Effective Presentation Skills

Why Presentation Skills Training?

To structure your presentation to deliver your key messages To hide visible signs of nerves To maximize voice projection to create impact To Develop powerful body language To design and use visual aids to support your message To deliver effective presentations What not to do while presenting?

Definition & Importance of Presentation

“A structured , prepared and speech-based means of communicatinginformation, ideas, or arguments to a group of interested people in orderto inform or persuade them”

To inform, inspire, entertain, demonstrate ,prove and to persuade, that isan objective of a good presentation

Objective Of Presentation

The single most important observation is that the objective of communication isNot the transmission but the reception. The whole preparation, presentationand content of a speech must therefore be geared not to the speaker but to theaudience

The main problem with this objective is, of course, the people to whom you aretalking.

The Plan

It is difficult to over estimate the importance of careful preparation. Five minutesOn the floor in front of senior management could decide the acceptance orrejection of a proposal.

As a rule of thumb for an average presentation, no less than half an hourshould be spent in preparation for 5 minutes of talking Suppose you have a talk to give, where do you start?

The Plan

Formulate Your Objectives

The starting point in planning any speech is to formulate a precise objective.This should take the form of a simple, concise statement of intent. Focus is key.If you do not focus upon your objective, it is unlikely that the audience will.

Identify the Audience

The next task is to consider the audience to determine how best to achieveyour objectives in the context of these people. Essentially this is done byidentifying. Their aims and objectives while attending your presentation.

The Plan

Structure

All speeches should have a definite structure or format; a talk without a structure is a woolly mess. If you do not order your thoughts into a structuredmanner, the audience will not be able to follow them. Sequential Argument

One of the simplest structures is that of sequential argument which consists of a series of linked statements ultimately leading to a conclusion. However, thissimplicity can only be achieved by careful and deliberate delineation betweeneach section.

The Plan

Pyramid

There are two main advantages to this style for presentations. Firstly, it canIncrease the audiences receptiveness to the main ideas. The secondadvantage is that the duration of the talk can be easily altered by cutting thetalk.

The Meaty Sandwich

The simplest and most direct format remains the meaty sandwich. This is theSimple beginning-middle-end format in which the main meat of the exposition isContained in the middle and is proceeded by an introduction and followed by asummary and conclusion

Structuring the Presentation

Beginning

"Tell them what you are going to tell them“

Getting attention

Statement of theme

Building rapport

Audience needs

Structuring the Presentation

Middle

“Tell them"

Points to be made

Support material, examples, references, visual aids

Possible audience objections/queries

Structuring the Presentation

End"Tell them what you’ve told them"

Reiterate the theme

Summary of points

The Delivery

Whatever you say and whatever you show; it is you, yourself which will remainthe focus of the audience's attention. There are five key facets of the humanbody which deserve attention in presentation skills:

The Eyes

The Voice

Expression

The Body

Body Language

Do not stand in front of the screen when the projector is on “SMILE” Dress for success Knees unlocked, head up and shoulders released down Make eye contact Breathe and relax Do not lock your arms Move Connect with an audience Close positively

What to wear...

The 'must' rules Look at the whole picture and check every element of your appearance,starting at your head and ending at your feet.

Hair Style

Make Up

The outfit

The Three (3) Presentation Essentials

Use Visual Aids where you can

use large , bold letters for headlines Not more than 2 different types of fonts in the presentation Arial, Comic Sans to be used than Times New Roman Charts, Graphs, pictures, etc to be used Transition effects: Blinds, Boxes, Checkerboards, Dissolves & Wipes Props: Toolbox, notepads, clock

The Three (3) Presentation Essentials

Rehearse , Rehearse, Rehearse“If you fail to prepare, you are prepared to fail”

Rehearse against the clock Plan to rehearse your presentation out loud at least 4 times Memorize your script Video or tape record yourself

The Three (3) Presentation Essentials

The Rule of Three

We remember three things There are three parts to the presentation Less is more

Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking

9 P's: “Prior Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance of the Person Putting on the

Presentation”.

Know the room Know Your Material Learn How to Relax Visualize Yourself Speaking Concentrate on Your Message Use involvement techniques (participation) Learn participants' names and use them Establish your credibility early by stating your experience, qualifications, successes etc Use eye contact to establish rapport Obtain information about the audience in advance Manage your appearance (dress comfortably and appropriately) Use your own style (don't imitate someone else) Introduce yourself to the group in advance (via a social context)

12 telltale signs that Audience is not Listening

Start to look down Touch or rub the face, hand or hair Eyes glaze over and look at the screen Fidget Yawn Flip through their notes Make copious notes Sigh heavily Lie back in the chair and cross their arms Scan across the room Whisper Tap their feet

Tips and Techniques for EffectivePresentation Skills

Tips and Techniques for Effective Presentation Skills

Maintain good eye contact Taking a stand Vary your speaking volume Use pauses Do not read your presentation Give handouts Prepare and be confident Use props, stories, questions, clips, examples etc

Tips and Techniques

For Delivery

• If you have handouts, do not read straight from them

• Do not put both hands in your pockets for long periods of time

• Speak to the audience…NOT to the visual aids

• Speak clearly and loudly enough for all to hear

• Learn the name of each participant as quickly as possible

• Circulate around the room as you speak

• List and discuss your objectives at the beginning of the presentation

• Get to the presentation before your audience arrives; be the last one to leave

Presentation Planning Checklist

Pre – Presentation Check

• Check the audience seating arrangement. If it is unacceptable to you, modify it to suit your needs

• Check the podium or stage. Decide how you are going to arrange your workspace

to make your talk run smoothly

• Visualize your self speaking & make sure you know all your participants name

• If you plan to use the chalkboard at any point, make sure chalk and erasers are available

Cont…..

Presentation

Does your introduction grab participant’s attention and explain your objectives? Do you follow this by clearly defining the points of the presentation? Do the main points need support from visual aids? Is the conclusion strong? Have your tied the conclusion to the introduction?

Delivery

Are you knowledgeable about the topic covered in your presentation? Do you have your notes in order ?

Appearance

• Make sure you are dressed and groomed appropriately and in keeping with the audience’s expectations

• Practice your speech standing (or sitting, if applicable), paying close attention to your body language, even your posture, both of which will be assessed by the audience.

Visual Aids

• Are the visual aids easy to read and easy to understand? • Are they tied into the points you are trying to communicate? • Can they be easily seen from all areas of the room?