Stage Glass This Has Nothing To Do With The Theatre

Writen by Mark Boehm

The Stage Glass or glass platen is the most commonly broken part on you Overhead Projector. I would like to share a few of the stories that I have had the pleasure of listening to when my customers call in looking to replace this part.

Replacing your Overhead Projector Stage Glass is probably one of the easiest repair jobs that any end user of an Overhead Projector can perform. What is a Stage Glass? It is the glass platen where you lay your transparencies when projectors. The Stage Glass or Glass platen as some may refer to it, is one of the most commonly replaced parts on an Overhead Projector today.

Now unfortunately it is easy to become confused on which Replacement Stage Glass your Overhead Projector may need as there is no standard size or shape to any one manufacturer's Stage Glass, whether it be 3M, Dalite, Buhl, Eiki, Bell & Howell, Dukane or Elmo, Stage Glasses come in many different sizes and configurations.

Some Stage Glass may have beveled edges on the length of the glass on one side or two sides. Some Stage Glass may have cut corners, sometimes referred to as clipped corners on all four corners or two corners. Some Stage Glass are referred to as hardened glass. Hardened glass is a specially heat treated glass making it much more durable than the typical annealed glass used in most Overhead Projectors.

Some Stage Glass is held in with clips, while other Stage Glass is held in with double sided tape. So as you can see there are a wide range of variables when it comes to an Overhead Projector Stage Glass.

If you have a Stage Glass that is held in with double sided tape the old tape must be removed and replaced before the new glass is installed. It is not recommended to use the same double sided tape for your new Stage Glass.

In some cases, the manufacturer does not allow you to purchase the Stage Glass if it requires double sided tape to reinstall. In those instances you will be required to purchase a new top cover assembly with the Stage Glass already installed for you. In some cases once you have purchased the new top cover the Stage Glass will be held in with clips instead of the double sided tape, allowing any future glass replacements to simply require the purchase of just the Stage Glass.

So how do all these Stage Glass get broken? Well here are some of the most common stories we hear:

I used my Overhead Projector as: a step stool, a ladder, a desk top to staple documents, a work bench, or as a chair.

Some folks prefer to knock or drag them of carts, while others just get totally stressed out and throw them.

One of my favorite stories to date is one that I heard just recently. The customer was apparently very upset that they had just broken their Stage Glass. After I had finished asking for all of the pertinent information they felt the need to relieve some of their stress by explaining how the Stage Glass was broken. It seemed to be a good idea at the time for them to pick up a very large book as their weapon of choice against the fly that had been torturing them all day. The book was launched towards the fly, seemed to be right on target as it smashed through the glass. Unfortunately for them, the fly anticipated their strategy and evacuated just in time to get out of the way of the book only to live on another day. Let's hope another Overhead Projector Stage Glass doesn't see the same demise.

Mark Boehm is the president of M-B Electronics. He has over 25 years of experience in the Audio Visual and Electronics Industry. You can contact him at 800-872-9456 or e-mail him at etbinc@comcast.net.

For more information:http://www.mbelectronics.com/view.aspx?id=245&name=Stage%20Glass

Transitions Building Bridges To Your Points

Writen by Diane DiResta

Presenters often tell me that they fear losing their train of thought. When listening to their talks I realized that for many people, the problem is not forgetting the words or main points.

Speakers freeze because they can't get from point A to point B. They know the next point but they struggle with the transition. And without transitions you will sound choppy and inexperienced.

So how do you create that smooth flow? First consider your points. Let's say your agenda items are

• background history
• current situation
• future trends

You don't want to simply say "Background history." You need a lead in. Your segue can be as basic as "Let's begin with some background history…" Now choose another transition such as "Next we'll discuss our current situation…" A transition can be phrased as a statement or question. "So what do we project for the future of the industry?….." In sales presentations it's very effective to verbalize what the customer is thinking.

"You may be wondering how much does it cost"
"At this point you may be concerned with safety."
"So what is our track record?"

Transitions are the thread that weaves all the ideas together in a cohesive fashion. They also help the audience to listen and comprehend the message. Transitions are road signs that signal you are making a new point. Here are a few transitions to bridge to your speaking points:

"That brings me to me next point which is…"

"Now that we've discussed advertising, let's take a look at direct mail…"

"So far we've covered compensation and benefits, the next agenda item is training.."

"In addition to cost containment, there is another area I'd like to discuss…"

"Now let's consider.."

"To begin with let's take a look at…"

"The next important factor is…"

"I'd like to view the issue from three aspects…"

"Finally, let's consider…"

Remember to use transitions in all your presentations. You will have more attentive listeners, better retention and they'll think you're a real smooth talker!

Diane DiResta, President of DiResta Communications, Inc. is an International speaker, coach, and author of Knockout Presentations: How to Deliver Your Message with Power, Punch, and Pizzazz. To subscribe to Impact Player, a free online newsletter visit http://www.diresta.com.

Monotony Most Foul

Writen by Ty Boyd

Monotony should be on the FBI's most wanted list. It has killed more presentations than any of the deadly distractions. Everyone, not just those trained to perform critiques of speeches, picks up on monotony in a presentation.

You don't find any best-selling songs that use only one note, do you? Nor do you find great one-note presentations. However, monotony is not just speaking in a monotone - that is using just that single note. It is a lack of variety in every element of your presentation.

The antithesis of monotony is variety. You can add heat, color, excitement, emotion and expressiveness by bringing variety to your presentations.

First, let's talk about the vocal elements.

You should vary the notes, the sound level, and the flow of your words. Vary between a whisper and a shout. Speak slowly, then more rapidly. Use your voice to work up and down the register. Take advantage of silence, too. Use precise diction to underline a point. Change your voice to fit your content. Paint a picture by emphasizing certain words. Use your voice to be unpredictable. Keep the audience a little off guard and they will stay with you to the end.

Face has its place in fighting monotony. If you are practicing vocal variety, a deadpan face causes dissonance. Your face should match the content of your presentation, as well as the vocal qualities you are employing. Happy? Then, smile! Thoughtful? Show it.

Make eye contact with various audience members. Picking one person to stare at is just wrong. It makes everyone uncomfortable.

Movement and gestures also add variety. Now, we don't want you to pace and wander all over the stage, but it is OK to step out from behind the lectern. Move toward or away from the audience to make a point.

Use your hands to punctuate a point. Make a fist. Sweep the room with your arm to draw in your audience. Point. But with gestures – as with everything else – make sure they have a point and fit into the context of what you are saying.

Remember monotony kills. Variety can bring even a dead audience back to life.

Ty Boyd, CEO of Ty Boyd Executive Learning Systems, is in the Broadcast Hall of Fame and the Speakers Hall of Fame. He has taught presentation skills to Fortune 1000 executives in more than 40 countries. His Excellence In Speaking Institute celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2005.