May 30, 2012
Presentation Tips
Whether you are going into a business meeting, interview for job, or to pitch an idea to an investor or financial institution, there are certain tactics that could push your presentation from mediocre to brilliant. It’s not necessarily the gadgets, techie presentation tools you bring along to illustrate your points, but rather how you present and what you do in the presentation to convince the crowd. Here are some tips to assist in your presentations.
Knowledge is King
Ensure you are well versed in the subject matter. If you are pitching an idea in an industry, know that product, industry and markets inside and out. Conducting deep research and digging into as much information prior is going to make you look like you know your stuff… and that will impress the audience
If you are going into an interview, know the information around the position, company, and industry. Chances are you will be slammed with knowledge questions in the interview and your presentation of answers should demonstrate your deep knowledge in the subject matter.
Presentation Tip – Be Clear and Concise
Oral presentation can be stressful, and that stress can cause some to ramble on with too much speech, or technical babble that would throw off the audience. Going into a meeting well prepared through practicing your presentation, ensure you get your message right down to the exact clear points to the audience. Speak with clarity on the topic, illustrating the benefits you want and need to present, that would be relevant to the audience. Keep the non-relevant stuff off the discussion. As you remember who your audience is, keep the technical or operational specialist information to a minimum if the audience isn’t at that technical level. If technical questions are asked, then it opens the door for that detailed discussion.
Presentation Tip – Confidence
You will need to exude a high level of confidence in front of the Boards, partners, or employers. Confidence is high when you know your stuff, have a great track record, know that your personality is right fit. With high confidence you should not be sheepish in promoting yourself, your strengths and your great ideas. External interested parties gravitate to persons with a high level of confidence as that will transfer over to other aspects of business life. Once parties are confident in you, they will be confident in your ability to lead projects, lead organizations, achieve goals and company objectives.
Be Strong, Composed and Limit Emotions
Interviews and business meetings are pressured, stressful situations. These parties may use interviews or business presentations as a tools to see how well you react under pressure. Business presentations and interviews can be full of questioning that is trying to draw out behavioral responses from you. It is best to stay strong and composed to adequately answer questioning. In staying composed in the stressful situations, you are limiting those emotions that may alter or hinder your ability to make decisions or achieve a goal under pressure. Parties will take positive notes on your ability to handle high pressured situations with ease.
Ability to Adapt
As you move forward in your discussions and presentations, gauge your audience. How well is it going? Don’t be afraid to stop at points and ask the questions, “Was that point clear?” or “Is further discussion or detail required on that point?”. As an astute presenter and speaker you may need to revise your speech, your presentation methods on the fly to get a differing response or to motivate the crowd in another way. If you are getting negative responses in one area or topic, switch gears to adapt to discuss the constructive positive points or benefits, or have the ability to discuss the alternate pathways to mitigate those negative points.
Preparedness with Contingencies
Along with having a solid knowledge base and that strong confidence level, you will need to show how well prepared you are for situations, and how well you plan. For interviews or business presentations, you need to undertake a high level of preparation in advance. Thinking along the lines of business scenarios that may arise. Not only must you prepare for the known circumstances, but you must be a pro-active planner around the unknowns or the what-ifs. Demonstrating that you solidly analyze scenarios and develop action plans and contingencies will win you big bonus points.
Articles and blogs you may be interested in:
- Communication Strategies, Policies and Processes to Control Messages
- The Right Body Language and Attitude Integral to Success
- Strategies for Handling Difficult Conversations
- Young Entrepreneurs – Strategies and Tips to Keep You Focused
- Strategies to Improve Performance in your Personal Life and Business
Communication and presentation information:
Business information, resources and tips for the entrepreneur
© 2012 Strategy Plan One
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