Presentation Tips

Never read from slides. Audiences hate this the most. Slides are not
cue cards. Your notes should be hidden from view. Ad lib, don't read.
Start with an icebreaker. Have a planned attention-grabber. It could
be a moving story; a surprising statistic or a question for the audience.
Keep it conversational. Talk to the audience as you would talk to
guests in your own home: engage with stories, questions and dialogue.
Use photos. Photos stimulate thinking more effectively than bullet
points. Important text or complex graphs can be circulated as handouts.
Don't hide. Avoid lecterns. Get close to the audience. Move around.
Pause for effect. The occasional pause adds drama to your point.
Pausing for a breath will also avoid ums, ahs and other fillers.
Make eye contact. Scan the audience. Make eye contact for two or
three seconds with each person.
Gesture. Gestures are great. They signal confidence and enthusiasm.
Use a remote. If you don't, you risk fumbling on the keyboard, or
awkward silence during slide transitions.
Avoid summaries. Ending with a summary is an invitation for the
audience to tune out or think about lunch.

Why are most business presentations boring?

Thousands of poor presentations are delivered in boardrooms and conference halls every

week. Often its not the speaker at fault. Its simply the way they convey their information.

A poor presentation is usually dominated by PowerPoint bullets, forgettable graphs and

endless unreadable text. That's why PowerPoint has attracted a growing number of critics

over the years. It can be tedious to watch. But it can still be a powerful and effective tool.

The most dynamic speakers are focused on stories not screens. They highlight their key

points through anecdotes and real examples. They describe things we can see in our
mind's eye.

Ban the bullets

When you plan your next presentation avoid the temptation to cram your slides with bullet

points. Bullets don't work. Whenever possible, use full frame photos, or simple graphics
and charts. If you must use bullet points, use them sparingly. The audience is there to
hear from you. They don't want to read your slides.

If large amounts of text and data are unavoidable, circulate it in handouts. (Or cancel the

presentation and send everyone an email.)

People remember two things: interesting stories and striking images. That's why we buy
newspapers and magazines. We also enjoy the moving images on TV news. So don't
overlook the power of video in your next presentation. Show some interviews with satisfied
clients

Eliminate distractions.

Don't force unnecessary information or decoration on your audience. Be ruthless with
your company template. Eliminate headers, footers, logos and any other distracting
branding. We know who you are; we don't need reminding on each slide.

If you're using a title slide, make it dynamic. Write it like a headline. Instead of
Restructuring Options, how about The Road To Recovery.

Practise

Presenting skills are developed through familiarity and practise. Apple founder Steve

Jobs is regarded by many as one of the world's best. But even he spends days practising

before going on stage to launch a new product. So learn your material. Don't wing it.

The best way to practise is to practise aloud. And the fastest way to improve is to record

yourself presenting to an empty room or conference venue. You'll know immediately

where improvements are needed. And you can judge other factors like body language,

pace and delivery, and eye contact. You'll see and hear your own mistakes, and have

time to change them.

It will take time, but it's worth it. Nothing can boost your career like the ability to deliver a

killer pitch or presentation.

free tips

contact greg

AUCKLAND/WELLINGTON

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SYDNEY/MELBOURNE

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