IN THIS ISSUE:

Nine Steps to Effective Presentations

GAIN AN EDGE
WOMEN IN ICT
CLIFTONS ART COMPETITION
AIIA'S COMMENTS - 2020 SUMMIT
CONNECT WITH CLIFTONS

Contributed by Tim Kirkman, RogenSi

We can all speak in public; we can all present... but how can we put clear blue water between us and the opposition? These nine steps will give you the edge in creating a powerful presentation:

Step 1 - Audience analysis

GAIN AN EDGE –
GET ORACLE CERTIFIED

Spend as much time researching the decision makers and their key influencers and thinking about what is in their heads and hearts.  Who are they? What experience values have they had on this subject? To what degree do we need to educate, before we persuade? Do they know us, or not?

Contributed by Ben Baljic
Oracle University

Step 2 - Set Objectives

What do I want my audience to do as a result of attending this presentation? What is realistically achievable and what is not?

Step 3 - Collect Information

Do we have the right amount of the right kind of evidence needed to convince the decision makers?

Step 4 - Choose the structure

In this highly competitive world, employees are major assets for organisations. Many organisations are increasingly looking for value added employees with different skills to give them an edge in the market place.  

Upskilling is vital in this challenging market place, though many organisations are placing importance on staff training in different skills. This approach is limited and not generally available for all staff.

Question yourself - are you interested in:

Distinguishing yourself from your peers?

Increasing your salary or billing rates?

Building your career?

Increase your earning potential?

If you answered yes for any of the above questions, one of the effective ways to realise that goal is to get certified.

Every presentation needs introductory remarks, a creative opening, an agenda, subject matter, a summary and a conclusion.

Step 5 - Visual Aids

PowerPoint is only one visual aid. Think about boards, charts, hand-held items, people.

Step 6 - Read Through

Once you have the structure filled with subject matter, read it to yourself out loud. Ask yourself "So what?" from the perspective of the audience/decision-maker.

Step 7 - Rehearse

Rehearse everything, not just the words you want to say but how to say them, pauses, tone, pitch, volume.

Step 8 - Present

Encourage feedback as you go; build rapport.

Step 9 - Review

Win or lose… request a meeting and survey each audience member.

ABOUT ROGENSI

RogenSi is the global consultancy for exceptional performance with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, San Francisco, New York, Toronto, Dubai, Paris, London and Dublin.

Why Certify?

Training programs are regularly held in capital cities across Australia and New Zealand. For more information on how RogenSi bring these nine steps to life and information on our complete offering, please call us on 1800 797 447 or visit our website http://www.rogensi.com.  

In this competitive world, employers are always looking for ways to distinguish between both current and prospective employees.  Oracle Certification provides one of the ways to distinction by establishing a standard for competence and credibility that is recognised throughout the IT industry.

WOMEN IN ICT

HOW TO GET ORACLE CERTIFIED

Contributed by Maggie Alexander, FITT

Oracle University and Lansen Consulting have partnered through the Workforce Development Program to offer authorised Oracle training to ready prospective students for Oracle Certification. The Workforce Development Program is a unique program, allowing students to attend classes during weekends. The structure of courses is designed for working professionals who strive to set themselves apart from the competition.

Did you know that women comprise less than 20% of the workforce in the Information Communications and Technology (ICT) industry? Also that enrolments of women in ICT-related education and training courses at university and TAFE are at an all-time low. This means the numbers of women working in ICT will decline at a time when the industry faces a skills shortage. Unless we do something to help!

BENEFITS OF WDP PROGRAM

That's what Females in Information Technology and Telecommunications (FITT) does. It’s a network for women run by a volunteer Steering Committee and supported by the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA).

FITT helps women in ICT by running programs and activities to help bring them into the industry and retain them there. Through networking, support and training activities provided by FITT, women can advance their careers and reach their potential. There are over 1350 women belonging to FITT, 90% of them from NSW. They belong because they feel part of the industry every time they attend one of our regularly scheduled networking events and they get access to the kind of training and development they need.

FITT helps employers by providing their female staff with networking opportunities for business relationship building. FITT also provides cost-effective upskilling opportunities as well as structured support programs such as mentoring, specially designed for women.

Employers have the opportunity to demonstrate what good organisations they are to work for by speaking at and sponsoring FITT events. In a job market where there is a shortage of good candidates, this can help influence women to come and work for them.

• Oracle Authorised Training by Certified and
  Industry experienced professionals as
  Instructors
• Trainings only on Weekends
• 40% discount on Oracle Certification Exams
• 50% discount on Self Test Software
• Free software and support for WDP member
  classrooms for membership year
• Free Subscription to Oracle Magazine
• Student Guides from Oracle University

ABOUT lansen consulting

There are some great programs for members and their guests running in May and June:

• A terrific networking opportunity at the May Forum Luncheon on Wednesday 21 May 2008 to meet with Patricia Scott (Secretary of the Federal Department of Broadband, Communications & the Digital Economy) and senior industry executives. It will be held at the Star Room in the IMAX theatre, right next to the Convention Centre where CeBIT 2008 is being held and FITT members and their guests can attend the CeBIT Exhibition free of charge.

