This is a followup to Speak Out on ICT 2006. The video of the speech given at SMU at the competition (not the one at iX Conference) is above. Slides are here, while the text for the speech is here. Note that the actual speech varies rather wildly from what I intended to give, but the essence is essentially the same.
I had the fantastic opportunity of speaking at iX Conference last Thursday (22 July 2006). It’s a really huge stage for me and I’m deeply honoured by the opportunity.
Unfortunately, I didn’t do as well as I had expected myself to. I didn’t meet up to expectations.
My lack of experience is chiefly to be blamed. I had given numerous small room presentations before and have often been able to built a rapport with the audience halfway through the presentation. That rapport helps me to bring in the spontaneity, which I strongly believe is the strength of my presentation style.
Up there, on the stage, the audience is one dark mass. Add to the fact that the audience is probably very much more knowledgeable and the fact that I’ve over-rehearsed my material, I merely regurgitated material.
Probably not. As always, I try to push the limits. I added in one slide, speaking about Collective Intelligence as a Market Place. Bad idea. I stumbled.
Then I tried to add-in spontaneity. Artificial ingredients. Really bad idea. I simply wasn’t delivering well.
Good thing, as I’ve found out later during the networking sessions, that the audience seems wowed by the slides, those were the only saving grace.
Looking back, there were some very impressive speakers who managed to capture the audience’s attention with material that they’ve probably used countless times and still managed to sense of freshness, earnest and sincerity. These are masterclass speakers that I need to learn from.
I would like to thank William Claxton for organising and allowing mere students like us to address professionals on a stage like this. Also, to all the great people that was there to support me. Thank you!
The videos, slides and speech will be posted soon.