The document discusses effective technical presentation strategies by Coen Tan, emphasizing the need for relevance and compelling storytelling to engage audiences in today's communication challenges. It compares past and current communication models, highlighting the leveling effect of technology and the importance of creating meaningful connections over virtual platforms. Additionally, it introduces various presentation techniques such as analogies, metaphors, and audience involvement to enhance engagement and retention.

1. WITH COEN TAN
TECHNICAL
PRESENTATIONS
CAN BE
INTERESTING TOO!

2. What you learn
today may save
or define your
career!

6. In today’s splintered world, people do not
need more information…
They need reasons to believe, derive
meaning and maintain hope…
The only way to stay relevant, maintain
competitiveness and fast-track your success
is by collecting, curating and presenting
information to more people, the right
people in the most compelling way!

7. • Turn your Video ON
• Mute yourself, unmute ONLY when you want to speak
• Make use of the CHAT Function to ask questions,
comments and network
• The slides will be made available to you on request, so
you don’t have to screenshot every slide
Some Housekeeping Agreements:

8. Checking In
Type (using the Chat Function) in the Chat Box below:
• Name and Role
• Describe how you feel with 1 word/sentence
Unmute yourself and share:
• What is your number 1 challenge when giving technical
presentations?
• What must you see / have to know that today’s session has
been helpful?

9. The Challenges of Communications Today

10. Old Communication Model
Life-changing
Message
Very Good
Idea!
No Vote, Just Follow
Confused
Frustrated
Distracted
Lost
New Communication Model
Broadcast, Share, Tweet

11. Working from Home…
or
Living at Work?

12. The Status Effect
Past:
• Spatial demarcation bestows authority and
status (Speaker on stage, Leader on the Power
Seat on a Boardroom, the Corner Office)
• Possible to display status through body language,
grooming
Now:
• Spatial effect of status is flattened by virtual
communication space
• Technology is s leveler / game-changer

13. The Accessibility Effect
Past:
• The “cost of entry” for events, membership
(financial, geographical barriers)
• Extraverts “work the room” have the
advantage
Now:
• Communicating across physical spaces
virtually
• People crave community and connection
• Introverts can communicate from the
comfort of their comfortable space

14. The Psychological Anchoring Effect
Past:
• People go to different physical spaces for meetings,
trainings, conferences.
• As they change places, they settle in different states of mind.
Now:
• People could be consuming entertainment, replying emails,
shopping online through the same 13 inch screen
• Harder to shift between psychological spaces

15. Surprise
Captures
Attention

16. Curiosity
Maintains
Attention

17. LUNCH TIME!

18. TWO
PEAS IN A
A POD
PARIS
IN THE
THE SPRING
BIRD
IN THE
THE HAND

21. What do cows drink?
Water

22. What’s the opposite of
“Not In”?
In

23. S-P-A-R-K™ Techniques
S
P
A
R
K
tories

25. Jared 1 Year Later!
Source: “Made to Stick” by Dan
and Chip Heath

26. The “Product-in-Action” Story

27. S-P-A-R-K™ Techniques
S
P
A
R
K
tories
rops, Demonstrations & Visuals

28. Props & Demonstrations

30. S-P-A-R-K™ Techniques
S
P
A
R
K
tories
nalogies & Metaphors
rops, Demonstrations & Visuals

31. Analogy & Metaphor

34. Optic Nerve (Normal) Optic Nerve (Damaged)
GLAUCOMA –
DAMAGE OF OPTIC
NERVES

39. S-P-A-R-K™ Techniques
S
P
A
R
K
tories
nalogies & Metaphors
eferences
rops, Demonstrations & Visuals

40. References

42. =
+
+

43. More than 30000 children will die today from poverty.
– Source: World Bank Stats

44. If you do your Maths,
In each minute, there are 60 seconds,
Which means 60x 60 = 3,600 seconds in an
hour
Multiplied by 24 hours, that gives 24 x 3,600
= 86,400 seconds in a day

45. A child dies every three seconds from AIDS and extreme poverty,
often before their fifth birthday – Source: World Bank Stats

47. S-P-A-R-K™ Techniques
S
P
A
R
K
tories
nalogies & Metaphors
eferences
inesthaetics
rops, Demonstrations & Visuals

48. Kinesthetic Involvement
Tell me and I’ll Forget
Show me and I’ll Remember
Involve me and I’ll Understand
- Confucius

50. Crafting a Presentation is a work of
Science and Art.
Science - because it requires an intimate
knowledge of audience psychology - what
attracts, intrigues and moves an
audience?
Art – because it requires a curator’s mind
to present content that flows together in
a meaningful way. It demands a
sculptor’s mentality, to remove the
unnecessary, to reveal the essential.

51. Empowering
Conversations For
Career
Development
With Coen Tan
connect@coentan.com