PRESENTATION SKILL DEVELOPMENT

[Mustafizur rRhman]

  Last minute details before you begin speaking
Get into the room before your audience arrives to check the setup and get the feel of the room. This helps to make it your room. Walk around the room and sit in a few different chairs to take in the feel of your room and how your audience will see you.   Drink one or two glasses of warm water to both lubricate your vocal cords and hydrate yourself. 

[Mustafizur rRhman]

 Eye Contact
Talk directly to people. The best presentation is delivered as a conversation to every person in your audience one person at a time. If you want to be believed – talk to every individual – looking him or her in the eye.  Don’t make the big mistake committed by many novice public speakers - staring at the spot on the back wall. This one technique is a powerful element of successful presentation skills.

[Mustafizur rRhman]

Emphasizing key points
If you want people to remember something – repeat it at least three times during your speech. The first time they might hear it. The second time they might think over it. The third time it might stick. “I have a dream”. Do you know how many times Martin Luthur King repeated that phrase in his famous speech?

[Mustafizur rRhman]

 Establishing rapport
Don’t pretend to be something you are not. But show how you are like them. Be human. Expose a flaw. Show that you are not perfect. If you pretend to be perfect they will hate you – and not listen.

[Mustafizur rRhman]

 Stay on time
Start your presentation on time and finish on time. 

[Mustafizur rRhman]

Help your audience remember the important parts
Repeat the points you want them to remember. Use an anecdote or story to illustrate the point. Pause just before and after you state the key points.
 We find it easier to remember images and feelings. If you want your audience to remember the key points of your presentation attach those points to images or emotions. Men tend to connect visuals with memory while women tend to connect emotions for memory. Be sure to address both needs in your presentations.

[Mustafizur rRhman]

THE FEAR OF PUBLIC SPEAKING
Studies show that our number one fear is the fear of public speaking. Hard to believe but it is more prevalent than the fear of death. If you have a fear of public speaking or feel some anxiety you are not alone. Even great speakers like Churchill experienced this fear. But he worked on his delivery skills so he could deliver even when he was nervous. I am a professional speaker who has spoken to audiences all over Bangladesh yet I also experience speech anxiety. The fear of public speaking might be with you forever. But your audience does not need to know.

[Mustafizur rRhman]

Overcoming the fear of public speaking
In most cases the symptoms of the fear are not noticeable to your audience. You might feel terrified but your audience doesn’t know. There are several ways to get past speech anxiety. Focus on the success of your presentation. Before you step up to speak take a couple of slow deep breaths. Speak slowly. Don’t let it run away from you.

[Mustafizur rRhman]

 Rehearsing your presentation
Rehearse your speech on your feet at least three times.

[Mustafizur rRhman]

 Remembering your speech
The best public speakers do not memorize their presentation. Instead know your topic and the issues. Then make notes for yourself. But don’t read your speech. That is so boring. Instead write key words that remind you of your messages. Write your speech notes on index cards. That is much easier to handle instead of fumbling with a sheet of paper.

[Mustafizur rRhman]

Researching your presentation
Get your facts straight. Don’t stand there saying, “I think so” or “I’m not sure.”  Don’t lie and pretend to know something you do not. So spend time collecting and confirming your information. Too many public speakers are quick to present their opinions without providing clear substance. Avoid that trap.

[Mustafizur rRhman]

Telling Stories
Tell stories. Paint word pictures that create images in the listeners’ minds. If they can see it they are more likely to understand and remember your message. The best public speakers are storytellers. Use stories   to illustrate and reinforce the main points of your presentation. 
The best stories are personal. Because they are yours - they are easier to remember and they make your presentation unique. We listen to stories. We hate lectures. Make a list of significant things that happened to you and those around you; the first time… the best, the worst, the biggest mistake, the best break, the greatest ah-ha, the funniest moment, the most frustrating incident, the dumbest thing you did, the most embarrassing moment…
 The things that hurt you the most make the best stories to tell in your presentations. Rehearse your stories to edit them down into a short story that is easy to listen to. The hardest thing for you might be to leave out details. The hardest thing for your audience is listening to you describe unnecessary details. Just make the point.

[Mustafizur rRhman]

Your audience is the reason you are there
Understand your audience. What do they want? Mention the names of some audience members during your presentation. It will help you connect with the group.
Illustrating your main points
We need images to understand. Images can contribute more to the success of your presentation then words.

[Mustafizur rRhman]

Presentation Delivery:
Delivering the presentation is the most important step of the process. This is where you make the primary contact with your audience. Consider the following points in order to deliver an effective presentation.
•   Be prepared for your presentation. Practice it a few times before you actually do it. Know the content of your presentation in and out. When you know your presentation, you can recover if something goes wrong.
•   Use true examples to explain your points. If these examples are common to you and the audience, it will have a great impact. Use your personal experiences to show them the practical point of view.
•   Relax! Stay relaxed and calm during the presentation. Your body language is quite important for the audience. If they see you tensed, they may not receive what you say. They may even judge you!
•   Use humour in the presentation. Use it naturally to make your point. Do not try to crack jokes when you are not supposed to do it.
•   Pay attention to details. Remember the old saying; devil is in details. Choose the place, people, and materials wisely.

[Mustafizur rRhman]

CHOOSING THE PRESENTATION MATERIALS:
When your presentation is supported by additional material, you can make more impact on the audience. 
 Following are some guidelines on presentation materials.
•   Use a simple, but consistent layout. Do not overload the presentation with images and animations.
•   When it comes to time allocation, spend 3-5 minutes for each slide. Each slide should ideally have about 5-8 bullet lines. This way, the audience can stay focused and grab your points.
•   Do not distribute the supplementary material before the presentation. They may read the material during the presentation and miss what you say. Therefore, distribute the material after the presentation