importance of presentation skills in business communication

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Powerful and Effective Presentation Skills: More in Demand Now Than Ever

When we talk with our L&D colleagues from around the globe, we often hear that presentation skills training is one of the top opportunities they’re looking to provide their learners. And this holds true whether their learners are individual contributors, people managers, or senior leaders. This is not surprising.

Effective communications skills are a powerful career activator, and most of us are called upon to communicate in some type of formal presentation mode at some point along the way.

For instance, you might be asked to brief management on market research results, walk your team through a new process, lay out the new budget, or explain a new product to a client or prospect. Or you may want to build support for a new idea, bring a new employee into the fold, or even just present your achievements to your manager during your performance review.

And now, with so many employees working from home or in hybrid mode, and business travel in decline, there’s a growing need to find new ways to make effective presentations when the audience may be fully virtual or a combination of in person and remote attendees.

Whether you’re making a standup presentation to a large live audience, or a sit-down one-on-one, whether you’re delivering your presentation face to face or virtually, solid presentation skills matter.

Even the most seasoned and accomplished presenters may need to fine-tune or update their skills. Expectations have changed over the last decade or so. Yesterday’s PowerPoint which primarily relied on bulleted points, broken up by the occasional clip-art image, won’t cut it with today’s audience.

The digital revolution has revolutionized the way people want to receive information. People expect presentations that are more visually interesting. They expect to see data, metrics that support assertions. And now, with so many previously in-person meetings occurring virtually, there’s an entirely new level of technical preparedness required.

The leadership development tools and the individual learning opportunities you’re providing should include presentation skills training that covers both the evergreen fundamentals and the up-to-date capabilities that can make or break a presentation.

So, just what should be included in solid presentation skills training? Here’s what I think.

The fundamentals will always apply When it comes to making a powerful and effective presentation, the fundamentals will always apply. You need to understand your objective. Is it strictly to convey information, so that your audience’s knowledge is increased? Is it to persuade your audience to take some action? Is it to convince people to support your idea? Once you understand what your objective is, you need to define your central message. There may be a lot of things you want to share with your audience during your presentation, but find – and stick with – the core, the most important point you want them to walk away with. And make sure that your message is clear and compelling.

You also need to tailor your presentation to your audience. Who are they and what might they be expecting? Say you’re giving a product pitch to a client. A technical team may be interested in a lot of nitty-gritty product detail. The business side will no doubt be more interested in what returns they can expect on their investment.

Another consideration is the setting: is this a formal presentation to a large audience with questions reserved for the end, or a presentation in a smaller setting where there’s the possibility for conversation throughout? Is your presentation virtual or in-person? To be delivered individually or as a group? What time of the day will you be speaking? Will there be others speaking before you and might that impact how your message will be received?

Once these fundamentals are established, you’re in building mode. What are the specific points you want to share that will help you best meet your objective and get across your core message? Now figure out how to convey those points in the clearest, most straightforward, and succinct way. This doesn’t mean that your presentation has to be a series of clipped bullet points. No one wants to sit through a presentation in which the presenter reads through what’s on the slide. You can get your points across using stories, fact, diagrams, videos, props, and other types of media.

Visual design matters While you don’t want to clutter up your presentation with too many visual elements that don’t serve your objective and can be distracting, using a variety of visual formats to convey your core message will make your presentation more memorable than slides filled with text. A couple of tips: avoid images that are cliched and overdone. Be careful not to mix up too many different types of images. If you’re using photos, stick with photos. If you’re using drawn images, keep the style consistent. When data are presented, stay consistent with colors and fonts from one type of chart to the next. Keep things clear and simple, using data to support key points without overwhelming your audience with too much information. And don’t assume that your audience is composed of statisticians (unless, of course, it is).

When presenting qualitative data, brief videos provide a way to engage your audience and create emotional connection and impact. Word clouds are another way to get qualitative data across.

Practice makes perfect You’ve pulled together a perfect presentation. But it likely won’t be perfect unless it’s well delivered. So don’t forget to practice your presentation ahead of time. Pro tip: record yourself as you practice out loud. This will force you to think through what you’re going to say for each element of your presentation. And watching your recording will help you identify your mistakes—such as fidgeting, using too many fillers (such as “umm,” or “like”), or speaking too fast.

A key element of your preparation should involve anticipating any technical difficulties. If you’ve embedded videos, make sure they work. If you’re presenting virtually, make sure that the lighting is good, and that your speaker and camera are working. Whether presenting in person or virtually, get there early enough to work out any technical glitches before your presentation is scheduled to begin. Few things are a bigger audience turn-off than sitting there watching the presenter struggle with the delivery mechanisms!

