The art of presenting is an unavoidable skill to cultivate for anyone operating within a corporate environment. Mastering this art is not just about information sharing; it's about influencing and enabling effective interactions within your organization.
In this blog post, I’ve distilled the essence of an impactful presentation in my '4 P's of Presenting'. These guidelines are designed to help you engage your audience, convey your message effectively, and leave a lasting impact.
1. Plan ahead
Set a clear agenda
Begin with a thoughtfully crafted meeting title and a well-defined agenda. This sets the stage for your audience, giving them a clear understanding of what to expect.
Allocate time
Speak for a maximum of 75% of the allotted time. The remaining 25% should be reserved for discussion and questions. This balance ensures engagement and allows for valuable feedback and interaction.
Adapt to your audience
Tailor your presentation to the profiles and goals of your audience. A one-size-fits-all approach rarely works in corporate settings and even if you need to present the same thing multiple times, make sure you tweak and adapt your presentation as much as possible to your specific audience.
One clear communication goal
Every presentation should have one, and only one, primary goal. This focus ensures that your message is not diluted. So get ready to pick THE most relevant message to convey.
Conclude effectively
End with a thought-provoking question or a call to action. This leaves your audience with something to ponder or act upon. Also, ensure that your call to action is as easy and convenient as possible, so people can address it immediately without letting it linger on their to-do list. Clarify if attendees should expect a follow-up message from you after the meeting. Even better, send it automatically so it arrives in their mailboxes right as the meeting concludes
2. Paint a picture
Think in building blocks
Organize your presentation into clear, coherent segments. This structure acts as a roadmap, guiding your audience through your narrative.
Seek impact
Every element of your presentation should aim to make an impact. This could be through compelling arguments, emotional resonance, or insightful data.
Use moving stories and visuals
Humans are wired for stories. Weave narratives that resonate with your audience's emotional brain, and complement them with visuals. This combination is powerful in keeping your audience engaged and making your message memorable.
3. Prepare
Rehearse, then rehearse again
Don't underestimate this! Familiarity breeds confidence. You should really know your material inside out. This preparation allows you to be more natural and less scripted during the actual presentation.
Anticipate tough questions
Prepare for difficult questions. This readiness not only shows your expertise but also helps in maintaining the flow of your presentation. Also, tell your audience if you will be taking questions during, or after, your presentation.
Be present
While it’s important to be thoroughly prepared, it’s equally important to be adaptable and present. This balance allows for a more authentic and responsive presentation, this is why you need to know your content extremely well.
4. Perform
As advocated by my fellow Columbia coaching program alumna, Jacqueline
Farrington, in her 2023 book 'Better Presentation', use the 3C's :
Confidence
Have confidence in your knowledge and expertise, and behave accordingly, even if you feel sick with nervousness! Trust that you have the ability to respond and adapt to anything that occurs when presenting, and even if you make mistakes.
Conviction
To speak with conviction, you need to connect with the purpose behind the one message you need to deliver. If this purpose is connected to your values, you will stand in the power of your own conviction.
Connection
Connecting with your audience does not only mean maintaining eye contact and the right tone of voice, it also means showing up with empathy and emotional intelligence. To be present for your audience, you need to know your content cold.
Remember, presenting impactfully is a skill that can be honed over time and you can also have fun doing it !
Seek feedback – or even better, feedforward – to continuously learn and improve. Each presentation is an opportunity to refine your skills. Keep in mind that the tone of your presentation should be professional yet approachable, mirroring the ethos of effective corporate communication.
By embracing these 4 P's, you'll not only enhance your presentation skills but also elevate your role as a communicator, influencer, and leader in your organization.
Remember, the power of a great presentation lies not just in the information shared, but also greatly in the way it's delivered and perceived.
Happy presenting!
Further reading:
Farrington, J. (2023).The Non-Obvious Guide to Better Presentations: How to Present Like a Pro (Virtually or in Person). Idea Press.