PRESENTATION SKILLS SKILLS
Three Rules Keep it short and simple Don’t worry about repeating yourself Practice makes perfect
The 4 P approach P Plan P Prepare P Practice P Present
Plan Purpose of presentation? Audience? Audio-visual aids?
Purpose Define your aim Set your objectives Think of your audience It’s not about me, it’s about them
What is the aim? To convince the audience to buy my product to adopt my recommendations to join the club to give me a job
Audience Who are they? Prior knowledge How will you get their attention?
Attention level
Who am I speaking to? What are the benefits to the audience of my product/report/speech? Are these people the decision makers? What do they know of the subject? How does this change my approach? What sort of questions will they ask me? What are the answers? What aspects will they be interested in?
Improving attention Variations in stimulation Change of activity Include breaks Audience participation Enthusiasm You can’t not communicate!
Audio-visual aids Flipchart OHP transparencies 35 mm slides PowerPoint Video Audio Props
Summary - Plan Clearly define: Why you are doing it Know your audience What you want to achieve
Prepare Content Structure Slide design
Content Objective Key points Supporting material Transitions Summary and close Opening
Structure of talk Beginning Middle End
Keep It Short and Simple
Benefits of good structure Keep attention Help understanding Make a memorable message
First slide? Title of presentation Who you are Attention grabber
Beginning Beginning Purpose of your talk Identify key issues Provide a map of your talk Tell them what you are going to say
Middle Why the work was done? How was it done? What was found? What it means? Tell them
Don’t worry about repeating yourself
End Clear summary of main points Take home message Finish decisively Tell them what you said
Slide design Keep each slide simple and brief About 6 words per line About 6 lines per slide Be consistent How many slides?
Colour Easy on the eye, easy to read A little is good, too much is distracting
Text Informal and friendly style Size - use the slide space Title - size 60 Main text - size 36
Figures
Tables
Visuals - images Never use Clipart Quality reproduction Context A picture paints a thousand words
Summary - Prepare Keep it short and simple Clear logical structure Use visual aids only to add value
Practice makes perfect
Communication Verbal Vocal Visual
Practice Vocal clarity Timing Transitions Body posture and image Using audio-visual aids Beginning and end
Practice notes No notes at all Use your visual aids Written script Prompt cards
How to rehearse Be serious Talk to yourself Audio recording Video recording In front of colleagues
Summary - Practice Practice, practice, practice Get constructive feedback “It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech” Mark Twain “Chance favours only the prepared mind” Louis Pasteur
Present BeforePreparation During7 steps to success AfterDealing with questions
Before your talk Arrive early Meet the chairman Check equipment Final preparation on stage
7 steps to success Good start Mood Voice Body Aids Timing Good ending
A good start Be confident Be enthusiastic Grab their attention
Voice Be audible Variety Pace Pitch Volume Do not rush – slow down
Body Positioning Hands Mannerisms Eye contact Speak to your audience Touch, turn, talk
A good ending Clear and concise ending Take home message Not with a whimper but a bang
Why are questions asked? To humiliate Seek the limelight Obtain additional information Clarify doubts Support the speaker Express interest Express another point of view
Three don’ts Don’t defend Don’t debate Don’t disparage
Dealing with questions Prepare and rehearse your reply Listen - take notes Concise and clear response Keep calm Be honest
Summary - Present Keep calm Speak to your audience not at them Signpost throughout
Reflect Reflect Return to the experience Attend to feelings Re-evaluate the experience What are you doing right? What areas need attention? How can you improve?