Finally, be kind to yourself. Despite thorough preparation and practice, sometimes, things go wrong, and you need to recover in the moment, adapt, and carry on. It’s unlikely that you’ll have caused any lasting damage and the important thing is to learn from your experience, so your next presentation is stronger.

How are you providing presentation skills training for your learners?

Manika Gandhi is Senior Learning Design Manager at Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning. Email her at [email protected] .

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The Importance of Presentation Skills: That You Must Know About

Uncover The Importance of Presentation Skills in this comprehensive blog. Begin with a brief introduction to the art of effective presentations and its wide-reaching significance. Delve into the vital role of presentation skills in both your personal and professional life, understanding how they can shape your success.

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Table of Contents  

1) A brief introduction to Presentation Skills 

2) Importance of Presentation Skills in personal life 

3) Importance of Presentation Skills in professional life 

4) Tips to improve your Presentation Skills 

5) Conclusion 

A brief introduction to Presentation Skills  

Presentation skills can be defined as the ability to deliver information confidently and persuasively to engage and influence the audience. Be it in personal or professional settings; mastering Presentation Skills empowers individuals to convey their ideas with clarity, build confidence, and leave a lasting impression. From public speaking to business pitches, honing these skills can lead to greater success in diverse spheres of life.  You can also refer to various presentation skills interview questions and answer to build you confidence! This blog will also look into the advantages and disadvantages of presentations .It is therefore important to understand the elements of presentations .

Importance of Presentation Skills in personal life  

Effective Presentation skills are not limited to professional settings alone; they play a significant role in personal life as well. Let us now dive deeper into the Importance of Presentation Skills in one’s personal life:    

Expressing ideas clearly   

In day-to-day conversations with family, friends, or acquaintances, having good Presentation skills enables you to articulate your thoughts and ideas clearly. Whether you're discussing plans for the weekend or sharing your opinions on a particular topic, being an effective communicator encourages better understanding and engagement. 

Enhancing social confidence  

Many individuals struggle with social anxiety or nervousness in social gatherings. Mastering Presentation skills helps boost self-confidence, making it easier to navigate social situations with ease. The ability to present yourself confidently and engage others in conversation enhances your social life and opens doors to new relationships. 

Creating memories on special occasions  

There are moments in life that call for public speaking, such as proposing a toast at a wedding, delivering a speech at a family gathering, or giving a Presentation during special events. Having polished Presentation skills enables you to leave a positive and lasting impression on the audience, making these occasions even more memorable. 

Handling challenging conversations  

Life often presents challenging situations that require delicate communication, such as expressing condolences or resolving conflicts. Strong Presentation skills help you convey your feelings and thoughts sensitively, encouraging effective and empathetic communication during difficult times. 

Building stronger relationships  

Being a skilled presenter means being a good listener as well. Active listening is a fundamental aspect of effective Presentations, and when applied in personal relationships, it strengthens bonds and builds trust. Empathising with others and showing genuine interest in their stories and opinions enhances the quality of your relationships. 

Advocating for personal goals  

Whether you're pursuing personal projects or seeking support for a cause you're passionate about, the ability to present your ideas persuasively helps garner support and enthusiasm from others. This can be beneficial in achieving personal goals and making a positive impact on your community. 

Inspiring and motivating others  

In one’s personal life, Presentation skills are not just about delivering formal speeches; they also involve inspiring and motivating others through your actions and words. Whether you're sharing your experiences, mentoring someone, or encouraging loved ones during tough times, your Presentation skills can be a source of inspiration for others. 

Exuding leadership traits  

Effective Presentation skills go hand in hand with leadership qualities. Being able to communicate clearly and influence others' perspectives positions you as a leader within your family, social circles, or community. Leadership in personal life involves guiding and supporting others towards positive outcomes. 

Unlock your full potential as a presenter with our Presentation Skills Training Course. Join now!  

Importance of Presentation Skills in professional life  

Effective Presentation skills are a vital asset for career growth and success in professional life. Let us now explore the importance of Presentation skills for students and workers:  

Impressing employers and clients  

During job interviews or business meetings, a well-delivered Presentation showcases your knowledge, confidence, and ability to communicate ideas effectively. It impresses employers, clients, and potential investors, leaving a positive and memorable impression that can tilt the scales in your favour. 

Advancing in your career  

In the corporate world, promotions and career advancements often involve presenting your achievements, ideas, and future plans to decision-makers. Strong Presentation skills demonstrate your leadership potential and readiness for higher responsibilities, opening doors to new opportunities. 

Effective team collaboration  

As a professional, you often need to present projects, strategies, or updates to your team or colleagues. A compelling Presentation facilitates better understanding and association among team members, leading to more productive and successful projects. 

