I recently had the opportunity to take a look at a DVD aimed at the corporate market. This is a somewhat new venue for me as I’m used to reviewing movies, TV shows and documentaries. I had to wonder whether or not I would be the right guy to give his opinion on what amounts to being a teaching tool on how to make a presentation to high-level corporate executives. Granted, I’ve spent the last 12 years of my life working in the corporate world (obviously reviewing DVDs is only a sideline). During that time I’ve worked my way up and across the corporate ladder, and though I work in the corporate world, I am not of the corporate world.

I was concerned that my personal views of corporate America, which is highly cynical, would have to come into play when viewing this DVD. I’ve been present in many boardrooms as well as ‘bored’ rooms, and have even done my share of presentations. From what I’ve seen over the years, I tend to turn to Scott Adams’ “Dilbert” for real advice on how to deal with the day to day grind of the workplace. I have in the past felt that everything I needed to learn about management was all wrapped up in a single little handbook by Dogbert. In dealing with upper management, I have rarely met my match in terms of intelligence and common sense. It is for that reason that I choose to live just outside of corporate America.

That said, I decided to put my common sense to work when reviewing “Speaking to the Big Dogs: A Boardroom Survival Kit.” I realize just because I consider the corporate world to be a silly place, there are those who live to climb the ladder and need every advantage to do so. All I had to ask myself was whether or not the tips and tricks that are taught on this DVD made sense, and are they easy to follow.

The basic lessons in “Speaking to the Big Dogs: A Boardroom Survival Kit” are meant to show how to properly prepare for and make a presentation to upper-level management types. Typically if you find yourself having to do this, you’ll run into several obstacles, the most debilitating being lack of self-confidence. I’ve run across this several times myself, because no matter how smart I think I may be, having to stand up in front of people of power is still very difficult for me.

What liked about the lessons taught in “Speaking to the Big Dogs: A Boardroom Survival Kit” is that host Rick Gilbert doesn’t set it up as a straightforward class. What he does is interview 17 top-level executives, and breaks these interviews down to address each aspect of the lesson. He begins with an overview that sets you up for what you are about to learn, then takes off into the areas of Preparation, People, Presentation, Process, and finally the Human Connection. Gilbert himself comes across as a very knowledgeable guy, and his questions to these executives are very direct and well thought out.

Because of my ‘day job’, I had heard of several of the executives involved in this DVD, and found a lot of what they had to say to be quite interesting as well as enlightening. Most of them seemed pretty ‘down-to-Earth’, though there were a couple that I would hate to have to make a presentation in front of. The most important lesson that I think is addressed, is that no matter how powerful or demanding an audience might be, that audience is made up of people. People, who for the most part, are no different than you.

“Speaking to the Big Dogs: A Boardroom Survival Kit” is an extremely well-produced DVD, and is certainly worth its weight in gold for those working in the corporate world. I’m still in a position to have to make presentations from time to time, and I plan to take a lot of the advice given here and put it to good use. An added benefit is that the tips, tricks and techniques that are taught aren’t just valuable in the boardroom. Much of what I picked up by watching and listening I feel can be used in everyday situations, where you might find yourself having to get your point across.

Hosted by: Rick Gilbert
Specifications: Full Screen
Release Date: Available
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Speaking to the Big Dogs an A.