Presentations in detail

Positive examples

• Get the attention of the audience
• Present information in a structured logical manner
• Use non-verbal behaviour and gesture for emphasis
• Summarise what you are about to tell them
• Provide any background information
• Let them know when they can ask questions

Negative examples

• Fail to gain or hold attention and interest
• Speak indistinctly or in a monotone
• Ramble and/or fail to structure information

Developing presentation skills

• Seek to understand the audience requirements and knowledge before planning a presentation
• Review the appropriateness of jargon
• Rehearse the presentation beforehand and follow with a post mortem

Developing presentation skills in others

• Help the individual to understand the audience requirements
• View a rehearsal of the presentation and provide suggestions for improvement
• Carry out a post mortem after the presentation and provide learning input for the future
• Make a video of the rehersal or presentaiton and provide feedback
• Jointly identify opportunities for presentations

Content

Introduction

• Get the attention of the audience
• Summarise what you are about to tell them
• Provide any background information
• Let them know when they can ask questions

Body

• Go through each of the main points to reach objective - facts, illustrations, simple to complex

Summary

• Restate key points
• Call for action
• State responsibilities of audience
• Thank them for listening

Questions

• Plan how to handle objections
• Prepare to overcome objections

Preparation

• Consider the purpose of the presentation - what do you want to happen?
• Consider the audience - what is their level of understanding?
• Research
• Write-up presentation on A4 paper, highlight key word and phrases in the right margin
• Transcribe the key words and phrases to A6 cards - write big!