Comments

Great stuff Tom

Doesn't surpise me that Business Schools don't have Presentation Excellence or Interview Excellence on their curriculum ... too much 'gut feeling' and not enough measurable process I hear the academics saying ...OUCH!!! will they never learn?

I take the view that recruiting one person is the equivalent of investing potentially - perhaps half a million pounds - i.e. 20 years times 25 thousand pounds

And yet a lot of recruiting is still about - do I like this person? how little will they rock the comfortable boat we all row? - right or wrong?

Most traditional managers simply will not recruit 'weirdos' - it is seen as a risk they are not prepared to take.

Most managers feel better sitting among their peers over lunch describing how they just recruited a wonderfully qualified person versus they just recruited someone who had gaps in their CV but they were more interesting?

Hope you enjoyed London

Posted by Trevor Gay at May 31, 2005 11:27 AM

Tom - once you slow down a bit - I can envision you having your own TV 30 minute show to: INTERVIEW - RADICAL INTERVIEWS. On PBS perhaps or better yet FOX.

Congratulations to our UK pals for the Dan Wheldon Indy 500 win - and to Danica for making it interesting.

Posted by Sean at May 31, 2005 11:52 AM

And, Sean, isn't it a hoot (a pathetic hoot) that the male drivers were bitching that she didn't weigh enough. We really are A*******.

Posted by tom peters at May 31, 2005 12:43 PM

Yes, It´s a pity that BSchools don´t teach these subjects. In ancient times, rhetoric was a very important part of a person´s education. I think interviewing or presentations would fall into the category of rhetoric. I have also talked about this in my blog.

Posted by felix gerena at May 31, 2005 12:46 PM

As a graduate of the Goizueta Business School at Emory University, I do have to say that we all (this means all of us undergrads; not sure about the graduate program) had to take a class called "business communications," which in essence taught us three things:
1) how to present
2) how to interview
3) how to (correctly) write a resume.

Unfortunately those topics were all crammed into one class. They might consider breaking it up into two or three separate courses. But looking back, that class proved to be the most valuable one I took in college.

Posted by Dave at May 31, 2005 12:59 PM

Dave, thanks.

Posted by tom peters at May 31, 2005 1:01 PM

Hi all,
This is a test post. We have a new host/maintenance company today, and Tom himself had a problem with comments. Not that I don't value everything all the rest of you say, too, but (suck-up alert) he's the most important one to me.

Posted by cathy at May 31, 2005 1:06 PM

I saw the comments above on the Indy 500 and had to weigh in....

I sat high in the 1st turn at the 500 Sunday and watched an amazing combination of cultural history and 'Tomisms' come to life.

I took my 10 year old daughter to the race. She wanted to go and watch Danica Patrick. Once we bought the obligatory $40 Danica t shirt, my daughter was immediatly bored....until about 3/4 into the race when Danica suddenly found herself in the lead. This is my same daughter who has been reading 'WOMEN ROAR' over my shoulder for the last couple of years and repeatedly asking me what it meant. Now, whenever I encourage her at school or extraciricular activities, I tell her, 'remember Morgan, Women Roar!' At lap 180 last Sunday in the midst of 300,000 people, my daughter finally got it. As Danica took the lead, my bored 10 year old suddenly was as transfixed as the rest of the crowd seeing history made. When Danica fell back to second and then retook the lead at lap 190, my whining 10 year old suddenly jumped up with her fist in the air screaming 'ROAR DANICA, ROAR!!!' While the fairy tale didn't quite work out perfectly, it was amazing watching that huge crowd and my daughter become electrified at the accomplishments of a talented, fireball female race driver. Now if I could just get her to read a little Faith Popcorn......

Posted by Greg at May 31, 2005 1:36 PM

Great news Dave - shame there was not more time on it but the signs are promising :-)
- also very significant you found that the most useful class - I hope you go a long way in your business career.

Did the business school have a class on story telling in management?

Maybe you can suggest that to the school.

I advocate in other writings a new qualification in Management - an MST - Masters in Story Telling

Posted by Trevor Gay at May 31, 2005 1:39 PM

Why are people dependent on BSchools to teach them what no body can teach ?? Why do people think that schools can teach this or even a person can teach it ??

This is expereince cycle not a learning cycle. A person can't learn to swim on Land, s/he has to dip their feet it water.. So they must use every opporunity to immernse themselves into the sphere of presentation, may it be at a dining table or in a formal office or meeting room..

The Native Indian's have the best story telling concepts.... they sit in a circle and the story teller actually stands in the center and begins a a performance. yes every one of these performances and/or acts are actually trying to bring some sense of experence to the listerners.

I have seen this kinda of presentation skills in what is termed as 'native cultures'.. and when you go thru this experenince, I for one can't forget the sequence of events... Yes, for all the many business presentations, I can hardly remember a few.. !! So there is a profound difference (dynamics ) of presentation that takes place within these two methods.. one being where I remember and there other being where I rarely remember.. big difference !!

Posted by /pd at May 31, 2005 3:33 PM

Hi Tom
The Graduate School of Business at the University of Cape Town has a core MBA course called Communication, Leadership and Learning (CLL) (You are quoted so often, it is as if you designed the course!!). A key part of this course is dedicated to presentation.
We were still 'Sentenced to Death by Power Point' more than once during the course though!

Posted by Nigel Dorward at May 31, 2005 3:38 PM

You can't learn business from a blackboard.

Posted by Noel Guinane at May 31, 2005 4:59 PM

Slide #5 breaks its own rule: No more than ONE point per slide!

Posted by Nancy R. at May 31, 2005 5:06 PM

Hi Tom! I always follow you! Big fan in a little Island.

