Presentation Time !

5 Presentation Time !

When the need to do a real presentation comes up, there are a number of steps to be taken.

Step 1

Brainstorm about a (business-related) topic that you would like to give a presentation about. Consult magazines, books, newspapers etc. to find a topic and, as soon as you have decided on one, find articles that provide you with the information you need. Look for at least three sources in English. Then decide on

a research question or a problem statement, so that you can decide if you have sufficient information to answer your research question.

Step 2

Structure the information by taking the following steps:  Write a short profile of your audience  List the main points that you wish to discuss, and put them in a logical order (order of importance).  Sketch a diagram indicating which points can be grouped together as main points, and which points are

sub-points to the main points.

Step 3

Provide detail, like tables, diagrams, charts, pictures (see examples below). Make the visual aids, such as plastic overhead sheets with diagrams etc, quotations (if any) and a table of contents. It is a good idea to use PowerPoint to create these overhead sheets. You can also use posters to add visualized information and of course there’s the good old

blackboard (which, by the way is most of the times a whiteboard or even a Smart board)>

IMPORTANT: You cannot use PowerPoint during your presentation, as this course intends to teach how to do a presentation yourself, as opposed to being a mere mouse-clicker while PowerPoint is doing the

presentation for you. Presentations serve to establish a business relationship between your company and the audience. PowerPoint cannot do that.

Step 4

Decide on the final structure of the presentation, deciding on the contents of the attention getter, the introduction, the linking passages, rounding off a previous part and introducing a next part. Also write the actual text of your introduction and conclusion.

The Proof of the Pudding is in the Eating

The success of your presentation fully depends on the way you do it. Your audience will respond favourably if you manage to ‘entertain’ them from the first to the last word. You should be careful not to allow them to ‘drift off’. Here are a few points to keep in mind:  After you have finalised the presentation, it is time to practice. However, there is a serious danger!

If you learn the presentation by heart, this will seriously affect your manner of speaking (loss of intonation, speeding up, getting stuck because you suddenly do not remember the next sentence, etc…..). Make sure you remain flexible in the choice of words you use during the actual presentation.

 Of course there is nothing against using notes during your presentation. As a matter of fact, it is recommended to use them, as they may give you some support when things appear to be going wrong. Do NOT use sheets of paper containing the full text. This will result in the text being read out

to the audience, as a result of which your intonation goes flat, which, in turn, will make your audience lose interest in what you are telling them. Having too much text on paper could also result in your looking at your notes instead of at the audience. Use cue cards, containing some key words or phrases. After you have use one card, put it aside, so your card cannot be confused.

 When you use visuals, make sure you keep looking at the audience. If you do not look at them, you lose contact with them. Position yourself in such a way that every member of the audience can see

the visuals. Usually it is quite convenient to stand on the side, which allows you to look at your audience most of the time, while you can still glance at the screen from time to time. Also remember this: YOU are the one doing the presentation, not the visuals! Your visuals are only there to support what you are saying.

 Be loud and clear. When your listeners have problems hearing what you say, they will stop listening. Now your time has come to do the presentation. Good luck and have fun!

PRESENTATION SKILLS ASSESSMENT FORM

Student A: Student Nr: Student B:

Student Nr: Date: Presentation Title: