Essential Elements of Successful Presentations Maritza F. Garcia Professional Development Services Houston Independent School District

Introduction Purpose: Identify essential elements of effective presentations

First Element: Plan Know your audience –Knowledge –Experience –Needs –Expectations

Plan… Define your purpose –Inform? –Persuade? –Motivate? –Teach? –Train?

Second Element: Prepare Positive Mind –Validate your message –Expect success –Visualize a responsive audience

Prepare… Attention-getting Opening –Relevant question to audience –Sincere compliment –Relevant incident/current event –Energizer/ice breaker

Prepare… Key points illustration/support: DIETS strategy –Demonstration –Incidents –Exhibits –Testimonies/Quotes –Statistics/data

Prepare… Memorable Closing: TRUCD strategy –Throw a challenge –Restate key benefits –Use motivating Statement –Convincing summary –Dramatize ideas

Third Element: Practice Build Confidence: The 3 Es –You earned the privilege of this task –You are excited about the topic –You are eager to share your knowledge

Practice… Review your presentation, materials & visuals: CREAM strategy –Clear? –Relevant/Results? –Engaging –Appealing? –Memorable?

Fourth Element: Present First Impression Counts! –Eye-contact –Confident body language –Relaxed –Well groomed –Be prepared/organized

Present… Capture attention –Enthusiasm –Vivid words –Clear and concise language –A brief story –Pleasant voice –Body posture

Present… Build Rapport –Sincere –Genuine –Say “we” instead of “you” –Involve audience –Sensitive to audience needs

Present… Strive for Continuous Improvement –Measure your talk: (too much? Repetitive?) (too much? Repetitive?) –Areas of improvement: (Quality - not Quantity) (Quality - not Quantity) –Areas of Strengths

Closing: Golden Rules Avoid distractersAvoid distracters – excessive jewelry – make up – inappropriate dressing –Drinking water from large containers

Closing: Golden Rules… –Start on-time & finish before or on-time –Plan B –Flexible –Interact with participants –Smile

Reference Business Communications: A Cultural and Strategic Approach by Michael J Rouse and Sandra Rouse. Publisher: Int. Thomson Business Press; 1 edition (September 20, 2001)Business Communications: A Cultural and Strategic Approach by Michael J Rouse and Sandra Rouse. Publisher: Int. Thomson Business Press; 1 edition (September 20, 2001)Business Communications: A Cultural and Strategic ApproachBusiness Communications: A Cultural and Strategic Approach The Exceptional Presenter: A Proven Formula to Open Up and Own the Room by Timothy J. Koegel. Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press (May 1, 2007)The Exceptional Presenter: A Proven Formula to Open Up and Own the Room by Timothy J. Koegel. Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press (May 1, 2007)The Exceptional Presenter: A Proven Formula to Open Up and Own the RoomThe Exceptional Presenter: A Proven Formula to Open Up and Own the Room