I am in a developing country (Sri Lanka) in the Indian Ocean and Presentation Excellence or Interview Excellence seems to be the scarcity.

I thought only poor nations like us has this symptom. Tom people like you make us to compete with the rest of the world! Thank you for the presentation slides!

Tom rocks the corporate world, I am with you!

Posted by JJ at May 31, 2005 10:21 PM

Tom,

Am sharing some of my tele-interview tips. Hope u guys find it useful. Well, its a lil bit related to interviews @ tech firms. "THIS IS NOT ABOUT INTERVIEWING but BEING INTERVIEWED"

A. Preparing for the telecon interview.

1. Clearly understand and record the date and time for a telecon interview. You must also know which venue this interview will be conducted from. That is, the cabin, conference room or your residence.

2. You should carefully go thru your resume and reflect on the different roles and responsibilities that you have carried out on various projects. This helps in coming up with smart and confident response during the interview.

3. You should inquire before hand the technology and the role for which you are being interviewed. If there is a special emphasis on a particular technology or domain, then you should studiously brush it up before the interview.

4. If the project requirement is for an existing client, then it is possible to know the interviewer's name and expectations before hand as he/she would be interacting with the team here in India. Try to get know if you can, about the interviewers specific areas of interest or responsibility to anticipate the interview content.

5. Identify areas of your resume that may fall directly in line with the required position. Some times your past experience and not the current one may be relevant for the position for which you are being interviewed. Do remember to emphasize on these areas during the interview.

B. On the day of the interview.

1. Confirm with your contact from the HR or the resource management group (RMG) representative who is responsible for organizing the interview regarding the date and time of the interview. Sometimes it is possible that the interview may be organized by the onsite Sales person but the India contact will / should have this information. It is also possible that there may be some change in time, day or venue that someone has forgotten to convey you.

2. Reach the venue of the interview that is, be present in the room, cabin or the conference room from where the interview is to be conducted at least 15 minutes in advance. This will take care of any 11th hour changes that need to be done in case the of any exception condition. In case the interview is to be conducted when you are not in the office, choose a location (at your home or elsewhere) where you could spend 45 minutes to an hour to participate in the interview without getting disturbed.

3. Always keep your resume handy with you so that you could refer to it when you are responding to questions related to your experience etc.

C During the interview

1. You must start the interview with a positive feeling that you are going to pass the interview with flying colors.

2. Do not harbor any tension about the interview. At the same time be attentive and perked up about the questions that would be asked to you.

3. It is quite possible that you as a candidate may have a strong Indian accent while you speak in English. It is generally advisable to speak slowly and clearly to take care of a strong Indian accent.

4. Respond to the interviewer’s greeting in the same way as he would commence it. Don’t say
“Good morning John “if he says “Hi Krishna”. If you have a long name suggest him a short form (Subu for Subramanian” ) which will be convenient to the interviewer.

6. If the interviewer starts with a little banter or weather talk, match his conversation by giving suitable answers.

5. During the course of interview, make it certain that the interviewer has completely spoken his bit before you start responding to a specific question. Do not interrupt the interviewer as this interrupts the interviewer’s thought process which could make him irritable of uncomfortable.

6. If you do not understand a particular question completely or partially, request the interviewer politely to explain the question again.

7. If you cannot hear a question properly on the phone, do not attempt to respond assuming what the question was. Request the interviewer to repeat the question and also inform him that you could not hear him properly the first time.

8. If a question is asked on a particular topic or technology where your exposure or experience has been limited, then first respond indicating the extent to which you have been exposed to or have experience with that domain or technology. Same thing about the roles that you have played in a particular project.

9. At the end of the interview, do not forget to thank the interviewer for his time.
( Something like “thanks for your time John. Its been nice talking to you” )

D. After the interview

1. After the interview, give your feedback to the HR or RMG representative about the interview. The feedback should contain details about how you fared in the interview, whether your choice as a candidate was suitable for the position or what were the areas where you fell short of an appropriate response.

2. Document the questions that were asked to you. These questions can form an input to the repository for questions on technology of domain for subsequent associates who would appear in future for such interviews.

3. Get to know from the HR or RMG representative about the approximate time frame when the result would be known and how you would come to know of it.

Posted by K.Sriram at June 1, 2005 5:49 AM

Too often the people I interview are not prepared to articulate their thoughts. Depending on the circumstances, I have sent my questions to them in advance to help prepare them for our discussion. Sure the original answers may be canned, but the follow up questions open the can to see what really is there. Relentless, respectful penetrating questions are the ticket.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom. Would love to see you in action.

Posted by Ed Brenegar at June 1, 2005 7:40 PM

You lost me on the interviewing 31. What is the purpose of the interview? For a job, a new assignment or...? The points are for the interviewer or the interviewee? As I said, totally lost on me.

Posted by Helen at June 1, 2005 7:54 PM

Tom,

Love the presenting excellence stuff. Was wondering if you are going to continue your success tips. Am anxiously awaiting 50-100.

v/r,
Kurt

Posted by kurt wendelken at June 1, 2005 9:10 PM

Hi Tom

Followed you for many-a-year and agree with your comments about poor presentation/interview skills...

London Business School has an active Toastmasters club but fails to attract large numbers. The students don't get the fact that communication is where the 'the rubber meets the road' and needs to be honed to a fine art.

Toastmasters is a perfect way to develop EQ skills and is totally experiential. I have come across so many managers who lack zest/enthusiasm/passion it makes me weep. No wonder organisations suffer from poor staff morale.

I could write a book about it!

Yours in humility
Khurram

Posted by Khurram at June 3, 2005 4:38 PM