FO Presentation
by Graham Davies
Last Night, William Hague continued the tradition style of Foreign Office Crisis Presentation. He was able to say, categorically, that:
1. It is unwise for British citizens to travel to Libya.
2. The Foreign Office is in posession of information that strongly indicates that Colonel Gadaffi is now in Venezuala OR is travelling to Venezuala OR is about to travel to Venezuala OR is staying in Libya and has no intention of travelling to Venezuala or anywhere else.
3. He is concerned about the level of violence in Libya and would like it to stop.
It is this level of presentational decisiveness that gives our country its current position of influence on the World Stage.
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Monday, 7 February 2011
How to Accept an Award
By Graham Davies
It's Awards Season again, so bear the following in mind if you are receiving one on stage:
1. There is never any excuse for anyone saying "I don't know what to say", especially when you have known for weeks that you are on a short-list.
2. Start with something sharp and striking. Make the audience realise immediately that, at last, here is someone worth listening to.
3. Make your gratitude special and specific. Don't recite a featureless sequence of names: include a carefully-phrased half-sentence about each person's contribution so that they sound like talented human beings instead of items on a shopping list.
4. Do NOT say the words "Thank You" until right at the end, just before you leave the stage. Continuous repetition devalues the concept, whereas it sounds appropriately precious if you say it once with total conviction, as your punchline.
5. Learn and rehearse your words. And hire a really good coach to ensure that you have rehearsed your spontaneity professionally. You must be able to get your words out effectively, no matter how badly Ricky Gervais has upset you.
By Graham Davies
It's Awards Season again, so bear the following in mind if you are receiving one on stage:
1. There is never any excuse for anyone saying "I don't know what to say", especially when you have known for weeks that you are on a short-list.
2. Start with something sharp and striking. Make the audience realise immediately that, at last, here is someone worth listening to.
3. Make your gratitude special and specific. Don't recite a featureless sequence of names: include a carefully-phrased half-sentence about each person's contribution so that they sound like talented human beings instead of items on a shopping list.
4. Do NOT say the words "Thank You" until right at the end, just before you leave the stage. Continuous repetition devalues the concept, whereas it sounds appropriately precious if you say it once with total conviction, as your punchline.
5. Learn and rehearse your words. And hire a really good coach to ensure that you have rehearsed your spontaneity professionally. You must be able to get your words out effectively, no matter how badly Ricky Gervais has upset you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
