Is a Picture worth a Thousand Words?

A picture is worth a thousand words!  We have all heard this expression.  But is this true?  Is Visual Imagery that important when you are writing or giving a presentation?

Yes it is very important!  I was once at a Toastmasters Conference listening to the keynote speaker telling a story of a farmer on his tractor plowing the fields.  He gave such details the audience could actually see the farmer doing his daily chores.  How do I know the audience could visualize what the speaker was saying?  Because at the end of his speech he asked the group of 100 people if they remembered what was the color of the flannel shirt the farmer was wearing.  The audience responded by yelling, yes of course we do.  When the speaker asked what color was the farmer’s shirt, half of the room said red and half of the room said blue.  There were also a handful of people who shouted out different colors. 

You may be saying to yourself, well Denise he must not have been that good of a speaker for people not to remember what was the color of the farmer’s shirt. He didn’t paint the picture very well you may also be thinking.  You will be as shocked as I was when I tell you he didn’t mentioned at all the color of the farmer’s shirt.  Everyone in the room was shocked and surprised!  We all had a different picture of the farmer as we were watching him plow the fields in our minds, but we all had a picture of the farmer and that was the point he was trying to make with this audience.

If I were telling you a story about a quiet walk through the park in the fall season and said the park was so empty and quiet I could hear the leaves blowing, you would have a picture in your mind.  But what if I took it to the next level and described the park more visually:

“Silence was everywhere in the park.  It was like a blanket of quietness was placed on the park.  Beyond the bushes you could hear the rustling of the dead leaves that fell off the old maple trees.  It sounded like someone had a large broom and was sweeping from side to side.”

The first description of the park painted the picture, while the second description brought that picture into focus in High Definition like most of the new television sets on the market today. 

A picture is worth a thousand words.  By using the correct words you can bring the picture to life for your audience. You don’t need to use many words, just make them descriptive.

Get the picture?

Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!

Denise


Denise Ann Galloni, Owner & President

DG Training Solutions, Inc.

Website:  https://www.DGTrainingsolutionsinc.com

 Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com

 Twitter: https://twitter.com/deniseanng

 Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc

 LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni

Stop Eating the Hors D'oeuvres!

I recently came across an article I read a few years ago, “Stop Eating the Hors D’oeuvres & Talking to People You Already Know” by Larry Lewis who was at the time of writing this article President of Total Development, Inc. and affiliate of Sanders Sales Institute.  The article lists steps for being successful at networking events. 

This reminded me of my first networking event that I attended in 2007 for PAPEN (Pennsylvania Professional Employee Network).  I walked into the room and didn’t know a single person.  The majority of attendees were men and I didn’t even know how to start networking.

The first thing I did was go over to grab a cup of tea and a plate of cheese.  This strategy gave me time and the courage to plan my next steps and figure out how to do the whole networking thing!

Slowly, I left the Hors D’oeuvres table and walked over to a small group of people and started talking.  The first couple of conversations were tough.  I didn’t know what to say or what to ask.  By the end of the evening I think everyone in the room knew my name and what type of job I was looking for.

It was at that point I became a Serial Networker or Networking “Junkie”, and have never stopped meeting new people.  I love to meet new people and find out what they do.  Sometime I find they can help me with a business lead.  Other times I am able to help them.  I have even found people that I have no common business interests with or in their industries I have learned a great deal from.

Networking is about building relationships.  Don’t be afraid to pass up the Hors D’oeuvres table and meet new people.  Remember, it is not always who you know, but who knows you to be successful.

Networking is work and putting forth an effort, but the rewards are worth it!

Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!

Denise



Denise Ann Galloni, Owner & President

DG Training Solutions, Inc.

Website:  https://www.DGTrainingsolutionsinc.com

 Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com

 Twitter: https://twitter.com/deniseanng

 Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc

 LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni

Facebook Does Not = LinkedIn

I'm sure most of you have seen the graphic that states Facebook is not LinkedIn.  So what is the big deal?   Why can't you use the same posts for both social media platforms?

If you continue to use the same posts, you may end up losing some of your LinkedIn connections. I myself have un-connected with some connections on LinkedIn because of this situation.  If you are in the habit of doing this...take a moment and consider the following:

Facebook is for social activity with your friends, family, co-workers, etc.  In this case, I am referring to a regular Facebook account, not a business page. 

Facebook can be where you vent that you hated the series finale of Mad Men.  You can friend your high school chums or college buddies.  You can post that you think the Pittsburgh Pirates are in a slump because of pitching or the referee in last week's Steeler game must have had his eyes closed during that touchdown.   You can post your vacation pictures, your child's birthday party, where you are meeting your friends for drinks, or even pictures of your dog dressed up for Halloween. 

By comparison, LinkedIn is a more professional site.  You connect  (notice I didn't say Friend) with your business acquaintances, clients, or recruiters.  LinkedIn should be treated as a professional environment.  There are groups you can join about anything professional you can think of, in addition to job leads and networking opportunities.  You can even follow a specific company if you have an interest in them or want to someday work there.

You can brag about any new certifications, education or accolades you may have received.  There is a section to list all of your skills and qualifications.  You can even list that you are in a career transition if you are recently unemployed.

By the examples I listed, did you notice the difference between Facebook and LinkedIn?  They are definitely not equal.  If you can't discuss it with your boss, co-workers or mention it in an interview, it should not be on LinkedIn.

A word of caution...potential employers will look at an applicant's social media sites.  Including Facebook, so be careful what you post.


Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!

Denise


Denise Ann Galloni, Owner & President

DG Training Solutions, Inc.

Website:  https://www.DGTrainingsolutionsinc.com



Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com



Twitter: https://twitter.com/deniseanng



Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc



LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni