A mere 37 seconds into one of the most anticipated and promoted college basketball games of the year, Duke University’s rising mega-star Zion Williamson, plants his foot, which gives way, and awkwardly crumples to the floor holding his knee in pain. The culprit – Zion’s left Nike sneaker that blew open, in an epic gear-fail, that caused him to miss the entire rest of the game.
The image of Zion grimacing on the floor with the failed sneaker dangling uselessly around his ankle is The Memorable Image of the game. Even after the back and forth of one of the most intense and even rivalries in college sports, the game will be remembered as the sneaker blow-out game.
Helpful reminder about the power of images in your presentations and selling efforts. It’s been documented that people remember 75% of what they see, and only 25% of what they hear. Anyone who’s ever played the game “Simon Says”, knows this to be true.
According to Dr. Lynell Burmark, education consultant who writes and speaks about visual literacy:
“…unless our words, concepts, ideas are hooked onto an image, they will go in one ear, sail through the brain, and go out the other ear. Words are processed by our short-term memory where we can only retain about seven bits of information (plus or minus 2) […]. Images, on the other hand, go directly into long-term memory where they are indelibly etched.”
Powerful images can set the right tone at the opening of your presentation and get your audience’s attention, illustrate the key benefit of your service, or bring home the final close or decision.
Want to be remembered? Think imagery. It may be the one thing your audience remembers long after the presentation is over.
The Ganon Group offers communication coaching for executives and employees across all departments: C-Suite Leadership, Sales, Customer Experience, Technical / Product Development, to improve their communication and presentation techniques. We believe everyone can “up” their game when it comes to communicating initiatives and ideas within the organization, outside to new prospects, to existing clients, or to outside media and trade organizations. www.theganongroup.com
