Professional Presentations

1. Professional Presentations Center for Professional Communication

2. The Introduction The extent to which the presenter(s) establishes the purpose of the presentation and previews the content.

3. Professional Presentations Agenda • Introduction • Organization • Content • Visual Aids • Command of Material • Delivery Tips • Conclusion • Activity

4. Organization The extent to which the presentation was well organized, coherent, and obviously practiced before delivery.

5. Organization Tips • Start with the end in mind • The purpose of your talk • Audience expectations? • Presentation “Take Away”

6. Organization Tips • Who are they? • What do they expect? • Why will they listen? REMEMBER! • Where is it? • When is it? • Know your audience as well as possible

7. Organization Tips Keep it simple • Simple does not mean stupid. • Content and Evidence is Critical: • What are the take aways? • ______________________ • ______________________ • ______________________

8. Organizing Tips Outlining your content • Introduction (transition) • Body • Main point & Evidence (transition) • Main point & Evidence (transition) • Main point & Evidence (transition) • Conclusion

9. Content The extent to which the presenter(s) demonstrates knowledge of the subject matter being presented and clearly answers to assigned topic.

10. Content, content, content • No matter how great your delivery, or how professional and beautiful your supporting visuals, if your presentation is not based on solid content, you cannot succeed.

11. So what?

12. Visual Aids The extent to which the presenter(s) uses visual aids to enhance the presentation and add value to the audience.

13. Keep it simple • People came to hear you and be moved or informed (or both) by you and your message. Don't let your message and your ability to tell a story get derailed by slides that are unnecessarily complicated, busy, or full of “junk”.

14. Focus on Message and Take Away(s) Limit Bullets Points & Text Limit Animation (transitions & builds) Use High-quality Graphics Visual Aids

15. Have a Visual Theme Use Charts & Graphs Use Color & Fonts Well Use Video or Audio Spend Time in the Slide Sorter Visual Aids

16. Command of Material The extent to which the presenter(s) knows and is able to express the ideas being presented.

17. The art of storytelling • Good presentations include stories. The best presenters illustrate their points with the use of stories, most often personal ones.

18. Can you pass the “elevator test”? • Check the clarity of your message with the elevator test. This exercise forces you to "sell" your message in 30-45 seconds.

19. Confidence – How to get it We fear what we do not know.

20. Delivery Tips

21. Body Language • The extent to which the presenter(s) engages the audience and uses movement to enhance the presentation.

22. Audience 1 3 2 5 4 Projector Screen

23. Audience 2 3 4 5 1 Projector Screen

24. Audience 3 5 4 2 1 Projector Screen

25. Audience 4 5 1 2 3 Projector Screen

26. Audience 5 2 1 4 3 Projector Screen

27. Pronunciation & Language • The extent to which the presenter(s) demonstrates an awareness of audience and purpose, effective speech structure, pronunciation, and word choice that creates a professional tone.

28. Voice Quality • The extent to which the presenter(s) speaks effectively including pace, delivery, volume, tone, vocal variety and articulation.

29. Eye Contact • The extent to which the presenter(s) establishes and maintains eye contact.

30. Ability to Answer Questions • The extent to which the presenter(s) is able to handle questions during and after the presentation.

31. Conclusion The extent to which the presenter(s) reiterates the main ideas of the presentation.

32. Professional Presentations Conclusion • Introduction • Organization • Content • Visual Aids • Command of Material • Delivery Tips • Conclusion • Activity