaking Semi-Major Complication: Claudio fears public speaking (restated) Development 1. Claudio pursues emotion Development 2. Claudio welcomes obstacles (carpe diem) Development 3. Claudio finds own voice Major Resolution: Claudio conquers fear
Final Thoughts
“ Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken. --- Oscar Wilde
Thank  you!   Claudio  Perrone   claudio@agilesensei.com   www.agilesensei.com   www.a3thinker.com   www.twiher.com/agilesensei