Presentation Skills Quarterly Monitoring and Evaluation Forum

27-28 February 2014

“Many people would rather die than speak before an audience: yet for many, the ability to present

effectively is becoming a minimum expectation for performance, an in invaluable tool for self

promotion”

“Like learning to drive, mastering the skills of effective presenting combines a need to know and

understand the rules, and opportunities to

practice in a safe environment”

Source: Avocado Vision, 2011

Nervousness

• Don’t be concerned if you’re a little nervous

• Control your nerves by being prepared

• If you can’t get properly prepared, say no

• Avoid a dry mouth

• Keep off the booze

Getting started “Begin with the end in mind” ~ Stephen Covey

• Structure of the message is VERY important – can make or break the presentation

• Know why, be realistic, be specific and analyse your audience

• Provide your own written introduction

• Pause for a second

• Spare the thanks

• Make your opening point

Body language

• Stand naturally • Control leakage - Pacing back and forth/ Unnecessary movement • Don’t fiddle • Be expressive • See yourself on video

Voice

• Step up the volume – project your voice

• Slow down to counteract that initial adrenaline rush

• Don’t act – speak naturally as you would normally

Eye Contact

• Achieve eye contact

• Include everyone

• Hold eye contact for five

seconds

Planning and Delivery

• Create – RHS vs. LHS of your brain

• Sort

• Openings and closings

• Going with the flow

• Navigating presentation technology

• The hardware

• The software

Notes

• Don’t script your presentation word for word – Chunking up (and chucking out)

• Use your visual aids as a prompt

• Put your notes down

• Make them big and bold

• Keep them short and sharp

Humour

• Use humour with caution – don’t offend your audience

• Be yourself

• Don’t cross the line

Visual aids

• Launch your presentation directly

• Don’t look at the screen

• Don’t hide behind the computer

• Leave time for the slide to be absorbed

• Don’t read it out loud

• Don’t get out of synch

Handouts

• As a rule, leave them until the end

• However, there are some exceptions:

– Unless they are essential to the presentation

– Unless they are used for making notes

– Unless you have an international audience

Timing

• Keep it short – limit your presentation to 15-20min ~your audience can only concentrate for so long

• Don’t overestimate what you’ll need

• Finish on time – use a clock, place your watch on the podium, watch the time keeper

Venue

• Lighting of room

• Air conditioning

• Size of room

• Seating

• Projection equipment

• Set up time

Wrapping up

• Summarise

• Tell them what you want them to do

• Be enthusiastic

• Take home messages are IMPORTANT!

• Leave them until the end

• Leave a little time

• Have a question for them

• Repeat the question

• Address your answer to the audience

• If you don’t know, say so

References and Acknowledgement of material used

• Avocado Vision (2011). On the Spot: Learner Guide. Johannesburg, South Africa.