Â
Our Exceptional Presentations Workshop is the best in the business, even if I do say so myself. Almost 30 years of experience has demonstrated conclusively that we can take anyone at any skill level and provide them with the tools and confidence to significantly increase their effectiveness as a presenter. It is truly gratifying to watch some folks start out as Ugly Ducklings and in only two days graduate as Beautiful Swans. What is the secret of our success?
Well, we start by breaking down every aspect of the presentation process. We teach people proven techniques to grab the audience’s attention and hold it. We train them in how to maintain professional body language. They learn best practice strategies for developing and polishing their material. We go over every aspect of how to use visual aids – from the latest technology to the most basic handouts. Our workshop participants even learn tips for getting their nerves under control and how to handle questions from the audience.
This is all great stuff, but what pulls it all together is the way we get each participant to practice each skill again and again during the workshop until they begin to understand how it all fits together. There is no substitute for focused, diligent practice. It is practice that makes perfect presentations.
Look at it this way: In sports, who spends more hours in practice every day during the season, a Pop Warner team of 9-year olds or a professional team like the New England Patriots? Strange as it may seem, the pros practice longer and harder than anyone else, even though they are already the best of the best! They know the only way to reach their goals is to keep getting better every day.
The same thing is true in presentation training. It is one thing to know all the techniques and understand all the tips. However, understanding is not the same as executing. Even top presenters will spend extra time practicing and going over new material for an important presentation. During our presentation workshops, we set the bar pretty high when it comes to practice, and it is the one thing all of our clients can continue to pursue when they return to their homes and offices.
The best way to practice presentation skills is in front of a video camera. We make extensive use of video during our classes. Each participant is taped at least 10 times over a period of two days. Each time they learn a new technique, we record them and put them in a room with a coach to help them analyze their performance and look for things to work on to make the presentation better.
It is nice to have a coach, but, as Dan Rather used to say, "the camera never blinks." All anyone has to do to improve their presentation skills is spend a sessions in front of the video camera and they will discover plenty of material to work on. Are you pacing or rocking back and forth? The camera will notice. How many times did you say "Uh?" Play it back and count them. Are you smiling and making good eye contact? Why don’t you replay the session and find out? Are you talking too fast or too slow? Are you mumbling? Are you projecting your voice loudly enough? Do you look and sound confident? The camera will reveal it all.
The best thing about the camera, though, is that it also records progress. Each time you record a session, you will note areas that need to be improved. Then you will go back and make those improvements and record another session, after which you can compare your new effort to the previous one. How much progress did you make? How much more is needed? The camera sees all and knows all.
Sure, you can practice in front of a live audience, but unless you pay a professional coach to tell you the truth, you will probably be practicing in front of family and friends. You will get a lot of encouraging words and a couple of gentle suggestions, but probably no one will be completely honest with you about areas that need a lot of improvement. The camera, on the other hand, is brutally honest. It is not a fan or a critic; it is just a tool. Use it regularly, and you will soon be presenting like a pro.
Â
Re-Print Permission
This article may be reprinted in it's entirety if the following
conditions are met:
September Presentation Quick Tip of the Month – Make the Opening Memorable
It was Mary Poppins who said, "Well begun is half done." What is true for cleaning your room goes doubly so for making an effective presentation. You only have a few seconds to make a good impression on your audience and give them a reason to keep listening. That is why so many speakers open with a joke or humorous story; people like to be entertained and have a bit of fun. However, a funny story isn’t the only way to start, and in certain instances it is not appropriate to use humor. Other good openings include an engaging quote from a famous figure, a startling (factual) statistic, a moving (short) story or an in-your-face controversial statement. The important thing is to wake up the audience and get them on the edge of their seats from the very beginning. Once you have their attention, you are half way home.
