Presentations Proper Preparation Prevents Pretty Poor Performance

Writen by Andy Britnell

Congratulations! You have already got further than many people by deciding to go ahead with your presentation despite your natural fears. When starting to prepare for your presentation, think about the:

1. Environment – where will the presentation take place? Does the size and layout of the room suit your purposes? Is it to be formal of informal? Are all the necessary facilities available?

What kind of aids do you need? Would some props would be useful? If using technology, always have a back-up so that a technical failure does not bring everything to a halt.

How much time have you got? 30 minutes sounds a long time, but can go very quickly, particularly if people are asking questions.

2. Audience - who are they? How many will there be and what do they already know? Should your language be technical or colloquial? What kind of questions might they ask? Are they friendly or do they need convincing?

3. Objective – what are you trying to achieve here? Using that reliable old technique, the SMART objective, will help you here. In other words your objective should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic/Relevant and Timebound.

4. Structure – you need to have a clear structure so that people will follow what you are saying. My favourite is the 5-part structure of: Attention-grabber – an interesting anecdote or maybe some unexpected fact or statistic.

Introduction – tell them what you are going to tell them and why!

Main body – see Content below.
Conclusion – sum up your arguments neatly.
Link back to the attention-grabber to close.

5. Content - keep it short and simple. It is tempting to stick in lots of detail to show how knowledgeable you are, but you may only succeed in sending the audience to sleep. Never pretend to know more than you do. It is very embarrassing to get caught out!

Having got this far, you now need to practise your presentation, preferably with a sympathetic but objective observer to give you feedback. Only by talking out loud will you become comfortable with your material and discover what flows well when spoken, as opposed to what reads well on the page. You may need to make adjustments to avoid stumbling over words or to clarify their meaning. Keep practising until you feel completely comfortable with the content - this is one time when trying to fly by the seat of your pants just isn't worth it!

Andy Britnell specialises in sales and customer service training for the private and public sectors. Go to http://www.andybritnell.co.uk/ and you can sign up for my FREE short monthly newsletter and FREE e-mail coaching.

I coach corporate and SME clients who wish to fulfil more of their potential by thinking and behaving more effectively - see http://www.executive-coaching-for-business-growth.com/

Develop The Winners Edge Through Conversational Hypnosis

Writen by Don Price

Communication is vital for survival in an age of information that is undergoing a "shock-wave" of changes. Nationally and globally, we remain in a crisis in traditional literacy. Literacy, according to most dictionaries, is an unmoving term -- the ability to read and write.

According to National Institute for Literacy:

• American businesses are estimated to lose over $60 billion in productivity each year due to employees' lack of basic skills -- translated, means -- reading, writing, math and interpersonal skills all need radical improvement.

• The number of companies reporting skilled worker shortages more than doubled between 1995 and 1998, from 27 percent to over 47 percent.

• A survey of more than 300 executives found that, while 71 percent reported that basic written communication training was critical to meeting their workplaces' changing skills demands, only 26 percent of companies offered this kind of training.

In order to stay competitive in the global economy, employers need workers who can read, write, compute, solve problems, and communicate well. Virtually everyone recognizes the emergence of computer-technology literacy and has ignored the counterpoint that is just as important, for navigating our way through the new world of communications -- oral communications.

Oral skills necessary for survival and success, goes beyond traditional literary communications -- to mastery of communications. Those who understand and become word merchants will be the winners of the future.

We mistakenly think that "great communicators" were born with a magical or god given ability to get across their messages with such command, influence and eloquence. Just as the language of computer-technology is, a learned language, so must the language of the spoken-word learned.

Spoken-words that influence and grab the listener's attention -- focus the listener's attention, interest, and compel the listener to take-action -- both greatly increase the suggestibility as a form of conversational hypnosis. Conversational hypnosis is ethical, effective and a leaned skill demonstrated by masters, such as our late president, John F. Kennedy, Ted Kopple, and Lee Iacocca.

Iacocca moved a nation with words: "If you can find a better car, buy one!" "Chrysler must be given a chance." During the Chrysler crisis, Iacocca made a riveting statement "My heart bleeds for those guys." All statements are very powerful and hypnotic.

Mastering mesmerizing conversation hypnosis will lead to maximizing your career because your communications will turn negative thinking into positive thoughts. Here are five steps to mastering conversational hypnosis:

1. Organize your thoughts and learn how to use vivid word pictures that free up the human imagination and activate creativity in the mind of your listener.

