Presentation Skills

Why to give a good presentation?
“Average presentations are forgotten quickly.”
“Great presentations are remembered for years.”
“Terrible presentations are remembered forever!” (EVANS 2007)

At present time, audiences expect high-quality presentations. They expect the presenter to know the message, deliver it with some proficiency, and clearly state its needs. Effectively presenting information to an audience will positively influence your professional reputation more than any other skill you possess (KNAPP 1999). It is of prime importance to continuously work on our presentation skills in order to increase the quality of the information transfer and the interaction with the audience.

(GALLIAN 2006; HENRIKSEN 2007; KNAPP 1999 and MOORE 2007)

Tip 1: Know the audience and the objective
The first step of every presentation is to define/know the target group and the objective. You can only develop an excellent presentation by knowing which stakeholders to address and which objective to achieve.

Tip 2: Start the presentation in a way to catch the audience’s attention
The start of your presentation is of prime importance. In English-speaking countries it is common to begin with a joke, an anecdote or a statement to surprise or provoke in order to gain the audience's attention.

Tip 3: Make specific points
It is essential to think about the main points we want to convey to the audience with our presentation. If we have more than three main points, a verbal presentation is the wrong way to present them.

Tip 4: Keep the presentation short and focused
A presentation always has to be a tight summary and should only include the most relevant messages. It is crucial to stick to the given time frame.

Tip 5: Make the slides “viewer-friendly”
A good presentation is not overloaded with written text and should only contain catchwords. Do not write the whole message on the slides, otherwise you will loose the attention of the audience.

Tip 6: Tell your story
As a presenter you tell a story. Therefore you should not read the slides. Slides are there to support but not telling the story for you.

Tip 7: Pronounce correctly and use your full voice
Incorrect pronunciation and unclear vocal expression is perhaps the first cause of a communication breakdown.

Tip 8: Practice
Practice the presentation with visuals and handouts before a live audience. Your team or support group can provide you with relevant feedback.

The following list is giving you some advices how to deal with difficult questions from the participants:

• Prepare answers to questions which you expect the audience to ask
• Do never criticise a questioner
• Make sure you understand the question − ask a question to see if you understand
• If you do not know the answer, admit it and tell the person you will get an answer back to her/him
• Take questions at any time and always leave time at the end

The body language’s impact on the quality of a presentation is often underestimated.
Positive body language:

• Eye contact to keep audiences' attention
• Facial expressions should be natural and friendly; do not forget to smile
• Stand straight but relaxed (do not slouch or lean)
• Move to indicate a change of focus and to keep the audience's attention
• Move forward to emphasize and move to one side to indicate a transition

Negative body language:

• Loss of eye contact: looking at notes, screen, board or the floor
• Do not stare or look blankly into people's eyes
• Swaying back and forth like a pendulum
• Back turned to the audience
• Nervous ticks and hands in pockets