Presentation Skills

For everything you wanted to know on building leadership and management, refer Shyam Bhatawdekar’s website: http://shyam.bhatawdekar.com

(Refer our High Quality Management Encyclopedia “Management Universe” at: http://management-universe.blogspot.com/)

It will be a good idea also to refer to:

(Training and Development) http://training-function.blogspot.com/,
(Trainers’ Qualities) http://trainers-qualities.blogspot.com/,
(Body Language or Non-verbal Communication) http://body-language-communication.blogspot.com/,
(Written Communication) http://written-communication.blogspot.com/,
(Communication) http://communication-for-business.blogspot.com/

Purposes of Presentations (Partial List)

For public address on any subject
For debates in Parliament
For company meetings
For outlining strategies
For presenting business plans
For presenting marketing plans
For selling goods, services, concepts and ideas
For presenting financial status
For presenting project status
For training programs and workshops
For giving key note address in professional conferences
For employee induction
For presentation about a company profile
etc

Three Keys for Successful Presentations

Overcoming nervousness
Thorough preparation
Good delivery

Overcoming Nervousness

Know your subject
Know your audience
Know your objective
Prepare
Rehearse/Practice
Practice
Practice
Practice (about practice, read later on this page. Also read articles "Life Management: Competencies" at http://shyam-bhatawdekar.blogspot.com/

Preparation

Checking if I am competent to talk on the subject?
Agreeing to make a presentation, agreeing to talk
Getting informed on purpose of talk, schedule, audience profile and size, venue
Zeroing in on the objectives
Deciding what to say
Structuring your talk
Prepare your notes
Prepare visual aids
Rehearse
Check and prepare arrangements on site

Structuring a Presentation

Prepare overall design: opening, body and wrap-up
Introduction and objectives, reasons for presentation: 10% of the time available.
Introduction of main themes, issues: 20% of the time available.
Development of main themes, issues: 40% of the time available.
Integration of main themes, issues: 20% of the time available.
Summary or conclusion: 10% of the time available.

You may like to keep aside some time for questions and answers. Announce it at the start of the talk.

Practice

Reading through the material for your talk several times.
Practicing in front of a mirror or using your friends as guinea pigs, if you feel the need.
Assisting another person on a particular topic before presenting it yourself.
Run through the entire talk. Don't just stop where you run into problems.

Also read articles "Life Management: Competencies" at http://shyam-bhatawdekar.blogspot.com/

Delivery

Technique
Manner

Profile of a Presenter

Authentic
Enthusiastic
Confident
Well mannered
Well groomed (check for personal neatness; cleanliness; hair; nails; clothes- color, fashion, design, cut; accessories- shoes, belt, pen, spectacles, watch, jewelery; bad breath, body odor etc)
Excellent presenter
Excellent communication skills (verbal and non-verbal- body language)
Excellent interpersonal skills
High emotional intelligence in addition to high IQ
Time conscious
Action oriented
Can relate to as to how his presentation will benefit the audience

Some Tips on Presentation Slides

If a visual does not explain something better than words, do not use it.
5 minutes per slide- ballpark.
One main idea with 5-9 points per slide.
5-7 words or say, around not more than 25 characters per point (talking points, not whole presentation- only highlights).
Use graphics when they add to or help explain material.
Don't overuse graphics.
Use special effects if they help in improving the presentation quality.
Do not overuse special effects.
Any decent font.
Large and bold enough to be seen on a big screen by the person sitting in the last row.

Some Tips on Opening a Talk or Presentation

An effective opening of presentation is half the battle won. It must aim to seek audience attention and interest. Different presenters try different things at different occasions to achieve this. Some of them are:

Bringing the audience to the cross roads and then presenting your solutions.
Presenting current startling facts in an authentic style.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Interesting anecdote or story.
Creating suspense.
Humorous story.
Presenting posers or questions to audience.
Interesting authentic history on the topic.
Painting future scenarios.
Presenting the highlights of benefits of your talk to the audience.

Physical Setting of Venue of Presentation

Appropriate.
Good in size and shape to accommodate the number in audience. Will the people in the back be able to see?
Comfortable.
Flexible.
Neat and clean
Well ventilated.
Well lighted.
Acoustically effective.
Has noise control.
If familiar- it's bonus.
Effective and comfortable seating arrangement and seating layout.
Presentation gadgets and materials available, placed at convenient locations and in working condition.
Rest room/bath room conveniently located, nearby.

Presentation Skills

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Presentation Skills

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