BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

CHAPTER 12
BUSINESS
PRESENTATIONS
BEFORE YOUR PRESENTATION

• Prepare the content

• Choose a delivery method
• Pick appropriate clothes
• Check the room and equipment
NOW THINK OF YOUR UPCOMING PRESENTATION

Read the requirements of the upcoming presentation and discuss in your team

Who are your

How would they How will they be
AUDIENCES? What do they
REACT to your BENEFITED from
What are their NEED?
message? your presentation?
CHARACTERISTICS?
PRESENTING WITH A “YOU” VIEW

Ask yourself these questions

• How will this topic appeal to the audience?

• How can I relate this material to my listeners’
needs?
• How can I earn respect so that they accept my
message?
• What will be most effective in making my point?
ORGANIZING THE CONTENT

• Capture audience’s attention (story, shocking facts, jokes,

questions, quotations…)
Introduction • Build credibility
• Preview the main points

• Limited number of main points

Body • Explanation and details
• Clear organization strategy

• Summary of main points

Conclusion • Specific, note-worthy takeaway
• Closing remarks
USING NOTES OR NOT?

Most presentations: No reading from notes Important, very formal situations

Information must be delivered exactly
Avoid showing that you are depending
→ No memorization. on the notes
→ Be “extemporaneous” → Read it carefully in advance
→ Say the first line from memory
→ Make frequent eye-contact
BEFORE YOUR PRESENTATION: PREPARATION

• Prepare thoroughly.
• Rehearse repeatedly.
• Time yourself.
• Check the room.
• Check the equipment.
• Test the slide.
BEFORE YOUR PRESENTATION: DRESS APPROPRIATELY
DURING YOUR PRESENTATION

• Start the presentation

• Control your voice
• Control your body language
 STARTING YOUR SPEECH

• Greet the audience

• Skip the apologies
• Slow down and know
when to pause
• Show enthusiasm
• Avoid digressions
• Summarize your main
points
DURING YOUR PRESENTATION: CONTROL YOUR NON-VERBAL LANGUAGE

• Maintain eye-contact
• Move naturally
• Interact with the
audience
• Control and sustain
your energy
PITCH RANGE

A researcher has found out

common patterns in the
speaking style of 4 candidates
of the 2016 US Presidential
Election.
What kind of voice did they
use in the following
situations?
 PITCH RANGE

Speaking in front of Speaking in front of a group

of politicians of their peers Talk shows, interviews…
voters in a large stadium

Wide range of pitch

Stable pitch range Even more stable pitch
Frequently raise the voice
Lower tone range
Very loud voice
Very low tone
CONTROL YOUR PITCH

Put people on edge

Motivate your audience
Indicate sarcasm
Indicate light heartedness

Soothing
Indicate seriousness
Indicate dominance and status
Boring!
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF VOICE

• Your voice doesn’t sound to you like it

does to other people
• In stressful situations, adrenaline makes
your voice go higher
• Humans are incredibly good at hearing
the stress in other people’s voice

→ Practicing using a wide range of pitch for different intentions

Learn to control your pitch under stressful situation
VISUAL AIDS
 EFECTIVE VISUAL AIDS

• Start with the text content

• Select a consistent theme
(background, color, font) /
company template
• Choose images
• Create graphics
• Data visualization
• Move your presentation online
 WHAT CAN GO
WRONG IN A
PRESENTATION?

HOW CAN YOU

AVOID IT?
ENDING YOUR PRESENTATION

• Distribute handouts
(optional).
• Encourage questions.
• Repeat questions.
• Reinforce your main points.
• Keep control.
• Avoid “Yes, but” answers.
• End with a summary and
appreciation.
CONQUERING STAGE FEAR

• Breathe deeply.
• Convert your fear.
• Know your topic and come
prepared.
• Use positive self-talk.
• Take a sip of water.
• Shift the spotlight to your visuals.
• Ignore any stumbles.
• Gather some support.
• Feel proud when you finish.
WATCH THE VIDEO CAREFULLY

Watch, think, and try to evaluate it from multiple perspectives:

• Content?
• Delivery techniques?
• Aids and supports?
• Audience reaction?
• Memorable lines?
• Anything that leaves an impression on you
Take note if necessary
IS THIS A GOOD
PRESENTATION?