Keynote Speech Timing

You’ve heard the advice, “Use stories in your presentations because people respond to stories!” Great advice. BUT… Your story won’t grab your audience’s attention and communicate your message unless it has these 6 elements. In fact, it could even have the opposite effect! Every story you use as the foundation of your high-stakes presentations needs to have: 1. A logical structure. A story needs a beginning, middle, and end with clear turning points between each section. Don't just jump between ideas randomly. Map your presentation flow on paper first so you can physically move sections around. The most persuasive structure builds toward your most important point. 2. An Emotional structure. In the middle of your story, create a rise of conflict where tension builds. This might be when your audience realizes their current approach isn't working or market conditions are changing rapidly. Plan moments where this tension rises before providing a cathartic resolve. Your audience will stay engaged through this emotional journey from tension to resolution. 3. A clear goal. The protagonist in your story must have something they're seeking–an objective that drives the narrative forward. In your presentation, position your audience as the hero pursuing something important. Whether it's reconciliation of different viewpoints or finding the solution to a pressing problem, make sure this goal is crystal clear. 4. Meaningful conflict. Every story needs the hero to face obstacles. This conflict might be with themselves, with others, with technology, or even with nature.  When preparing your presentation, identify what's standing in the way of progress. Is it internal resistance? Market challenges? Technical limitations? Acknowledging these conflicts shows you understand the real situation. 5. A resolution. Every narrative needs to resolve the conflict, though resolution doesn't always mean a happy ending. It could end positively (comedy), negatively (tragedy), or be inconclusive, requiring your audience to take action to determine the outcome. For business presentations, this inconclusive ending can be particularly effective as it prompts decision and action. 6. A lesson worth learning. While rarely stated explicitly (except in fairy tales), every story teaches something. Your presentation should leave your audience with a clear takeaway about what approaches to emulate or avoid. The quality of your story often determines the quality of your high-stakes presentations. Take time to really think through the stories you’re using. Hand-selecting the best ones will help you leave a lasting impact on your audience. #Presentation #StorytellingInBusiness #PresentationSkills

In a world where attention is fleeting and virtual fatigue is real, how can you successfully host online events? Here are 9 essentials to keep in mind: 1. Start with a Compelling Opening Your opening should grab attention, set the tone, build anticipation and give people a reason to stay. 2. Make Eye Contact Look directly into the camera to create a sense of connection. If you're using a teleprompter or script, keep it at eye level to maintain that engagement. 3. Mind Your Facial Expression People are paying close attention to your face. They can see when you’re smiling, or when you appear bored, upset, or frustrated. Be conscious of your expression. 4. Manage Your Energy Your energy drives the entire experience. If you seem disengaged or flat, your audience will tune out. 5. Build Emotional Connections Use personal stories, relatable examples, and analogies. These human elements help your message resonate on a deeper level. 6. Engage the Audience Make your audience part of the experience. Use polls, Q&A, or chat prompts to keep them actively involved. 7. Be Clear and Concise Attention spans online are shorter. Get to the point quickly, and use clear language. 8. Use Visual Aids and Multimedia Use images, short videos, graphics, and animations that support your message. However, don’t overload your slides with text. 9. Check Your Tech Setup Poor lighting, audio, camera quality, or an unstable internet connection can lead to frustration and reduced participation. Test in advance. Hope this helps. I’m Temi Badru, a professional event MC for physical, virtual, and hybrid events. I also train individuals and teams in public speaking and effective communication. #temibadru #voicesandfaces #eventhost #mc #moderator #speaker #events

Your hook is great… but your third line sucks. Everyone says, 𝘍𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘛𝘈. But what about everything in between? If your hook grabs attention but the next lines bore your audience... ...they’ll 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 make it to the CTA. And if your CTA isn’t clear? Your post achieves 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘔𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵? Write as if 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 is a hook. Every sentence must pull the reader into the next. If one line feels out of place, the flow breaks and they stop reading. Want to keep your audience hooked until the end? Here’s how: 1. 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗽. Make them need to keep reading. 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲: “𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘥𝘰 90% 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘭... 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘬?” 2. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗺𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄. Break your copy into short, skimmable lines. 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲: Each line must connect naturally to the one before. 𝗕𝗮𝗱: “𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘛𝘈 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴. 𝘉𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺, 𝘱𝘴𝘺𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵.” 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿: “𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘴 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘛𝘈 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯?” 3. 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁. Show them what’s at stake. 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲: “𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵? 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘪𝘵.” 4. 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. Speak to their frustrations and desires. 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲: “𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘵? 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵?” 5. 𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗖𝗧𝗔. Guide them with precision. 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲: “𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢 𝘉2𝘉 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘓𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘦𝘥𝘐𝘯? 𝘋𝘔 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥 '𝘓𝘌𝘈𝘋𝘚' 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘵’𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴." Now look at this post. Every line flowed so smoothly, you didn’t realize you’d read it all. That’s how your audience should feel too. P.s. what's your best strategy to keep the audience hooked until the end?

