Learned while judging the “DB2’s Got Talent Competition”

from The DB2Night Show™

Susan Visser @susvis

Judges: Susan Visser @susvis, Klaas Brant @Klaas_Brant, and Martin Hubel @MHubel

• Since 2011, Klaas, Martin and Susan have been judges on the “DB2’s Got Talent”

Competition. This is an annual event for the webcast series “The DB2Night Show”

hosted by Scott Hayes (@srhayes), President and Founder of DBI Software.

• During this time, we’ve heard short DB2 presentations from many people with

varying levels of experience. During the two month competition, most competitors

presented three or four times. This gave them time to learn from feedback and to

improve. The improvements were usually impressive.

• This Slide Share gives you the basics of creating and delivering a good presentation.

@susvis 2

• You began using the “Learn by Example” technique as an infant and it

proves to be important when learning just about anything!

• In Episode #102 on 22 February 2013, the host and 3 judges competed by

giving 10 minute presentations. Three went over time, but all were

educational in a number of ways.

• Watch the replay to see presentations where you can pick up tips on what

to do and what not to do.

3@susvis

• Presentations with graphics capture attention.

• Graphics should not overtake the message.

• You don’t need complex graphics.

• Use simple graphics that make a connection to the technical material being discussed.

• If you have a lot of text and no graphic to support it, add a little icon to make it more eye-catching.

• Be careful with animation:

• It can quickly become distracting.

@susvis 4

• Finishing on time is harder than

you think.

• You must practice to get this right!

• Do not just practice in your head as

things go faster in your mind.

• You must talk out loud to find the real

timing.

• Don’t spend too much time on who I

am and thank you for being here.

• If you run over, the audience can get

restless.

• Particularly if you are between them and

lunch or a train home!

@susvis 5

• Never present without slides.

• Do not plagiarize.

• Reference all sources for graphics and borrowed slides.

• Get rid of all typos.

• Make it easy for your audience to connect with you:

• Put your twitter handle on each slide.

• Use colour for emphasis.

• Fewer words on a slide show better.

• Avoid many sub-bullets

• Even if it seems a good idea

• It’s not

@susvis 6

• A problem and its solution from your

own experience makes the best topic.

• Choose an interesting topic that is not

routine or found in the manuals.

• Make sure your topic will fit in the

time period allowed.

• Always try to give extra value.

• Don’t provide an easy result that anyone

can find on Google.

• If you take something from the

manuals:

• Explain how it worked for you (or not).

• Or what you had to do to make it work.

@susvis 7

• Give a small agenda:

• I’m going to talk about x and the solution for it.

• Clearly explain the problem and why.

• Describe the environment where the “problem” occurs and if it is unique to this environment.

• Explain the solution (watch your time…).

• Provide any “extra” advice.

• Mention where to obtain more info (references, email, blog, etc.).

• Combine your presentation with a more detailed blog /article.

@susvis 8

• Test your microphone and audio

with Skype or equivalent.

• It feels strange to talk into a void

like you do with a webinar.

• Maybe put a picture in front of you

and talk to it.

• Remember to practice, practice….

• Avoid being interrupted:

• Turn off cell phone and online chat.

• Put a sign on your office door that

you are presenting.

@susvis 9

• Run slides in Presentation mode.

• Be yourself.

• Speak loudly and clearly.

• Don’t speak too fast.

• Have fun!

@susvis 10

• To communicate ideas to others.

• To become a domain expert.

• To better understand the domain.

• You learn more about a topic by organizing your own good ideas into a presentation.

• To stand out – get noticed, promoted, and get paid more!

• To grow your business or career.

11@susvis

• I’m a career IBMer and have had jobs related to writing my entire tenure, from writing two books and helping countless others get their books published to blogging for more than 10 years.

• I now spend a good portion of my time doing social coaching. I believe that combining writing, presenting, blogging, and socializing skills to share your expertise is a powerful way to enhance your career.

• Connect to me:

• Twitter

• LinkedIN

• Blog

• Slideshare

• Tumblr

• Google+

@susvis 12

• I am the founder of KBCE and fill my days with DB2 training and short term consulting. I have been doing DB2 z/OS since 1983 and DB2 LUW since 1997.

• My first DB2 presentation was at Philips Electronics to teach our data warehouse users QMF and SQL. I quickly found out that I like to present.

• Presenting in some format is part of everybody’s career. It is not so difficult as many think. Like any other skill it requires practice.

@susvis 13

• Connect to me

• Twitter

• LinkedIn

• Blog

• DB2 Education

• I am an independent consultant specializing in DB2 on both z/OS (1985) and DB2 LUW (1993). I have written many articles and papers on DB2, and I have presented at IDUG every year since 1989.

• Just before I started with DB2, my CIO at New York Life asked me to do a 10-minute presentation for the President and the SVPs on disaster recovery. I did 8 dry runs, and made it through with my knees shaking.

• I realized that presentation skills were crucial to my future success, and I sought out speaking opportunities. Speaking is now fun.

@susvis 14

• Connect to me:

• Twitter

• LinkedIn

• Google+

@susvis 15

• Scott Hayes is President & Founder of DBI Software , an ISV providing Performance Management Tools for IBM DB2 LUW.

• He’s an IBM DB2 GOLD Consultant, IBM Champion, Blogger, published author, and the Founder & Host of The DB2Night Show™Edutainment Webinar series.

• Scott has spoken at every IDUG North American conference since 1996, attended all IDUG North American conferences since IDUG’s inception in 1988, plus attended and spoken at the majority of IDUG EMEA and AP conferences.

• Connect to me:

• Twitter

• LinkedIn

• Blog

• Webinar

• Soft skills are sexy by Jennifer Kavur.

• “How to Conquer the Fear of Public Speaking” by Nick Morgan.

• Journey of a DB2's Got Talent Winner by Mike Krafick.

• Tips for Contestants by Ember Crooks.

• Winning performances:

• 2011: Norberto

• 2012: Kohli

• 2013: Mohankumar

• 2014: Mike

• 2015: TBD

@susvis 16

@DB2NightShow