Course Methodology

The course uses a mix of interactive techniques, such as brief presentations by the consultant and the participants, role plays (rehearsed and impromptu), playback of videotaped performances (where permissible) and individual and group feedback.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• List the main causes of boring and ineffective presentations and ways to overcome them
• Prepare for a presentation using a systematic and easy to follow approach
• Build a presentation using the triple S rule
• Project the right verbal and non-verbal characteristics essential in powerful presentations
• Pinpoint the main reasons that lead to Public Speaking Anxiety (PSA) and ways to eliminate them prior to presenting
• Use the most commonly available visual aids to support their presentation and make it visually appealing

Target Audience

All those who wish to improve their presentation skills to a noticeable level using a strictly hands-on approach. The workshop-type course is particularly helpful for people who have to conduct sales, business development or periodic presentations to senior management.

Target Competencies

• Presentation design and delivery
• Public speaking
• Verbal and non-verbal communication
• Rapport building
• Influencing and inspiring
• Feedback
• PowerPoint

Introduction

• Difference between presenting and PowerPoint clicking
• Why most presentations fail to leave an impact
• Attributes of an effective presentation
• Importance of preparation
• Ms. Clicker and why you should be aware of her presence
• Mr. Murphy and how he can ruin your presentation
• Overcoming boring pitches and presentations

Preparing for a presentation

• Gathering the raw data
• The various sources of data and presentation content
• How much information should you begin with
• Filtering the information
• Triple S rule
• Deciding on time allocation: how will you know how much time you need
• Formula of substance, style and support and its impact on the way you present
• The hamburger analogy: why content of substance should not be expanded
• When to focus on style and when to enhance support

The framework of an effective presentation

• Opening with a win: how to win audience’s attention
• Preview: what should be mentioned in the outline
• Key points of a presentation
• The psychological rule of 3
• Recapping before the finish: common tips and pitfalls
• Closing with a bang

Body language in a presentation

• The hands, legs and the eyes
• To move or to stay put
• Tips for effective body positioning
• Guidelines for animating the legs and hands
• Characteristics of captivating verbal delivery
• Avoiding clichés and euphemisms
• The dangers of smart casual
• Dress and appearance: what are the rules

Public Speaking Anxiety (PSA)

• Reasons why most people get nervous
• Adrenalin and its effect on presentations
• Dealing with PSA: short and long term solutions
• What do great presenters do

Visual aids

• Use of objects and props for visual impact
• Hand-outs: when and how to circulate them
• Secrets and techniques for using flip charts
• Pictures and images: the trends today
• PowerPoint: what every presenter should know