Whenever we deliver a presentation (whether to a client or internally to colleagues) weshould always view it as our responsibility to put on a performance - to flatly convey words and visuals is, at best, boring and, at worst, insulting. Everyone gets a buzz out of listening to a well structured, well delivered, impactful presentation. Delivering such a presentation adds stature and credibility to any speaker. The trick is to follow a simple process, a process that will ensure that you attend to all the details, hold the audience’s attention and get your message across without losing any meaning in the process. The process that I use is to remember that I am trying to create an impact. Let me explain:

I – Identify your goals
M – Manage your stress
P – Put on a Performance
A – Consider the Audience
C – Keep Control
T – Timing

Let us look briefly at each stage.

Identify your goals – What are you hoping to achieve from your presentation? Are you merely relaying information or are you attempting to gain commitment to a new plan or strategy? Clearly, the actual content of your message will determine the style that you choice to adopt. Consider what questions they are likely to ask you and include those subjects in your script.

Manage your stress – There are many publicised ways to relax and stay calm but as far as I am concerned relaxation comes from the knowledge that you know your subject and from the fact that you have prepared everything down to the smallest detail. You have all your sales aids prepared, the script is finely tuned and you know what you are trying to achieve. So relax and enjoy it.

Put on a performance – You owe it to yourself and your audience to put on a good show so do not disappoint anyone. Hit them with a compelling opening, a statement of intent and content, develop all aspects fully and round off with a simple summary that leaves no one in any doubt as to where you stand, what your opinion is or what you expect. Use strong, uncluttered visuals and do avoid clipart; also avoid repetition of keywords or phrases as this will diminish their value.

The audience – Who are they? What do they know? What are they expecting? Can you deliver? They want you to succeed, to motivate them, to persuade them. They are on your side. Consider using some of their words to help you in presenting your message; obtain quotes and testimonies from key members of the audience as this will undoubtedly strengthen your position. Do not hide in the run up to your presentation or during the coffee breaks, get out there and mix it with your audience.

Keep control – Losing your way during a presentation can be soul destroying and can weaken your delivery to the point of no return. Deal with objections and questions in a positive, confident way. If you have carefully considered the questions that they might ask, and include the answers in your presentation, you can avoid interruptions altogether. Do encourage questions and never leave questions to the end as someone who is holding a question until later will not be fully listening.

Timing – How many presentations have you sat through where the pace at the front end was much slower than at the back end? It is vitally important to maintain a constant pace that enables you to cover all that you need to in the time allotted. Sure, people will listen if you overrun but they will be more interested in how long you overrun by than by what you are saying. You will have completed all the hard work in preparing the presentation - do not waste all that work by not keeping to the time allotted.

So, briefly, there you have the structure to keep you on the right tracks and make sure that you deliver a faultless performance every time.

But finally, remember, if you are in any doubt think of News at Ten – tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them and then tell them what you have told them. They have used that simple process every night for over thirty years and it really works.

Footnote: Recruitment Matters delivers training, coaching, help & guidance that works. If this or any other tip has hit your spot then give us a call to discuss how we can help you move forward quicker than you can on your own.

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