Most training and development professionals enter the field knowing that their role entails a considerable amount of work in front of learning groups. While today’s learners participate in a realm of online, blended, and web-based programs as well as classroom training, they expect the learning leader to be an accomplished presenter—no matter the format!
If it’s been awhile since you’ve assessed your presentation style and ability in front of groups, take a moment to review the tips below. Many of them apply to web-inar presentations as well as those that are face to face. And they’ll help you with the other aspects of your job that require making presentations; for example, when you’re called upon to:
…present the new training curriculum to your team
…impress the boss with your budget plan for 2008
…welcome all the new employees in the auditorium…
…or generally make a great speaking impression in little time. Remember, every time you present, you are being considered, observed, and judged for bigger and better things.
1. Look the part right from the start.
Your professional dress, hair, handshake, and handouts will set up that you mean business. For women, pants and a jacket with a conservative line and a firm lapel are optimal. This choice allows you to move just about anywhere, use a mike if needed—(the firm lapel works well for lavaliere microphones)—and yet maintain your style and femininity. Show your individuality with a bright color, simple jewelry, and well-groomed hair. Both men and women should always wear a jacket of some kind (casual or formal, depending) to the presentation; you can opt to take it off if needed. Men should keep in mind that a tie or nicely tailored casual shirt set a tone and make an important first impression. The absent-minded professor look is not the look to go for!
2. Really, really think through your opening.
All speakers say “Thank you for coming.†Come up with something more meaningful like this statement that gets right to business: “If you’ve read a newspaper in the last year, you know how our customers’ business has struggled through this economy.†Or ask a question that gets them involved like this one: “How many of you are finding former customers harder to close this season?†If you do plan these simple openings, you really will stand out, because almost nobody does.
3. Involve the group ASAP.
This doesn’t mean you have to have them sprinting around the room and coloring flipcharts but it does mean you need to break them out of passive mode and into active mode. Ask them questions; ask for a show of hands; pass out a startling handout; ask one key person to comment on something. When you involve them, you accomplish two purposes; you connect them to you and you manage your nervousness. When someone else is talking, the focus is now away from you and you can listen and tie in what they say to your next point. Be sure to bring nametags for a larger group. First names only in large marker print are best.
4. Don’t fall into the “Too much, Too fast, Too apologetic†trap.                                                                   If the meeting or training event is running late or questions begin to take too much time, don’t try to squeeze it all in. Let the group know without over-apology that you’ll focus on what you think they’ll be most interested in and then just skip through some slides and master only the most important. Their questions are almost always more important than what you planned to say, anyway, so consider it an honor if you get a lot. It means they care. By all means, cover the important material your learners need to succeed; just don’t rush through it.
5. Think Beyond the Product. Everyone in business has a product or service to sell. If you instead think, “results,†or what the product brings, does, causes, etc.—then you will be gearing your presentation beyond the ordinary. Every time you start listing numbers and percentages and qualifications, you tune in to the analytical side but you lose the emotional side of the sale. And we recommend, refer, and buy based on feelings … about the service, you, or the trust we have around the whole picture. Get the listener focused on his or her problems or customers, and how you have solved similar problems and met similar needs in the past. Get the learner focused on the whys behind the whats of the topic.
6. Be prepared with your best savior stories. Tell them how your company’s approach saved the sale, saved a good client, or saved the day! Use specific names and dates only as needed; the key is to communicate the concept. Today’s audiences say they love success stories because they can immediately apply the concepts! And don’t forget to throw in a “what I learned from my mistake†story of your own or another’s if it seems appropriate and motivational to the group. Think of the difference between seeing an ad for a new cell phone vs. calling three of your best friends who have the model for their testimony. Which will you believe? Encourage learners to share their own savior stories.
7. Don’t let hecklers or negative comments get to you. Some people just can’t tolerate listening; others have something else going on in their lives and you happen to be the easy target. Someone with a sincere gripe or question may also be present, but treat them all similarly. Acknowledge that you know what’s going on. “Sam, I’ve noticed your strong response to these ideas. Is there something you’d like me to address?†Respond to an angry comment similarly, “Joe, I can appreciate how you feel, and we also don’t like this situation … what we can do is….†Always take control; the other learners expect you to and consider it part of your job as the learning leader.
Finally remind yourself that you, and only you, care the most about the outcome of your presentation. Review these tips frequently; you make a new impression with each group you address. Set yourself for success with each program you present. You never know who’s watching, commenting, and recommending you for future projects.
