A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Podium
Just back from some engagements last week and thought I’d pass this funny little tale along.
I’ve got a few A/V requirements when I present, notably that I like my notebook right at the lectern with me, and that I like the podium (stage/riser) to be free of anything else like chairs, tables, and so on. I tend to move around a lot when I speak, so this helps make sure I don’t faceplant (which, amazingly, hasn’t yet happened in 13 years of professional speaking).
Fast forward to the evening before my presentation. I’m at the event’s reception, meeting the delegates and sponsors, and up walks my client. We introduce each other, go over a couple of last-minute details, and then she leans in and asks, very politely: “Um, so we were able to get you a clear podium, but I wasn’t sure why you needed one?”
I told her that I move around a lot and would just prefer that there’s enough room up there for me to wander. She gets this blank look on her face, then one of those “Oh-my-god-I-completely-misunderstood” looks on her faces.
Turns out, she thought a “podium” was something you stand behind (actually, that’s called a lectern), not something you stand on.
And this was the result.
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Comments (8)
September 18th, 2009
I was giving a talk in Winnipeg last winter at Red River College. The lecture hall was underground (like much of the campus I gather). About five minutes into my talk, I heard this odd spattering sound from the corner of the stage. I look over and water is not dripping, but pouring onto the stage from the ceiling.
I put a garbage basket underneath it and, in about five minutes, it stopped. But still, very odd.
September 18th, 2009
too funny – but yet another thing to convince you it's right to present wearing pants.
September 18th, 2009
That's great! omg…still giggling…
September 18th, 2009
I had just completed a survey sent out by IABC Vancouver regarding suggestions for future events – and recommended you as a guest speaker. Went to your website to see what you've been up to lately and read
this story. Have since forwarded it to the Events committee and various other colleagues in the world of communications. Will be interesting to see how long it takes for this joke to circulate.
September 18th, 2009
Funny, Tod, but you have to master the lingo of the client, not yours, when presenting the requirements.
I thought of hydro-power and asked for "live power" (in-traductible, as opposed to generators) before a remote wedding in Transylvania, and I was given the toughest bodyguard in the county.
September 19th, 2009
Misuse of the word 'podium' is very common in the presentation/entertainment industry. Best to avoid using the term altogether, and call it a 'platform', 'riser', 'rostrum', or 'dais' instead.
September 19th, 2009
And… what was it like to be at a clear lectern?
September 24th, 2009
Bob beat me to the punch. I was going to say that it's a good thing you were wearing pants (I presume).
I have heard many people mis-use "lectern" and "podium." I guess we have to watch out for the word "clear" too! Thanks for sharing, Tod.
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