Equipment Photographs

Even though I know about using equipment photographs, I ran into a situation where they were needed again this month while doing a public speaking engagement in Morocco. The primary languages there are Arabic and French. Just arranging for an overhead projector was very difficult.

When I arrived to the place where I would be presenting there was no overhead projector and screen, even though I had confirmed beforehand three times. The manager of the large ballroom couldn't speak English and because of the close scheduling of other events, I was not able to be in the room early as I always am.

I forgot to bring my equipment photographs that you will learn in your public speaking course which would have gotten the point across to the manager immediately whether he spoke English or not. In the end It really didn't matter anyways, because the projector he finally brought was so bad I ended up scrapping all the overheads anyways.

I am ALWAYS prepared for total equipment failure and so went on with the program without hesitation. Lessons learned for "Tips" when speaking in a foreign environment:

1. Have photographs of the equipment you need.

2. Have a backup plan and be ready to use it

3. When you leave you own country start to smile and don't quit until you are locked safely in your bathroom (smile then too if you want to). Never get upset in public. Getting upset will only make things worse for you and your public speaking engagement will suffer.

Back to Articles