A presentation needs to have an end objective in mind. That could be about conveying a message or information. But is that all? I would say No!
It is all about influencing someone’s behaviour!! Any presentation needs to bring in a change in their behaviour!
Before you start working on your presentation, the question to answer is, “what is the behavioural change I seek from my audience?” That behavioural change can be a policy change / financial outcome or something else.
The answer can be dramatic, “I want this ten million proposal approved.”
More likely, it can be subtle, “I want management to respect women”
If all you’re hoping for is to make yourself look better or to entertain the crowd, then you’re not making a presentation, you’re simply wasting people’s time.
Change can happen only when people trust what you say!! So back it up with data/numbers. Also, please tap onto the Emotional side of people. Try and make a connect emotionally.
Every element of your presentation including your appearance, presentation content, length and tone needs to work towards bringing this change. If it doesn’t do that, replace it with something that does.
And of course, you can’t bring change the same way we expect. So be careful in choosing your content based on the audience. Also, emotionally connect with your audience and make your presence felt. Your audience must feel good that your presentation is filled with firm conviction. That feel good bolsters behavioural change.
If you fail to make change, you’ve failed. If you do make change, you’ve opened the possibility you’ll be responsible for a bad decision if it doesn’t work. So it is easy to make a lousy presentation when afraid of risks / consequences.
But you won’t. Because the change matters.
Some Tips:
- Make it Shorter – Not too many slides and less content (bullets and text)
- Be clear on the Objective – Who is the Intended Audience? What will this presentation achieve?
- Be creative – Add quotes / numbers / video snippets / images and add credibility and create Interest
- Don’t use slides as Memos – Please do not read from the presentation verbatim. Make your presence felt with your personality and energy
- Don’t get defensive! Be Smart! – If doubts are raised handle it if you know otherwise, take notes to address it later when you share the deck with the audience
See some good presentations done here:
https://www.ted.com/talks/richard_turere_a_peace_treaty_with_the_lions?language=en
12-year-old Masai boy named Richard Turere, from Nairobi, Kenya enthralling the audience with a pleasing smile, visual aids and emotional connect
https://www.ted.com/talks/julian_treasure_how_to_speak_so_that_people_want_to_listen
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The Editorial Team
Teamware Solutions
