One of the key benefits that Teambuild participants report as part of their training and experience is a big improvement in presentation skills.
Here, Chairman of Teambuild’s working party, Richard Brindley of R Brindley Consult Ltd, former Executive Director of the RIBA shares some key training tips to help improve presentation skills.
Discover:
10 key points to consider when planning your presentation
Preparing for a presentation: key steps
STEP 1: Understand the brief – read the requirements and instructions and ensure you have understood. Ask questions in advance if need be.
STEP 2: Understand the client — what are their values, goals, needs and what is their decision-making process?
STEP 3: Understand the project – what are the key objectives, constraints and opportunities
STEP 4: Understand your team – what are the strengths, weaknesses, personalities and talents of the individuals and how can you ensure the strongest outcome?
STEP 5: Decide your Strategy – outline your approach, note your key points and clearly identify and communicate your ‘USP’
STEP 6: Deliver the Task – follow the instructions and keep to deadlines. Allow ‘float’ time for unexpected delays or for tasks taking longer than anticipated
STEP 7: Practice – test your presentation, rehearse then practice more!
The format of an effective presentation
Begin with impact – Start with a memorable key point, introduce the team, gain the audience’s attention quickly.
Tell a story – Give context and meaning, take the audience on a journey, tell them a story about their project with them as the stars!
Keep it relevant – Audiences only pay attention to ideas and proposals that are immediately relevant and attractive to them.
Make it simple & clear – also short and sweet.
Use simple graphics, readable fonts, understandable language
Have memorable key points – maximum 3 messages that are memorable, dramatic, most relevant to client/project.
Create empathy – reassure the audience of your understanding , commitment and relevance for their project.
End on a high note – Consider a USP / key message to remember you by, which answers the ‘Why you?” question.
Key things to remember while presenting
Before you start
Be prepared, check any AV equipment and presentation material, focus, relax and smile!
Meet & Greet
Go in as a team, introduce everyone with enthusiasm and clarity of role / purpose
Address the audience
Focus on the audience, not your notes or slides, positive body language, pay attention – all the team!
Observe reactions
Is the audience attentive? What is their body language telling you? How are they responding to your key points?
Expect the unexpected
Be prepared for interruptions, things to go wrong, etc. Don’t panic, regain control and carry on.
Keep to time
Finish before the time limit which has been agreed before the presentation, time yourself.
Engage/Respond
Prepare for questions that the client is likely to ask, engage the client with questions of your own, start a conversation.
Farewells – leave / end with thanks, confirming your enthusiasm for the project and, if possible, a relevant ‘bon mot’.
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