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Effective presentation skills

Guest post by: Kool Results

Article Overview: What does the New Year mean for you? Will you head off in a new direction and maybe apply for a new job? Do you have a fresh vision for your business? Or are you thinking of having a party for that special age you turn this year? Whatever is new for you, it is most likely you will have to sell this idea – or indeed yourself – to a particular audience. How are your presentation skills going to hold up?

Effective presentation skills

When you get up to speak do you come over well? You may be required to give a presentation; speak at a public event or appear at that crucial second interview for a job. What's your current style? Is it death by power point or are you able to make that emotional connection with your audience? In a presentation you will need to provide facts and figures which are accurate, but can you do it in such a way as to inspire your audience? Make sure you bring your personality to bear on the talk. Offer anecdotes and tell a story to illustrate your facts. If the audience can relate to what is being discussed they will become actively engaged. Story telling is a legitimate way of doing business, so use it if it works for you. Remember not to stray too far off topic in case your audience really does think you are in fairy-tale land!

Maybe it's not a product or idea you are trying to sell, but it's you at an interview when you seek a career change. The interviewers will have seen and heard it all before, so how can you make a point of difference? What do you need to do to stamp your personality on the job? This is where coaching is particularly valuable, as a coach can improve your self-confidence and self-awareness. When your strengths are high-lighted, you can recognise the qualities you do have and become empowered to express them confidently. Most people find it challenging to sell themselves - particularly women - so it is important to enhance these skills.

In the December newsletter we talked about social intelligence and its importance. When you are at a team meeting, perhaps trying to sell a new idea to your people, it's particularly important for you to get staff on board. You need to engage them and get them to share your values. They won't be convinced by raw data, dry graphs and pie charts. So use the other strengths you have; maybe it's your sense of humour and your spontaneity. Bring your personality into discussions so they can share in your passions and dreams.

Whatever the nature of the presentation you need to make, being at ease and comfortable with yourself is the key. Use some of the tools suggested, and then try to imagine you are having a chat with the audience to break down any barriers. Just as you need to feel comfortable, the audience will be far more receptive if they are at ease and engaged with your style.

Have a look at some of the greatest television interviewers. The chat show host, Michael Parkinson, had real skills in not only relaxing his interviewees, but also in engaging the television audience so they felt they were in the same room.

You may never have to appear on television, but Kool Results can help you become the best speaker and best presenter you possibly can be.

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Article Tags: presentation



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Re: Ebay actually drives prices up... - [quote="BuzzAroundBooks":2vi8khb4] Moreover, if you gave a presentation, are you going to dwell on how poorly you did? You can't change the past so the answer is no. [/quote:2vi8khb4] The point of dwell on a past presentation is that you can and should learn from the mistakes that you made and you can and should do better the next time. However, if you don't review how you did, you're overlooking a valuable opportunity to fine tune your skills and to improve. Shri
Re: Essential Leadership skills - Great thread, Yinka. I agree with Robert and GT that at any point in time we possess at least one of those skills, with the ability to call upon any of the other skills when needed. Of course, everyone is born with specific skills and traits, and some skills and traits need to be learned and put into practice first.
Small Business Seminar Presenters Required Across Canada - In March 2007 BizLaunch we will start presenting small business seminars across Canada. I am in the process of recruiting experienced business owners with good presentation skills and a passion for small business to present these seminars. 1. The seminars will be 90 minutes long 2. The seminars will start at 6.30pm 3. The seminars will be held in convenient locations 4. The subjects will include business planning, marketing, sales, website marketing, taxes etc. 5. The audience will be new business owners(0 - 5 years) 6. The presenters will be supplied with the presentation slides required 7. The seminars will be free to small business owners attending 8. Presenters will be evaluated on their presentation by the audience 9. Equipment will be supplied by BizLaunch 10. Presenters will be compensated for the presentations $250 per seminar 11. Seminar marketing will be done by BizLaunch and its partners 12. These seminars will be a great addition to what is already being offered to small business If you're interested send me one page about yourself and why I should use you to andrew@bizlaunch.ca
Re: Clarity Trumps Persuasion - Wow, I would really recommend everyone to go through the presentation. It's not so much that it's new information, but their presentation simply reaffirms in a concise way what we know about marketing and sales conversion. Clarity trumps persuasion indeed!
For franchisor, which is the most important quality of good - According to a magazine, some examples of most important qualities for franchisees are: 1) Good people skills 2) Ability to be coached 3) General business skills 4) Access to capital What do you think about it?


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