Delivering Presentations Chapter Fifteen McGraw-Hill/Irwin Copyright © 2014 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Learning Objectives LO15.1 Describe how presentation delivery impacts your credibility. LO15.2 Deliver presentations with authenticity, confidence, and influence. LO15.3 Apply the SOFTEN model of nonverbal communication for presentations. LO15.4 Use slides and handouts to supplement your presentation effectively. LO15.5 Interact effectively with your audience. 15-2 Principles for Establishing Presence Establish credibility. Maintain authenticity. Know your material. Speak with confidence. Focus on people. 15-3 Principles for Establishing Presence Start and finish strong. Stay flexible. Use the room to your advantage. Communicate nonverbally. Dress for success. 15-4 Establish Credibility Use an internal presentation to show your thorough understanding of a business issue During an external presentation, you establish your competence by showing that you know the content well. 15-5 Maintain Authenticity One of your primary goals as you develop your presentation skills is to find ways to present your real self to your audiences. 15-6 Know Your Material and Rehearse By running through your presentations several times, you allow yourself to: become more comfortable with the content work out weakly connected areas identify parts that you want to emphasize through tone and nonverbal communication 15-7 Top Fears of American Adults Figure 15.1 15-8 Overcome Fear and Speak with Confidence Feeling some nerves can heighten your ability to deliver forcefully and passionately Nervousness is dysfunctional only when it impairs your ability to deliver your content 15-9 Overcome Fear and Speak with Confidence Engage in Relaxation Techniques Become Aware of Your Breathing Practice Visualization Focus on Friendly Faces Initially to Gain Composure and Confidence Watch Your Food and Beverage Intake Get Comfortable with Audience Members Before Starting Your Presentation 15-10 Focus on People Make People the Subject of Your Sentences Introduce Colleagues and Refer to Them by Name during Your Presentation Use Names of Audience Members as Appropriate 15-11 Making People the Subject of Your Sentences 15-12 Introducing Colleagues by Name 15-13 Using Names of Audience Members 15-14 Stay Flexible Arrive Early Focus on the Needs of Your Audience When You Lose Your Place, Don’t Panic Never Tell Your Audience Things Haven’t Gone as Expected Always Have a Plan B Know What Your Key Messages Are 15-15 Use the Room to Your Advantage Position Yourself Where People Can See You Easily Move Around But Avoid Distracting the Audience Use Podiums and Tables Strategically 15-16 Communicate Nonverbally Consider the SOFTEN model of nonverbal communication in your presentations: Smile Open stance Forward lean Tone Eye contact Nod 15-17 Dress for Success Formal business dress intended to project executive presence and seriousness. 15-18 Dress for Success Business casual dress intended to project a more comfortable, relaxed feel while still maintaining a high standard of professionalism. 15-19 Dress for Success Casual dress least formal option rare in a business-related setting 15-20 Messages Sent by Formality of Workplace Attire Figure 15.3 15-21 Use Visuals without Losing Focus on You Avoid Turning Out the Lights in Most Cases Don’t Start Your Slides Right Away Speak to Your Audience, not the Screen Interpret, Don’t Read Your Slides Preview the Slides before Showing Them 15-22 Use Visuals without Losing Focus on You Use a Remote Control to Advance Slides When Possible Avoid Standing in Front of the Slide Projection Use Blank Slides Strategically 15-23 Use Handouts Effectively If you can, wait until the end of your presentation to distribute handouts This allows you to maintain more control over the message. 15-24 Interact with Your Audience A few ways to interact with your audience include: Fielding questions during the presentation Mingling Following up with audience members afterward 15-25 Field Questions Pause before Answering Be Honest Show Appreciation Be Concise Reframe the Question to Match Your Agenda 15-26 Responding Honestly to a Question 15-27 Showing Appreciation 15-28 Being Concise 15-29 Reframing a Question to Match Your Agenda 15-30