Presentation Skills

Objectives By the end of this slide set you will: Understand the ingredients of an effective presentation Know how to put a good presentation together Have identified your personal beliefs and perceptions and know how to manage them Understand your own personal ‘style’ Have acquired valuable tips and hints for successful presentations © 2016 Marval Software Limited www.marval.co.uk E:info@marval.co.uk

The purpose of a presentation Get across information and ideas that stick in the audience's minds Influence the audience positively sure your message stands out from the rest FOR THE RIGHT REASONS As the presenter, it is down to you to make © 2016 Marval Software Limited www.marval.co.uk E:info@marval.co.uk

You can be as good as you wish to be The art of giving interesting, memorable and relevant presentations can be learnt The skills required can be practiced and honed “We are what we continually do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit” Aristotle © 2016 Marval Software Limited www.marval.co.uk E:info@marval.co.uk

A successful communication Definition: ‘A successful communication is one which modifies the behaviour of the audience so that they do something in your favour that they would not have done had you not spoken to them.’ - Khalid Aziz © 2016 Marval Software Limited www.marval.co.uk E:info@marval.co.uk

Just some of our worries 1. I am not a good communicator 2. I’ve never done this before 3. I don’t ‘sell’ very well in public 4. The audience are all senior to me 5. The audience will be resistant to what I’m saying 6. I might make a fool of myself 7. I’ll forget what I am saying 8. They might ignore me What else? © 2016 Marval Software Limited www.marval.co.uk E:info@marval.co.uk

TWO very important facts perceptions and beliefs. They may feel very real to you but are probably far from the truth. These ‘worries’ are YOUR © 2016 Marval Software Limited www.marval.co.uk E:info@marval.co.uk

Step 1 - Who is your audience? What are their needs? What do they know about your topic? What do they do? What kind of people are they? © 2016 Marval Software Limited www.marval.co.uk E:info@marval.co.uk

Step 1 cont’d The brain works VERY fast: It processes words at 500 wpm Talking speed – 120 wpm approx 80% of the time, audience may not be listening to us – unless relevant and interesting to them ‘Talk to me about me’ © 2016 Marval Software Limited www.marval.co.uk E:info@marval.co.uk

Step 2 – why are you speaking? Main objective? What is the key thing they need from you? Review Key objective for presentation Clearly stated and understood? More than one objective – what is key, what could be removed if needed? © 2016 Marval Software Limited www.marval.co.uk E:info@marval.co.uk

Step 4 – structuring your presentation Tell them what you’re going to tell them (Introduction) Tell them (Main body) Tell them what you’ve told them (Conclusion/summary) © 2016 Marval Software Limited www.marval.co.uk E:info@marval.co.uk

Introduction Get their attention No apologetic attitude Act confident Introduce yourself Will you be worth listening to? Will you surprise them? Create expectation, anticipation, interest © 2016 Marval Software Limited www.marval.co.uk E:info@marval.co.uk

Credibility Why listen to you? Qualification to speak? Expertise? Practical knowledge? Give them faith in you as knowledgeable Be believable © 2016 Marval Software Limited www.marval.co.uk E:info@marval.co.uk

Direction Tell them Content Different sections and how they link together Timing Questions statement (e.g.during/after) Admin details © 2016 Marval Software Limited www.marval.co.uk E:info@marval.co.uk

Main body  Hard work required here Be concise Verbal signposts No jargon Maintain their interest Make effective use of your slides Leave some room in your presentation for questions © 2016 Marval Software Limited www.marval.co.uk E:info@marval.co.uk

Preparation Write it out Positive language Concise Word smithing No jargon Descriptive phrases Link to real life examples Repetition can help (be careful here) Right words for the audience Keep sight of your objectives © 2016 Marval Software Limited www.marval.co.uk E:info@marval.co.uk

Editing Strip out anything that is waffle or not to the point Allow for pauses in your timing Use words that suit you Use the END formula: Essential Necessary Desirable © 2016 Marval Software Limited www.marval.co.uk E:info@marval.co.uk

Practice … Timings Pauses Smiling Change non-’you’ words/phrases With slides and any props Allow for any needed feedback Keep to your timings © 2016 Marval Software Limited www.marval.co.uk E:info@marval.co.uk

Some things to think about 1. Where will you be giving you presentation? 2. Stage, lectern, table, nothing? 3. Where will your audience be? 4. What technology is available? © 2016 Marval Software Limited www.marval.co.uk E:info@marval.co.uk

Your presentation style What impression do you want to create? How will you do it? What style will suit your audience? What is your natural style – can you adapt to suit? Pacing Visual aids – asset or distraction? Risks – can you take any? Will it be memorable? © 2016 Marval Software Limited www.marval.co.uk E:info@marval.co.uk

Personal impact First impressions are lasting impressions Body language Voice Audibility Posture Notes Nerves Acting - ok in moderation, but being yourself is a winner © 2016 Marval Software Limited www.marval.co.uk E:info@marval.co.uk

About Marval Marval offers a customer-centric approach to IT service management (ITSM), encompassing ITSM software, consultancy and education People Process Technology © 2016 Marval Software Limited www.marval.co.uk E:info@marval.co.uk

Presentation Skills