The session covered the structure of a presentation, covering aspects of an introduction, content and conclusion, as well as the use of props and equipment, such as slides and microphones. Furthermore, I discussed verbal and non-verbal forms of communication, ensuring a consistent delivery and approach.
One of the main areas of conversation was around strategies to help overcome nerves. In this regard, I often advise against writing a presentation out word-for-word, as this creates pressure to follow an exact script and shifts the focus towards reading content, rather than delivering content. Instead, I suggest that a presenter focuses on remembering the key points they wish to convey with flexibility in delivering the rest of the content. This has the advantage of providing a more natural style of presentation and ensures that a presenter only needs to remember the key points they wish to communicate.
It is also important that a presentation is targeted towards the audience, for examples a sales presentation would have a different approach to a presentation that provides a status update on a project. It is also necessary to be aware of the outcomes you wish to achieve, and to be mindful that these outcomes may be different to each of the individuals who are receiving the presentation. For example, in an advocacy context the presenter is obviously seeking to secure policy change, while the attendees would be consideration the wider implications and implementation issues of such changes.
Presentation skills improve with practice and it is worth noting that everyone has their own preferred style of communication. A presenter needs to know what their strengths are and to utilise these abilities when delivering a presentation.
ICT role in 21st century education and it's challenges.
How to Deliver a Presentation
1. How to Deliver a Presentation
How to Deliver a Presentation
Alex Makin
Syneka Pty Ltd
2. www.syneka.com.au
Introduction
Background
The need for presentation skills
Know the audience
Preparation
Overcoming nerves
Verbal communication
Non-verbal communication
Engaging the audience
Presentation structure
Conclusion
3. www.syneka.com.au
About Alex Makin
Councillor in the City of Maroondah
• Elected in 2005
• Re-elected in 2008
• Mayor during 2010
Community Involvement
Business Owner: Syneka Pty Ltd
Manager of Marketing, Eastern Volunteers
4. www.syneka.com.au
Maroondah City Council
City of Maroondah
• 104,000 residents
• Nine Councillors
• Presentations
• Chairing meetings
• Speeches at
openings
• Meetings with MPs
• Speeches at
community events
• Variety of functions
and presentations
5. www.syneka.com.au
About Syneka
Strengthen the capacity of organisations
• Services include
• Organisational and business planning
• Marketing strategies
• IT assessments
• Website design and development
• Professional speaking services
• Established in 2009
• Website: www.syneka.com.au
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/syneka
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/syneka.com.au
6. www.syneka.com.au
Presentations through Syneka
Businesses and
organisations
• Key decision makers
• Committee
members
• Sales focus
• Speaking at events
• Differ in scale and
function
• Demonstrations
• Support content of
presentation
7. www.syneka.com.au
About Eastern Volunteers
Not for profit organisation
• Formed in 1976
• 14 Staff
• Over 100 volunteers
• Office locations
• Ringwood
• Box Hill
• Two divisions
• Volunteer services
• Community transport services
• Growing organisation and increasing prominence
8. www.syneka.com.au
Presentations through Eastern
Volunteers
Public events
• Proceedings at Fun
Run
• Proceedings at
Multicultural Festival
Presentations
• Business Partners
• State, Federal MPs
and Councillors
• Workshops with staff
and board
9. www.syneka.com.au
Every presentation is different
No single success factor
No two presentations are the same
• Even if content is the same
• The audience is not
Everyone has a different presentation style
• Different speaking styles
• Different postures
• Different use of language
• Different strengths
Use this to your advantage
10. www.syneka.com.au
Presentation skills are critical
At some stage everyone will need to present
• Job interviews
• Assignments
• Team meetings
• Client / supplier meetings
• Social occasions
The audiences will change but presentation
skills are required
Skills we are required to have
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But cater for the audience
Consider
• What is the purpose of the presentation?
• What is the location?
• Length of presentation?
• Who is attending:
• How do they act?
• What do they want out of the presentation?
• Level of formality?
• Is there discussion?
• What do you want to achieve?
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Preparation
Format required
• Are there sides?
• Are notes distributed?
Layout of venue
• Lecture hall
• Focuses attention on the speaker
• Separates audience and speaker
• Board room / workshops
• More interactive
• Smaller groups
• Where will you be positioned?
