Are All Presentations Created Equal?

I just facilitated a customized presentation skills program for regional sales managers of a very large medical device company.

Their objectives were to understand the differences and similarities between these types of presentations:

 management vs. leadership
 formal vs. informal
 informative vs. persuasive
 face to face vs. phone, web, etc.

The irony -- although they are different, the bottom line is the same.

All types of presentations have two things in common:

1) A message to structure and develop to achieve a result

2) Delivery that engages the audience members and accomplishes the goal

Is it possible to give presentations that are a combination of management and leadership, informative and persuasive?

Yes.

It comes down to what you want that audience walking away knowing, doing and feeling.

Should you prepare less because it’s informal?

Not really.

It’s always respectful to your audience (be it one or many) to be clear about your objectives and to deliver the message with clarity and enthusiasm.

In future blogs, I’ll get more specific about the differences and similarities between management and leadership presentations, and ways to be effective while presenting.

If you want to bring this custom “Speaking to Lead” program to your team, let us know!

The Power of Video: Seeing Yourself on Tape Can Lead to Self-Improvement

I have often been asked:

•How do you deal with big egos in a presentation skills program?

•How do ensure that the people you coach connect the dots?

•How do you measure improvement when training/coaching on presentation skills?

My answer to all three questions is videotape!

Really, the only way to get a real assessment of how others see you as a presenter is to look at yourself. I’m not saying it’s easy, but it is necessary.

I’m not saying that I like to see myself on video, but, again, it is necessary.

What I have learned by being videotaped:

•I don’t smile as much as I think I do.
•I favor one side of the room.
•I make funny faces.
•My posture needs to be improved.
•And, the list goes on …

I know that sports professionals get videotaped, professional actors are taped, so why shouldn’t everyone who presents (to large and small groups) get taped as well?

It’s a great way to identify strengths and to determine what needs to be improved.

At BRODY, our presentation skills training and coaching almost always involves taping.

At my recent BRODY BOOST Camp, I hired a videographer (Rob Kates, www.professionalspeakervideo.com) to update my speaking demo and add some new footage.

What my recent videotaping experience really did for me was give me a list of the areas that I still need to work on!

That’s right, even we Hall of Fame speakers need to be open for self-improvement.

I truly believe in my own mantra that: “If you’re not green and growing, you’re ripe and rotting.”

What do you need to improve?

Remember – the best keep looking for ways to get better.

So, smile for that video camera!

Present Like a Pro: It's All About the Audience

Last week, I did a webinar on presentation skills.

One question I was asked at the end was, “What is the number one mistake that people make when it comes to giving presentations?

My answer? “Not knowing the audience.”

Think about it...

As a speaker, your information may be excellent, but if it doesn’t relate to the audience, what’s the point?

If the vocabulary, acronyms and jargon are correct, but the audience doesn’t understand them, what’s the point?

If your audience members like to learn by listening, but you use lots of PowerPoint slides, what’s the point?

Preparing a presentation should be all about the audience.

Instead, most presenters see things from their own lens.

Here are some critical factors to consider about your audience members, the next time you prepare a presentation:

•What is their demographic? After all, the examples you use must be understood by them.

•What is their attitude toward your topic and you?

•What experiences do they have relating to your topic?

•How do they like to learn?

•What are their hot buttons?

•How do they make decisions?

•Who are the decision-makers, and who are the influencers?

There are three times to get to know an audience.

The first is when you start your preparation; do your research.

The second is to arrive early, ask questions, and observe what is happening around you.

Finally, you can learn about an audience during the presentation itself. If the audience seems perplexed, is hostile or falling asleep, change what you’re doing. Do a quick reality check and shift gears.

There isn’t one speaker or speaking style that works with all audiences.

But, as a presenter, you can flex your style and your content.

Keep in mind the name of my popular book Speaking is an Audience-Centered Sport.