Matt Abrahams: "How to Make Your Communication Memorable"

The speaker introduces the topic of making communication memorable, emphasizing the importance of preparation and audience engagement. They discuss common concerns about forgetting what to say and ensuring the audience remembers the message. The session promises to be participative, with an invitation for the audience to be involved as much as they like. The use of imagery is highlighted as a tool to keep the subject playful, and the importance of 'presentation hygiene' is introduced, which includes diet, exercise, and sleep for effective communication.

This section delves into the impact of diet on presentation skills, illustrating how poor dietary choices can lead to memory issues and nervousness. The speaker shares an anecdote about an individual whose diet worsened with promotions, affecting his presentation abilities. The importance of nutritional advice and a healthy diet is underscored, along with the recommendation to treat presentation preparation akin to athletic event preparation. The role of caffeine, exercise, and sleep in memory formation and energy levels for effective communication is also discussed.

The speaker continues the discussion on presentation hygiene by emphasizing the critical role of sleep in memory and energy levels. They then shift the focus to the use of technology in preparation for communication, listing various apps and tools that can enhance one's communication skills. These tools range from reducing disfluencies to improving vocal intensity and flow. An innovative tool that uses VR goggles to simulate audience interactions is also mentioned, highlighting the importance of leveraging technology for effective preparation.

The speaker introduces the concept of setting clear communication goals that encompass information, emotion, and action. They stress the importance of knowing the audience and tailoring the message to meet their knowledge level, expectations, and attitudes. The speaker shares their goal for the session, which is to equip participants with memorable communication tools. They also discuss the effectiveness of having a structured approach to communication, including setting audience expectations and aiding memory through organization.

The speaker presents three favorite communication structures: comparison-contrast-conclusion, problem-solution-benefit, and the opportunity-solution-benefit. They explain each structure and provide examples of how they can be applied. The speaker also introduces the 'what, so what, now what' structure, which is particularly useful for presenting, setting meeting agendas, and giving feedback. The session includes an interactive exercise where participants are asked to sell a slinky using the problem-solution-benefit structure, highlighting the importance of creativity and structure in communication.

The speaker reflects on the use of the 'what, so what, now what' structure to explain itself, emphasizing the clarity and effectiveness of structured communication. They discuss the benefits of using a structure, such as improved memory, clear sequencing, and knowing when to finish. The importance of practicing communication in a similar environment to the actual presentation is highlighted, along with tips on how to handle memory lapses during presentations, such as repeating the last point made or having a backup question to buy time.

The speaker focuses on the importance of voice variation in maintaining audience engagement, suggesting the use of emotive words and practicing exaggerated expressions to achieve natural variation. They also discuss the use of different types of evidence, such as data, testimonials, and stories, to support points effectively. The speaker emphasizes the need for variety in evidence to cater to diverse audience preferences and ensure better understanding and memorability of the message.

This section continues the discussion on the importance of using varied evidence to support communication. The speaker advises against relying solely on one's preferred type of evidence and encourages the integration of data, testimonials, and stories to create a comprehensive and engaging message. They stress the need to understand the audience's knowledge, expectations, and attitudes to tailor the message effectively, potentially adjusting the structure of the message based on the audience's receptiveness.

The speaker discusses strategies for engaging the audience both physically and mentally to improve the memorability of the communication. Techniques such as posing questions, showing videos, and using interactive elements are suggested to involve the audience actively. The speaker also recommends using language that prompts mental imagery and analogies to connect known concepts with new information, thereby enhancing retention and interest.

The speaker highlights the role of emotion in making communication memorable, advising speakers to convey passion and interest in their messages. They suggest using self-deprecating humor and focusing on the emotional aspects of the content, even when discussing topics that may not inherently evoke strong emotions. The speaker emphasizes the importance of reflection, repetition, and feedback in improving communication skills and becoming a more effective communicator.

In the concluding section, the speaker reiterates the importance of preparation, structure, and practice in delivering memorable messages. They encourage the audience to reflect on what they have learned and to share it with others using the 'what, so what, now what' structure. The speaker also addresses questions from the audience, providing insights on handling interruptions, engaging diverse audiences, and incorporating company culture into communication. They conclude by emphasizing the need for compassion and engagement in communication and the value of taking away memorable ideas to enhance one's communication skills.