An explain article

A table that stands lengthwise in front of a large screen. A mountain of halved buttered pretzels lounging cheekily in the sun. Liters of filter coffee slumbering in seven thermos flasks. And, somewhat awkwardly: A colleague plugging in his computer at the head of the meeting table. Does this sound familiar? What's about to follow is not a summer fairy tale, but 30 to 480 minutes of mediocre presentation. Where is it? The meeting magic? If you're honest: Even though you repeatedly find yourself in meetings of this type, you often do it no differently. You also like to order buttered pretzels (they are simply a safe choice – excluding veganism and gluten intolerance) and book standard meeting rooms (simply because you are used to them). Presenting in meetings has become routine. It has become part of everyday life. Welcome to the comfort zone. The problem: The comfort zone offers no surprise, no thrill, no experience. The comfort zone moves inconspicuously in the meeting mediocrity and elegantly sneaks past excellence. I believe that excellence in presenting can only arise if both the speaker and the audience move out of their own comfort zone. Why? Because the human brain does not pay special attention to familiar and accustomed things. A presentation is only particularly effective when the manner of delivery is also unusual (good).

So grab your presentation and explore new territory with your audience – outside the buttered pretzel territory!

#01 - Stand Out

Violate conventions!

Why not present completely differently for once? My appeal to you: Don’t be afraid to do unusual things. You think it's fitting for your topic to present sitting on the floor? Do it! Your topic can be well compared to music? Sing or dance! An odd performance has the advantage already in its designation. You think that professionalism should be the top goal of your meeting? It shouldn’t! Gaining attention and being memorable is much more important. So have the courage to break with habits and use the next meeting as a practice opportunity.

#02 - Invite

Involve your audience!

Assume that the audience always knows something better than you do! Involve your audience! The fact is: It will be unusual for your audience to really have to work along during a completely “normal” presentation. And that's exactly what makes it so effective. The listeners thus leave their own comfort zone and are automatically much more attentive. You can enhance the impact by activating your listeners not only mentally but also physically. Motivate your counterpart to solve puzzles and raise their hands. Invite them to run across the room to a prop. Do you have an important change to announce? Turn your listeners into active shapers of the presentation and benefit – in addition to the mentioned advantages – also from approval and good mood!

#03 - Break Out

Change the setting!

Your audience is automatically more attentive when it finds itself in an unfamiliar environment. You can, for example, choose a setting that matches the topic. Why not present in the nearby park when it comes to a sustainable product? Depending on the topic, the balcony, a planetarium, a cinema, or a café are also suitable. Look for inspiration in your everyday environment! You can also rearrange an existing setting. Have you ever rearranged your apartment? By changing or removing furniture, your four walls have a completely new atmosphere. Simply transfer this principle to your meeting room. For example, forgo the table and arrange a row of chairs instead. As a substitute for buttered pretzels, you could serve each participant a bag of popcorn.

You see – you can cast meetings in a new light with simple means. All you need is a little bit of courage – because outside the buttered pretzel zone, you are confronted with uncertainties. "Do my colleagues like it? What does my boss say about it? Am I embarrassing myself?" Just push these thoughts aside and muster up courage. Because if you don't change anything, who will?