Right-Half Chow

Presenting with Jobs

I realise it's been a while since I posted anything on presenting lately, but that's probably because I didn't really come across that many great presentations, and there's a lot of stuff out on the web and on blogs already. I should point you to this post from Garr on PresentationZen though.

He's right when he says that this wasn't one of Jobs' best presentations ever (that would have been the masterful recovery while presenting the first iPod), but the tips he distills are spot on. The video below is the 60second version (from a 90minute keynote), visit PresentationZen for links to the full monty and the whole article (it's worth it!):

1. Develop rapport with the audience: don't just stand there with a 'be grateful you're listening to me' attitude, see point 3 as well
2. Give them an idea of where you are going: even if it's just saying 'I'm going to talk about 4 things', I really like the way he does that kind of thing. Just one big count-up to the apotheosis.
3. Show your enthusiasm: don't stand there like it's your job, if you don't like where you are you probably shouldn't be presenting
4. It's not about numbers, it's about what the numbers mean: start with Edward Tufte for the basics then make up you own stuff
5. Make it visual: what you're saying is probably not that important that it needs to be literally reprinted on screen. And leave out the stock photos with the watermark in them.
6. Save the best for last: go out with a bang, give them something memorable that summarizes your point

Probably the best sports drink in the world?

I'm not sure if this is real, but if it is I seriously question the mental sanity of anyone in Carlsberg who came up with that idea. Beer is passive sports fodder, or at best after-sports enjoyment, and not performance enhancing in any way whatsoever (maybe for pub philosophy though).

I'm trying to see the brave and adventurous and new marketing angle in this, but I really can't say anything other than it's a funny film for a completely unattractive product:

On an 'animals in advertising' tip: These were better (even though you can hardly call Miller a real beer ;-)

And then there was this one, strategy that could be discussed with the fly that shatters on your windshield but they have got monkeys in costumes:

Build your own Apple store

This has got to be a retailer's wet dream: Oobject is listing all the different objects and design elements of the Apple store and show you where to find them yourself. 

Now I know there were already quite a few restaurants who are happy to sell you the furniture you use on their premises, but this is taking the concept a step further. And I kind of suspect there are quite a few people who will buy into this, as evidenced by the amount of votes and discussion on different objects on the site.

Further evidence that the Apple brand is a lot more than it's individual products, I do not know that many people who like Apple and visit New York without a visit to one of the stores. How much more of an advocate can you become if you're willing to turn your house into a copy of a store? Even if it's just little things and touches (like the cable holders I quite fancy myself), it still is a very powerful testament to the power of a brand.

The difference with the restaurants (and some hotels, as was kindly pointed out to me) is that this is all based on people wanting to dress their homes like this, not a service that is being offered by Apple...

On another note: what if Apple exploited this potential to evolve as a true retail brand? When I visited some Apple shops (we don't really have the concept stores, but reek Apple, don't worry) in Belgium it struck me to see that most of the products they have on sale are not really Apple products. There's lots of bags, different kinds of sound systems and speakers, software, midi controllers, and so on... And they all take on a different kind of shine than if they were put in, let's say, Mediamarkt and, to a certain extent even Fnac (a store I love by the way).

The biggest challenge probably is the balance between the Apple brand and the third party  gear that's on offer... Apple became a big brand because they did things their way, and it only worked their way. But as they open up to a wider selection of third party offers, both in hard- and software, they will need some control over the effects of these things on their brand.

On the other hand, it's a very shiny store...

Early Jack

Eric points to this fantastic site for Finnair. In between all the price and comfort decisions, airlines often forget to talk about what they really need to do: get you to your destination as fast as possible.

Early Jack illustrates this fact in a most befitting manner, sneaking in some casual references to the target destinations. A solid piece of entertainment based on pranks we'd all like to pull once in a lifetime. Check it out.

MTV Merit DJs

I actually thought this was a great initiative, as I suspect there's quite a few good djs out there (I'm kind of hoping the best ones turn out to be planners). As I'm picking up the pace again myself I decided to mix something up myself using Ableton this weekend, only to find out entries for the competition can no longer be sent in.

It's a bit of a big tunes mix (as it was intended to serve the floor) butI'm quite pleased with the result. I'm not sure how this will affect bandwith but I might as well put it up here (if anyone wants to put up a mirror somewhere or has a suggestion for a userfriendly yousendit-alike, let me know).

Hope you enjoy it:

Download IefMixed_January08.mp3

Get in there!

Just picked this up over at Charles Frith's blog. It's a refreshing change from the usual 'put on deodorant, beautiful female avalanche is the result' shtick.

This is actually something that drives people forward: get in there, don't be too shy, it doesn't really matter if you fail once in a while, as long as you go down laughing. A lot more interesting AND a lot more fun.

Check out the rest on YouTube.

Flight of the Conchords

I only just found them via Beeker, who seems to be a new fan too...

Fantastic stuff, I just kept on wondering whether they take their own musical brilliance seriously. The same MotherFlippin clip, but now in front of a live audience, and I really like the classic guitar in this context:

Write or eat... tough decision

But it's a great alternative to the crummy airline stuff you usually get.
Bring back real cutlery, I promise I won't hijack the plane...

Via BookofJoe

Nokia Helmets

W+K London are at it again, great art direction for Nokia:

Don't Fight Monday!

It's a pretty basic metaphor, but the old 'find a job you like' comes to life in a pretty clever way in this film for Monster: