Using Table 14.1 as a guide, do the following:

A. Identify a topic for a presentation.

B. Write how you could use each type of attention-getter: rhetorical question, vivid example, dramatic demonstration, testimonial or quotation, intriguing statistic, unexpected exercise, and challenge.

C. Explain the three approaches you believe would be most effective.

Table 14.1

Types of Effective Attention-Getters Attention-Getter Rhetorical question Vivid example Dramatic demonstration Example Have any of you ever thought your performance review wasn't fair? Or, have you ever dreaded delivering a performance review? As we started looking at research about annual reviews, we found that most employees and managers don't think annual reviews improve performance. This attention-getter immediately evokes thinking about personal experiences for audience members. It focuses on an unmet need (using performance reviews to improve performance). It is also concise: It takes roughly 20 seconds to deliver (42 words). We held two focus groups with employees about their views of annual reviews. Right at the start of the first focus group, one of the employees whom everyone recognizes as devoted, reliable, and friendly, simply said, "The reviews don't help us at all." Every person in the group nodded their heads. Nearly every comment I heard from employees came back to this simple theme: Annual reviews don't help the employees perform better, be more motivated, or be more invested in their work. This example captures the attention of the audience with its vivid, story-based description of what employees really think. Many audience members would take this example seriously. This example would take roughly 30 to 35 seconds to deliver (82 words). (Live demo of the software) Some of you are probably wondering what makes continuous reviews possible. We can do it with a variety of software platforms. If you look at the screen, I'm going to take two to three minutes to demo how the platform works. You'll see how employees get immediate, helpful, and accurate feedback... This attention-getter gives the audience a tangible sense of how the platform can produce continuous, helpful feedback. This demonstration is delivered in a few minutes. Latisha should be prepared to demonstrate the technology rapidly or she'll lose the interest of audience members.