14. www.syneka.com.au
Know your topic
Know your topic
• You don't need to be an expert
• But you do need knowledge
Knowing your topic will assist with confidence
• Means you can focus on content
• Delivery of content
15. www.syneka.com.au
'Virtual' presentations
Not every presentation is in person
• Teleconferences
• Importance of voice
• What you and how you say it
• Webconferences
• Limited visual elements
• Importance of engaging the audience
• Prerecorded presentations
• Anticipate the areas of interest from your audience
• Keep presentation engaging
16. www.syneka.com.au
Overcoming nerves
Prepare notes
• You do not need to write a speech
• You want to communicate NOT read
Audience is there because they want to be
• Understand the key points and why your
audience is interested
Know the key points you must convey
• Everything else links these key points together
• Key points are what you want to communicate
Make eye contact – they will respond
17. www.syneka.com.au
Types of presentations
Know what outcome you want
Is this best delivered through:
• Humour
• Motivation
• Serious
The use of language will differ
As will body language and tone
Not everyone has the same sense of humour
18. www.syneka.com.au
Individual words are not important
No one will remember every word you say
• Even if the presentation is recorded the overall
content is still more important than each
individual word
• Do not stress over each individual word
• But know what must be said
• For example: formalities
• Focus on content
• This reduces nerves because you are not
worrying about every single word
19. www.syneka.com.au
Verbal communication
The words you want to say
• Use language suitable for the audience
• Make sure formalities are covered
• Know the tone of your presentation and use
words accordingly
Learn pronunciation of any difficult words
Know definitions and content
Make sure you pause to pace the presentation
20. www.syneka.com.au
What you say and how you say it
Once you know what you want to say
make sure you say it right
Audiences notice inconsistencies
Tone reinforces what you want to say
• Are you seeking to motivate?
• Are you conveying bad news?
• Do you want to convey facts?
Make sure you sound genuine
21. www.syneka.com.au
Non-verbal communication
80% of communication is non-verbal
• Posture
• How you stand / sit
• Are you looking at the audience?
• Use of hands and arms
Audiences notice inconsistencies
• Your posture must reinforce your speech
Practice non verbal communication
22. www.syneka.com.au
Practice makes perfect
No one is born an expert in presenting
Every presentation gets easier
Some nerves are normal
• But control nerves
• Focus on the key points
Relax
• Remember that the audience is there to listen
• Focus on key points
23. www.syneka.com.au
Engage the audience
Depends on the type of presentation
• Ask the audience to introduce themselves
• What are they seeking from the presentation
• Encourage questions
Make eye contact
• Audience will see that you are speaking to them
• Keeps audience engaged
• Look at audience
• Do not speak to slides
Make everyone feel welcome
24. www.syneka.com.au
Using props and resources
Props are an aid
• They are not a replacement
• Technology can go wrong
• Be prepared with a replacement
• Know what equipment is required
• Slides are useful to serve as a prompt
• One slide = two to three minutes of content
Use a microphone if available
• Acoustics in a room may not project your voice
Have all resources available do not disrupt the
presentation
25. www.syneka.com.au
Structure of a presentation
Three main sections
• Introduction
• Content
• Your key points
• Why these are important
• Conclusion
• Questions and discussion
26. www.syneka.com.au
The Introduction
Introduce your topic
Undertake formalities (special guests)
• This can be very important to the audience
• Welcome attendees
Introduce yourself
• Who you are
• Why you are presenting
Provide an overview of content
• Table of contents
Engage with the audience
27. www.syneka.com.au
Content
What are your key points
• Why are they important
• Why should they matter to the audience
• What action do you want
• Policy change
• Sales
• Good marks
• Offer support
• Know what motivates the audience
• It may be different to what motivates your interest
in the topic
Be mindful of the audience
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The key points
Know the key points
Do not have too many
• Depends on type of presentation
• Duration of presentation
Need to clear and concise
Audience needs to know what you want
29. www.syneka.com.au
The Conclusion
Summarise the presentation
• Repeat the key points
Discuss the next steps or follow up
• Be clear on who is undertaking what actions
• Be clear on anticipated timeframes
Thank attendees
Provide an opportunity for questions if
appropriate
30. www.syneka.com.au
Taking questions
Provide an opportunity for questions if
suitable
• Answer questions as directly as possible
• If you are unsure as to the answer or if it detailed
suggest you follow up later
If there are no questions then repeat the key
points
Thank people that ask questions
31. www.syneka.com.au
What if you get stuck?
What if equipment fails?
• See if equipment can resume
• If not, use notes from paper
• Ask questions during any disruption
What if you forget content?
• Focus on key points not individual words
• Rehash key points
• Pause, ask questions and involve the audience
• This will work as a prompt
Sound confident – the audience will not know
32. www.syneka.com.au
Evaluation of a presentation
Did you achieve your outcome
• Did you get good marks or the sale?
• If not, then focus on areas of improvement
Provide a fair assessment
• Some presentations include feedback forms
• Learn from experience
• Ask people their opinions
Practice
• Review recordings
• Ensure consistency
No one gets every presentation perfect
33. www.syneka.com.au
Conclusion
Prepare your presentation
• Know what resources are available
• Who will be attending
• Know your key points
Be consistent in presentation style
• Verbal and non-verbal communication
Keep audience on your side
• Have the right presentation style
Be prepared if something goes wrong