Lessons from the Classic Chevy car show.

Picture this. July 6, 2008. Sunny Sunday morning in Connecticut. Chevys on display for everyone to appreciate. I find it sobering for 2 reasons.

1. Many of these cars are over 50 years old. So what you say. Well, imagine that you are walking to church in July 1908. What you have given to drive in a Chevy from 1950? Henry Ford debuted his Model T in 1908. Do you see the progress cars design and engineering made in the first 100 years of automobile transportation, and how undramaticly cars have improved since the 1950's? Are your presentations showing revolutionary improvements, or are your presentations merely "improving" each time you speak?

2. Many of these cars are over 50 years old. The steering wheels, body panels, wheels, carpets, transmissions and the remainder of the materials were pressed, machined, formed and painted 50 years ago. Long before blogs, September 11, the internet and when George W. Bush was a toddler. Sobering to think that these vehicles have been transporting families, consuming fossil-fuel and providing pleasure to car lovers for half-a-century. What about your presentations? Will people in your audience remember your message in 50 years? Will anyone remember it next week? Will they remember what you said when they walk out of the meeting room?

If you want to make your messages memorable then ditch the text-laden slides. Use visuals and photographs while you tell stories to support your points.

These Classic Chevys are now well-cared for and they may be preserved for another 200 years or more. I wish I could be around to visit the 2308 Classic Chevy Car Show in Connecticut. Will your presentation be worth anything in 2308?

PS. The top photo is a Right-Hand Drive. I had to look twice before I realized my eyes were not playing tricks on me. It is from Australia. I noticed because cars in South Africa are also Right-Hand Drive and I felt a twinge of longing for my land of birth as I pointed it out to my son.