Presentation
Skills
Retno Lestari
“Presentation is the ‘Killer Skill’ we take into the
real world. It’s almost an unfair advantage.”
Ethan Rasiel & Paul N. Friga, ‘The McKinsey Mind’
“The biggest problem with
communication is the illusion
that it has been accomplished.”
-George Bernard Shaw
What was wrong
with that?
What is your vision of
the ideal presenter in
our environment?
Self-Assessment
+ Δ
“I always think a great speaker
convinces us not by force of
reasoning but because he is
visibly enjoying the beliefs he
wants us to accept.”
-W.B. Yeats
Podium Panic
For some people, the
thought of giving a
presentation is more
frightening than falling off a
cliff, financial difficulties,
snakes and even death.
Dealing with Podium Panic
Audiences are forgiving
Nervousness is usually invisible
Be yourself
Practice deep breathing/
visualization techniques
Begin in your comfort zone
Dealing with nerves
Be prepared
Plan and rehearse
See ‘dealing with nerves’ box
See handy check list
Deep breathing!
May sound naff, but it works
Engage with your audience
Makes you feel more relaxed
See ‘engage with your audience’ box
Check out the room in
advance
Concentrate on the message
Begin with a slow, well
prepared intro; have a
confident and clear conclusion
Be prepared and practice
Eye Contact
Never let them out of your sight.
Looking them in the eye makes them
feel that they are influencing what you
say.
Eye contact allows the presentation to
approximate conversation—the
audience feels much more involved.
Body Language
NO-NO’s
Lean on or grip the podium
Rock or sway in place
Stand immobile
Use a single gesture repeatedly
Examine or bite your fingernails
Body Language
NO-NO’s
Cross your arms in front of your chest
Use obviously practiced or stilted
gestures
Chew gum or eat candy
Click or tap your pen, pencil or pointer
Body Language
NO-NO’s
Lean into the microphone
Shuffle your notes unnecessarily
Tighten your tie or otherwise play with
your clothing
Crack your knuckles
Jangle change or key in your pocket
What makes a talk poor?
Little/no eye contact
No engagement with the audience
Mumbling
Often because not engaging with audience
Reading from a paper
Too fast, monotone
Little/no structure
Lack of clarity
Too much information
Bad visual aids
Voice
Voice Intelligibility
Articulation
Voice Variability
Pronunciation Rate of speech
Vocalized Volume
pauses Pitch or tone
Overuse of Emphasis
stock
expressions
Substandard
grammar
Steps in Giving Presentation
1. Plan
2. Prepare
3. Practice
4. Present
Questions?
• Who is your audience?
• Why are they there?
• What is your goal?
• How long will it be?
• Where will it take place?
Preparing Content
3 A’s
Analyze your AUDIENCE.
Define what ACTION you want
them to take.
Arrange your ARGUMENT to move
them.
Analyze Your Audience
What are their names, titles,
backgrounds, reasons for attending,
etc…?
What are their big concerns?
What are their objectives, fears, hot
buttons, and attitudes?
Analyze Your Audience
What is their perception of you
and your institution?
What are their questions likely to
be?
What is personally at stake for
them?
How much detail do they need?
Define What Action
What action do you want the
audience to take?
Define it in terms of the audience.
What will they feel, believe, and
do after hearing your talk?
Arranging Your Argument
1. Shake hands with the audience.
2. Get to the point.
3. Present your theme.
4. Tell ‘Em3.
5. Develop your agenda point by
point.
6. Summarize and recommend.
2. Preparation
Speaker’s 3 friends
1. Personal Notes
2. Visuals
3. Handouts
Visual Aids
Visual Aids
(not the stars of
the show)
Presentation Slide
Design Concepts
•Big
•Simple
•Clear
Big
•Should be able to read
everything from the back row
•At least 28 pt, preferably 36
Simple
•No more than 6 lines
•No more than 7 words per
line
Clear
•Arial or Tahoma
•Blue background with yellow text
•Avoid overuse of red, shadows,
animation and transitions
•Beware of busy backgrounds
Clear
•Clip art should add to the content
•Use a different background only
to emphasize one slide
Questions & Answers
“Does anyone have any
questions for my answers?”
-Henry Kissinger
Questions & Answers
Beginning of a whole new
interactive presentation
Opportunity to make a point
Most presentations are won or
lost here
Questions & Answers
Anticipate lines of
questioning Don’t repeat negative
Rehearse questions
Don’t rank questions Clarify question
Keep answers brief Defer to experts
Be honest Move your eyes off
questioner
Avoid negative
words If negative, end your
response focused on
somebody else
THE RULE
NEVER argue
with a member of
the audience.
Instead…
Look at the questioner.
Remain neutral and attentive.
Listen to the whole question.
Pause before you respond.
Address the questioner, then move your
eyes to others.
Easy as A B C
“I can’t Answer that
question Because
…, but I Can tell
you…”
3. Practice
Fitness
• Slow to develop
• Quick to disappear
The more you practice:
• better you feel
• more you want to do
Feeling Nervous?
• Lack of experience
• Lack of preparation
• Lack of enthusiasm
• Negative self-talk
Presenting Fitness
• Room
Practice
• Everything
• Technology
Becoming Confident
• Be over-prepared
• Rehearse and practice
• Know your subject
• Use relaxation techniques
• Be positive +++
• Avoid stressors
4. Presenting
The most powerful visual aid
• words
• voice
• body language
Presenting as part of a team
Plan talk together
Set responsibilities
Structure talk
Intro – sections - conclusion
Ensure everyone will speak
Smooth links between speakers
Someone to introduce talk and
Introduce next topic & speaker
Someone to conclude
Your talk must HANG TOGEGTHER
Make a strong start
Show your passion
• Eye contact
Smile
Dealing with Questions
TRACT technique
1. Thank the questioner
2. Repeat the question
3. Answer the question
4. Check with the questioner if they are
satisfied
5. Thank them again
“Better to keep your
mouth shut and appear
ignorant than open it
and remove all doubt.”
-Mark Twain
“Make sure you have finished
speaking before your audience
has finished listening.”
-Dorothy Sarnoff
