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Presentation tips

Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 10:08 pm
by alex.barylski
I've tried many a times and have had mild success...this time round I've prepared alot more...I'm currently working on a presentation, which I am quite proud of; hitherto anyways.

I've never given a *real* presentation, so I'd like to ask, anyone have any good tips?

Not so much from the presenter perspective, as many people who think they are good at giving presentations usually aren't. I mean, as the observer, someone listening and watching a presenter, what are some qualities you admire?

Hopefully out of the norm???

For instance, the obvious:
1) Confidence, obviously a mumbling moron is not a good presentation
2) Volume, if you can't hear of they give you a headache, thats no good
3) Many forms of presentation (Charts, Text, Sound, Animnation, etc)

Those which are obvious I need not know, as I've read many an articles and even a few books on the subject...

None of which mentioned little things, like for instance, I like to talk...I always talk...which I think makes me a good candidate for a presentation giver (better than being an introvert anyways). However I am also very animated...I use my hands *ALOT* I have very dynamic mannerisms and sounds effects galour.

I like to think most people enjoy my company and from what I can tell, those that like me, genuinely enjoy my jokes, outlook on life, etc.

However, I am sure, dynamic hand movement isn't appealing to everyone.

I watched George W on Sept. 11 on TV and observed he didn't move much at all except to thump his fist slightly in taking his stand on terror. Not very animated...kinda boring...and almost obvious he was reading from a screen reader. I realize his limited inflection was likely caused by the context of his message, but still...

I have nothing against the man, like many others do...but as a president, I find him rather boring. Clinton was much cooler and more flamboyant, colorful, etc...dynamic maybe...

So using this reasoning on myself, I see my hand movements as not a negative factor in giving a presetnation??? So long as I don't start knocking things over, etc, but I've been using them to assist in articulating ideas since I was capable of doing so, so I don't think I'm clumsy in that regard... :)

Anyways, knowing this, can anyone offer advice?

Cheers :)

Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 4:11 am
by Maugrim_The_Reaper
Watch Tony Blair - he makes excellent speaches. GWB is a bumbling hesitant novice in comparison. Why does he pause so much after every few words???

A good presenter knows their topic, presents it in a full yet concise manner, and above all else can engage the audience and keep them interested. There's nothing worse than a presentation delivered in a dry manner mainly just reiterating the slides - I end up fleeing the room in search of a caffeinated drink...

Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 5:33 pm
by alex.barylski
Maugrim_The_Reaper wrote:Watch Tony Blair - he makes excellent speaches. GWB is a bumbling hesitant novice in comparison. Why does he pause so much after every few words???

A good presenter knows their topic, presents it in a full yet concise manner, and above all else can engage the audience and keep them interested. There's nothing worse than a presentation delivered in a dry manner mainly just reiterating the slides - I end up fleeing the room in search of a caffeinated drink...
Tony Blair eh?

I wasn't really looking for politicians to model after, but perhaps he's a good candidate...I don't mind him to much...

GWB is like Canada's newest PM...our new PM is so fake... :P he looks like a doll wearing makeup...which isn't everything....cause Trump clearly wears a hair peice...but I like that guy :P Much cooler and suave than Bill Gates :P

Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 3:30 am
by Mordred
Prepare your notes carefully, order them in a sensible sequence. Bullet lists for text, graphics with LARGE sans-serif letters for graphics.
Have several stopping points to adjust for lecture-time dilation ;) On the same line of thought, have EXTRA topics in case you talk too fast and eat all your slides before the end. Decide on questions strategy (during the speech vs after the speech)

Gool luck ;)

Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 4:23 am
by mandar-seo
Hi,
I am not guru in presentation but what I learned and used while my MBA is simple rule
1. Don't mug up things that will not help you in modifying presentation according to audience's mood
2. Collect more facts than what you are presenting
3. Think of real life analogies, personal experiences, happened incidences that you can insert as fillers to adjust the length of your presentation.
4. Be prepared for different modes of presentation delivery (oral, sketch, OHP, LCD etc)

These are the basic things I was following. If you do this your confidence will get developed automatically and hence the volume will get corrected automatically, too.

