Presentation Skills
The STAR Moment

by Claire Doole | Nov 2, 2015 | Blog

We all overestimate how much people remember of what we say.

Studies show that when people are asked what they recall immediately after an evening’s broadcast, very few spontaneously remember more than two news items. And these are newsworthy stories presented by professional broadcasters!

So how can you make sure that your messages are memorable? One of the most powerful methods is to use a STAR moment – include in your presentation “something your audience will always remember.”

Neuroscientists and cognitive psychologists say that good storytelling emerges from “violations of expectations.” The STAR moment does exactly this, surprising and hooking the audience’s attention so your message sticks.

Take a look at a famous STAR moment by Bill Gates, who in his TED talk opened a jar filled with mosquitos while talking about malaria to a room filled with potential donors.

I used this example while giving a 20-minute master class in Geneva on managing audience attention span.

Body language matters
Perfect your presentation

by Claire Doole | Sep 9, 2015 | Blog

I was delighted to be asked by the Geneva Centre for Education and Research in Humanitarian Action (CERAH) to be a guest speaker on their new massive online open course (MOOC).

Every year I run presentation and media training courses for students at CERAH, a joint centre of the University of Geneva and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID).

I am not trying to win the prize for the most acronyms in a sentence, honest!

But I do try and walk the talk during my courses. I was told that my body language was so “expressive” that I must give some tips and techniques for the video module produced by the University of Geneva.

So, do click on the video below.