As a burgeoning speaker, the evaluation process, is probably the best way I know to grade yourself on how you’ve done (other than someone telling you personally or even better, referrals). I appreciate the organizers that do them because I’m always looking to get better but you definitely have to take them with a grain of salt. Here’s what I mean.
These are the comments from a recent presentation I did on Generation Y in August:
Nice slide handout format! They’re readable!
Excellent speaker - bring back next year!
Brad is real good at explaining this issue/concept to board directors (older). He can talk to all generations.
The information is completely outside the reality of our work environment. If Gen Y as presented in this session comes to pass, the world is in real trouble. No Gen Y’er as represented in this presentation would ever survive in our work environment much less have a practical chance to be hired. Example: Look at the speaker info sheet - ther are at least 7 basic grammatical errors on the sheet. Unsatisfactory!
Did not involve the audience.
Wonderful!
Now I understand that I’m the type to diminish the good and amplify the bad but, that’s a me thing. My point here is that there is no grey in these comments. Some love what you do, some don’t. Some don’t mind you but hate the topic or content. So all you can do is take their comments in stride, learn from them, and move on. I really appreciate anyone that is willing to comment, both good and bad on my talks, it can make me and you better as speakers.
I’m going to go check my speaker info sheet now.

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Mark McSpadden
November 6th, 2008
Brad,
I think “no grey” is exactly what you should be going for in a presentation. Everybody has seen and heard grey and if yours was grey then it would be forgotten before the start of the next session.
I have a friend who painted her kitchen purple…like super duper purple. She LOVES it. I think it’s horrible. Regardless, her kitchen is the only one that I could actually tell you what color it is.
Also, I was wondering if any of the BizFairies appeared at the end of comment #4.
Brad
November 6th, 2008
Solid point. Comments like, “It was okay.” or “Good” don’t do much for anybody.
Goes back to Seth Godin’s being remarkable.
Thanks Mark