With regards,
Mandar Thosar

Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 2:00 pm
by Bill H
GWB is a bumbling hesitant novice in comparison. Why does he pause so much after every few words???
Because he cannot memorize his speeches, only a few words fit on the teleprompter and he is a slow reader.

Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 8:33 am
by Chris Corbyn
To break away from discussing politicians giving presentations and to do something more down-to-earth I can think back to the presentations we all used to highly enjoy from our University lecturers (the best lecturers were often foreign ... hmm).

Make sure what you are trying to say flows completely logically and there are no broken points when you bridge from one topic to another; people get lost very quickly in something with the fast pace of a presentation...

Come across enthusiatic about the topic - perhaps even a little excited to be talking about it. If you make it sound exciting, people sit up and listen.

Talk loudly; there was nothing worse than concentrating on a quiet voice in the distance -- sends me to sleep.

Walk around the room (or least back and forth). Peoples eyes fix onto you, whereas if you're just standing on the spot people will probably finish up looking at there knees.

Drop in a couple of (tasteful/related) jokes; but if you're not 99% sure you can deliver the joke correctly under the pressure of a presentation don't even try it. If you can use analogies right the way through your presentation this will probably be easier to do.

Don't fill your slides with information. These were the lectures that sent me to sleep too. Some of our biology lectures. Sure we had a nice set of slides to take away and learn from but damn; repeatedly watching one slide after another go up on the screen, followed by the drone of a boring lecturer repeating everything on them -- time for a coffee!

Stand with a glass of water; use it when you get a memory block. The time it takes to have a sip or two may be enough to regain your thoughts.

I have to say; the occassional bumbling or hesitation didn't bother me as long as they got the point without making it look like they didn't know what they were talking about.

Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 11:57 am
by Maugrim_The_Reaper
d11wtq wrote:Sure we had a nice set of slides to take away and learn from but damn; repeatedly watching one slide after another go up on the screen, followed by the drone of a boring lecturer repeating everything on them -- time for a coffee!
Maugrim_The_Reaper wrote:There's nothing worse than a presentation delivered in a dry manner mainly just reiterating the slides - I end up fleeing the room in search of a caffeinated drink...
Quit plagiarising me! ;) It is the worst case scenario though.

Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 1:36 pm
by alvinphp
If you mean a powerpoint presentation here are some tips

1. Do not read from your powerpoint. (less words in a slide the better)
2. When you end a subject have something in their that leads to your next subject (talking points)
3. Have more visuals then words in your powerpoint (people are visual)
4. Have a good attitude. (no stupid questions)

Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 2:44 pm
by alex.barylski
Stand with a glass of water; use it when you get a memory block. The time it takes to have a sip or two may be enough to regain your thoughts.
That, is an excellent point and something I have not read anywhere...and yet so clearly makes sense...

Nice job...Hmmmm I should write an article on presentations...I've compiled quite an extensive list of good and bad points....this one certainly would make that list...

Most points are generic...everyone has their opinions (like humor has been a 50/50 spilt yes/no) some are concrete and others are clearly wrong...but they are mostly repeated or redundant...

The glass of water...thats unique to my knowledge...and an excellent point...

Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 4:20 pm
by John Cartwright
Hockey wrote:
Stand with a glass of water; use it when you get a memory block. The time it takes to have a sip or two may be enough to regain your thoughts.
That, is an excellent point and something I have not read anywhere...and yet so clearly makes sense...

Nice job...Hmmmm I should write an article on presentations...I've compiled quite an extensive list of good and bad points....this one certainly would make that list...

Most points are generic...everyone has their opinions (like humor has been a 50/50 spilt yes/no) some are concrete and others are clearly wrong...but they are mostly repeated or redundant...

The glass of water...thats unique to my knowledge...and an excellent point...
I agree aswell, very unique and definantly will use on my next presentation. Thanks d11

Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 4:10 am
by akimm
I've never given a speech outside of the classroom, but the best advice I can tell you is, no matter what you're saying, even if its totally bull crap is to believe it.

