Telling it Straight - Presentation Skills

Presentations – a Dress Code

It's August and it's hot at last.  Probably too hot to be in the conference room but work continues - although much of Europe does seem to be at the Beach.  This month we climb the mountain of dress sense for presenters and then we descend sharply before we get into trouble.   Such a consideration probably never entered the mind of Everest mountaineer Lt. Colonel Wylie whose presentation exploits are mentioned below.

Continent-facing we also mention Der Spiegel's commentary on the public speaking skills of Germany's managers - a group that appears reliant on scripts and slideshows.  And on this occasion our Anglo-Saxon public speaking skills are held in high regard.  Now that's welcome news.

Presentation Themes and Points

Getting the right number of points across to your audience is made easier when we focus on a very limited number of points.  Too many and we run the risk of audience exhaustion combined with mental fatigue.  Too few and we run the risk of not being asked back!  We have listed some of the main presentation points this month.

Nowhere is the mix of presenter's key points more acute than in a technical presentation.  So it's always good to hear how other event organisers handle the challenges of technical content delivery.  The organisers of this year's TechEd Developers 2007 event have come up with an ingenious and practical approach to encouraging presentation skills.  We have the details this month.  Good luck to all involved.

Presentation Organization

Knowing your audience's frustrations is one of a presenter's key priorities, so an Opinion Research USA survey contains some key pointers for effective presentation.  Sound structure and organisation are fundamental for successful presentations. In the same vein, we also have a very simple guide to laying out an effective presentation - either a business presentation or any form of public speaking.

Public Speaking Content and Effective PowerPoint

Not wanting to single politicians out for special attention but style might appear to win over substance.  At first sight it might.  But when you want your audience to go home with a nugget of information or a clear and succinct message your content is the top priority.  This month we look at the role of content in public speaking.  And merging both content and style we also look at the best PowerPoint presentation technique.

Public Speaking – Image

Using visual imagery is fundamental to effective public speaking.  Whether one uses props or screen images engaging the visual perception of your audience is vital.  Having an awareness of what your audience will perceive is the first step.  The whole effect comes from using quality imagery to fully engage your audience ensuring interest and relevancy.

Relevancy is one thing which our featured authors, Steven D Levitt and Stephen J Dubner, bring with their set of economics essays, Freakonomics.  Daring to be very different to most other economics tomes they succeed with a pithy, concise and very readable book.

Presentation Relevance

Make it relevant - the public speaking tip that just can't be ignored.  Public speaking training urges the need for relevance as the number one principle of public speaking - no matter whether it's a trade show presentation or a corporate presentation.  This month we look in more depth at some of the presentation techniques available.  As you will see, most of them can be applied well before you even get in front of your audience.

Effective Presentation Skills – Know your Audience

Knowing and understanding your audience before you deliver a presentation - whether a trade show or a corporate presentation - means that you have a better chance of establishing the critical rapport that you need for effective public speaking.  This month we look at some of the presentation techniques you can use to qualify the audience at your event.

Presentation Training – Getting your Message Across

One presentation technique that we address in PresentPerfect is the focus on the 3 main attributes of effective public speaking - content, voice delivery and you, the presenter.  This month we have some presentation tips for confident public speaking.