Effective Presentation Skills

With our extensive knowledge of the different software currently on the market, including all Microsoft and Adobe applications, ON-TRACK Corporate Training Ltd. has a diverse and flexible schedule that can be customized to your needs – we offer group course (both public and corporate), one-on-one training, and on-site training options.

We also have easily accessible on-line training videos available.

Objectives

After this workshop, the participants will be able to:

• Distinguish among three different types of presentations
• Use the seven steps for preparing a presentation
• Analyze an audience prior to delivery
• Organize material in a clear and logical sequence
• Set up the presentation room and equipment for best results
• Make the most of the presenter's voice, appearance and presence
• Take steps to overcome stage fright
• Deliver a compelling presentation within a designated timeframe
• Use audio-visuals appropriately to enhance a presentation
• Respond confidently to audience questions

Outline

• Part I: Introductions
  • Roles and goals
  • Experiential learning cycle
  • Purposes and benefits of presentations
  • Presentation of participants
  • Participant expectations
• Part II: Types of Presentations
  • Persuasional
  • Informational
  • Instructional
• Part III: Preparing Your Presentation
  • Presenting is not "just talking;" seven steps to follow
    • Analyze your audience and adjust to their needs and expectations
    • Identify the overall purpose and specific objective(s) of today's presentation
    • Draft preliminary plan (objectives, major sections, key points)
    • Gather and verify relevant support data, materials, illustrations
    • Organize your material and write it in logical sequence
    • Design the audio-visuals you will use to accompany your presentation
    • Carry out a dry run before a few trusted people for feedback
  • Editing and adjusting the presentation
    • Assure "what-why-who-when-where-how-how much" concerns are met
    • Include all four parts of a presentation (Lead, opening, body, closing)
    • Design the first twenty seconds: the lead
    • Devise a hook
    • Design a strong opening and closing
    • Make linkages between segments of the presentation
    • Identify and repeat key points
    • Prepare stripped-down notes
    • Anticipate the question and answer period
  • The importance of making the presentation visible
    • Be aware of the three adult learning styles
    • Match the medium to the message
    • Present statistical illustrations creatively
    • Practice using common audio-visual aids for every presentation
    • Assure that electronic visuals do not overwhelm the content
  • Preparing the room and equipment
    • Be aware of proxemics
    • Decide whether to use a lectern and a microphone
    • Eliminate obstacles to communication
    • Anticipate and eliminate likely problems
  • First Practicum
• Part IV: Delivery
  • Increasing personal confidence
    • Keep in mind three failsafe techniques to reduce nervousness
    • Practice diaphragm breathing
    • Plan to build credibility and trust
    • Work on non-verbals: eye contact, gestures, facial expression, relaxed muscles
    • Develop "presence": appearance, projected personality, energy, enthusiasm, mobility
    • Connect with your audience to reduce self-consciousness
    • Encourage audience participation
  • The presenter's voice
    • Perceive your voice's strengths as an instrument to achieve the effects you want
    • Practice the five steps to voice production
    • Voice exercises you can use to project and modulate your words
  • Preparing for the question period
    • Anticipate the tough questions and develop answers
    • Keep key pieces of research data handy
    • Use techniques to handle tricks and traps
    • Manage heckling through various methods
  • Delivery habits to avoid
    • Repetitive vocal bridges (-uh,-like,-you know?)
    • Repetitive or jerky gestures
    • Hand-busiers (pointers, pens, papers, keys, coins)
    • Weight-shifting
    • Fixed focus
    • Reading your presentation
• Part V: Final Practice Presentations
  • 15-minute sessions with feedback
• Part VI: Course Evaluation and Closure