Persuasive selling techniques  

For sales and marketing professionals, Presentation skills are instrumental in persuading potential customers to choose your products or services. An engaging sales pitch can sway buying decisions, leading to increased revenue and business growth. 

Creating impactful proposals  

In the corporate world, proposals are crucial for securing new partnerships or business deals. A well-structured and compelling Presentation can make your proposal stand out and increase the chances of successful negotiations. 

Gaining and retaining clients  

Whether you are a freelancer, consultant, or business owner, Presentation skills play a key role in winning and retaining clients. A captivating Presentation not only convinces clients of your capabilities but also builds trust and promotes long-term relationships. 

Enhancing public speaking engagements  

Professional life often involves speaking at conferences, seminars, or industry events. Being a confident and engaging speaker allows you to deliver your message effectively, position yourself as an expert, and expand your professional network. 

Influencing stakeholders and decision-makers  

As you climb the corporate ladder, you may find yourself presenting to senior management or board members. Effective Presentations are essential for gaining support for your ideas, projects, or initiatives from key stakeholders. 

Handling meetings and discussions  

In meetings, being able to present your thoughts clearly and concisely contributes to productive discussions and efficient decision-making. It ensures that your ideas are understood and considered by colleagues and superiors. 

Professional development  

Investing time in honing Presentation skills is a form of professional development. As you become a more effective presenter, you become a more valuable asset to your organisation and industry. 

Building a personal brand  

A strong personal brand is vital for professional success. Impressive Presentations contribute to building a positive reputation and positioning yourself as a thought leader or industry expert. 

Career transitions and interviews  

When seeking new opportunities or transitioning to a different industry, Presentation Skills are essential for communicating your transferable skills and showcasing your adaptability to potential employers. 

Take your Presentations to the next level with our Effective Presentation Skills & Techniques Course. Sign up today!  

Tips to improve your Presentation Skills  

Now that you know about the importance of presentation skills in personal and professional life, we will now provide you with tips to Improve Your Presentation Skills .

1) Know your audience: Understand the demographics and interests of your audience to tailor your Presentation accordingly. 

2) Practice regularly: Rehearse your speech multiple times to refine content and delivery. 

3) Seek feedback: Gather feedback from peers or mentors to identify areas for improvement. 

4) Manage nervousness: Use relaxation techniques to overcome nervousness before presenting. 

5) Engage with eye contact: Maintain eye contact with the audience to establish a connection. 

6) Use clear visuals: Utilise impactful visuals to complement your spoken words. 

7) Emphasise key points: Highlight important information to enhance audience retention. 

8) Employ body language: Use confident and purposeful gestures to convey your message. 

9) Handle Q&A confidently: Prepare for potential questions and answer them with clarity. 

10) Add personal stories: Include relevant anecdotes to make your Presentation more relatable.   

All in all, Presentation skills are a valuable asset, impacting both personal and professional realms of life. By mastering these skills, you can become a more effective communicator, a confident professional, and a persuasive influencer. Continuous improvement and adaptation to technological advancements will ensure you stay ahead in this competitive world. 

Want to master the art of impactful Presentations? Explore our Presentation Skills Courses and elevate your communication prowess!  

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What Are Effective Presentation Skills (and How to Improve Them)

Presentation skills are essential for your personal and professional life. Learn about effective presentations and how to boost your presenting techniques.

At least seven out of 10 Americans agree that presentation skills are essential for a successful career [ 1 ]. Although it might be tempting to think that these are skills reserved for people interested in public speaking roles, they're critical in a diverse range of jobs. For example, you might need to brief your supervisor on research results.

Presentation skills are also essential in other scenarios, including working with a team and explaining your thought process, walking clients through project ideas and timelines, and highlighting your strengths and achievements to your manager during performance reviews.

Whatever the scenario, you have very little time to capture your audience’s attention and get your point across when presenting information—about three seconds, according to research [ 2 ]. Effective presentation skills help you get your point across and connect with the people you’re communicating with, which is why nearly every employer requires them.

Understanding what presentation skills are is only half the battle. Honing your presenting techniques is essential for mastering presentations of all kinds and in all settings.

What are presentation skills?

Presentation skills are the abilities and qualities necessary for creating and delivering a compelling presentation that effectively communicates information and ideas. They encompass what you say, how you structure it, and the materials you include to support what you say, such as slides, videos, or images.

You'll make presentations at various times in your life. Examples include:

Making speeches at a wedding, conference, or another event

Making a toast at a dinner or event

Explaining projects to a team 

Delivering results and findings to management teams

Teaching people specific methods or information

Proposing a vote at community group meetings

Pitching a new idea or business to potential partners or investors

Why are presentation skills important? 

