Cheers

Tim…

I guess I should have said “irrelevant in the context of my post”.

My post is not about the quote. More my observation that followed the quote. The quote got me to thinking about my experiences etc.

I guess the actual numbers will vary greatly depending on the subject matter and the audience. At a technical conference, the emphasis will me much more on content than at your standard get-rich-quick scheme.

The point really is that regardless of the quality of the content, if the speaker can’t engage the audience, then the presentation will feel like running through mud and some of the audience will be lost.

It’s funny that the comments on this post are focusing on the facts, not the feel. Maybe if this had been a conversation, we would have focused more on the feel, rather than the facts. Who knows?

Cheers

Tim…

by the way if you haven’t found TED yet you probably should – take a look at http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_shows_the_best_stats_you_ve_ever_seen.html for example and sorry if you’ve already seen it.

Cheers

Tim…

I think the percentages are irrelevant really. The quote was more of a starting point that focused me on my own experiences.

I would certainly not go to a presentation with zero content, but I’ve also been to many that have lots of content and zero soul.

My point was that my enjoyment of a presentation (receiving or presenting) is based on more than the content. The connection I have with the speaker/audience has little to do with the content.

I’m glad the post got a couple of people thinking anyway.

Cheers

Tim…

Your quote isn’t however correct, or rather it’s out of context. Firstly it’s an old study of a stylized US presidential debate as perceived by tv viewers and radio listeners. As the title suggests some implications about certain very specific types of communication were considered by the study, it’s interesting as well that it’s nearly always this study that is cited – we don’t really know how well it was confirmed by further research and how well it stacks up with reality, though I think we can be somewhat sceptical that 93% of what (say) teachers teach their kids is not content.

so yes, non-verbal communication is important, it’s simply not true (nor claimed by the study’s authors by the way) that 93% of all communication is non-verbal. Content does matter, if it didn’t we’d all be watching reality TV — errr hang-on a mo’

Re: Soundbite. Point taken

Re: Content. Certainly. People are there to learn something about Oracle, not see a stage show. I just think it’s interesting to remember that being a good presenter is not just about presenting facts.

Cheers

Tim…