Effective Presentations SkillsAmerican India Foundation TrustSeptember 5, 2006Inderjit Sidhu

Agenda IntroductionPlanning Your PresentationThe Presentation SequenceCreating Effective Visual Aidsresentation TechniquesPractice

Great speakers arent born, they are trained.Presenting is a SkillDeveloped through experienceand training.

#1 FearFeared More Than Death!THE FACTS: Shaky hands, blushing cheeks, memory loss, nausea, and knocking kneesNORMAL!

Causes of the AnxietyFear of the Unknown OR Loss of ControlFight or Flight ModeNo Backup PlanNo Enthusiasm For SubjectFocus of Attention

Definitions PresentationSomething set forth to an audience for the attention of the mind

Effectiveproducing a desired result

Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com

Effective PresentationsControl Anxiety Dont Fight ItAudience CenteredAccomplishes ObjectiveFun For AudienceFun For YouConducted Within Time Frame

Why Give A Presentation?Two Main PurposesInformPersuadeEducate

Part 2:Planning Your Presentation

Planning Your PresentationDetermine PurposeAssess Your AudienceSuccess depends on your ability to reach your audience.SizeDemographicsKnowledge LevelMotivation

Planning A PresentationPlan SpaceNumber of SeatsSeating ArrangementAudio/Visual EquipmentDistractersWhat Day and Time?Any Day!Morning

More Planning OrganizationDetermine Main Points (2-5)EvidenceTransitionsPrepare Outline

Organizing Your PresentationOrganizational PatternsTopicalChronological Problem/SolutionCause/Effect

Presentation OutlineKeyword RemindersConversational FlowFlexibility More Responsive to Audience

Part 3:The Presentation Sequence

#1: Build Rapport relation marked by harmony or affinity Audience members who trust you and feel that you careStart Before You BeginMingle; Learn NamesOpportunity to reinforce or correct audience assessmentGood First ImpressionPeople Listen To People They Like

#2: Opening Your Presentation Introduce Yourself Why Should They ListenGet Attention, Build More Rapport, Introduce TopicHumorShort StoryStarling StatisticMake Audience ThinkInvite ParticipationGet Audience Response

#2Completing the Opening Clearly Defining TopicIf InformativeClear parameters for content within timeIf PersuasiveWhats the problemWho caresWhats the solutionOverview

#3: Presenting MainPoints (Solution) Main Point-Transition-Main Point-Transition-MainPoint..Supporting EvidenceExamplesFeedback & Questions From AudienceAttention to, and Focus on, Audience (Listening)

#4: Concluding Your Presentation GoalInform audience that youre about to closeSummarize main pointsSomething to remember or call-to-actionAnswer questionsTell em What You Told em.

Part 4: EffectivePresentation Techniques

Presentation Style3 ElementsVocal TechniquesLoudnessPitchRatePauseDeviations From the Norm for Emphasis

Presentation Style (cont)3 ElementsBody Language Eye Contact, Gestures, Posture

Use of SpaceCan Everyone See You?Movement

Common ProblemsVerbal fillersUm, uh, likeAny unrelated word or phraseSwaying, rocking, and pacingHands in pocketsLip smackingFidgetingFailure to be audience-centered

5 Presentation TipsSmileBreatheWaterNotesFinish On Or Under Time

Part 5:Creating Effective Visual Aids

Visual AidsEnhance UnderstandingAdd VarietySupport ClaimsLasting Impact

Used PoorlyA DistractionIneffective Presentation

Visual Aids - ExamplesPowerPoint SlidesOverhead TransGraphs/ChartsPicturesFilms/VideoFlip ChartsSketches

Visual Aids ShouldSupplement presentationOutline of main pointsServe audiences needs, not speakersSimple and clear

Main Point 1: The Purpose of Using Visual AidsVisual aids support your ideas and improve audience comprehension of your presentationVisual aids add variety to your presentation by giving the audience a break from listening and letting the see somethingVisual aids help illustrate complex ideas or concepts and are helpful in reinforcing your ideas

Visual AidsImprove comprehensionAdd varietyIllustrate complex ideas

Be VisibleTitles should be 38-44 pt. font sizeText should be 28 pt font sizeUse color wiselyContrasting colors