3 Key Stages to giving Powerful Presentations

The ability to conduct persuasive presentations is a skill, which will stand you in good stead throughout your career, be it in selling, management or your personal life. We all need to present ideas to others in order to gain their commitment. The most common reasons for an idea failing are either that the presentation was unconvincing or that the presenter failed to obtain commitment to a course of action.

• Identified and practised a structured approach to planning, constructing and delivering effective presentations.
• Explored the concepts of "Declared" and "Hidden" Objectives
• Identified their own strengths as presenters and received guidance on overcoming their shortcomings.
• Studied and practised the techniques needed to create initial impact - and to then maintain the interest level.
• Investigated the need to gain commitment from an audience to a prescribed course of action.

Content

Planning

1.       Setting Objectives - Criteria and Fall Backs (Hidden and Declared).

2.       Deciding on Content - Tailoring it to the audience (WIIFM)

3.       Structure - Overview, Main Body, Review

4.       Planning Facilities - Style, Size, Amenities

5.       Audience Research - Expectations, Threats, Support

6.       The Style of the Meeting - Lecture, Interactive, Working Groups

7.       Presentation Checklist

Preparation

1.      Visuals - Options and Usage

2.      Notes - Guide or Hindrance

3.      Case Studies

4.      Other Speakers

5.      Rehearsal

Presentational Skills:-

1.      Presentation Strategies - Inform, Convince, Motivate

2.      Creating and Maintaining Interest - PACKED (Projection, Articulation, Contextual, Engaging, Delivery)

3.      Image – Body language, dress, coping with nerves

4.      Handling Questions and interruptions– reflect and deflect techniques

5.      Facilitating discussion

6.      Summarising

7.      Closing for Commitment