Preparing a Talk for the Minnesota Futurists Presented by David Keenan 28 April 2012

Introduction Public speaking intimidates many people. Our group is unlike many others. –Focus on the Future –Active discussion –Diverse knowledge and backgrounds This outline is intended to aid speakers in creating a successful talk for MN Futurists with a minimum of effort.

Agenda Consider your audience Choose your topic Research your topic Choose your format Develop your outline Request a date Prepare the talk Tools and tricks Prepare to present Promote your talk Provide a copy

Consider Your Audience MNF meetings typically have 12 to 20 attendees. We do introductions, review schedule and news items from 9:30 to 10:00 am. By 10, the group is warmed up and ready to dig in Attendees tend to have deep knowledge in many areas, strong opinions, (limited self control) and try to help

Future Study Tools Trend Extrapolation Cross Impact analysis SEPTs SWOTS Normative (Goal forecasting) based on needs/wants Delphi Method Cause and Effect Modeling Unforeseen Consequences Scenarios, e.g., What If Scenarios Issues/Possibilities/Impacts Outline Wild Cards and many others /Futurists%20ToolBoxhttp://minnesotafuturists.pbworks.com/w/page/ /Futurists%20ToolBox

Consider Your Venue Knights of Columbus Hall, Bloomington, MN Wi-Fi – yes but limited speed Projector – computer connection cable Speakers – computer earphone output Laser pointer available Wireless slide advance available Audio recorder – often available Power strip for electronics Easels, chart pads, pens available Plenty of chairs, tables Coffee and treats

Choose Your Topic Something you know a lot about –Select a narrow slice to cover in 45 minutes –Do research for latest discoveries –Propose some possible futures Something you know little about –Select something that interests you –Do broad research for big ideas –Choose a few that seem to connect –Ask the group to discuss

Research Your Topic Start with a broad Google or Bing search Try a few variations including –topic –Future of topic –Breakthrough topic –topic news –topic pioneers –topic research Scan 20 – 30 for top 10 or so

Research Your Topic Visit top 10 hits, read them Create a folder on your desktop for the talk Copy the websites to a document Copy excerpts to document files Save pictures, video, audio files to your computer When you feel you have enough in your desktop folder, move on. Demo

Choose Your Format Presentation Guideline –Introduction & Futures Method Used 5 min –Background, History 10 min –Current situation20 min –Possible, Probable, Preferable Futures45 min –Discussion20 min –Conclusion 5 min Start 10:00 am Complete 11:45 am

Choose Your Format Workshop Guideline –Introduction & Futures Method Used 5 min –Background, History 10 min –Current situation15 min –Set up the group assignment 5 min –Possible, Probable, Preferable Futures50 min –Discussion15 min –Summary 5 min Start 10:00 am Complete 11:45 am

Develop Your Outline Consider the material you gathered Write the “Big Idea” you want to present Sketch a few highlights that form a story or build to a conclusion Note where an image or video or audio would help communicate the point Write up an abstract for the talk and a title Do you devote enough attention to the “Future of topic”

Request a Presentation Date Special Interest Group meetings are coordinated by SIG leaders –Future Studies – George Kubik/Dave Keenan –Economics – Bob Kaufman/Roger Rydberg –Technology – Hank Lederer/Brian Toren –Society, Management, Education – Dave Keenan –Peace – Roger Rydberg Contact us with Title and Brief Abstract and availability

Prepare the Presentation Based on the outline and the time guide, start to assemble the pieces If you use Power Point… –Estimate 1 to 3 minutes per slide –Keep the font at least 20 pt –Limit the text per slide –Insert images or graphics –Insert links to video files (rather than streaming)

Prepare the Presentation Based on the outline and the time guide, start to assemble the pieces If you use Easel & Chart Board… –Consider time per page –Prepare pages ahead – write large and clearly –For interactive additions, consider arranging to have an assistant to write on the charts –Check the pens in advance –Remember to do a summary

Tools and Tricks Images Websites – scan for cool images Google Images – search for more Pinterest – maybe Video Websites YouTube – search for more TED

Right click on image. Save image to your working folder or copy to Powerpoint Then close the image to visit the site Copy the URL

See what else is on the site Copy the URL and paste it into your reference list or into Powerpoint I prefer to include sources in 12 pt font at bottom of page and to right click remove hyperlink to change to black and clear underline

A Trick to Grab and Edit Images LView Pro 1.B Copyright Leonardo Haddad Loureiro Shareware (free) Tiny Expand from Zip file Others may do more Click the Icon Available at /Tools%20for%20Presenters /Tools%20for%20Presenters

Tools for Video Consider RealPlayer – free version – Pops up when video is playing Wait for ads Save to Library Remember to copy URL to reference file

Tools for Video Demo Dick sent a news item about Lytro I searched YouTube and found this short video Consider the time carefully Prescreen carefully Save the address

Tools for Video Another option For Mozilla Firefox browser users – Add Extension –Download Helper – Also download –Applian FLV Player (plays Flash Video) –

Prepare to Present Rehearse Run through all slides, videos, links, etc. Check all your handouts Dry run with a critical friend or family Rehearse Come early on the day of the talk

Promote Your Talk Contact friends and colleagues Invite them to your talk Post you event on Facebook Prepare a 1-3 minute video “trailer” Post on our Schedule Page

Provide a Copy Post a copy to the schedule page, in advance. –Allows members to preview the talk –Provides a backup in case of computer problems –Bring a copy of your talk on a flash drive

Preparation Time A poll of our regular speakers showed –Fastest hours –Experienced hours –Others hours So budget your time, start well in advance, try to avoid last minute Remember time to rehearse and debug

Summary Consider audience and venue Choose a topic and a format Research and collect Assemble Rehearse Promote Enjoy the discussion you prompted Start again