Business Presentation Problems - What To Do If - Part Three
Business Presentation Problems - What To Do If - Part Three
Simple one this. Admit it, correct it and move on. If the mistake is discovered by an audience member, admit it, agree with them, thank them, correct it - and move on
The audience doesn’t seem receptive
This is where the entire audience (or a majority) doesn’t seem on the same wavelength as you. A simple tactic - stop and ask them “I feel you are not with me on this. Am I right?”. If they agree, ask for the reasons why - and adjust your presentation e.g. it may be that you are presenting technical information to a “lay” audience. You may need to simplify and “un-jargon” what you are saying. If one individual doesn’t appear to be with you, then that’s life. You can’t always please everyone. However, you might, without alienating them, ask for an opinion - “John, I get the feeling I haven’t convinced you on this point. Do you have some concerns?”. This person may then express a feeling that others have but are hiding! Don’t get off-track by holding a one-to-one conversation in the middle of your speech. Deal with this briefly, and move on
Humour doesn’t work
Good comedians have a throwaway line to deal with such situations. Try and have the same. Examples -
# “Okay, no more jokes, I promise”
# “That’s why I can’t give up the day job”
# “I’ll warn you before the next joke comes along. Can you pretend to laugh to make me feel better?”
# “Okay, I’ll stick to the facts from now on”
The audience - or individuals - are against you (e.g. heckler)
This is very unusual. However, if it happens, remember you are not a comedian. A quick or smart retort might shut the person up - it may also turn others in the audience against you. Think of the matador and the bull. If your audience is the bull - it’s much better to deal a swift side-step than confront head-on. In case someone disagrees vocally with you, prepare professionally - consider possible areas for disagreement and how to respond. Most comedians who ad-lib responses to hecklers spend hours preparing them in advance!Always respond - never react. Reacting shows anger, frustration etc. Responding seeks solutions or common ground. Try to discuss specific problems with an individual over a coffee or lunch break. Finally, you might simply agree to disagree - without blame on either side
The room is too small, large, hot, cold, set up wrong
Try, whenever you can, to visit your venue in advance - and set it up as you wish. If you are performing at a conference or all-day meeting, ask for a spot after a break. This allows you to make minor re-adjustments re equipment after the previous speaker finishes.
If you can, check the environment with members of your audience before you start. Or simply watch. Are most of the audience wearing heavy coats or mopping fevered brows with hankies? If so, adjusting the temperature before you start - and then letting people know right at the beginning of your presentation, will have the audience on your side from the start. However, a slightly cooler environment does help to keep the audience awake!
If the venue is not ideal, and there is nothing you can do about it, I’m afraid you just have to live with it. Just make sure you put on a professional performance no matter the circumstances
You are interrupted by “noises off”
Again, you might have to live with this. If you are under an airport flight path, they probably won’t divert all flights just for your benefit! However, external noises in, say, a hotel, can be dealt with. Contact the duty manager (or, get a colleague or conference or meeting organiser to do so) and ask for the environment you need
These three articles should help you cope with a range of "situations". the great news is - you might well never have to! Here's to smooth presentations!
Business Presentation Problems What To Do If Part Three - To learn more about this author, visit Gordon Veniard's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
You make a mistake in your presentation
Simple one this. Admit it, correct it and move on. If the mistake is discovered by an audience member, admit it, agree with them, thank them, correct it - and move on
The audience doesn’t seem receptive
This is where the entire audience (or a majority) doesn’t seem on the same wavelength as you. A simple tactic - stop and ask them “I feel you are not with me on this. Am I right?”. If they agree, ask for the reasons why - and adjust your presentation e.g. it may be that you are presenting technical information to a “lay” audience. You may need to simplify and “un-jargon” what you are saying. If one individual doesn’t appear to be with you, then that’s life. You can’t always please everyone. However, you might, without alienating them, ask for an opinion - “John, I get the feeling I haven’t convinced you on this point. Do you have some concerns?”. This person may then express a feeling that others have but are hiding! Don’t get off-track by holding a one-to-one conversation in the middle of your speech. Deal with this briefly, and move on
Humour doesn’t work
Good comedians have a throwaway line to deal with such situations. Try and have the same. Examples -
# “Okay, no more jokes, I promise”
# “That’s why I can’t give up the day job”
# “I’ll warn you before the next joke comes along. Can you pretend to laugh to make me feel better?”
# “Okay, I’ll stick to the facts from now on”
The audience - or individuals - are against you (e.g. heckler)
This is very unusual. However, if it happens, remember you are not a comedian. A quick or smart retort might shut the person up - it may also turn others in the audience against you. Think of the matador and the bull. If your audience is the bull - it’s much better to deal a swift side-step than confront head-on. In case someone disagrees vocally with you, prepare professionally - consider possible areas for disagreement and how to respond. Most comedians who ad-lib responses to hecklers spend hours preparing them in advance!Always respond - never react. Reacting shows anger, frustration etc. Responding seeks solutions or common ground. Try to discuss specific problems with an individual over a coffee or lunch break. Finally, you might simply agree to disagree - without blame on either side
The room is too small, large, hot, cold, set up wrong
Try, whenever you can, to visit your venue in advance - and set it up as you wish. If you are performing at a conference or all-day meeting, ask for a spot after a break. This allows you to make minor re-adjustments re equipment after the previous speaker finishes.
If you can, check the environment with members of your audience before you start. Or simply watch. Are most of the audience wearing heavy coats or mopping fevered brows with hankies? If so, adjusting the temperature before you start - and then letting people know right at the beginning of your presentation, will have the audience on your side from the start. However, a slightly cooler environment does help to keep the audience awake!
If the venue is not ideal, and there is nothing you can do about it, I’m afraid you just have to live with it. Just make sure you put on a professional performance no matter the circumstances
You are interrupted by “noises off”
Again, you might have to live with this. If you are under an airport flight path, they probably won’t divert all flights just for your benefit! However, external noises in, say, a hotel, can be dealt with. Contact the duty manager (or, get a colleague or conference or meeting organiser to do so) and ask for the environment you need
These three articles should help you cope with a range of "situations". the great news is - you might well never have to! Here's to smooth presentations!
Business Presentation Problems What To Do If Part Three - To learn more about this author, visit Gordon Veniard's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
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