Jeff Bezos banned PowerPoint in meetings, but is his replacement better

Jeff Bezos banned PowerPoint in meetings, but is his replacement betterJeff Bezos banned PowerPoint in meetings, but is his replacement betterOver the past few years, a veritable whos who of business leaders (from Virgins Richard Branson, to Teslas Elon Musk, to Facebooks Sheryl Sandberg) have outwardly questioned the effectiveness of traditional PowerPoint presentations while gushing over the benefits of good-old-fashioned narrative.Jeff Bezos has taken it a step further in his 2018 annual shareholder letter, he wrote that we dont do PowerPoint (or any other slide-oriented) presentations at Amazon. Instead, Bezos requires his executives to compose structured, six-page narrative memos to be read and discussed at every meeting.Its true that stories are generally more engaging than bullet-points, and I think most of us would agree that companies embracing them in the boardroom is an exciting trend. However, broadly assuming that narrative is a cure-all approach best suited to any-and-e very type of business interaction is limiting and misguided.When a carpenter is presented with a nail, for instance, she doesnt throw away her screwdriver. Great craftsmen rely on a suite of tools to be used interchangeably depending upon the requirements of each unique situation.The saatkorn must be true in business rather than forcing the use of a single tool, a far wiser strategy is to ensure that employees have a deep understanding of every tool available, and know when (and how) to apply each one.With that in mind, lets explore when narratives and PowerPoint work best, respectively.NarrativeThe Gist-MakerNarratives support the holistic not the specific. Stories are not powerful because they include minute details they are powerful because they weave ideas into large, unified concepts. Its unimportant that you remember the name of every character from The Sopranos whats important is that you remember the larger themes of negotiating social and family conflict.For this reason, narratives in business are incredibly effective tools when the objective of a meeting concerns meaning or purpose. What are your company values? Why is customer service so vital? How do certain products resonate with buyers? These questions of gist (where details are less important than global themes) are perfectly suited to narrative.The InnovatorNo two people read (or hear) the same story. Because their focus is on the thematic organization of ideas, stories leave open many detail-gaps that must be filled in by the listener.When Ernest Hemmingway wrote For sale Baby shoes. Never worn., he was exploiting the open-ended nature of story by insisting readers bring their own understanding.The fact that stories are inherently open to interpretation makes them an ideal tool when the intention of a presentation is to debate, collaborate, or innovate. A variety of unique voices each advocating a different understanding of any given narrative is a breeding ground for creative insight.The So cial-EngagerOxytocin. Although the specifics of this chemical remain largely unknown, there is strong evidence to suggest that it fosters a sense of social connectivity and can drive neural-coupling a fascinating phenomenon whereby the brains of different individuals begin to literally sync-up and resonate with each other. During these periods of neural-coupling, people become deeply engaged with and focused on one another.It turns out oxytocin is released into the brain when people listen to someone tell a compelling story. For this reason, narratives can prove useful when the objective of a conference is to promote engagement and/or relationship building. Be careful, though Im sure there are dozens of movies that you were completely engaged with while you watched them, only to forget about once they ended (Marvel Im looking at you). As such, never mistake engagement with learning.PowerPointThe InstructorThere are times when interpretation, discussion, and innovation are off the table when ideas are not open to debate. For instance, when training new employees on well-established organizational norms and protocol, its generally desired for individuals to take-in this information with as little speculation as possible.When specific facts outweigh general themes, PowerPoint is a potent tool. Because it offers the ability to present ideas in a structured and progressive order, PowerPoint can help promote a deeper comprehension of prescribed information and ensure any non-negotiable facts are understood by different individuals in a similar manner.The DemonstratorWhen it comes to physical procedures or cognitive processes, explicit demonstration is one of the most powerful methods we can employ to drive understanding. Sure, you could regale me all day with a captivating narrative about entering travel expenses into a new company ordnungsprinzip but Ill be much more likely to actually learn this technical procedure if you divide the operation into its constitu ent parts and demonstrate each one in turn.PowerPoint caters extremely well to the step-by-step deconstruction and demonstration of complex tasks. As before, this technique works best when the task in question is not open to personal interpretation or debate. Set procedures governing research documentation, program implementation or customer interaction, for example, would all fit the bill.The Memory-BoosterWhen people are verbally told a list of facts, they remember approximately 10% after a weeks time. When people are shown a list of images, they remember approximately 35% after the same period. But when people are simultaneously told a list of facts while being shown relevant images, their seven-day retention rate climbs to roughly 65%.Regarding the combination of spoken language and visual images, the whole is far greater than the sum of its parts and PowerPoint is tailor-made for the presentation of images during an oral speech. Assuming they are relevant, images can help prom ote a level of deep-learning that simply isnt possible with narrative alone.So, now then When it comes to business communication, the trick is not to rely on any single approach. Instead, the best strategy is to embrace multiple approaches, and to select the right one for each situation based on the prevailing objective.If the goal of a meeting is thematic (open-ended discussion meant to build identity, generate ideas, and drive collaborative bonding), then using narrative is a great option. However, if the goal of a meeting is specific (close-ended instruction meant to reisepass along prescribed facts, protocols, or information), then PowerPoint is the better choice.With that said, however, its important to recognize that knowing when to use a tool is just the starting point. Knowing how to use a tool is what drives results.Going back to Jeff Bezos, even though his company is fully-committed to using narrative memos, hes quick to admit that the quality of those memos varies widely. Some have the clarity of angels singing, he wrote in his annual letter, before conceding that others come in at the other end of the spectrum.For Bezos, its an issue of coaching. He knows that merely dictating which tools to use is not enough for Amazon to be great, his associates must understand how to use them. And the same standard applies to all of us to become great communicators, we must develop a strong grasp of how to use the tools available to us.To that end, I recently led a masterclass for my inner-circle called The Neuroscience of Presenting, during which I dove into the latest brain research surrounding influence and communication, and (among other things) discussed the most effective strategies for using narrative and PowerPoint.For anyone interested, the replay is available at lme.global/presenting. Its a fantastic course for learning the how (and perhaps even more importantly, the why) that powers effective group communication.Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath is a renowned cognitive neuroscientist with an expertise in menschenwrdig learning, memory, and brain stimulation. His company LME Global is a mission-based company aiming to serve teachers and business professionals through applied brain science. You can visit lmeglobal.net to learn about his popular neuro-courses, and to reserve a copy of his new book Stop Talking, Start Influencing 12 Ideas from Brain Science to Make Your Message Stick.

Why You Should Use Google Drive for Your Job Search 6 Ideas

Why You Should Use Google Drive for Your Job Search 6 IdeasWhy You Should Use Google Drive for Your Job Search 6 IdeasGoogle Drive is a useful, free tool that job seekers can use to create resumes, keep job search records, and more. But do you ever use Google Drive as part of your job search tool belt? You might be surprised at some of the ways using Google Drive for your job search will be beneficial.What is Google Drive?Do you have a Google, YouTube, or Gmail account? If so, you already have access to a powerful and free tool for your job search- Google Drive. Google Drive defines itself as a file storage and synchronization service, but what that means for us regular people is that you can create, edit, and store numerous documents, spreadsheets, presentations, slideshows, and much more in the cloud, through Google, and be able to access those things from wherever you happen to be at the moment.When I first started using Google Drive, I found it helpful to think of it as the Micro soft Office of the Internet. Microsoft Office has programs like stimmt, Excel, and PowerPoint, and its what most people use to create documents like resumes, cover letters, job search task tracking sheets, and interview presentations.But because Drive is inherently interactive and shareable, it becomes a much more powerful tool for your job search tool belt.Here are six ideasto use Google Drive for your job search1. Build your resume on Google Docs, and save it as a PDF.Google Docs is the Word-equivalent of Google Drive and can be used to create your resume. Once youve got the perfect resume created, you can download it as a Word document or PDF, and you can share it with anyone, either with or without editing privileges.2. Share your resume with friends to get feedback.The ease of sharing a Google Doc means you can get real-time feedback about your resume from friends and networking contacts. They can leave comments and markups on the document, or you can both view the same documen t