90% of a presentation gets forgotten. So how do audiences decide who's worth remembering? Let’s be honest. Most presentations are totally wiped from people's brains by the time they have their morning coffee the next day. Audiences don't do this maliciously. They do it because their brains are exhausted and trying to filter out the noise. I have sat through enough presentations and delivered enough myself to know one thing: Smart content simply isn't enough. If you don't pass the audience's silent filtering process, you become background noise. That process has three stages: 1️⃣ The Relevance Filter This is where people ask: "Why do I care?" ↳ Talk about their messy reality: Address the exact headache they were complaining about this morning. ↳ Stop zooming out: Nobody wants another 30,000-foot macro trend. Give them the ground view. ↳ Ditch the generic intro: Skip the long wind-up and dive straight into the problem they are facing right now. ↳ Keep it grounded: Use examples that make people nod along and think, “Yeah, I've been there.” ↳ Read the room: If the energy drops, drop your script and address the actual vibe in the space. Once people see your message applies to them, they move to the next filter. 2️⃣ The Resonance Filter This is where people ask: "Do I actually feel this?" ↳ Aim for the gut, not just the brain: Facts change arguments, but emotion changes how people behave. ↳ Lean into the friction: Don't just share a lesson. Share the stakes, the tension, and what went wrong first. ↳ Paint a mental picture: Use analogies that people can physically picture in their minds. ↳ Stop being perfect: People don't connect with flawless case studies. They connect with human slip-ups. ↳ Show the before and after: Paint a crystal-clear contrast between the current pain and the relief you're offering. Feeling something isn't enough. People also need to remember it. 3️⃣ The Retention Filter This is where people ask: "Can I actually repeat this later?" ↳ The 10-word boundary: If your main idea can't fit on a t-shirt, nobody is going to remember it tomorrow. ↳ Ruthlessly kill the fluff: Cut out the extra side stories that dilute your single biggest point. ↳ Give a next-day win: Give them one tiny thing they can literally test out tomorrow morning at 9 AM. ↳ Say it more than once: Don't be afraid to repeat your core catchphrase three or four times. Repetition builds memory. ↳ Make it visual: Give them a simple mental map or sketch that they can easily scribble down in their notes. Great presentations don't overload people with information. They give people something worth remembering. Which of these filters do you see speakers trip over the most? Let me know in the comments 👇 📌 If you want more leadership content like this guide: 1. Follow Lauren Murrell 2. Save the post. 3. Repost to your network. 4. Subscribe to: https://lnkd.in/eRMwPuYk

Estimating time and effort for data projects doesn't have to be a shot in the dark. Here’s how you can nail it: 1. 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗜𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻: Start by breaking your project into smaller tasks. The more detailed your breakdown, the easier it is to estimate accurately.     2. 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮: Look back at similar projects. How long did those take? Use past experiences as a benchmark to forecast future timelines.     3. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺: Involve your team when planning. They bring different perspectives and expertise that can highlight tasks you might miss and provide realistic time estimates.     4. 𝗕𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: Always add a buffer. Unexpected issues will arise as they always do! Factor in extra time for these unforeseen challenges. A buffer of 10-20% is a good assumption to be on the save side without bloating the project artificialy.     5. 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗱𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁: Estimates are not set in stone. Regularly review progress and adjust your timelines as needed. Don't forget to cummunicate any changes to your stakeholders.     6. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀: Leverage project management tools to track progress and stay on top of deadlines. You could use tools like Jira, Trello, or Asana. 𝗜𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 Imagine you’re tasked with developing a dashboard for sales performance. Start by breaking down tasks into requirements engineering, data extraction, cleaning, analysis, visualization, and stakeholder feedback. Leverage historical data from similar projects, involve your team in discussions, and use estimation techniques to refine your timeline. Don’t forget to add contingencies for data anomalies or last-minute changes. By following these steps you’ll be setting realistic timelines and hitting your targets with confidence. What techniques do you use to estimate time and effort for your data projects? ---------------- ♻️ Share if you find this post useful ➕ Follow for more daily insights on how to grow your career in the data field #dataanalytics #datascience #projectmanagement #timemanagement #careergrowth

