Definition of a presentation

A structured, prepared and speech-based means of communicating information, ideas, or arguments to a group of interested people in order to inform or persuade them

No presentation will achieve its desired level of success unless the presenter gets the audience to:

1. HEAR what we have to say (or see what we have to show them)
2. UNDERSTAND what we mean
3. AGREE with what they have heard
4. TAKE ACTION in accordance with our over all objectives

It is important to make your presentation last in the audiences minds because people will forget:

38% in 2 days, 65% in 8 days, 75% in 30 days

These are the points to remember if you want people to remember your presentation:

• The first and last impressions made to them are both positive and favourable
• Points are made of special interest to them
• Giving an overview before moving onto the points of detail
• More than one sense is stimulated e.g. speech and visual aids
• You seek their feedback
• Talking about their problems and requirements

There are many factors to take into account when communicating effectively and the following are the essentials of good communication

1. Unless someone hears what you have to say, there is no communication
2. You do not communicate with just words, the whole person that you are comes with them
3. Talk to people in terms of their own experience and they will listen to you
4. When you have difficulty in getting through to people, it is a sign that your own communication and thinking is confused, not theirs
5. When you fail to communicate it is not the words that need straightening out, it is the thoughts behind them
6. Know what your listener expects to see and hear before you start to talk
7. Your communication is always more valuable if you appeal to the values and aspirations of your audience

A good presentation has a clearly defined structure and, if followed can allow anyone to present in a relaxed, clear and interesting way. Excellent presentations will always follow this structure:

1. Beginning

"Tell ‘em what your going to tell ‘em"

• Getting attention

• Building rapport

• Statement of theme

• Audience needs

2. Middle

"Tell ‘em"

• Points to be made

• How will they benefit the audience?

• Support material, examples, third party references, visual aids

• Possible audience objections

3. End

"Tell ‘em what you’ve told ‘em" .

• Reiterate the theme

• Summary of points

• Closing words and commitment

The deciding factor any presentation is the answer to the following question:

"Were my aims and objectives achieved? Did I get the audience to do/think/feel what I wanted them to?"

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