at the same time while you chat on the phone, which makes incorporating their edits and suggestions incredibly easy.3. Use Google Sheets to track your job search progress.Im a big fan of tracking the progress you make throughout your job search. Which companies youre researching, which jobs youre applying to, and which people youve networked or interviewed with- those are all key data points to track. And Google Sheets, the equivalent of Microsoft Excel, makes it easy to update your progress wherever you have access to the Internet. Whether youre job searching from your smartphone, the library, your home office, or the coffee shop, you wont have to wait to update your Excel spreadsheet when you get back to your computer.4. Create slideshow presentations to showcase your work.If youre in a field where job search portfolios or work samples are an important part of the job search, Google Slides is a helpful tool. Much like PowerPoint, Google Slides lets you create visually appealing slideshows that highlight your skills, experience, and work samples. And like everything on Google Drive, its easily downloadable as a PowerPoint or PDF. You can also publish your slideshow to the web, so if you have your own website or blog, embedding your portfolio slideshow is easy. And every time you update your slides, the embedded slideshow automatically updates, so everything stays current.5. Use folders to keep track of each job application and interview. In addition to the Google Sheet you use to compile all your job search activities, creating a folder for each and every company you interact with is a great way to keep things straight. Googles folder options allow you to group things like your cover letter, resume, work samples, and references into one place, so you can easily access whatever youve submitted to that company. And because every resume and cover letter you send is unique to the particular job and company (right??), folders help you keep everything straight so youre bedrngnis submitting the wrong documents to the wrong company.6. Learn how Google Drive works to add a skill to your resumeGoogle Drive isnt just a personal document collaboration tool- a lot of businesses are using it, too. Learning how to use Google Drive gives you a great skill to add to your resume. And if youre interested in remote companies with distributed teams, its likely they use document collaboration tools like Google Drive, so you better know your way around it.The thing I like most about Google Drive for job searching is that it gives you access to all your job search documents and info wherever you are. As long as youve got a smartphone, tablet, or laptop with you, youre connected. On a work trip? Visiting family over the holidays? On the bus commuting home? Its frustrating to wait until you get home to follow up, especially if youre not the most patient person (like me).If you need to send a resume quickly, or remember exactly what you said in a cover letter b ecause youve just been offered an interview, Google Drive is right there. And in a job search, the ability to act quickly can increase your chances at scoring an interview or landing a job. is another great tool that can help with your job search. Register today and browse flexible jobs in over 50 categoriesReaders, do you useGoogle Drive in your job search? What other tools do you use? Share your tips by leaving a comment

Roe Lecturer Discusses Need to Keep Students on the STEM Path

Roe Lecturer Discusses Need to Keep Students on the STEM Path Roe Lecturer Discusses Need to Keep Students on the STEM Path The 2015 Ralph Coats Roe Medal recipient, Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, PhD, was the featured presenter at the ASME Annual Meetings Ralph Coats Roe Keyelende Luncheon on June 7. Dr. Hrabowski has been the president of the University of Maryland, Baltimora County, since 1992.During his presentation at the Annual Meeting earlier this month, this years Ralph Coats Roe Medal recipient, Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, PhD, discussed how childhood experiences can directly influence ones personal and professional life choices later in life. A civil rights crusader who was arrested at the age of 12 for marching in the Childrens Crusade in Birmingham, Ala., in 1963, Dr. Hrabowskis early life as an activist has certainly inspired his current career as a STEM education champion, particularly for minority students.Hrabowski, the president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore Co unty, will receive the 2015 Ralph Coe Medal at the ASME zwischenstaatlich Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition this November. The award recognizes outstanding contributions toward a better public understanding and appreciation of the engineers worth to contemporary society. In addition to serving as president of UMBC since 1992, Hrabowski was selected by President Barak Obama to chair the recently created Presidents Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans. He also chaired the National Academies committee that produced the recent report, Expanding Underrepresented Minority Participation Americas Science and Technology Talent at the Crossroads. Hrabowski has been