Wednesday, August 13, 2003
Harpooned and Marooned
Today, I did a dry run-through of my first ever Powerpoint Presentation. It stank. It totally stank.
The presentation is meant to delineate parameters in our company's use of outside data against our own, without adverse legal consequences from competitors. I've been working with the Corporate Legal department to put this together.
It began on the wrong foot: The company (which shall go nameless, dear Blogalongs) has netmeeting, and I previously tested its availability in the conference room and moved my documents to a shared server so everything would be ready. As people (Three Directors, Two Managers and a Vice-President!) began gathering and calling in from remote locations, I couldn't find the documents and some did not know how to use netmeeting. I had to run back to my desk and send the documents as attachments in e-mails. Additionally, the star-shaped speakerphone crackled and throughout the presentation, people sighed loudly with exasperation or interrupted complaining they couldn't hear. I believe I took it all in stride and recovered, but it threw me off-balance.
The first part of the presentation -- an excel spreadsheet -- went fairly well. But, as I began tackling the powerpoint, the questions and criticisms began. "This isn't at all clear, based on what *I* understood from Legal." But I answered each question; I believe I reflected confidence (ha ha ha!); and I made a point to agree and incorporate all suggestions. I suppose my presentation was, after all, confusing and wordy -- probably just like one of these blog entries.
On a brighter side, this run gave me exactly the kind of feedback I needed. After the meeting, I completely rewrote the presentation -- and I think it's 1000% better. I logged onto here as a reward for finishing a new draft. I hope that my shortcomings at initial effort are outweighed by my enthusiasm in making it better. Again, I envy those who work for themselves...
Later today, I attended an hour-and-a-half seminar on "Career Pathing", given by members of HR. It started off with us being asked to stand up and to clap ten times: "That's a clap for yourselves for being here today." chirped the moderator. What is the Latin word for "BARF". I don't know what to make of it all -- on the one hand, I've never worked for a company that has adopted such an approach -- usually, you're left to fend for yourself -- but on the other hand, the cynical side of me shouts: Show Me the Money! After listening to a fuzzy review of web-based resources now available to us, we had a breakout session where we applied what we'd just learned by counseling "Fred" and "Shaggy" on things they could do to better their career opportunities. The session wrapped with a drawing for stress-balls, silly-putty, and corporate logo pens. (I sometimes wonder there's not more workplace violence.)
I should not short-sell myself but it is difficult to feel confident when sitting in a roomful of peers who have all been with the company on average over a decade longer than I have. I should stop whining and be thankful I'm collecting a paycheck. And if my value to the company lies in creating controversial and dissatisfying powerpoints, and attending corporate workshops on skill building, then so be it.
The presentation is meant to delineate parameters in our company's use of outside data against our own, without adverse legal consequences from competitors. I've been working with the Corporate Legal department to put this together.
It began on the wrong foot: The company (which shall go nameless, dear Blogalongs) has netmeeting, and I previously tested its availability in the conference room and moved my documents to a shared server so everything would be ready. As people (Three Directors, Two Managers and a Vice-President!) began gathering and calling in from remote locations, I couldn't find the documents and some did not know how to use netmeeting. I had to run back to my desk and send the documents as attachments in e-mails. Additionally, the star-shaped speakerphone crackled and throughout the presentation, people sighed loudly with exasperation or interrupted complaining they couldn't hear. I believe I took it all in stride and recovered, but it threw me off-balance.
The first part of the presentation -- an excel spreadsheet -- went fairly well. But, as I began tackling the powerpoint, the questions and criticisms began. "This isn't at all clear, based on what *I* understood from Legal." But I answered each question; I believe I reflected confidence (ha ha ha!); and I made a point to agree and incorporate all suggestions. I suppose my presentation was, after all, confusing and wordy -- probably just like one of these blog entries.
On a brighter side, this run gave me exactly the kind of feedback I needed. After the meeting, I completely rewrote the presentation -- and I think it's 1000% better. I logged onto here as a reward for finishing a new draft. I hope that my shortcomings at initial effort are outweighed by my enthusiasm in making it better. Again, I envy those who work for themselves...
Later today, I attended an hour-and-a-half seminar on "Career Pathing", given by members of HR. It started off with us being asked to stand up and to clap ten times: "That's a clap for yourselves for being here today." chirped the moderator. What is the Latin word for "BARF". I don't know what to make of it all -- on the one hand, I've never worked for a company that has adopted such an approach -- usually, you're left to fend for yourself -- but on the other hand, the cynical side of me shouts: Show Me the Money! After listening to a fuzzy review of web-based resources now available to us, we had a breakout session where we applied what we'd just learned by counseling "Fred" and "Shaggy" on things they could do to better their career opportunities. The session wrapped with a drawing for stress-balls, silly-putty, and corporate logo pens. (I sometimes wonder there's not more workplace violence.)
I should not short-sell myself but it is difficult to feel confident when sitting in a roomful of peers who have all been with the company on average over a decade longer than I have. I should stop whining and be thankful I'm collecting a paycheck. And if my value to the company lies in creating controversial and dissatisfying powerpoints, and attending corporate workshops on skill building, then so be it.