Sunday, January 03, 2010

Steve Jobs, Computers, Technology -- And How to Present Them


Steve Jobs will forever be one of the icons of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. He's helped shape not only technological and business landscape, but the cultural agenda as well. His pitching of the PC vs. Mac debate has split the world into two camps. As one likes to describe him, Jobs doesn't just sell computers; he sells an experience. A new book which has just come out is worth a read. The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs argue that Jobs' successful not only because of his visionary appeal of Apple's products, but ultimately his ability to create elegant presentations that are meant to inform, educate, and entertain - his ability to sell himself as a brand. An Apple presentation has all the elements of a great theatrical production—a great script, heroes and villains, stage props, breathtaking visuals, and one moment that makes the price of admission well worth it.

Take a look at Jobs' presentation of the 2001 iPod, long before it gained the foothold of our musical and cultural lexicon - Jobs doesn't just deliver, he performs. His words dances across the stage like an actor's - and we all know he's having fun doing it. Carmine Gallo's book is an addictive read after the lull of the holidays. Perhaps it is as important for librarians and information professionals as any, as presentations form the crux of their work. Steve Jobs' skills at articulating himself is a defiant reminder to how we can all work on effectively communicating to our audiences what we really need to say.

Act 1 -
Create the Story

Scene 1 - Plan in Analog

Scene 2 - Answer the One Question That Matters Most

Scene 3 - Develop a Messianic Sense of Purpose

Scene 4 - Create Twitter-Like Headlines

Scene 5 - Draw a Road Map

Scene 6 - Introduce the Antagonist

Scene 7 - Reveal the Conquering Hero

Intermission 1 - Obey the Ten-Minute Rule

Act 2 - Deliver the Experience

Scene 8 - Channel Their Inner Zen

Scene 9 - Dress Up Your Numbers

Scene 10 - Use "Amazingly Zippy" Words

Scene 11 - Share the Stage

Scene 12 - Stage Your Presentation With Props

Scene 13 - Reveal a "Holy Shit" Moment

Intermission 2 - Schiller Learns From the Best

Act 3 - Master Stage Presence

Scene 14 - Master Stage Presence

Scene 15 - Make It Look Effortless

Scene 16 - Wear the Appropriate Costume

Scene 17 - Toss the Script

Scene 18 - Have Fun

Encore - One More Thing . . .

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. He is a remarkable salesman and, like you stated, he's having fun. And, of course, he is Steve Jobs!!!

I still have my Apple IIe from all those many years ago, had two other Macs after that and just received a MacBook Pro for Christmas. I am a Mac fan. No IPOD yet, but that's coming. I look forward to the Tablet.