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Making the complex feel simple

Rule no. 1 in communication is brutal: If they didn’t get it, they didn’t get it. That’s why great communicators take full responsibility for the impact that their communication makes. They look tirelessly for clearer ways to say what they have to say.

But the Curse of Knowledge is a tough opponent. It’s that strange phenomenon that the more you know about something, the harder it gets to speak about that thing in simple terms. So, how do you overcome that? How can you find simple words to explain your idea when it matters most?

I’m hosting a live event on May, 23rd to help you find answers. You’ll learn how to:
– find beautifully simple explanations for complex ideas,
– understand and speak your audience’s language,
– make them see what you see.

Where others confuse their audience, leaders who master clarity make us feel genius because their words let us see clearly what was foggy before.

We’ll look at how some of the world’s best brands and finest leaders use beautifully simple words to craft super compelling messages that lead to action. Most importantly there will be plenty of time for Q&A so that you can ask me anything that’s specific to your situation.

Register here (it’s free): https://michaelgerharz.com/live

Super focused communication

“So, what was the talk about?”
The best communicators don’t leave this to chance. They carefully focus their story to deliver a lasting impact.

The default mode to communication is very different. It goes something like this: I’m just going to tell you everything and you’re going to be convinced. But we all know how that usually turns out.

Let’s change this. I’m hosting a live event on April, 25th to help you become a super-focused communicator. Based on my work with leaders across the globe, you’ll learn how to:
💪 find the courage to truly cut to the core,
💡 separate the signal from the noise and
🙌 direct everyone’s energy on what matters most, no matter how complex the task at hand is.

Where others are overwhelmed with choice, leaders who master focus point us in the right direction. Where others are torn between alternatives, they make us see how to make that choice.

Remember: If you don’t decide on what matters most, your audience is going to decide for you. And you might not like their choice. It’s always better to find that courage yourself.

Join me on April, 25th … it’s free: https://michaelgerharz.com/live.

Challenging the way we approach keynotes

In-person events aren’t going to happen for a while. With their recent keynotes, Apple embraced this by not even trying to pretend that they were on-stage. Their keynotes now feel more like long infomercials than presentations – recorded in different locations around their signature Apple Park building and produced in a way that resembles a TV show much more than a presentation.

We’ll see this happening a lot. More and more companies will skip the live on-stage presentation and pre-produce videos instead. As they do, we will see more and more companies embracing the freedom that the video format provides.

We will see tighter storytelling, quicker video cuts, breathtaking animations, and – of course – fewer hiccups. Here are a few challenges to think about if you want to stand out:

  • Find a unique tone! One that’s grounded in who you are rather than trying to imitate what Apple and others are pioneering.
  • Don’t be afraid to make it fun!
  • Consider making it interactive! Now, that you have all your viewers online in front of a screen, think of ways to make them an active part of your show and re-consider running the whole thing live.
  • Learn the laws of tension and suspense! People are even more likely to consider your show just another competitor for their attention along the likes of Netflix, YouTube etc.
  • Skip the boring parts and quickly dive into the relevant parts! For example, just as almost no movie opens with the credits anymore, you shouldn’t, either.

(PS: Don’t miss your chance to make a difference!)

Pop oder Flop?

Bühne während eines Vortrags auf der Next-Web-Konferenz 2008

Quizfrage: Aus welcher Veranstaltung stammt dieses Bild?

1. Eurovision Song Contest
2. ZDF-Hitparade
3. Next-Web, eine europäische Konferenz über die Zukunft des Internets

Richtig, aus der Next-Web-Konferenz.

Glauben Sie nicht? Wie würden Sie denn die Bühne gestalten, wenn Sie eine Konferenz organisieren müssten? Rücken Sie etwa die Vorträge in den Mittelpunkt und verzichten auf alles, was von den Vorträgen ablenken könnte? Was sollen denn da die Leute denken, schließlich organisieren Sie eine High-Tech-Veranstaltung. Da müssen Sie natürlich zeigen, dass Sie hip sind. Und die Medien sind ja schließlich auch da. Also: Inszenieren Sie eine Lightshow, bei der selbst Dieter Thomas Heck vor Neid erblasst, und lassen Sie diese während der Vorträge ständig laufen. So wird dem Publikum garantiert nicht langweilig (hypnotische Zustände allerdings nicht ausgeschlossen).

Logo der Next-Web-Konferenz

Klar, die Next-Web-Konferenz gibt sich insgesamt einen ziemlich poppigen Anstrich und vermarktet sich selbst als Show-Event. Aber während der Vorträge haben die Veranstalter den Bogen doch etwas überspannt. Bei der Verkündung von Länderpunkten mag solch eine Bühnendekoration ja vielleicht noch einen gewissen Reiz haben, während eines Vortrags aber sicher nicht. Wer sich das Ganze einmal anschauen möchte, folge einfach diesem Link.

Links zu diesem Thema:
Next-Web-Konferenz
Videos von Vorträgen der Next-Web-Konferenz
Seth Godin über den neuen Standard für Meetings und Konferenzen

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Dr. Michael Gerharz

Dr. Michael Gerharz