Dynamic Presentation Skills for Business

MODULE 1...Making the Decision

Before you agree to make a presentation, you need to find out certain details, determine if you are the right person, and evaluate the benefit of making the commitment. You also want to ask the right questions about the audience to prevent any surprises.

MODULE 2...Determining Your Messages
 
After you agree to do the presentation, your first step is to develop messages. But how do you develop motivating ones for that audience? After developing messages, consider using memory hooks to enhance their retention and then gather as much information as possible on your topic.

MODULE 3...Organizing Your Presentation

Your presentation should be like a road map that guides your audience to your objective. You want to organize your information in a logical flow and begin to put your presentation on paper. Participants are guided through an easy-to-use template that serves as their road map.

MODULE 4...Designing Visual Aids

Visual aids can greatly enhance your presentation, or be a major roadblock to your success. You should select the visual aids that will reinforce your messages and keep the attention of the audience. Special attention should also be given to the design of your visual aids.

MODULE 5...Before the Presentation

What you do just before your presentation could be critical to your success. Frequently people forget these key steps and flirt with disaster. Don't endanger your presentation when a simple checklist could save the day and make it memorable for the right reasons.

MODULE 6...Platform Manner

In one study, how you appear to the audience impacts over 50 per cent of your success as a communicator when there is a mixed message. It's critical that you use the correct eye contact, gestures and body language that send the right message to the audience.

MODULE 7...Vocal Qualities

In that same study, your vocal qualities impact nearly 40 per cent of your success as a communicator when you send a mixed message. Yet many people fail because poor vocal qualities undermine what could have been a very informative and effective presentation.

MODULE 8...Using Visual Aids

Designing visual aids that reinforce your presentation and keep the interest of the audience is only half the battle. Properly using those visual aids is equally important if they are to have the positive impact you want in enhancing your presentation and keeping the audiences's attention.

MODULE 9...Answering Questions from the Audience

Answering audience questions should be considered an extension of your presentation and not a necessary aggravation. Learn how to use the Q&A session as an opportunity to reinforce your objective and gage the success of your presentation.

MODULE 10...Role Plays

Practice the skills you learned by role playing the type of business presentation(s) you expect to make. Role plays are videotaped and give you an opportunity to see what you did well and where you need to improve. Don't make the presentation itself your "first effort."