Steve Jobs, the Apple CEO, is practically a byword for classy and imaginative presentations. His presentations typically exude style, panache and real significance. But his luck ran out, however, last week at the launch of the new iPhone 4 in San Francisco. The Apple CEO was giving the iPhone 4 presentation when he ran into some practical demonstrations with his on-line demonstration of the new iPhone capabilities.
Reverting quickly to an off-line demonstration his team picked up the matter of the non-functional demonstration.
Their prognosis wasn’t good. Apparently the problem wasn’t with the iPhone 4. Or, indeed, the iPhone 4 presentation. No, it was the audience.
Or rather, it was the 570 plus WiFi units being used by the audience in the conference room.That’s an astonishing number until you consider that this was a mobile communications product launch!
iPhone 4 Presentation Fix
So, Steve Jobs rose to the occasion.
He made light of the situation as he somehow managed to get people to switch off a sufficient number of the WiFi units for the rest of the demonstration. With a mixture of confidence and bare-faced cheek he appeared to carry it off.
But then, with the live demonstration going again, the same problem re-asserted itself.
Steve Jobs’s efforts to remedy the situation were bold and humorous. His audience interaction was second to none. He mixed serious points with some excellent comedy moments. Because humour works in your conference speech or presentation.
Of more serious concern, however, will be his choice of mobile carrier with which to demonstrate the iPhone’s capabilities next time. The cellular network in San Francisco clearly wasn’t up to the task…and WiFi is over-congested.
It’s a new opportunity and a challenge for any presenter.
Aim to Avoid a Technical Problem with Your next Presentation
Occasionally the technology will let you down when you give a presentation. Did you practise it exhaustively?
- 1Aim to be fully prepared, so if there's a technical fault, then you can carry on regardless.
- 2Have a script or cue cards to hand if the autocue should fail.
- 3Ask a team colleague to fix the problem whilst you take audience questions.
- 4If a technical demonstration doesn't work, smile, and explain its operation without the demonstration. Just a pointer, a non-live demonstration is typically easier to manage.
- 5Remind your audience that they can see a working demonstration in the auditorium or at exhibition stand XX…
When you are ready to give your own presentation skills a real boost, you can always find out more with our series of presentation tips. We collect all these tips from our presentation skills training courses. So, please don't hesitate to contact us when you need more information about your presentation training and coaching options that also include online training.
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You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
this post is very usefull thx!