Presentations Shemesentations Improving Your Presentation Skills

1. PresentationsShemesentationsImproving Your Presentation Skills Computing & Information Technology Professional Development Group December 19th, 2013 • Bob Orrange • UB Career Services

2. Words of Wisdom “It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” -- Mark Twain

3. Words of Wisdom “…four weeks, if there’s PowerPoint involved.” -- Bob Orrange

4. Words of Wisdom “…five weeks, if there’s Prezi.”

5. Some Quick Tips • Say who you are! • Be yourself! • Use the microphone!!!! • Choose the tools that are best for you and your information (e.g. PowerPoint vs. Prezi). • Be the best-dressed one in the room! • Talk with the audience beforehand. • Have audience members help you. • Let the audience complete your sentence!

6. Some Quick Tips • Say things like, “These are the keys issues” and “This is important.” • Don’t speak while the audience is reading or looking at audio-visuals. • Deliver one thought to one person. • Make sure the audience knows where you are in the handout or PowerPoint. • Have a backup plan for technology. • Don’t compete with food!

7. Some Final Tips • Don’t go over the time limit. • Be sure everyone has a copy before discussing a handout. • Ask “Who needs one?” Not, “Does everyone have one?” • And when it is not going well……. • Do an icebreaker. • Change the topic area. • Move it along! • Ask if there are questions! • So, are there any questions?

8. Icebreakers • Learn everyone’s name! • Have audience learn each other’s name. • Have them name an object that represents their personality and state why. • Ask, “Why did you get the name you got and what is unique about it?” • Have each state their pet peeve and why. • Ask, “Who is your role model and why?” • Have each person complete, “When I grow up I want to be a __ .” • Give stuff away!

9. Icebreakers 1,000 +40 +1,000 +30 +1,000 +20 +1,000 +10 4,100

10. Common Mistakes of Presenters • Not thanking the host/hostess/audience. • Not being genuine. • Don’t be a phony. • Don’t be too serious. • Getting off track with a side issue. • Use shorter answers until the end. • Trying to analyze facial expressions. • People commonly don’t praise in public. • Feel free to prove me wrong today!

11. Common Mistakes of Presenters • Lack of preparation/organization • Not knowing the subject • Saying you’re nervous more than once • Not knowing the audience • Ignoring the occasion • Not knowing the technology • Facing the wrong way!!

12. Common Mistakes of Presenters Lack of proofreading! • Errors distract from your message and detract from your credibility. • Don’t EVER skip words! • Proofread forward & backwards! • Don’t skip the headings! • Your visuals will be judged on grammar, vocabulary, punctuation, and spelling.

13. Common Mistakes of Presenters • I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I waas rdanieg. It wis abot the phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid. Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig, huh?

14. Creating Structure This basic structure works for a variety of presentations: • Introduction - Grab Attention! • Credibility - Introduce yourself and state a bit of your credentials. • Need Step - Give them a reason to listen. • Initial Summary - Tell them what’s coming! • Body/Categories (See next slide) • XXXX • XXXX • Final Summary - Tell them what they heard! • Refer to the attention grabbing statement. • Take Questions.

15. Creating StructureThe Body These categories are used in “The Body” of many presentations: • Chronological Sequencing • Topical Issues • Asking Five Questions • Cause/Effect • Pro/Con • Problem/Solution • Yardstick • Motivational Reasoning

16. Shake It Up! Here are some ways to support your content: • Facts, Figures, Statistics • Authoritative Sources • Current Events • Quotations • Narratives -Tell a story! • Definitions • Humor - Self-deprecating humor is the safest form for presenters to use!

17. Strategies For Giving Information • Go from big picture to small picture back to big picture (The hourglass approach!). • Tell them what is important. Don’t expect them to know! • Use a linear progression: • Past, present, future • Go from a general statement to a specific example. • Build a bridge back to the key issues.

18. Hooray! It’s Break Time! • Take five minutes • Then find a partner • Create an outline

19. Strategies For Distractions & Interruptions • Distractions • Ignore minor distractions • Acknowledge major distractions • Focus the attention & then move on! • Interruptions • Deal with the unexpected professionally • Think “Serenity Now!” • Call on audience members in turn • Audience members with questions may feel part of the “show!”

20. Presentation Aids Consider: • Your personal preference • Setting/Size of the group • Is it enhancing the presentation? • Culture of audience/organization • Attention span of the audience • THE ATTENTION SPAN OF THE AUDIENCE !!!

21. Presentation Aids PowerPointPrezi Linear in Nature New (Learning Curve) User Friendly Non-linear Endless Possibilities Zoom Feature Hyperlinks Sharing Online Printouts Costs Large Files Dizziness Nausea Vomiting

22. Effective PowerPoint Use • Use short titles • Express one group of thoughts per slide • Four colors per page, maximum • Use no more than two fonts • Use sound and effects with a purpose • 6 x 6 Rule • No more than 6 Words per line & 6 Lines per slide • Except for this presentation, of course!

23. Effective PowerPoint Use • Write your presentation first! • Information should be self-contained and understood by all. • Clearly label charts and graphs. • Information should flow horizontally. • Content should enhance your presentation not detract from it. • Don’t try to be too flashy!

24. Effective PowerPoint Use • Must have an appropriate purpose. • Don’t put up data you are not using. • Should be large, clear, & visually appealing. • You should not have to say, “I hope you can read this!” • Don’t clutter the page!

25. Actual Slide I Saw!!!

26. Effective PowerPoint Use • For graphics: • Blue has a solid, conservative feel • Yellow is fun and hopeful • Green is good for social interaction • Purple is mysterious • Avoid red/green contrasts • Use dark to light color sequence – working from the bottom up

27. Effective PowerPoint Use • For text: • Use black on white background • Yellow/white on dark background • Avoid red for text • Maintain consistency in your reveals

28. Effective PowerPoint Use • KISS – Keep It Short & Sweet • KILL – Keep It Large & Legible • KIHB – Keep It Horizontal, Baby! • HABUPBYKSWSU – • Have A Backup Plan Because You Know Something Will Screw Up! • Don’t fall in love with PowerPoint! That still make’s me sad, Dorkhead! 

29. Thank You! Bob Orrange UB Career Services & www.HigherEdHumor.com

30. Resources • “Knockout Presentations – How to Deliver Your Message with Power, Punch, and Pizzazz” by Diane DiResta, Chandler House Press. • “How To Be a Great Communicator” by Nido R. Qubein, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. • “Guide to Presentations” by Mary Munter & Lynn Russell, Prentice Hall. • “Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery.” 1st edition, by Garr Reynolds, Random House. • www.public-speaking.org • en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_speaking • PowerPoint vs. Preziby Adam Noar