12
TIPS FOR PRESENTERS NACS Education - CAMEX 2020
TIPS FOR PRESENTERS NACS Education - CAMEX 2020
2
We are grateful for your willingness to be a volunteer presenter this year.
------------------------
The purpose of this guide is to share best practices and tips. Please take time to read it completely. Your understanding and application of these principles will impact the success of the education conference.
------------------------
CONTENTS:
DEVELOP CONTENT WITH PURPOSE 3
KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE AND HOW THEY LEARN 3
REACH THE CAMEX AUDIENCE 4
CHOOSE VISUAL AIDS WISELY 5
MANAGE YOUR TIME WELL 8
PREPARE RELEVANT HANDOUTS 9
EXPECTATIONS FOR LEAD PRESENTER AND CO-PRESENTERS/PANELISTS 10
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM NACS EDUCATION TEAM 11
WHO TO CONTACT 12
3
DEVELOP CONTENT WITH PURPOSE - - - - X ➔ Know your stuff and develop a logical sequence of points. ➔ Refer to the session title and description to stay on track and
meet your learning objectives. ➔ Focus on one idea at a time. ➔ Use terms the audience will understand, or take time to define
the terms you use. ➔ Consider how content may differ for differently-sized stores. ➔ Identify “real world” examples to clarify or emphasize a point. ➔ Consider the amount of material in the allotted time slot. Some
content should be condensed or summarized with an image. ➔ Choose facts and/or data from reputable and relevant sources. Use
charts or graphs sparingly. Be sure to credit the source. ➔ Integrate and support content with audio, visual and/or physical
aids (i.e. song clips, video, images, handouts).
KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE AND HOW THEY LEARN - - - - X Adult learners come with a desire to actively participate and interact with others who may share similar interests. They choose to attend your session because the topic is of personal interest or importance, they want to gain more expertise, and/or they seek new insight on addressing current issues and challenges. Adult learners expect to take solutions back to the job, so provide them with resource materials, ideas, and solutions as you deliver your topic.
Design your session to include engagement opportunities and encourage attendees to share their professional experiences. Include at least 15 minutes of audience participation in your session because “experience” is the richest resource for adult learning.
4
How can you incorporate active learning experiences?
➔ Think about attitude, skills and knowledge. Which are you trying to accomplish? Do you want attendees to have a different opinion about an issue (a change in attitude)? Do you want them to be able to do something different (learn new skills)? Or do you want them to gain new information (attain knowledge)?
➔ What should attendees take away from your presentation? Enrich your learning objectives by including engagement activities they will remember.
➔ Add various types of learning activities: full group learning, prompting questions, table discussions/peer learning, etc.
Plan content around attendees’ needs. Do not make excuses, don’t apologize and above all, do not make a sales pitch. Instead, establish a non-threatening atmosphere; share with them (don’t preach at them). Capitalize on adult experiences. Recognize achievements of others in the industry and those in your audience.
REACH THE CAMEX AUDIENCE - - - - X All CAMEX attendees are adults, professionals and savvy individuals.
➔ Most are campus store buyers, directors, managers and administrators
➔ More than 65% are female ➔ Over 70% are ages 36-55 ➔ Almost half have 15+ years of experience in the field
They are open to learning new things and willing to engage with you. Allow time for participation and questions. Be creative, energetic and enjoy the experience! They will respond and appreciate it.
5
CHOOSE VISUAL AIDS WISELY - - - - X Visual aids help add variety to presentations . Yes, they can hold the audience’s attention and illustrate a point. And no, you should not rely on PowerPoint as your first or only choice.
Visual aids should act as prompts for the presenter and a way to illustrate your primary points. Think through the content in your presentation and determine the best way to use one or more visual aids. Props, images or music and video clips can make an impression. A flip chart can engage the audience and provide an intentional distraction from you as the speaker. All visual aids should reinforce and complement your message.
“ People who know what they’re talking about
don’t need PowerPoint. -Steve Jobs
”
6
Adults learn best through active and engaging experiences. Utilizing PowerPoint alone is the least likely method to accomplish that goal. However, if you choose it, please follow these important guidelines.
Develop a clear and consistent slide presentation.
➔ Select a simple theme or background template ◆ Avoid patterns or other potentially distracting elements
➔ Be consistent with slide components: ◆ Font size should be 28pt or larger ◆ Avoid using red or green text (it’s hard to read on screen) ◆ Empty space is good! It will enhance readability ◆ Avoid flashy transitions or animations
➔ Limit the number of words on each slide ◆ “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Keep the audience’s
attention with pictures rather than endless bullets. ◆ Use key phrases or essential information only ◆ Remember: slide content is for the audience, not the speaker ◆ Limit punctuation and avoid using ALL CAPS
➔ Select high-quality images that will maintain their resolution when projected on a larger screen
See visual examples below for designing strong presentation slides. Also, a CAMEX PowerPoint Template is available for your convenience.
Prepare an effective delivery of your slide presentation.
➔ Practice, practice, practice. ➔ Plan for one slide per minute. Be sure you know how long your
presentation will run and make adjustments as needed. ➔ Use a presentation clicker and know how to change slides easily,
including to move forward and backward. ➔ DO NOT READ FROM YOUR SLIDES. Use an outline or other means for
your notes. Slides should act as prompts only.
7
————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Source: “Design a Good PowerPoint Slide” at slidecow.com
Need additional help? NACS Education will review your slides and provide tips and recommendations for improvement. Send to [email protected] at least 3-4 weeks in advance of the conference.
