Develop Presentation Skills for Maximum Impact
Effective Presentations are an Essential Business Tool for Managers
Jan 27, 2009
Presentation training is useful to develop presentation skills but nothing replaces practice. Effective presentations have targeted, simple, clear and repeated messages.
Presentations allow the presenter to give key information or ideas to the target audience. Presentations can be given in person to the audience, which can be a small or large group. Alternatively, they can be given over electronic mechanisms such as a webinar, teleconference or videoconference. However, the key feature is that the presenter will present information both visually and verbally.
Develop Presentation Skills
Developing presentation skills means presentation skills training and improving:
- Understanding of what the target audience will want or need from the presentation
- Structure of information being presented so that content is logical and organised
- Focus on key information or messages of content so that it is clear and compelling
- Ensure that the appropriate level of detail is presented, with backup materials available if needed
In addition, for the presenter, presentation training to:
- Understand personal impact of dress, mannerisms and speech patterns
- Controlling nerves or visible signs of discomfort
- Project voice, control pace, tone and inflections
- Body language, eye contact, proximity to audience, facial expressions
- Use appropriate language - vocabulary, jargon, specialised terminology
- Developing a personal style of delivery
- Avoid inappropriate language
- Careful selection of presentation techniques that may backfire such as using jokes
Key Presentation Skills
- Delivering, both visually and verbally, well paced, clear and effective information
- Maintaining audience interest and attention
- Interacting with target audience such as asking questions or answering questions
- Knowing when to stop talking and using silence effectively
- Knowing how to interrupt others politely if audience interaction is going off the main topic
Presentation Tips
- Prepare the presentation and practice it before delivering the presentation
- Focus on smooth, assured well paced delivery both visually and verbally
- Ensure presentation content is clear, well structured and is targeted at the audience needs
- Do not read the presentation, use it as reminder for giving more information verbally
- Speak clearly and loudly and do not be afraid of silent gaps. Avoid verbal drivel fillers such as frequent use of a favourite phrase like "you know" or using filler sounds such as "uhhh"
- Maintain eye contact and control body movements such as self-grooming
- Face the audience and speak to them, do not repeatedly turn around to read visual presentation
- Listen and watch for questions and ensure questions are properly answered
- If the audience asks a question that was unclear, seek clarity before answering
- If the answer is unknown, then say so and if appropriate offer to find out the information and get back to the person. Do not simply talk on about something that may be vaguely an answer
- Some presenters like to confirm with the questioner that they have answered the question
- Use a large text size for presentation and sparing use of many different colours, bright colours or special effects
Effective Presentation
Everyone is able to improve their presentation skills through training and practice. Effective presentations are an essential business tool for managers. Go here for more information.
The copyright of the article Develop Presentation Skills for Maximum Impact in Business Management is owned by Roger Lever. Permission to republish Develop Presentation Skills for Maximum Impact in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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