Presentations Skills

Great speakers aren’t

born, “they are
trained.”
Presenting is a Skill…
Developed through experience
and training.
Definition

 Presentation
“Something set forth to an audience for the attention of the mind “

 Effective
“…producing a desired result”
Why Give A Presentation?

Three Main Purposes

1. Inform
2. Persuade
3. Educate
Outline

Planning
Preparation
Practice
Performance
Questions
Planning
1 Determine Purpose
 Who are you talking to?
 Why are you talking to them?
 How long have you got?
 What story are you going to tell?
Planning

2 Assess Your Audience

 “Success depends on your ability to reach

your audience.”
 Size
 Demographics
 Knowledge Level
 Motivation
Build Rapport

 Audience members who trust you and feel that

you care
 Start Before You Begin
 Mingle; Learn Names
 Opportunity to reinforce or correct audience
assessment
 Good First Impression
 People Listen To People They Like
Planning

3. Date, Day and Time

4. Distracters
Creating Effective Visual Aids
Visual Aids

 Enhance Understanding
 Add Variety
 Support Claims
 Lasting Impact

Used Poorly…A Distraction…Ineffective

Presentation
Visual Aids - Examples
 PowerPoint Slides
 Overhead Trans
 Graphs / Charts
 Pictures
 Films / Video
 Flip Charts
 Sketches
Preparation - Slides
 Use Images & Graphics
 Minimise text & numbers
 Dark text on light background
 Avoid distracting backgrounds
 Use large sans serif fonts
 Mixture upper and lower case
 Use colour to highlight text
 Keep figures simple
 Thick lines and large symbols
 Check spellings
 Progressive disclosure
Completing the Opening

 First few moments.

 Selection of words-make it
interesting.

 Clearly Defining Topic

 Overview
Performance

 Relax and be enthusiastic

 Use short simple sentences

 Avoid jargon & abbrev.

 Make eye contact

 Keep an eye on the time remaining

 Don’t go over time

Practice

Practice, practice, practice

Like most things,
the best way to learn is to
do.
Presentation Style

3. Elements
1. Vocal Techniques
 Loudness
 Pitch
 Rate
 Pause
Presentation Style
Contd…

Elements
2. Body Language
 Eye Contact, Gestures, Posture
Common Problems

 Verbal fillers
 “Um”, “uh”, “like”
 Any unrelated word or phrase
 Swaying, rocking, and pacing
 Hands in pockets
 Lip smacking
 Fidgeting
 Failure to be audience-centered
Presentation Tips

1. Smile
2. Breathe
3. Water
4. Notes
5. Finish On Or Under Time
Concluding Your Presentation

Goal
 Inform audience that you’re about to
close
 Summarize main points
 Something to remember or call-to-
action
 Answer questions

“Tell ’em What You Told ‘em.”

 Rule #1

 Look Smart
 Dress Well
 Rule #2

Use Examples
Make It Memorable
 Rule #3

(the 2 Minute Rule)

Detailed Outlines are a Waste
of Time
 Rule #4

Be enthusiastic
 Rule #5

Do not apologize
 Rule #6

Stage Fright Is Normal

 Rule #7

Be Seen and Heard

 Rule #8

Questions are good

 Rule #9

Know your Presentation

Sequence
Rule # 10

Continuity
Rule #11

Never ever
run over time
 Rule #12

Prepare for emergencies

home work
Rule #13

Be yourself
 Bad Points Correction

Couldn’t understand his Speak slowly and clearly

language

He was far too loud Moderate voice

Lost his place in presentation Have notes in order

The equipment didn’t work when Check equipment before

he started

He got angry with people etc. Don’t show anger

Things Not to Do

 Use jargon
 Overwhelm with detail
 Go over time
 Use text that can’t be read
 Stand in the way of your visuals
 Distract (e.g., Gestures)
 Say: Ummmmm, ahhhhhh
 Stare at one point
 Slouch