8
MANAGE YOUR TIME WELL - - - - X Effectively deliver your message within the time allotted. Please respect the session time and your audience by not causing them to miss breaks/another session or be forced to leave before your presentation is finished. Plan ahead and allow for interruptions or delays.
➔ Decide on your “talking time.” Know how much you want to say, plan your content and edit as necessary. Allow adequate time for visual aids, Q&A, facilitating panelists, etc.
➔ Write out a timed schedule: 11:15 Opening, 11:20 Part 1, etc. During your presentation, these targets will help you see whether you are keeping time and where you can adjust as needed.
➔ Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. Unless you’re an experienced speaker, you may not be able to accurately gauge how much content will fit within the time. Practice and edit if necessary.
➔ Identify a timekeeper. Use your phone’s countdown timer or ask a co-presenter or audience member to signal you at a certain time.
➔ Prepare to adapt. Even with advance preparations, you may still run out of time. Plan ahead (skip slides, drop an illustration, etc.) so you are ready if something happens beyond your control.
It is your responsibility to finish within the session time frame. Create an engaging presentation, captivate your audience, answer questions, close on a positive note and end on time.
“ The bad news is
time flies.
The good news is you’re the pilot.
-Michael Altshuler
”
9
PREPARE RELEVANT HANDOUTS - - - - X A succinct, one-page summary of your primary points will help attendees remember your content when they review it at a later date. This summary should clearly answer questions like “What are the steps I should follow?” or “What are the most important things learned?”
Consider these tips as you create your relevant handout (or use the CAMEX Handout Template available for your convenience):
➔ Share takeaway reminders of the concepts in your presentation. ➔ Leave some white space so attendees can jot down notes. ➔ Do not print out your PowerPoint. If your slides have enough info
on them to be a handout, you have too much info on your slides. ➔ Cite references and/or give additional resources, if applicable. ➔ Add your contact information. ➔ If you plan to hand them out during your session, bring
approximately 50-75 copies with you.
**IMPORTANT** Handouts will be available online beginning February 7, 2020. Attendees must login or use the CAMEX app to access the downloads. ➔ Email your handout to [email protected] before January 31, 2020
so we can add them to the accessible page online.
“ I don’t sen� people my slides.
Withou� m� , you wouldn’t have any idea what they mea� . I am your guid� .
-Seth Godin
”
10
EXPECTATIONS FOR LEAD PRESENTER AND CO-PRESENTERS/PANELISTS - - - - X The LEAD PRESENTER is responsible for achieving excellence in the session, for communicating with all panelists or co-presenters, and for communicating to NACS Education the needs surrounding the session.
➔ Meet deadlines communicated by NACS Staff for submitting and/or reviewing session information.
➔ Coordinate with co-presenters or panelists and ensuring they are familiar with their responsibilities.
➔ Arrive on-site approx. 10 minutes prior to session starting time to set up equipment, meet the session host and communicate any changes in presenter or A/V needs.
➔ Set the tone of the session with enthusiasm and energy. ➔ Be professional. ➔ Be sensitive to others’ feelings and refrain from any humor or
language that may be offensive. ➔ Stay within the allotted session time. ➔ Remind audience to fill out the evaluation survey in the app.
CO-PRESENTERS/PANELISTS are responsible for preparing and presenting segments of the session as assigned by the Lead Presenter.
➔ Arrive on-site approx. 10 minutes prior to session starting time. ➔ Keep within the limitations of the time allotted to you. ➔ Be professional. ➔ Be sensitive to others’ feelings and refrain from any humor or
language that may be offensive. ➔ Listen carefully to any questions posed by the audience, and
answer them as briefly and concisely as possible. ➔ Stay energized and enthusiastic throughout the session.
11
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM NACS EDUCATION TEAM - - - - X The NACS Education Team is responsible to ensure everything you have indicated as a need for your session will be available on-site.
Prior to CAMEX you can:
➔ Look for frequent communications regarding deadlines, session requirements, handouts, etc.
➔ Ask questions for support, information, content development, scheduling, or other advice and clarification.
➔ Support CAMEX marketing resources that promote educational initiatives and are sent to members of the industry via preview guides, e-newsletters, emails, social media and final programs.
During CAMEX:
➔ A “Session Host” will be available to make sure identification signage is correct, room setup and A/V is as previously specified, and attendees are in the proper session.
➔ NACS Staff will be onsite to assist presenters and troubleshoot any potential issues.
After CAMEX:
➔ Your handouts or other session materials will be posted on the CAMEX website for attendees’ convenience.
➔ Your session evaluation results will be sent with a “thank-you” communication to your email.
➔ NACS Staff will include a complete education/sessions report to the CAMEX team to help plan for next year.
12
WHO TO CONTACT - - - - X NACS Education Team:
Jeff Nelson VP Industry Collaboration & Development [email protected] (800) 622-7498 x1714 Ashley Gordon Consultant, NACS Education [email protected] (334) 546-0710 Robb Faust Manager, NACS Education [email protected] (800) 622-7498 x2270
General Email [email protected]
Additional sources: “10 Tips on Becoming a Better Presenter” 7/10/2019 at lifewire.com
“Tips for Presentation Handouts” 7/24/2013 at virtualspeechcoach.com “How To Keep Time During Your Presentation” at speakingaboutpresenting.com “Presentation Timing: 5 Tips to Stay On Time and Avoid Audience Wrath” 12/2/2012 at sixminutes.dlugan.com
