Presentation Today! Any Tips?

[GreatGranny]

I'm doing a presentation today at lunchtime (1pm), its an internal one to about 25 colleagues about a site visit I went on last month.

The last time I spoke to this many people was at my wedding 13 years ago so I'm a little nervous.

I've got a power point thingy done and have run through it a couple of times.

Any tips?

My wife who used to do these things all the time has said preparation is the key. I'm ok on that score I think.

She has also said not to rush it, try to slow down your speach and keep to the script.

Any other (sensible) suggestions?

Cheers

[Nurburgsingh]

decide before the start whether or not you are going to take questions during the presentation or after... I always find that taking thme during throws me off my flow.

[WorAl]

be funny....nothing worse than being in a boreing presentation with someone who had a humour bypass.....take the piss out of yourself if you cock up.

[dougc]

Don't stare at the screen. The audience doesn't want to see the back of your head.

Move around a bit. Don't be a statue.

Know the content and be able to answer questions without having to refer to notes.

Don't just read out what is on the slides - you may as well just distribute the powerpoint file on e-mail and let everyone read it at their desks.

Edited by dougc on Tuesday 2nd June 11:17

[sleep envy]

GreatGranny said:

its an internal one to about 25 colleagues

you know them so don't get yourself flustered - take deep breaths and slow down when you talk

good luck!

[Scrumper]

Wife's right. Other than her advice, if you are using Powerpoint don't whatever you do just read your slides! Slides should be there as a backup to your talk, ideally just for graphical material (diagrams, graphs etc.) that isn't so easy to convey in words. If you have got lots of words on your slides then consider trimming them down a bit so you have things to talk about that aren't written up on the screen.

Lots of eye contact with everyone, if you can. At least look at everyone. Address your whole audience, don't just focus on the big boss/prettiest woman/chap with dandruff.

Vary the tone of your voice. Don't be afraid to pause - it's very powerful. Something in your opening that will get the audience on your side (a joke, or a wry comment about some shared experience you've had of the project) will help you relax a great deal.

Stand up straight and don't lean on the wall. Move around the 'stage' a bit so there's some dynamic quality to your talk. Hands - find something to do with them that doesn't involve shoving them in your pockets. Ideally use them for gestures and emphasis but if you can't then keep them under control!

Good luck. They are there to listen to you because you are the expert. Base your confidence on that and you will be absolutely fine.

[M400 NBL]

I hate doing them too but have to give one every year at a European meeting.

I'm not sure if doing it that infrequently is a good or bad thing, but I may be the only peson that prefers not to prepare much for it.

I literally say what I see, but then I present info that nearly all of them won't have a clue about (or care about tbh), which helps.

Remember that whilst you have powerpoint going, or they are looking at handouts, they won't be looking at you.

And if you are nervous, it isn't really a big deal.

Good luck. I'd be grateful for any tips afterwards

[GreatGranny]

Thanks all, I will take questions at the end, there is another guy doing a presentation after me so time is tight.

The power point is a series of bullet points which I will expand on if necessary.

I don't know if its a wise move to try and throw in a few jokes, it might just backfire!

[Muzzer]

GreatGranny said:

My wife who used to do these things all the time has said preparation is the key. I'm ok on that score I think.

1000% correct.

Not knowing what you're going to say or not knowing enough about your subject is the key failure in presentations. If you've prepared well, you have no worries on that score.

The main thing is to relax, take your time and don't be too uptight about it when you're actually presenting. Engage with the audience.

People always get nervous before wedding speeches and the main reason for that is the pressure to be funny - especially for a best man.
Work presentations/speeches have no such criteria - they just have to be professional and engaging.

[escargot]

Do remember that most of your colleagues probably hate presenting too so instead of them laughing if you cock up, they'll more than likely empathise with you.

Good advice from everyone else above too.

[BerksBoy]

have a glass of water. at the end of each slide, stop and take a sip of water.

not only will it keep your mouth nice and wet, it will help regulate the speed of your delivery.

as mentioned above, just have 4 or 5 bullet points on each slide with no more than a sentance each. eg

a) growth potential
b) risks associated
c) proposed next steps.

then speak around each topic "so, the potential for growth over the next 10 years is significant, according to my research, we can expect to see 10% per annum".... you get me...

good luck

[trooperiziz]

Just wing it, it'll go great

[Odie]

Juggle flaming torches whilst giving your presentation, always seems to help me concentrate.

[PD9]

Confidence and knowing your subject inside and out is the key. Dont get nervous you are only talking to 25 people and a few minutes into the talk you'll be able to glide through it. Dont be too quiet either. Re. Jokes depends on the audience is it formal or casual? Best to keep jokes in the office though. A little humour is always appreciated instead of a dull speaker! All the best! Let us know how it goes

[GreatGranny]

trooperiziz said:

Just wing it, it'll go great

Yeh right!

[escargot]

Odie said:

Juggle flaming torches whilst giving your presentation, always seems to help me concentrate.

Why don't you predict how it's going to go for him?

[Poledriver]

Following on from previous replies...... I have to do a lot of presentations, and I don't like public speaking!
My powerpoints have descriptive pictures and bullet points. These are a visual aid for the audience and a memory jog for me so that I get everything over to them in the correct order.
A glass of water is good, but don't drink too often and if your hands are shaking (it happens!) DON'T pick up the glass!
I find it best to be appearing to look at everyone in turn, but focussing slightly off.......but that's a personal thing!
If your presentation contains lots of fine detail and data, turn them into graphs or tables.

This works for me:-
The powerpoint display should have topic headings, bullet points, pictures and relevant graphs.
Your talk should pull these together and fill in the spaces.
Fine detail and larger amounts of base data should be included in handouts to be given at the end!

Other variations are available!

ETA Good Luck!

Edited by Poledriver on Tuesday 2nd June 11:54

[hornetrider]

What Gavster said - but you've done the presentation already so kind of useless advice

My advice to you is go knock one out in the loos thinking about Maureen in accounts, will calm you right down.

[Neil_H]

I hate doing them, thankfully don't have to any more. But I did a lot at Uni and practice does help a lot. If it's for colleagues that you know it shouldn't be too nerve-wracking. As mentioned, knowing your subject is the biggest thing as you will automatically be more confident in what you're talking about.

[WorAl]

GreatGranny said:

Thanks all, I will take questions at the end, there is another guy doing a presentation after me so time is tight.

The power point is a series of bullet points which I will expand on if necessary.

I don't know if its a wise move to try and throw in a few jokes, it might just backfire!

I didnt say tell them jokes, just dont be miserable.