Ready, AIM, Fire!

Delivering a Winning Presentation

Rhonda A. Syler, PhD

Assistant Professor of Management, MIS
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Agenda
 Presentation Strategy
 Audience Analysis
 Intent
 Message
 PowerPoint Tips
 Presentation Polish
 Considering the non-verbal message
 Controlling nerves
PRESENTATION STRATEGY
DON’T dive right into the content of your
presentation!

That’s like saying

READY……… FIRE!
Without taking AIM first!
 You must first take AIM!
• Analyze Your Audience
• Clearly Identify the Intent of Your Presentation
• Make your Message Stick

Intent

AIM
*

Audience Message

*Munter, M. & Russell, L. (2002). Guide to Presentations. Prentice Hall: NJ.

 PRESENTATION STRATEGY

FIRST….
 Analyze Your Audience
Intent

AIM *

Audience Message

*Munter, M. & Russell, L. (2002). Guide to Presentations. Prentice Hall: NJ.

A: Analyze Your Audience
 KNOW WHO THEY ARE
 Size
 Work experience
 Level of Education
 Other Demographics – age, gender, race,
culture, political affiliation
 What is their familiarity with the jargon?
A: Analyze Your Audience
 Discovering WHO they are….
 Gather secondary data (e.g., rosters,
registrations).
 ASK them… talk to people who will
actually be in the audience.
 Talk to people who know the audience.
 Visit groups or talk to people with similar
characteristics (e.g., ROTARY ).
A: Analyze Your Audience
 KEY DECISION-MAKERS
 Identify who has direct power or influence
 Find out what makes them tick
 Are they for or against your idea
 Tailor your message accordingly

 DON’T IGNORE THE SECONDARY

AUDIENCE
 Who else might hear or see this?
 How will they react?
 Is any information confidential?
A: Analyze Your Audience
 What do they know & expect?
 What do they know about you? Do they consider
you an expert?
 How is your credibility with that audience?
 What are their expectations
 Format of presentation
 Time
 Formality

 What do they feel?

 Are they interested in your topic? If so, how
interested?
 What is their attitude toward your topic?
 PRESENTATION STRATEGY

Next… Know your PURPOSE

Intent

AIM *

Audience Message

*Munter, M. & Russell, L. (2002). Guide to Presentations. Prentice Hall: NJ.

I: Determine Your Purpose (Intent)
 Determine General Purpose
 INFORM
 PERSUADE
 ENTERTAIN
 Develop Specific Purpose
 To explain how to give a speech
 Outline the “Presentation Objective”
 As a result of my presentation, the audience will gain
a clear understanding of how to develop a
presentation strategy, how to design their
presentation and how to add the final polishing
touches to their presentations.
I: Determine Your Purpose (Intent)
 Once you’ve determined purpose &
objective…
 Critique your Objective; Is it
 Specific
 Measurable
 Audience-centered
 Refer to Audience Analysis Insight… is your
objective
 Attainable
 Worthwhile
 PRESENTATION STRATEGY
 Finally…. Create a memorable message!

Intent

AIM *

Audience
Message

*Munter, M. & Russell, L. (2002). Guide to Presentations. Prentice Hall: NJ.

Make Your Message Stick
 If we choose to present, remember …
People only remember
a small portion of what is said.
AUDIENCE MEMORY CURVE
HIGH

Retention

LOW
BEGINNING of END
Presentation of Presentation
Make Your Message Stick
 Tell them what you’re going to tell
them…

 TELL THEM

 Tell them what you told them!

INTRODUCTIONS ‘R Critical!
 Prepare an effective opening
 Set the stage
 Grab their attention
 Paint a vivid picture
 Ask a question
 Share a startling story
 Provide the audience benefits for listening
 Use humor with caution
 Include a preview
 State your main points clearly
CONCLUSIONS ‘R Remembered
 Prepare an effective closing
 DON’T be abrupt!!
 Summarize your main points
 Leave them with something memorable
Make Your Message Stick
Other tips for retention:
 Limit it to 3 to 5 key points
 Include a preview
 Use transitions
 Use repetition
 Flag information “if you only remember one
thing today….”
 Throw in the unexpected (humor, audio/video)
 Involve the audience
VISUALS Help it Stick!
Before Using Visuals Analyze
CONSTRAINTS
 Audience size
 Audience expectations
 Equipment availability
 Accessibility to outlets, etc.
 Room size
 Lighting
 Furniture; arrangement of furniture
 Audio
Designing Your Visuals
 Use visuals, but don’t over use them
 Make sure they represent what you intend for
them to represent
 Clearly label charts, figures, tables, etc.
 Use color with a purpose
 Use fonts large enough to be seen
 Don’t crowd or make it overly busy
 Using
POWERPOINT
for Your Presentations
Presentation Dos & Don’ts
 DO pick a background (slide layout) that is
appropriate
 DO use bullets
 DO use visuals, as appropriate
 DO make it visually appealing
 DO make it easy to read; be consistent in
your formatting
 DO create logical transitions
 DO insert blank slides when you know you
will pause
Presentation Dos & Don’ts
 DON’T make it too busy
 DON’T be wordy
 DON’T use visuals or animation just for the
sake of it (Spy Kids III… arrgggg!)
 DON’T use dark colored text on dark
backgrounds
 DON’T end abruptly
PowerPoint Features
 Ability to hyperlink to other pages in the
presentation, web sites, files, etc.
 Ability to create “builds” for more effective
presentations
 Ability to add graphics, pictures, video, and
audio easily
 Ability to PACK & GO!
PRESENTATION POLISH
 Understand NON-VERBAL
Communication!!

 Get Control of your Nerves!

Understanding Non-Verbal
Communication
 Non-verbals say more!!
 Begin practicing & analyze your Non-verbal
tendencies
 Stance & movement
 Gestures
 Eye contact
 Facial expression
 Vocal Traits
Volume * Rate * Inflection * Enunciation * Fillers
Understanding Non-Verbal
Communication
 IMPROVE your non-verbal delivery
 PRACTICE!!
 Speak from an outline (PPT)
 PRACTICE!!
 Check your timing
 Watch yourself in the mirror or video
 PRACTICE!!
 Familiarize yourself with equipment, visuals,
room, etc.
Controlling Your Nerves
 Be Audience-Centered
 Be Prepared
 The 6 Ps ---
Proper Prior Planning
Prevents Poor Performance!

If you’re prepared…. You will be more

confident. More confidence = less nerves!
Controlling Your Nerves
 Identify your nervous symptoms
 Techniques to calm nerves
 Exercise
 Breathing exercises
 Progressive relaxation exercises
 Stretching/relaxing specific areas
 Think positive!!
 Self talk… pep talk
 Visual a calm scene
 Connect with your audience
Controlling Your Nerves
 Tips for keeping your voice clear….
 Get a good night’s sleep & get up early
 Take a hot shower
 AVOID milk
 Drink warm liquids (but avoid caffeine)
 Hum
 Breathe deeply
 Drink tap water (not cold!)
In Summary
 Develop your strategy based on audience
analysis and intent FIRST
 Compose your presentation to be memorable
 Add visuals
 Add practice, practice, practice to refine non-
verbal delivery and calm your nerves

Questions?
 References

Gardner, T. (1998). http://www.tengrrl.com/tens/013.shtml

Munter, M. & Russell, L. (2002). Guide to Presentations.

Prentice Hall: NJ.