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. Use the lessons we learned while judging the “DB2’s Got Talent Competition” from The DB2Night Show™

1. 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

2. • 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

3. • 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

4. • 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

5. • 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

6. • 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

7. • 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

8. • 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

9. • 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

10. • Run slides in Presentation mode.
• Be yourself.
• Speak loudly and clearly.
• Don’t speak too fast.
• Have fun!
@susvis 10

11. • 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

12. • 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

13. • 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

14. • 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+

15. @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

16. • 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

17. @DB2NightShow