Becoming a Better Boss Secret 20: Presentations

While public speaking is scary for the majority of the population, making presentations is part of life in any leadership role. When you are the one delivering information, selling a new process, explaining how things work, giving instructions, or talking in front of any number of people, you are in essence, making a presentation.

Here are three steps to simplify the process of making a presentation, along with some suggestions for doing it well.

STEP 1 – DEVELOP YOUR CONTENT

Developing your content means preparing in advance. To help you in choosing content:

• Identify your audience. At what level is their knowledge and interest?
• Clarify your purpose. Be sure your purpose is clear – and that the clarity is conveyed to your audience.
• Start with what you know, then research.
• Decide on main points. For example: “Three Critical Issues,” “Five Reasons this Change Will Improve our Workplace.”
• Draft your outline using these headings: Open, Main Points, Call-to-action, Close.

STEP 2 – DESIGN YOUR PRESENTATION

Next you will need to organize the information you will include. There are several pieces to consider such as the speech itself, your notes, handouts, activities, and visual aids. Some tips:

• Once you have identified and outlined main points and sub-points, work on structure.
• Structure must be clear and logical (Time order? Topic order? Problem-solution?)
• Plan for transitions between points. They must be smooth and effective so the presentation flows.
• Carefully plan and then memorize your opening and closing. It is important to start and end strong.

STEP 3 – DELIVER YOUR MESSAGE

Actual delivery is made easier when we have taken time to clarify the purpose, prepare relevant content, and structure our message in a logical way. When it’s time to present:

• Take care of details before your presentation begins, such as the room set-up, and the equipment you will need. Test things out in the room before the audience arrives.
• Start with an opening that will get your audience’s attention right away! Ideas for great openings include: powerful quotes or statistics, what-if scenarios, relevant stories.
• Involve others when you can but facilitate the process – don’t let one person take the whole group off track.
• In your closing, restate your main points. Ideas for great closings include: a provocative question, a quote, a return to your opening, a final story.

MOST IMPORTANT – Many people are nervous to stand in front of the room and have everyone looking at them while they try to speak intelligently. Remember, it is not about you! If you are worried about the attention being on you then you have forgotten the most important truth of public speaking.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE AUDIENCE, not you, not the visual aids, not even the words you speak. It’s about what your audience is hearing, not what you are saying.

For more information and 24 more secrets, check out Becoming a Better Boss – Your Guidebook to 25 Fundamental Management Responsibilities – now available at Amazon.com!