How To Make Better BusinessPresentations

BY GREG PFEIFFER

https://clipartfest.com/categories/view/3b17b693d2d0bd8c572fb9d64471950d2b18595b/clipart-for-business-presentations.html

Key Elements to Effective Business Presentations

▶Understanding your objective and audience

▶Preparation is Key

▶Delivery

▶Proper use of Supportive Material

▶Simplicity

▶Rehearsalhttp://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&

Understanding Your Objective and Audience

▶What is the overall goal of the presentation?• Report data• Explain a Situation• Persuade• Motivate (Newman, 2014)

▶Use simply language everyone will understand• Avoid jargon, acronyms, slang or unnecessary/complex verbiage• Have an understanding of the audience’s knowledge on the topic

being presented

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Preparation is Key

▶Conduct research / gather the facts▶Determine length requirements and organize material▶Anticipate possible questions▶Familiarize yourself with the venue▶Determine supporting material to emphasize certain points

• Build an outline once organized and all data is collected

▶Being prepared will help build confidence in delivery

(Chorbajian, 2001)

http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/p/failure-to-prepare-is-preparing-to-fail-4/

Delivery

▶“Employers view presentation skills as important. 100% of executives he surveyed listed communication--oral, speaking capability, written, presenting, listening--as extremely important” (Marcel, 2015 p.10)

▶High emotional intelligence / self-awareness helps focus areas to improve

▶Making it personal draws the crowd to you• Make eye-contact and speak to the audience, not at them

▶Delivery should aim to “tell a story” rather than simply provide information (Wain, 2009)

Proper Use of Supportive Material

▶When using slides or visual aids:• Ensure everyone in the audience can read the material• Ensure the title(s) reflect the material and accurately provides an overview of

the slide/aid• Limit to maximum of six lines and use a simple font• Avoid elaborate backgrounds and minimize animation• Expect to spend one – three minutes per slide or aid

(Kaye, 2016)

http://www.free-power-point-templates.com/

Simplicity

▶Communicating with clarity and simplicity impacts the audience• “Some tips include getting advices from people who have addressed

the target audience, designing each slide to convey its message instantly, and using eye-catching graphics on most slides (Whiteman, 2013)

▶Starting the presentation simply and clearly will help the audience first understand and accept who you are as a person, before accepting any message (D’Vari, 2004)

Rehearsal

▶Practicing delivery will improve final performance• Memorize key points, use note cards if needed (Schwartz, 1988)

▶Allows for feedback from others▶Improves confidence and reduces stress of public speaking▶Similar to editing written reports to identify problems

▶Rehearse, but don’t obsess – over-rehearsing is counterproductive (Grenny, 2015)

http://www.gannongolf.com.au/practice-makes-perfect-wrong/

REFERENCES Newman, A. (2014). Business communication: In print, in person, online (9th ed.). Independence, KY: Cengage Learning. Chorbajian, V. (2001). Preparation key to making presentations. Inside Tucson Business, 11(5), 12.  Marcel, M. (2015). What's the best course? Evidence from alumni on the value of business presentations preparation. Journal Of Education For Business, 90(1), 10-17. doi:10.1080/08832323.2014.968515 Wain, D. (2009). Presentation zen: Simple ideas on presentation design and delivery. International Journal Of Market Research, 51(1), 137-139.  Kaye, S. (2016). It's showtime! How to give effective presentations. Supervision, 77(5), 12. (visual aids)_ Whiteman, L. (2013). Simplicity, clarity mark effective PowerPoint presentation. Federal Times, 49(21), 22.  D'Vari, M. (2004). Win more clients: Three tips for more effective presentations. Public Relations Tactics, 11(2), 30.  Schwartz, A. E. (1988). Rehearsing: Key to avoiding training chaos. Training & Development Journal, 42(8), 15.  Grenny, J. (2015). 6 ways to reduce the stress of presenting. Harvard Business Review Digital Articles, 2-4.