In Presentation Skills, you'll learn...
- Techniques that really work to control feelings of fear and nervousness when speaking in front of people
- How to build on the strengths you already possess to develop a speaking style that is natural, comfortable and easy for you
- How to project believability, confidence and authority even when you’re speaking before the most sophisticated, experienced and knowledgeable of listeners
- How to improvise and make an effective impromptu presentation when the spotlight falls unexpectedly on you
- And much more!
The three hallmarks of a successful presentation are a confident delivery, a crystal-clear message and an air of credibility. This workshop breaks down those elements and gives you the expert guidance and concrete information you need to master each aspect. And we’ll map out a step-by-step system you can use for planning and delivering memorable, persuasive presentations in a variety of situations. The skills you’ll learn in this fascinating one-day course will give you a powerful career advantage—more than ever before you’ll be able to persuade others, motivate people and make things happen.
WORKSHOP AGENDA
Click on a session title to view details
Preparation means perfect presentations+
- An essential step-by-step planning checklist that ensures everything goes smoothly
- The differences among motivational, informational and persuasive presentations—and how to prepare each kind
- How to make preparation easier with specific guidelines that help you pinpoint your objectives
- The 6 things you must know about your audience before you begin to prepare
- Where to find just the right stories, anecdotes and facts to support your message
- A handy 3-part worksheet for planning the presentation environment for maximum comfort and ease
- What to do a half hour before your presentation to make sure it goes smoothly and avoid last-minute crises
- How to successfully anticipate audience questions and plan your responses ahead of time
- A simple, but effective, 3-step method for preparing your presentation notes
- How to time your presentation so you get your message across without losing your listeners
- How to develop labels and other mnemonic devices to help you and your listeners remember key points
Putting it all together+
- A 10-point dress rehearsal checklist for producing polished, confident and enthusiastic presentations
- A 3-part formula for reinforcing your key points
- How to arrange the order of your presentation so your message has the most impact
- How to use memory models and other techniques for staying on track during your delivery
- Power openers—how to use them to immediately capture your audience’s attention and interest
- Closers that cement your message and gain the commitment of your audience
- Which kinds of presentations to memorize and which ones to read—and tips for pulling off either delivery style
Managing pre-presentation jitters and stage fright+
- The 3 most common reasons for feeling anxious in front of a group—and how to overcome each one
- 10 techniques for turning pre-speech jitters into energy that fuels your presentation
- A simple breathing and relaxation technique guaranteed to reduce anxiety
- Why it’s important to speak individually with as many audience members as possible before your presentation
- How to keep from “choking up” and losing your train of thought
- How to get right back on track after a mistake or a miscue
- Why letting down your guard is sometimes the best defense against nervousness
- How to use humor to put yourself—and your audience—at ease
Polishing your delivery+
- How to use eye contact, body posture and movements to involve your audience and convey self-confidence
- 3 techniques for getting the ball rolling when you call for questions or volunteers
- How to satisfy your listeners—and save face—when you don’t know the answer to a question
- 3 guidelines for dealing with problem audience participants and disruptive behavior
- Why how you dress can make the critical difference between earning your audience’s trust or losing credibility
- Tips for dealing with distractions and incidents that have potentially disruptive consequences
- When you’re the “emcee”—how to open, introduce distinguished guests and speakers and segue smoothly between program segments
- How to give or receive awards with the right combination of warmth, charm and sincerity without sounding corny
Using visual aids effectively+
- When visual aids are effective—and when they’re a distraction
- How to title your overheads, handouts and other visual aids to focus and summarize your message
- How to avoid “data dumping” in your charts, graphs and tables
- Where and how to stand so you don’t interfere or compete with your audiovisuals
- How to use lists to summarize key points so that your audience understands faster and remembers longer
Powerful persuasion techniques+
- How to use supporting statements and examples to sell your ideas
- 2 words guaranteed to get your audience listening and involved the moment you use them
- 10 surefire ways to increase audience participation and get the immediate, ongoing feedback you need to personalize and adjust your message on the spot
- Facts and figures alone won’t sway an audience—why the “human touch” is essential to getting an audience to “see it your way”
Tips for tackling tough situations+
- A never-fail method for quickly organizing your thoughts when you’re called on to speak at a moment’s notice
- How to present technical data so that it’s understandable and interesting
- How to “close the deal” when making a sales presentation
- Special considerations for effectively presenting to a large audience
- The special factors you must consider when taping a video presentation
- How to deliver bad news or deal with difficult topics in a way that gains the support and understanding of your audience
- The professional speakers’ secret for handling just about any kind of question
Continuing to develop and sharpen your speaking skills+
- The “coach approach”: A 4-step method for discovering your presentation strengths and weaknesses
- Become your own audience: How to use videotapes to prepare better, more effective presentations
- How to develop a plan for ongoing improvement as a speaker
