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Presentation Skills. Structure- Logical, chronological order. Prepare & Practice. Experienced presenters are able to improvise and adapt to changing circumstances but you may have only one chance to present your information, so be prepared. (Rehearse in the mirror, before a friend or record)
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Prepare & Practice • Experienced presenters are able to improvise and adapt to changing circumstances but you may have only one chance to present your information, so be prepared. • (Rehearse in the mirror, before a friend or record) • Take a few deep slow breaths before your talk starts and make a conscious effort to speak slowly and clearly
Body Language • Smile • Stand upright • Eye contact • Move around a bit • Don't speak too quickly • Don't shuffle your feet or hide behind a podium.
Notes & Hand-outs • Prepare hand-outs that the audience can take away
Speech • Speak clearly, firmly and confidently as this makes you sound in control
Technical Features • Title slide • Slides with bullet points • Limit text, make use of diagrams and pictures • Changed background colour • Automatic slide transitions • Slide animations • Keep slides simple
Introduction • The introduction should be catchy • Get the audience's attention and signal the beginning. • Greet audience. Introduce yourself, (name, position, and company). • Give title and introduce subject.
Content – The Body Quantity How much information should you give? Enough to clearly develop your ideas. In most cases you will have to limit the content, as time is usually precious! To be clear and concrete, use examples, rephrasing, summaries etc.
Sequencing Ideas. • Logical; • Chronological order; from general to specific; from known to unknown; from accepted to controversial; cause/effect; problem/solution. • Whatever sequencing you choose, the headings should be all of the same grammatical form.
Conclusion • Briefly summarise your main points; • How you tried to do so; • A short conclusion; • Thank the audience for listening, and an; • invitation to ask questions, make comments or open a discussion • The end should be on a strong or positive note – “The danger is increasing – if we don't all act soon it could be too late!
Time Management • Keep within the allotted time for your talk. • Apparently, the average person has a three minute attention span! • Try as much as possible to summarise your presentation
Interactions • Control the crowd, permitting question at your convenience-politely let people know they will have question time
Nervousness • Many people have a fear of speaking in public. • Practising will help you not to be too anxious. • It's normal to be a little nervous. This is a good thing as it will make you more energised. • In your mind, visualise yourself giving a confident successful performance.
Audience Analysis Choose what to include and the language to use for a given audience is determined by: • External Factors - the communication environment. • Demographic Factors - objective, observable traits of the audience. • Internal Factors - Psychological factors that are influencing from within
1. External Factors • Time • Place • Immediate context • Nature and purpose of the occasion • Audience size
2. Audience Demographics • Age • Sex • Education Level • Group affiliation
3. Audience Dynamics • Motivation: Get everyone in your audience involved • Eye contact is crucial. Look at everyone in the audience from time to time, not just at your notes or at the PowerPoint slides. • If it is a point of clarification, handle it concisely and continue
Keeping the Audience Attentive • The beginning and the end of a talk are what listeners will remember best. • Think of ways you can keep the audience's attention throughout the rest of the speech. • Use silence to emphasise points. • Before you make a key point pause: this tells the audience that something important is coming
Making an Impression (1) Audiences will form an impression of you on the basis of certain qualities Competence - this is determined by: • Knowledge • Education or training • Research • Personal experience • Logical flow e.g. sequential, chronological, spatial, comparative, cause and effect, problem solving
Making an Impression (2) Integrity - this relates to: • Honesty • Dependability • Objectivity • Responsible preparation
Making an Impression (3) Attractiveness – depends on whether the audience like and can identifying with the speaker on the basis of human qualities like: • Warmth and friendliness • Humour • Dress for success in a comfortable, appropriate style– judge the situation. Appropriate dressed portrays respect for your audience and willingness to conform. • Non-verbal elements • Identification
Making an Impression (4) Power- this can be: • Natural • Conferred Power can be abused so use it responsibly
Abbreviations If you are giving a technical presentation a glossary might be useful and avoid unnecessary interruptions. Always explain abbreviations and say acronyms giving their full name when you first mention them and be especially careful with the pronunciation.
Venue • Visit the presentation venue in advance so you know what facilities are available (Projector, whiteboard/Flip chart, pens, sound) • Sitting arrangement
1. Follow up Discussions • Make sure you understand the problem -buy time if necessary by seeking clarification. • Redirect confusing questions.
2. Follow up Discussions • If you really do not know the answer, don’t waffle. Agree to follow it up later. • In the face of hostility, acknowledge it, allows the person to cool down and deal with the issue not the person calmly and rationally.
