BUSINESS PRESENTATION SKILLS when editing your material is essential

Key to your business presentation skills is an ability to adapt to each speaking opportunity; and a means to get the most from your previous presentations. You don't want to repeat your previous material. No two public speaking events are truly alike; audiences change and time moves on. So there are some valid reasons why you should consider editing an effective presentation you gave last year:

1) You have a different presentation audience.

2) Business needs and expectations have changed.

3) You don't want to be "typecast" as a presenter.

But when you have the business need to edit your material you don't want to over-do the changes. Too many changes and you might as well start again – and say goodbye to all your earlier hard work.

The skill is to change no more than some 5% of your presentation material. Any more and you will not be familiar with your new presentation content. Below the 5% change figure – the material is different but you are familiar with it.

Is there any science behind the 5% edit figure? Yes. It highlights a comfort zone. Beyond this level of change and you have to re-create your material comfort zone; investing more time and effort.

Maximising your speaking opportunities is feasible with some editing skills. Change your existing presentation to suit the audience, time and place - and then focus on rehearsing and execution.

For more skills tips, you can always attend a business presentation skills course.

"Things do not change. We change."

Henry David Thoreau