How many pieces of paper does one paper clip hold together?
This question is actually answered when you type it into a Google search. Thirty sheets of paper.
Now my question is slightly different in that the ask is about you and your behavior and expectations for the one single paper clip.
For me, a single paper clip – not more than ten pieces of paper – assuming the purpose is to keep them together and not fall out and out of order.
Everyone will have their own point of view on this item, however, the majority of people will not use one single paper clip to hold many more than thirty pieces of paper at one time. This is fairly simple and straight forward. Yes, sometimes you really need paper!
Now why is it that when preparing a presentation or a speech people generally feel the need to explain everything in super great detail?
The other day I was a guest at a company meeting in order to watch how they run their meetings in order to potentially contract to work as their meeting facilitator and ultimately to train their own employees how to run more engaging and productive meetings. One presenter had thirty minutes to present and had eighty powerpoint slides!
The presenter actually stood in the back of the dimly lit meeting room and read aloud each slide. When it was time for questions and answers the one question which needed to be answered and was never asked was – “Was this torture really necessary?”
Let’s move over to digital. Yes, many of you could not wait!
P – A – P – E – R, what is that? POWER POINT? Who uses that any more?
When a website is being created or an ad – less is more. When there are too many words people either become confused, bored or don’t even bother. Short and sweet – get to the point. If possible use images to send the message.
Now we come to the whole point of this article. When you are networking are you able to clearly state who you are and what you do in a brief amount of time?
Think about it.
The other day a person from one of my networking groups, who had not been attending any events recently, saw me at Starbucks. It turns out he now had a new position in another company. Now my Starbucks visits are actually to purchase coffee and to leave and go to a meeting. We had not seen each other in awhile and there was enough spare time before my next appointment – “What is your new job about, what will you be doing?” This seemed like a good question to ask – right?
Five minutes later, seriously a full five minutes later – no clue – no idea what he was going to be working on, what his new company did to make money or who their target audience might be. Out of spare time – “Well, wish you the best in your new role!”
Seriously my mind was overwhelmed with buzz words and industry jargon. My experience has brought me into numerous industries and their board rooms and yet – No clue here. Keep your description, the pitch, the elevator speech short and sweet.
Get right to the point and do not use industry jargon with regular normal folks.
Mitch Tublin runs a boutique consulting business with a main focus on leadership development, executive coaching and business advisory services.
Do you or your team need to work on getting more out of your meetings? Speaking to the point with interest?