2. Listen carefully to the dreams and desires of your listener. Communicate the benefits of your products, service or ideas that help support their innermost dreams while connecting to each person in a real flesh and blood way.

3. Use the power of repetition in your communications. Example: "You'll love this program and it will absolutely change your life." "You'll love the way this program will change your life for the better."

4. Master the art of using metaphors and stories. Stories reduce banal communication, reduces tension and your listener becomes less critical when getting information in a relaxed and entertaining way.

5. Hone your communication skills -- your voice, articulation, tone and learn how to relate to you listener, talk with them and not at them. Deliver your message with heart, truth and cutting emotion.

Don L. Price: Speaker,Author, Sales/Marketing & Positive Change Solution Provider--Coaching Minds To Succeed http://www.donlprice.com Join Seminarsonline: http://www.donlprice.com/dare2win.html Put a Voice to your message:http://tinyurl.com/73n27

Boardroom Presentations Sweat Like A Horse

Writen by George Torok

Maybe you heard that horses sweat, men perspire and women glow. But in the boardroom everyone who presents sweats – some more than others. If you are in management or want to be, you will need to present in the boardroom. This is the worst place to present. First understand why it is that way. Then use these techniques to be more successful when you present in the boardroom.

Beware of Boardroom Landmines

Culture
The boardroom is a place of punishment. It is where management and executives go to thrash the last bad quarter results and beat up somebody. Whoever presents today in the boardroom is the target for today's flogging. Hence just entering the boardroom stirs up a defensive and offensive attitude in most meeting attendees. They are ready to defend their own performance and at the same time attack someone else just to escape. A boardroom is not a place to birth new ideas – it is a place to crucify suspected sinners, torture under-performers and kill dreamers.

Physical
The physical step-up of the boardroom is adversarial. Meeting attendees face each other across the table. They are not facing the speaker. In fact to face the speaker they must turn their head and expose themselves to the physical discomfort of a kinked neck.

Hierarchy
There is always a power position at the table. Even in King Arthur's round table the strongest positions were those closest to Arthur. The presenter will usually speak opposite the power position – thus having the weakest physical position on the table.

History
If you are relatively new to this board meeting the ones with history will play their seniority card against you. They can bring up past issues, insider jokes or unwritten rules that put you down.

To succeed in the Boardroom

Before the meeting
Learn who will be there and learn their hot buttons. Meet with all or at the very least the key decision makers before the meeting and get them on your side. Never introduce new ideas in the boardroom. That is the surest way to kill your new ideas.

If the meeting chair is an abrasive type, meet with him before the meeting. Explain your ideas and demonstrate how your ideas support his visions and goals. And ask for his support to make it work. Tell him that you cannot make it happen without his critical support, which implies that if it fails he is responsible. Tell him what you want to accomplish and ask for his advice on how to get everyone else onside.

The more people you have taken into your confidence and who know about your presentation in advance – the more will support you when the vote comes down. If you don't surprise them they won't surprise you. When you meet with them ask them for their support.

Speaking in the Boardroom
Get into the boardroom before the meeting to get comfortable with the room – to make it your room. Test your presentation equipment. Sit in a few of the chairs to see the perspective of the attendees. Beware that the others are evaluating you the whole time – before you present, while you present and after you present. So appear calm and confident.

When it is your turn to speak, calmly take the power position of the room. Stand. Pause while you attain everyone's attention. Then begin your presentation.

Speak to everyone in the room. Make a point of talking and looking at every person in the room. Move your eyes across the table in imperfect x's. Don't be fooled into only talking to the one with the most power or the one who engages you. And don't be lulled into staring at the broad expanse of the boardroom table.

State your position clearly and strongly. Never apologize. Look to your allies for their support. Make it clear what you want them to do because of your presentation. Repeat your purpose. State the purpose early and be prepared for interruptions as well as your presentation time getting cut short.

Seek to gain one key point that moves them in the direction that you want. Don't try to sell and close all the details in one boardroom presentation. Boardroom meetings are either to confirm earlier discussions or to suggest new directions. But seldom are they for details.

Your Boardroom Success
Accept the directional win and next step. Be willing to work out the details later. People are more defensive in the boardroom. Don't try to nail the whole project in one boardroom presentation.

© George Torok has delivered many boardroom presentations over a 20-year corporate management history. He now works with executives and managers to help them enjoy more success from their presentations. He is the "Speech Coach for Executives". You can get your free presentation tips every month by registering at http://www.SpeechcoachforExecutives.com. You can arrange for George Torok to work with you and your executives by calling 905-335-1997