The academic journal, Global Business & Organizational Excellence posted a nice review of Talk Like TED
Stories are not only central to scenario planning;they also are key to effective presentations. In Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds, Carmine Gallo stresses that stories turn abstract concepts into tangible, emotional,and memorable ideas. Stories stimulate and engage the brain, giving the speaker a connection with the audience, which is then more likely to agree with the speaker.
The most popular TED (Technology, Education, Design) conference talks start with a personal story. Chosen carefully, a personal experience that leads to an unexpected result often is particularly compelling. Gallo notes that when executives relate a personal story during a press conference, reporters and bloggers include the story almost every time.
Gallo conducted a scientific analysis of more than 500 TED presentations and interviewed TED’s most popular speakers. Combining these findings with his own insights and experience as an executive coach, he offers detailed advice to people who desire to speak with more confidence and authority, to deliver presentations, to sell products or services, or to lead people who need to be inspired. A failure to communicate effectively in business leads to disappointments when start-ups are not funded, products remain on the shelves, projects do not receive backing,
and careers plateau.
The TED presentation reflects a bold, compelling, contemporary style. Building on the success of the first TED conference in 1984, Chris Anderson, who purchased the franchise in 2001, launched TED.com in 2006. Gallo notes how the widespread distribution of TED talks has changed the way people see the world and has launched movements in art, design, business, education, health, science, technology, and
global issues.