Presentation Skills for Managers

Gain a clear mental grasp of your material.
Decide what points are the "fundamental issues".
What points are the main themes?
Which ones are minor themes and what are merely details?
Then prepare in writing a definite, logically organized presentation.
Presentations given in an illogical, random order quickly become confusing to the listeners.

If you confuse your listeners, you will lose them.
Impose a logical structure.

Remember that people only have a limited amount of motivation and concentration. So, do not try to say everything.

Keep to the point.
Keep it brief.

Prepare your presentation with your audience's perspective in mind.
What vocabulary is appropriate to your listeners?
How much knowledge can you assume?
How much interest do they have?
Why is your message important to this audience?

Tailor your message

Ask them questions. Questions are more likely to involve your audience, than a list of statements.
Why?
Because they cause the listeners to think.
So, how many questions can you weave into your presentation?
Use rhetorical questions, examples, and metaphors to maintain interest.
Do not expect your audience to be satisfied with plain facts. If you do, your listeners' will "drift off".

Engage them with rhetorical questions

The more senses you engage the more your message will be received. Prepare visual aids. Consider the use of music (if appropriate). Bring exhibits to pass round. Create an activity that will demonstrate your point.

Use all the senses

Your voice quality makes a tremendous difference to your impact, as a speaker. Use it wisely. For example:
If your message is mainly factual, keeps the pace moderately slow, (to give people time to "take it in").
If your message is intended to arouse excitement, your pace should be faster, maybe louder. This will inspire an emotional response.

Modulate your voice tones

This does not mean "being flash". Generally, it is best to be clean, well groomed and functional.
Avoid distracting accessories, (for example, too much jewellery) or distracting accessories. ( for example: overuse of visual aids)

If you ever tell yourself
"I don't need to prepare: I'll improvise. Something will come to me",
Then realize you are preparing the ground for a credibly disaster.

You must have a written plan, together with approximate timings and details of what visual aids you will use and when.
Never "wing it". It is too risky.
Consider having a backup plan, (which means: An alternative methods of saying the same thing, in case "plan A" isn't working).

Having written plans is non-negotiable.

Having them will help your confidence.

Have detailed plans: but not a script.
Reading a script causes you to disengage from your audience.
Your attention is fixed on the paper.
Instead, speak naturally, basing your words on the written plan. But be ready to flex according to the demands of the listeners.

Speak naturally from a detailed written plan

Draw conclusions and make them clear.
Avoid ambiguity.
Clarity is your aim. Make sure that they understand you (even if they disagree with you).

Aim to understood, not necessarily agreed with.

Expressing ideas to a group can be exciting and fun. And audiences appreciate speakers who enjoy sharing their message.
Have you ever watched a nervous, self-depreciating speaker? It is embarrassing, isn't it?
So prepare yourself.
Organise your thoughts and create a professional content.

Then, in the moment, relax and enjoy yourself.

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