named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME magazine, one of Americas best leaders by U.S. News and World Report, and recipient of both the Cargenie Corporations Academic Leadership Award and the Heinz Award for contributions improving the human condition.Whether yo u know it or not, much of what you do every day has been influenced by things that happened to you as a child, Hrabowski said toward the beginning of his dynamic and thought-provoking presentation. I was privileged to grow up in an educated home with old-fashioned values involving religion and faith, and two hard-working parents who constantly were talking to me about my future. Ill never forget spending time during that civil rights period of going through a peaceful demonstration, of spending time in jail with Dr. King because I wanted a better education. And I remember the most important lessons of all To never allow myself to be considered a victim, to always believe in the highest possible standards, and to not allow other people to define who I am. (Left to right) Susan Skemp, chair of the ASME Foundations board of directors, Ralph Coats Roe Medalist Freeman Hrabowski, III, ASME Executive Director Thomas Loughlin, and Immediate Past President J. Robert Sims at the presentat ion of the Roe Medal Certificate at the keynote luncheon. It never occurred to me that one day I could possibly be president of a university that has students from 150 countries, he continued. I could never have imagined standing here today receiving such an award because, first of all, when I graduated from high school, I had never met an engineer. I didnt know it was possible to become an engineer. I didnt know what an engineer did.Hrabowski did understand and enjoy mathematics, however an interest passed on from his parents, who were teachers, and fostered by a school principal who was also a mathematician. I knew what I wanted to do all my life and that was to teach math, he said Ive always loved and gotten goosebumps doing math. I learned one day that at the base of engineering was math and physics. I loved physics I was a physics minor. I said, These engineers must be okay. They like math, too. In later years I began to understand more and more about the engineering. As president of a von rang research university, Hrabowski is fully aware of the difficulty keeping both pre-college and university students on a STEM career path. Although the percentage of college educated people in the United States has risen from 10 percent in the early 1960s to 30 percent today, a challenge remains.I chaired the National Academys Committee on STEM, he said. Only 5 percent of 24 year olds in America have college degrees in STEM. In Europe, its actually 10 percent. And heres the biggest news, the fact is two-thirds of (students) in this country who begin with a major in STEM will leave it within the first two years, and, quite frankly, everybody says its a K-12 problem. What we saw in the data was this The higher the test scores, the more prestigious the university, often the greater the probability the student leaves within the first two years. They move from the sciences to something thats non-quantitative, because in America we think of the first two years of S TEM as weed out courses. So the question becomes, What are the things we can do to be creative to help more students to have the kinds of experiences that will lead to more students... to have careers in those fields? Deanne Bell (left), founder of ASMEs recent Future Engineers 3D Space Challenge partnership with NASA and member of the ASME Foundations board of directors, and Sydney Vernon, the junior winner of the inaugural Future Engineers Challenge, during a discussion of the ASME Foundations STEM education initiatives that followed Dr. Hrabowskis presentation.And while he left educators in the audience to ponder that problem, Hrabowski presented what he saw as the very biggest problem facing not only the United States, but the world inequality. I want you to think about how you can help the bottom quarter in our society, not only in terms of job creation, but in getting disadvantaged students interested in becoming educated, he said. Engineers need to participate and help in solving the problems, he added. notlage as technicians, but as thought leaders.Hrabowskis presentation was followed by program highlighting the various STEM-related educational outreach programs currently being sponsored by the ASME Foundation, which also supports the Ralph Coats Roe Medal and Luncheon. Noha El-Ghobashy, executive director of the ASME Foundation, introduced a short video featuring footage from the recent ASME Innovation Showcase (IShow) in Pune, India. Deanne Bell, founder of ASMEs recent Future Engineers 3D Space Challenge partnership with NASA and member of the ASME Foundations board of directors, then hosted a discussion with three participants in recent ASME Foundation-sponsored STEM programs recent graduate Jaimie Nagode, recipient of 2014-2015 Kenneth Andrew Roe Scholarship Sydney Vernon, the junior winner of the inaugural Future Engineers 3D Space Challenge and Raymond Tran, a math teacher who has been integrating the new ASME INSPIRE curriculum into his classroom at Joseph Cavallaro Middle School in Brooklyn, N.Y.