Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Presentation day

He sees people arriving. He sees them looking at him in a shrewd calculative manner...his attire, his posture, his overall appearance. People gather around, take their seats. He makes the formal exchanges of visiting cards, hopes that the big authority over their would hand his card, for the sake of staying in touch with him. Hoping that Mr. Big Guy would provide him a big market for selling his stuff.
And then starts the presentation. Not that he's much nervous about the presentation. He's done it hundreds of times. He's just slightly worried whether it'll do any good, in terms of increasing his sales, or its just another one of the crappy sessions for a bunch of 'good for nothing' doodle goofy junior employees who are being trained by Mr. Big guy!!
He sees some watching him intently, they're the clever ones, eager to learn, maybe they'll get some business for him !!
He sees some others watching him and smiling at each other, apparently finding him as funny as a joker in a circus, or maybe having a good laugh at the way his tummy makes a big and ridiculous shadow in the light of the projector !!
He watches still others, totally blank, probably not understanding a single word he's uttered !!
The presentation moves on and on, we watches people, some with their eyes wide open, as if deliberately avoiding the temptation of snoozing, some unashamedly doing the same. There is a small 'commotion' as a fellow with a tray arrives. Tea break. Everyone in the dozy lot jumps up to reach out for their cups. Surprisingly, those with their eyes closed are the first ones to get their cups of tea.
By now, the presenter has understood all the people....those who're eager to hear him and those who're ready to sleep !!
Tea time is over, back to the presentation, back to their original activity !!
Presentation moves on and on....there is never enough time....so say the usual... "Since time is short sir, I'll run through these slides quickly and tell you everything in brief."...A good strategy to impress the client. Show him that you know it so well that you can change a long presentation into a short one and still explain everything !! Fact is, the presenter would say the same thing, even if time was enough !!
End of presentation is a 'Thank you' slide. And next is 'Any questions?' Mostly there are none, as most of the people have'nt understood a thing !!
Those who do, ask questions...if the presenter knows the answers (like a good presenter), he'll tell them. If he doesnt...he'll say "Hmm, let me check that and come back to you". Everyone shakes hands, says thank you.

Presentation day in the life of the presenter....thats how it is.

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