1. What are the first three words you think of when you hear the word ‘presentation’?
Impactful, Motivating, Knowledge
2. What’s the best presentation you’ve seen?
It usually the last one I just saw— because you can learn from everyone— what to do and what not to do. But one of my favorite speakers of all time has to be Bill Brooks. Before he passed — I use to love to listen or watch Bill. He was a speaker’s speaker. But I love the old-timers like Dale Carnegie, Og Mandingo, Norman Vincent Peale and Napoleon Hill.
3. What’s the biggest thing you’ve accomplished as a result of a presentation?
To motivate and leave the audience wanting more. Meaning I like to put on a good show by making it entertaining but more importantly by giving knowledge or explaining a particular point or message in a way they don’t know they are learning. So they start the presentation thinking “oh this guy is going to speak for an hour” and the time is up so fast that they want to listen to more.
4. Describe the role of story in your business life.
I am a storyteller. I use stories in all aspects of my marketing work. With clients to paint the picture and with my employees to drive the point home. People can relate to stories.
5. How many times do you usually practice before the day of your presentation? Do you have any rituals you follow before a big presentation?
Well, I practice every day. Meaning, first to get the core speech down, I work it months before I develop the main keynote speech. Then each speech I might change something in it to work it, refine it. I will try a new line or a new story— see how it works and whether I might use it again. The best stuff I use, the stuff that does not work— well I toss it out. The only ritual I use before a speech is I tend to like to be left alone for the 20 or so minutes before the speech to get my head “in the game” so to speak. I like to be backstage alone, thinking about how to do my best on that stage and give the audience a great performance. I mean you put the quarter in the pony, so you should get to go for the full ride.
6. If you could give a presenter one piece of advice, what would it be?
Be real. You can’t fake being real. A lot of speakers think they should be this or be that, but you should just be you. It’s refreshing to see someone who is genuine.
7. What’s next for you?
Hopefully more speeches.
JEFFREY HAYZLETT is a global business celebrity and former Fortune 100 c-suite executive. From small business to international corporations, he has put his creativity and extraordinary entrepreneurial skills into play, launching ventures blending his leadership perspectives, insights into professional development, mass marketing prowess and affinity for social media. He is a well-traveled public speaker, the author of the bestselling books, The Mirror Test and Running the Gauntlet, celebrity editor to one of the largest-circulation business publications and one of the most compelling figures in global business.