If you believe what you're saying, are fervent about it, your audience will see that. Hand movements eh? You sound Italian, I too like exagerated hand and body manurisms, I would suggest though, confidence, believe what you're saying.

Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 3:22 am
by CoderGoblin
Although already mentioned, don't have any slides the same as any handout... The slides are there to show only the highlights. In presentations I have made the slides my "notes" informing me what I should talk about. They should be simply bullet points. Don't give handouts out before your presentation. People will read them during your presentation.

I think I remember that normally peoples attention wanders after about 20 minutes/half an hour if you are not extremely careful. If possible break after this time, A demonstration or something can be useful, especially if they have to move around a bit. Also time yourself so you know how long you take and ensure you do not overrun any time constraint.

Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 3:46 am
by matthijs
To know how to present and how not to, take a look at Jobs and Gates, resp. The site presentationzen has an excellent article about the way both men present.

Guess who does a better job(s)?

Also, take a look at the differences between their slides :)

Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 4:27 am
by cinac
I've sat through countless product presentations for business, and multiple weekly presentations by staff and fellow students while at the Univ of Phoenix for 2 years. Things that I hated as an audience member:

1. Do NOT read your slides

2. Keep your slides "sparse" -- no paragraphs of text, no long lists, etc. If you need to give out that kind of info, put it in a handout. I always tried to use pictures whenever possible.

3. Know your material. Know when the transitions are supposed to happen from one topic to the next.

4. You mentioned hand movements, etc. As long as they are relevant, I don't think there's any problem with that. Moving around is better than standing still. Don't just rock from foot to foot though, or cause annoyances by jingling change/keys in your pocket, etc.

5. Do NOT read your slides

6. Do NOT put in animated graphics that loop endlessly; they are a huge distraction. (ditto for annoying sound effects and non-relevant transitions on every single slide/bullet point -- it gets old *very* quickly!)

7. Decide on how you want to handle questions and let everyone know your policy before you get started. If you take questions during the presentation, keep an eye on the time and don't get too sidetracked. I hate listening to Q&A that has no relevance to me at all.

8. Check the font size, color scheme/contrast, etc. Don't go overboard with the slide layout graphics either.

9. If something breaks during the preso, or doesn't go as expected, take a 5 minute break while you try to fix it. Remember to disconnect the projector from your laptop while you're fiddling around so the audience doesn't have to watch your struggles. And try not to say "Hm, that's never done that before" or "I guess we still haven't fixed this bug yet" etc. -- it doesn't fill the audience with confidence in your ability and/or the product quality.

10. Make sure to shut down all IM clients etc while giving the preso. I was in the audience once when the presenter's significant other sent a very graphic IM and it was very inappropriate, especially in a corporate setting.

11. Did I mention - do NOT read your slides!! :)

12. Make sure you have an agenda/outline at the beginning, and some sort of summary/conclusion at the end. The outline lets the audience follow along and gauge how much time you have left. If possible, mention approximate times for each section of your preso; it's always nice to know if you're sitting through a 10 minute overview or a 2-hour detailed presentation.

A few other tips I've found useful:

1. Stand to the left of the screen if you can. People's eyes will be more drawn to you since you'll be at the "beginning" of each new line, etc.

2. Have a bottle of water to sip from; talking a lot can give you some real cotton mouth. Don't drink from it constantly or hold it in your hand. Do NOT have candy, gum, etc. in your mouth when you're talking!! Seems obvious, but you'd be surprised.

3. And finally, some things I learned from one of my instructors at Univ of Phoenix who is a motivational speaker for his "real" (non-teaching) job: try to have at least one "wow" statement - a surprising factoid or something (but make sure it's true!) - and one personal story - a short *relevant* anecdote, etc. - someplace in your preso. Also, try to ask a non-rhetorical question every 1-2 minutes, even singling out someone to give an answer if you want. That will help your audience stay engaged.


Oh yeah, and DON'T read your slides!!!