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Presentations
Practice Makes You
Perfect
Lavanya
Gupta, Instructional
Designer, The Business Workshop
Have you ever put in a lot of effort to prepare for a presentation
only to find that at best you received a lukewarm response from
your audience? Many of us prepare for a presentation in terms
of content, but give little or no importance to how we present
that information.
One of the most important
things to keep in mind while presenting is that the way we deliver
the presentation is as important as the material we deliver.
There are a few simple things we can do to make our presentations
effective.
Here is a list of them:
- Communicate purposefully-
It is good
to use examples and stories to enhance your presentation, but
these examples should be in line with the objectives of the presentation.
Creativity should not create a lapse in focus.
- Keep to your time
lines- If you
have asked for a certain time slot, remember to stick to it.
It is easy to extend time lines unless you make a conscious effort
to be brief and effective. Remember to always save time for questions.
- Avoid repetition-
Repeating a
point to reinforce it is not always the best technique. Instead
of repeating something over and over again, think of an interesting
way to present the point again if you need to.
- Be aware of your
body language- Body
language is one of the most important factors to keep in mind
while presenting. You may unconsciously be giving your audience
unwanted messages. For example, having your hands dangle by your
side gives the impression that you are not convincing or are
not confident of what you are saying. This may effect your credibility
with the audience.Gauge your audience- While presenting a particular
point, try and gauge how your audience is reacting. You might
be providing them with too much information, or you might be
underestimating their knowledge on a particular subject. Watching
for cues and paying attention to questions can help you eliminate
confusion.
- Lighten the mood-
No one likes
to listen to a bore. Remember to mix the facts with tangible
information that the audience can relate to. Have fun with your
presentation and be open to new ideas. Include your audience
as much as possible. Ask them their opinion and look for their
participation.
So the next time you
have a presentation, keep these tips in mind! Remember to practice
and develop these skills until they become a part of your presentation
style. After all it takes practice and persistence to become
a great presenter!
Graphic
Done By Himani
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