• An exclusive Breakfast Briefing on ICT Strategic Outsourcing on Monday 16 June 2008 with senior VP at Gartner, Linda Cohen, held at Cliftons in Sydney.

• A Skills Development program, running over three months, designed for women working in ICT including:

- Workplace Skills Development & Profiling with DiSC
- Influencing Skills
- Managing Conflict Skills
- Building World Class Relationships Skills
- Presentation Skills

Lansen Consulting is an Australian Oracle services provider. Incorporated by a dedicated team of Oracle Database Administrators, Lansen Consulting’s primary focus is provision of high quality Database Support & Training Services with the experience of highly qualified instructors, all with indepth, real time knowledge.

Oracle WDP is an attractive medium for the individuals where the training program is leisurely-paced and would not require them to compromise on there normal working hours.

PROGRAMS OFFERED:

Oracle 10g OCP DBA

ABOUT Females in Information Technology and Telecommunications (FITT)

Oracle Database SQL Certified Expert

Application Server OCP

For more information about all these programs and to book, go to http://www.fitt.org.au/events.html,  email events@fitt.org.au or phone (02) 9878 4246.

Data warehousing

Oracle PL/SQL Developer

Oracle 10g Developer

R12 Financials (GL & AP & AR)

Oracle Java Programming

CLIFTONS ART COMPETITION

Oracle: Build J2EE Applications

Call (02) 9929 7995, email info@lansen.com.au or visit www.lansen.com.au for further information.

In 2008 Cliftons is working with major tertiary art schools in capital cities across the Asia Pacific to deliver an exciting program aimed at showcasing up and coming talent in the field of painting. Art students will create pieces to be hung in Cliftons facilities across the country, culminating in special events at each of Cliftons venues where clients will vote for the piece that engages them most. The winning student in each city will have their work purchased and hung in that city’s facility, forming part of an ongoing 'Cliftons Art Collection'.

QUICK LINKS

Cliftons Homepage

Importantly, Cliftons many corporate clients will be encouraged to consider adding remaining pieces to their own collections in a spirit of encouraging a new generation of Australian artists.

In June and July this year we will be holding cocktail evenings at each of our facilities, and invite you all to come along and help judge the works of art.  The winning piece in each city will be purchased and hung in that city’s facility, forming part of an ongoing 'Cliftons Art Collection'.  The dates for the Awards Cocktail Events are:

Virtual Tour

Book Online

Case Studies

Information Request

Previous eNewsletters

Contact Cliftons

COMMENTS FROM AUSTRALIA'S 2020 SUMMIT

Contirbuted by AIIA Deputy Chair,
Glen Boreham

Over the last 18 months, I have spoken frequently about the need for Australia to build strong knowledge infrastructure - world class broadband, enabling devices and education. This will radically advance the Australian economy by allowing us to overcome the tyranny of distance and compete on the global stage. It will remove barriers to our currently untapped labour force, providing access to people in rural locations, women and others requiring flexibility, people with disabilities and those who do not fit the traditional work model.

I was very encouraged at the 2020 Summit that this need was agreed amongst many groups, including the economy stream, in which I was a participant. I believe the use of technology will improve the quality of life in Australia and make us more competitive. The 2020 Summit reinforced my belief that Australia is a great place for us to live... and the future holds incredible potential.

Glen Boreham
AIIA Deputy Chair
Managing Director and CEO, IBM Australia and New Zealand

Click here to RSVP to any of the above-mentioned events, or view the invitation here.

CONNECT WITH CLIFTONS AT THESE UPCOMING EVENTS

CeBIT Australia
Date: 20^th – 22^nd May 2008
Location: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre
Details: http://www.cebit.com.au

AHRI National Convention
Date: 20^th – 22^nd May 2008
Location: Melbourne Convention Centre
Details: http://www.convention.ahri.com.au

AIIA’s iAwards Gala Dinner
Date: 28^th May 2008
Location: Crown Casino, Melbourne
Details: http://www.iawards.com.au

Cliftons Art Competition Award Cocktail Events
Click here for the date in your city

2^nd  Annual Technology & Innovation – the Future of Banking & Financial Services Conference
Date: 4^th June 2008
Location: Sofitel Hotel, Melbourne
Details: http://www.fst.net.au

CommunicAsia 2008
Date: 17^th – 20^th June 2008
Location: Singapore Expo
Details: http://www.communicasia.com

2008 New Zealand CIO Summit
Date: 22^nd – 23^rd July 2008
Location: Hyatt Regency, Auckland
Details: http://www.brightstar.co.nz/nz/cio-summit-2008.html

ABOUT AIIA

AIIA is the leading national body representing the information and communications technology (ICT) industry in Australia. With 450 member companies right across the country, from every sector of the industry and representing every size of company, AIIA is truly the ICT industry's association of choice.

www.aiia.com.au