Posts Tagged ‘presenting’

Many people fear presenting more than death. Often these barriers to presenting are more in the mind than grounded in reality. So what are the common myths you need to be alert to?

Myth 1: It needs to be word perfect
• In reality it needs to be understandable, not word perfect.

Myth 2: Everyone is judging you

• This is no different to every other walk of life. You cannot change or force people to always think you are great. Life is not like that.

Myth 3: You cannot use humour

• You obviously cannot be a stand up comic in a business presentation but at the same time there is no rule that says it is a humour free zone.

Myth 4: It is genetic

• The fact is, I have yet to hear any midwife tell the parents of a new born that it has the presentation gene. How about you?

The truth is myths hinder our ability to present well. So what myths or beliefs do you need to drop in order to be a better presenter?

Duncan Brodie of Goals and Achievements helps accountants and health professionals to achieve success and realize their professional potential through being highly effective leaders and managers. For more information and to sign up for his free audio e-course click here

If you are managing or leading a team, chances are you will be required to make a presentation from time to time. While some relish giving a presentation, for others just the mere fact that they might have to fills them with fear. 

So what are 6 common barriers that could be getting in the way of you successfully presenting?

Barrier 1: Believing it has got to be slick

We watch great presenters and it all seems so slick, word perfect, no ums or ahs, stutters or stammers- and we think that’s the way we need to be.  Of course we all want to get better and better.  At the same time if we view each presentation as a learning opportunity, we don’t get stuck in the barrier of believing we need to be super slick.

Barrier 2: Thinking you are being judged

Sometimes we come across people who seem to get hung up on the fact that everyone will pass judgement.  Yes they will have their own views about you as presenter.  By the same token rather than judging they are more likely to be relieved that it is you rather than them giving the presentation.

Barrier 3: You have it or you don’t

What do I mean?  Ever heard people say that people are born presenters.  Now I don’t know about you but I have yet to hear about a midwife announcing to the proud parents of a newborn that the baby has the presentation gene.  Like every other skill, presentation skills can be developed.

Barrier 4: Thinking you can’t be nervous

Even the best presenters are nervous.  It is what you do with those nerves that makes the difference.  You can either channel them as a source of adrenalin or something that keeps you stuck.  You get to choose.

Barrier 5: Making ridiculous comparisons

You might not be the next world speaking champion or as good as the President or Prime Minister.  Aiming high is great but don’t add extra pressure by making unrealistic comparisons.

Barrier 6: Thinking you can wing it

The foundations of any successful presentation are in the planning and preparation. Get this right and you are well on your way to a successful presentation.  Trouble is many folks view this as dull and don’t allocate the time they should do.  Don’t compromise a successful presentation by trying to wing it.

Bottom Line – With practise anyone can become a competent presenter.  So what’s stopping you from becoming an effective presenter?

In the Den businesses are seeking investment in their product or service.  So what were the key presentation lessons from the first week of the 2009 series?

1. Make sure that you demonstrate your track record when presenting
2. Don’t take big risks when making a pitch.  Focus on presenting professionally and in a business like way
3. Be willing to respond openly and transparently to questions
4. Focus on building rapport and avoid conflict
5. Be clear about the difference between a concept and a business

More and more organisations are looking to add coaching to their learning and development offering.  So what are some of the common challenges that can be tackled by coaching in organisations?

Winning the war for talent

In many businesses there is a constant challenge of recruiting and subsequently retaining the best people.  Coaching can help to build relationships in the organisation and also give a strong message to employees and potential hires that people development is taken seriously.

Leadership development

Many employers offer opportunities to employees to gain professional qualifications, masters levels degrees and participate in the in-house development programmes.  All of these will work for employees but for some the opportunity to work one to one with someone else is much more effective.  It allows open dialogue and attention to be focused on those areas of improvement that will deliver greatest impact.

Increasing productivity

The opportunities here are almost endless.  Someone could be work with a coach on work organisation, delegation, time mastery, project planning, process re-design, goal setting, decision making to name just a few.

Communication

Like productivity the opportunities in the area of communication are significant.  It might be presenting a new strategy, getting buy-in to a change programme, asking more effective questions when handling conflict,improving presentation skills, listening more effectively or even how to write in a more compelling way.

So what other areas would you add to the list of challenges that can be tackled by coaching?  Leave a comment with your thoughts.

It is claimed that some people fear giving a presentation more than death.  So what are my top tips for delivering a great presentation?

1. Check the equipment in advance
2. Make sure you know how to load the presentation
3. Take a few minutes to relax before giving a presentation
4. Don’t try to memorise words, just remember your headline and key messages
5. Pace yourself
6. Try not to be too serious- remember it is not life or death
7. Have fun

What tips do you offer when it comes to delivering a great presentation?