CAN YOU HEAR

ME NOW?

Public Speaking and the

Power of Words

MEET YOUR PANELISTS

Brian Olds Internal Diversity

ConsultantAerotek

Tes Akpovi Program Manager

Northrop Grumman

Michael Johnson Manager, Field

Engineering Northrop Grumman

OUR ROAD MAP

• Explore tools for Organizing Material

• Explore techniques for presenting Technical Information

• Discuss tips on how to deliver and design a Short Presentation

• Provide techniques to Conquer Fear

• Deliver best practices for Visual Aids

• Q&A Session (Think about Questions)

MY FIRST PRESENTATION

CLARIFY YOUR MESSAGE

What is your

audience trying to

gain (pleasure)?

OR

What do they want

to avoid (Pain)?

CREATE COMPELLING CONTENT

Persuade Entertain

Inform Inspire

BEST PRACTICES FOR VISUAL

AIDS

Tes Akpovi Program Manager

Northrop Grumman

1. Enhance Understanding

2. Increase Interest

3. Support Statements

more likely to retain the message

VISUAL AIDSVisual Aids Improve Audience Engagement & Comprehension

Creating Effective Visual Aids, Middle East Technology University, Ankara, Turkey

VISUAL AIDSMore than One Type of Visual Aid

In PowerPoint . . .

• Videos

• Photographs

• Graphs or Charts

Other than PowerPoint . . .

• Objects

• Handouts

• Posters

Creating Effective Visual Aids, Middle East Technology University, Ankara, Turkey

VISUAL AIDSDon’t Let Visual Aids Get in the Way

Avoid using visual aids that

• Overwhelm

• Distract

• Confuse

• Weaken

Effective Presentations: The Visual Connection, UCLA School of Management, Dr.McCann (2013)

VISUAL AIDSKnow How to Incorporate Visual Aids in PowerPoint

• Use titles as the key message or conclusion for the chart

• Keep it simple & use pictures to drive home the key message

• Make the chart easy to read

• Use company or organization templates where appropriate

• Limit the use of animation and videos

Effective Presentations: The Visual Connection, UCLA School of Management, Dr.McCann (2013)

VISUAL AIDSSimplify Your Presentation & Articulate the Message Upfront

Data from www.best-selling-cars.com, 2014 International Worldwide Car Sales

VISUAL AIDSUse the Most Effective Visual Aid to Drive Home the Message

Data from National Action Council on Minorities in Engineering, Inc., African Americans in Engineering, Vol. 2 No.4 Aug. 2012

PRESENTING TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Michael Johnson Manager, Field

Engineering Northrop Grumman

PRESENTING TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Ask Yourself …….

1. Who? (Am I Presenting To)

– How “Technical” is the Audience?

2. What? (Am I Presenting)

– Establish a Clear & Concise Roadmap

3. Why? (Is This Important & Relevant)

– What is the Overall Takeaway?

PRESENTING TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Understand Your Audience’s Technical Competency

– How “Technical” is Your Audience?

• General STEM Audience (Technical in Another Field)

• Your Peers (Very Technical in Your Field)

• Direct Manager (Competency Varies)

• Executive Level (Less Technical / More Programmatic)

Always Consider Audience’s Technical Discipline and Level of Mastery When Presenting to “Speak Their Language”

PRESENTING TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Be Thorough

– Know Your Content

– Utilize Your Technical Vocabulary

– Label All Graphs, Figures & Tables

– Always Indicate Units for Numerical Data

– Provide a Takeaway for Content-Rich Slides

– Cite Sources of Data (When Applicable)

CONQUER FEAR

Brian Olds Internal Diversity

ConsultantAerotek

CONQUER FEAR

OVERCOME FEAR BEFORE

SPEAKING?1. Visualize yourself doing well

2. Good nights rest

3. Avoid excessive caffeine / dairy

4. Drink Room Temp water

5. Light Exercise / Stretching

6. Arrive Early / Preview the room

7. Talk with your audience prior to speaking

8. Practice – Practice - Practice

BEFORE WE WRAP UP…

CONCLUSION