Trainers must be more than experts— Here's the secret to delivering impactful training sessions, no matter what comes your way. As a trainer, being prepared for instant changes in the delivery of any concept requires a flexible and adaptive mindset. Here are key strategies to help you stay prepared: 1. Thorough Subject knowledge - 📕 Master the content so well that you can break it down or present it in multiple ways, adapting to the audience’s needs. This will allow you to explain complex ideas in simpler terms or delve deeper if required. 2. Audience Analysis - 🧐 Before the session, understand your audience's knowledge level, learning preferences, and possible challenges. This will help you anticipate where you might need to adjust your delivery. 3. Create a Session Outline - 📝 Have a structured outline that allows for adjustments. Include different examples, analogies, and activities so that you can switch methods if needed. 4. Plan for Flexibility 🧘 - Build in buffer time to the session plan, allowing you to address questions or revisit concepts without rushing. Be prepared to cut less essential content if time constraints arise. 5. Use Interactive Methods 🗣️ - Include interactive methods such as Q&A, group discussions, or problem-solving activities. These allow you to gauge understanding and shift the delivery based on immediate feedback. 6. Technology Familiarity - 🧑💻 Know the tools and platforms you are using so you can quickly adapt, whether it’s changing slides, moving between resources, or using multimedia to reinforce concepts. 7. Stay Calm and Confident ☺️ - If a change in delivery is necessary, remain calm and composed. Confidence reassures the audience, and maintaining a positive attitude will help you navigate unexpected changes smoothly. 8. Prepare Backup Plans 🖋️ - Have alternative examples, exercises, or activities ready in case the original approach does not resonate with the group. 9. Stay Current 🏃 - Keep up with the latest trends, tools, and methods in training and your field of expertise. This allows you to bring fresh perspectives and solutions to any spontaneous situation. 10. Gather Feedback ✍️ - After a session, ask for feedback to understand where adjustments were successful or where improvements are needed. This helps in refining your ability to adapt in future sessions. Being prepared for changes is about blending preparation with flexibility and having the confidence to switch gears when necessary. #confidence #trainthetrainer #training #softskills #leadership #communication #learning

It's in the unplanned moments that the essence of a journey often reveals itself. In this dynamic realm of travel, adaptability takes the centre stage. Here are some practical tips to handle unforeseen disruptions while also enjoying your journeys with ease: 📌Have Buffer Time: Unforeseen delays are almost inevitable, and incorporating buffer time into your itinerary is akin to having a safety net—it cushions the impact of unexpected hiccups, be it a flight delay or an unplanned detour. 📌 Prioritize must-see activities: Crafting a travel itinerary involves making choices, and prioritizing your must-see activities is important. If unexpected changes occur, you can adjust the less crucial aspects of your plans while ensuring you don't miss out on the essence of your travel adventure by making a note of activities you won't want to miss. 📌 Use Open Blocks: Flexibility is a traveller's best companion and the best is spontaneity. Have "open" blocks or times where plans are intentionally loose that give you a chance to explore hidden gems, extend an enjoyable moment, or simply savour the freedom to go where you wish to. 📌 Have Alternate Routes ready: Unexpected changes may require you to take detours. To navigate such situations smoothly, familiarize yourself with alternative routes and transportation options to deal effectively with such situations. 📌 Make Use of Travel Apps: Real-time information is a powerful tool be it to get updates on flight statuses, traffic conditions, etc. allowing you to adapt swiftly to unexpected changes. 📌 Choose Refundable Options: While travelling, flexibility is not just a mindset but a practical consideration. Opting for refundable accommodations or flexible transportation tickets gives you a safety net in case unforeseen circumstances prompt changes to your travel plans. Do you keep flexibility in mind while planning your itinerary? What strategies do you use when crafting one? Share your tips and experiences in the comments below! #TravelPlanning #AdaptAndExplore

“People have the attention span of a goldfish.” Not true. They have the attention span of interest. After speaking at TEDx and coaching 300 CEOs to raise millions from busy investors and to speak on the world’s biggest stages, I’ve learned this: Attention isn’t shrinking – it’s evolving. People don’t have shorter attention spans but higher standards. Recent research supports this and shows that focus depends on motivation, not a fixed attention span. To keep your audience engaged, understand these thresholds: 🔹 3 seconds You have 3 seconds to hook them. Your opening line determines whether they lean in or tune out. No fluff, no slow build—get to the good stuff immediately. 🔹 2 minutes You need to re-hook them every 2 minutes. Stories, surprises, unanswered questions – these keep the brain engaged. Without them, even the best ideas fade into background noise. 🔹 20 minutes A solo talk holds attention for 20 minutes max. That’s why TED Talks are concise. Even the most compelling speakers risk losing their audience if they push beyond this without varying the format. 🔹 Attention is unlimited for fascinating content. A 3-hour podcast? A binge-worthy series? No problem – when something feels engaging, people stay locked in. Attention isn’t about time – it’s about tension. Create curiosity, tell compelling stories, and give people a reason to stay. How do you keep an audience hooked?

