Young Modellers’ Forum 2000 Guide to Presentation Skills David Manallack December 1 st 2000

Outline l Why? l Image l Essential Presentation Skills l Nerves l Structure of a Presentation l Questions l Visual and Presentation Aids l Others + summary

Image l First impressions count (remember the interview analogy) l Smart dress (should suit the meeting) –no Dilbert ties –no visible pens –no badges (i.e. want audience to focus on the speaker) l Think about image in terms of ‘will it detract from what I’m saying?’

Essential Presentation Skills l Volume (no monotones) and variation l Speed l Emphasis l Use pauses (no umms or errs) l Speak clearly, and explain clearly l Direct peoples eyes l No typographicol errors (Hawkeye is out there)

Essential Presentation Skills - 2 l Smile (with sincerity) l Eye contact l Use hands (as a visual aid, not a windmill) l Move around (if appropriate). Don’t dance l Keep to time l Be enthusiastic

Nerves l Use them to your advantage (control them) l Prepare, Prepare, Prepare, read, read, read l Use discrete notes [wean yourself over time] l The audience is willing you on l Don’t panic if your lose your place. 2 seconds to the audience may seem like a minute to you. (The audience is forgiving)

Nerves - 2 l Practice (not too many times) [keep your edge] l No booze, take deep breaths before you begin l Develop mental relaxation techniques l Volunteer to give talks

Structure of a Presentation l Beginning –possibly have an attention grabber (“quote”) –set the scene l Middle –what do I want to get across –logical sequence l End –summarise key points –conclude (i.e. what it means and what happens next) –possible return to attention grabber

Questions l Know your stuff l If you don’t know –ask them to repeat (time thing) –rephrase it back (time thing) –be honest –delegate l Tense situations - take it out of the room l Anticipate questions and prepare accordingly

Visual and Presentation Aids l Where will I stand (can audience see?) l Rehearse with actual transparencies / slides / PowerPoint and an audience l Revolver - 6 bullets/slide (i.e. not too busy) Possibly use reveal method if appropriate. l Use walk around microphone l Consider props l Wow them with technology (movies/WWW etc)

Others Points + Summary l No click pens or coins l Two hands for lasers l Choose a champion l Practice and read l Go on a course l One more to make 6 bullets