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