Here’s the thing nobody tells you about speaking on a panel or podcast. Most people are so focused on sounding smart that they forget the ONLY thing the audience cares about. Connection. Real, human, punch-you-in-the-chest connection. After speaking at SXSW, SEAT, and presenting to teams at Disney Entertainment, Live Nation Entertainment, Peloton Interactive, and a few others who definitely didn’t have time to be bored, I’ve learned one truth. Public speaking is not a performance. It’s a service. And when you treat it like service, everything changes. Here are the data-backed habits that actually move the needle. 1. Speak in 12-second blocks. Studies show the average listener tunes out after 12 to 18 seconds. Break everything into short, clean blocks. No paragraphs. Just punches. 2. Start with a story, not a credential. Neuroscience says stories activate up to 7 regions of the brain. Credentials activate one. Make them feel before you make them think. 3. Give one controversial take. Panels are full of "nice" opinions. Be the person who says the thing everyone is thinking. Bold viewpoints create 3 to 5 times more engagement. 4. Make every answer actionable. People remember speakers who solve problems. Not speakers who speak. Every point you make should pass the "can someone use this tomorrow" test. 5. Let your personality leak. Humor increases retention by 20 percent. Vulnerability increases trust by 40 percent. Combine both and you’re basically cheating. 6. Slow your pace by 15 percent. Most speakers rush. Research shows listeners rate slower speakers as more credible, more confident and more strategic. 7. End with a takeaway, not a thank you. Give them the line they quote later. The line they text to a friend. The line that gets screenshotted. If you’re stepping onto a stage or into a podcast, remember this. You’re not there to impress. You’re there to impact. And when you shift your mindset, the audience shifts with you. #sales #publicspeaking #podcast

A few weeks ago, after setting up the room for a workshop, I stepped out to make a quick phone call. By the time I returned, a bunch of participants had  arrived, found their seats, and pulled out their laptops—ready to watch something happen. Then, one participant approached me. “Where’s the screen?” she asked. “There aren’t any slides today,” I replied. She frowned slightly, as if to say, 'Then what am I here for?' It’s a familiar script: ✅ Someone calls the meeting. ✅ Someone holds the space. ✅ Everyone else sits back, listens, and waits to be led. I reckon the best leaders 'flip the room'. They break the passive, hierarchical default and generate real engagement. For as long as people are sitting back, waiting to be led, their true genius will never emerge. Flipping the room isn’t about taking control. It’s about giving it back. Here are 3 things to think about... 1. Don’t Command Attention—Create Shared Tension If you start by talking, you reinforce the ‘audience’ mindset. Instead, spark curiosity and involvement from the start: ❓ Ask: “What’s the biggest challenge on your mind today?” 💬 Start a conversation: “How are we feeling about X?” 🧩 Present a puzzle: “If something was missing from our strategy, what would it be?” 2. Pass the Mic How do you decide who speaks? Rank, charisma and forthrightness are dangerous reasons. In thriving teams, leaders build teams that generate the best ideas. So break the pattern: 🔄 Instead of answering a question, throw it back: “What do you think?” 🛠️ Instead of presenting a plan, ask them to build one: “How could we tackle this?” 🤔 Instead of being the one to pass the microphone, invite others to invite people to speak: “Who else do you want to hear from?” 3️⃣Perhaps try the 'rule of 3 passes' - something I shared in this LinkedIn post. 3. Set Shared Expectations Early If people assume they’re supposed to be in ‘receive mode,’ they’ll act like it. Change the expectation from the start: 🚫 Remove slides and tables—design a space for co-creation. 🔄 Frame the session differently: “This isn’t a presentation from me—it’s a session to co-create X.” ❓Ask: “By the end of this, what does each of us need to move forward?” Flipping the Room = Flipping Your Mindset To flip the room, you need to check your own expectations. Leadership isn’t about commanding attention—it’s about energising people to think, contribute, and make great progress. So next time you step into a room, don’t ask: How do I lead this meeting? Ask: How do I flip it? Over to you: What are the best ways to flip the room? (This photo is from a different room I worked in last week, with an executive leadership team. As you can see, flipping a room starts with the space you create. It was a very cool spot for meaningful conversation.) PS. If we haven't met before and you'd like to stay in touch, I welcome your connection request. #Leadership #Facilitation #Teamwork #Meetings