Video Transcript: Creating a Good First Impression (Andrew Bryant)

Video Transcript: Creating a Good First Impression

Connecting with the audience is incredibly important. You only get one chance at a first impression that so many people make a mistake. So let me share with you Firstly, what not to do. If you're doing a presentation in a boardroom, and you have to come to the front of the room, or if you actually have a stage, and you have to walk up onto the stage or walk from backstage, don't start talking until you've established contact with the audience. So many times I see somebody start from the boardroom, and they walk up and they're starting to say, Oh, I want to talk to you today about, and so the first impression that the audience God was the back of your head. And if like me, you got a bit of a bald spot. That's not the first impression you want to create. So what do you do? Well, firstly, you walk up in silence, you access that state of confidence and intentionality that I've talked about in previous episodes, you step in front of your audience, you smile, you take a breath, and then you commence. And the first things out of your mouth should be something on a human level. 

In Singapore, I introduce myself by saying, Hi, I'm Andrew Bryant. I'm English by birth, Australian by choice, Singaporean by PR, and Indian Chinese by mother in law. Now in Singapore that covers most of the audience, and now they've connected to me on a human level. If I'm going to India or presenting in India, I make sure I've read the cricket scores. So maybe you can share something from today's newspaper that's topical. Maybe you can just say hey, really pleased to be here. I almost kind of traffic accident on the way crazy drivers here. Great to be safe in front of you. Whatever you say make sure it connects on a human level. Then whatever your message is thereafter, is more likely to be well received.