Young Modellers’ Forum 2000

Guide to Presentation Skills

David Manallack

December 1st 2000

Outline Why? Image Essential Presentation Skills Nerves Structure of a Presentation Questions Visual and Presentation Aids Others + summary

Image

First impressions count (remember the interview analogy)

Smart dress (should suit the meeting)– no Dilbert ties

– no visible pens

– no badges (i.e. want audience to focus on the speaker)

Think about image in terms of ‘will it detract from what I’m saying?’

Essential Presentation Skills

Volume (no monotones) and variation Speed Emphasis Use pauses (no umms or errs) Speak clearly, and explain clearly Direct peoples eyes No typographicol errors (Hawkeye is out there)

Essential Presentation Skills - 2

Smile (with sincerity) Eye contact Use hands (as a visual aid, not a windmill) Move around (if appropriate). Don’t dance Keep to time Be enthusiastic

Nerves

Use them to your advantage (control them) Prepare, Prepare, Prepare, read, read, read Use discrete notes [wean yourself over time] The audience is willing you on Don’t panic if your lose your place. 2 seconds to

the audience may seem like a minute to you. (The audience is forgiving)

Nerves - 2

Practice (not too many times) [keep your edge] No booze, take deep breaths before you begin Develop mental relaxation techniques Volunteer to give talks

Structure of a Presentation Beginning

– possibly have an attention grabber (“quote”)

– set the scene

Middle– what do I want to get across

– logical sequence

End– summarise key points

– conclude (i.e. what it means and what happens next)

– possible return to attention grabber

Questions

Know your stuff If you don’t know

– ask them to repeat (time thing)

– rephrase it back (time thing)

– be honest

– delegate

Tense situations - take it out of the room Anticipate questions and prepare accordingly

Visual and Presentation Aids

Where will I stand (can audience see?) Rehearse with actual transparencies / slides /

PowerPoint and an audience Revolver - 6 bullets/slide (i.e. not too busy)

Possibly use reveal method if appropriate. Use walk around microphone Consider props Wow them with technology (movies/WWW etc)

Others Points + Summary

No click pens or coins Two hands for lasers Choose a champion Practice and read Go on a course One more to make 6 bullets