Delivering effective presentations is critical in your professional and personal life. You’ll need to hone your presentation skills in various areas, such as when giving a speech, convincing your partner to make a substantial purchase, and talking to friends and family about an important situation.

No matter if you’re using them in a personal or professional setting, these are the skills that make it easier and more effective to convey your ideas, convince or persuade others, and experience success. A few of the benefits that often accompany improving your presentation skills include:

Enriched written and verbal communication skills

Enhanced confidence and self-image

Boosted critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities

Better motivational techniques

Increased leadership skills

Expanded time management, negotiation, and creativity

The better your presenting techniques, the more engaging your presentations will be. You could also have greater opportunities to make positive impacts in business and other areas of your life.

Effective presentation skills

Imagine yourself in the audience at a TED Talk or sitting with your coworkers at a big meeting held by your employer. What would you be looking for in how they deliver their message? What would make you feel engaged?

These are a few questions to ask yourself as you review this list of some of the most effective presentation skills.

Verbal communication

How you use language and deliver messages play essential roles in how your audience will receive your presentation. Speak clearly and confidently, projecting your voice enough to ensure everyone can hear. Think before you speak, pausing when necessary and tailoring the way you talk to resonate with your particular audience.

Body language

Body language combines various critical elements, including posture, gestures, eye contact, expressions, and position in front of the audience. Body language is one of the elements that can instantly transform a presentation that would otherwise be dull into one that's dynamic and interesting.

Voice projection

The ability to project your voice improves your presentation by allowing your audience to hear what you're saying. It also increases your confidence to help settle any lingering nerves while also making your message more engaging. To project your voice, stand comfortably with your shoulders back. Take deep breaths to power your speaking voice and ensure you enunciate every syllable you speak.

How you present yourself plays a role in your body language and ability to project your voice. It also sets the tone for the presentation. Avoid slouching or looking overly tense. Instead, remain open, upright, and adaptable while taking the formality of the occasion into account.

Storytelling

Incorporating storytelling into a presentation is an effective strategy used by many powerful public speakers. It has the power to bring your subject to life and pique the audience’s curiosity. Don’t be afraid to tell a personal story, slowly building up suspense or adding a dramatic moment. And, of course, be sure to end with a positive takeaway to drive your point home.

Active listening

Active listening is a valuable skill all on its own. When you understand and thoughtfully respond to what you hear—whether it's in a conversation or during a presentation—you’ll likely deepen your personal relationships and actively engage audiences during a presentation. As part of your presentation skill set, it helps catch and maintain the audience’s attention, helping them remain focused while minimizing passive response, ensuring the message is delivered correctly, and encouraging a call to action.

Stage presence

During a presentation, projecting confidence can help keep your audience engaged. Stage presence can help you connect with your audience and encourage them to want to watch you. To improve your presence, try amping up your normal demeanor by infusing it with a bit of enthusiasm. Project confidence and keep your information interesting.

Watch your audience as you’re presenting. If you’re holding their attention, it likely means you’re connecting well with them.

Self-awareness

Monitoring your own emotions and reactions will allow you to react well in various situations. It helps you remain personable throughout your presentation and handle feedback well. Self-awareness can help soothe nervousness during presentations, allowing you to perform more effectively.

Writing skills

Writing is a form of presentation. Sharp writing skills can help you master your presentation’s outline to ensure you stay on message and remain clear about your objectives from the beginning until the end. It’s also helpful to have strong writing abilities for creating compelling slides and other visual aids.

Understanding an audience

When you understand your audience's needs and interests, you can design your presentation around them. In turn, you'll deliver maximum value to them and enhance your ability to make your message easy to understand.

Learn more about presentation skills from industry experts at SAP:

How to improve presentation skills

There’s an art to public speaking. Just like any other type of art, this is one that requires practice. Improving your presentation skills will help reduce miscommunications, enhance your time management capabilities, and boost your leadership skills. Here are some ways you can improve these skills:

Work on self-confidence.

When you’re confident, you naturally speak more clearly and with more authority. Taking the time to prepare your presentation with a strong opening and compelling visual aids can help you feel more confident. Other ways to improve your self-confidence include practicing positive self-talk, surrounding yourself with positive people, and avoiding comparing yourself (or your presentation) to others.

Develop strategies for overcoming fear.

Many people are nervous or fearful before giving a presentation. A bad memory of a past performance or insufficient self-confidence can contribute to fear and anxiety. Having a few go-to strategies like deep breathing, practicing your presentation, and grounding can help you transform that fear into extra energy to put into your stage presence.

Learn grounding techniques.

Grounding is any type of technique that helps you steer your focus away from distressing thoughts and keeps you connected with your present self. To ground yourself, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and imagine you’re a large, mature tree with roots extending deep into the earth—like the tree, you can become unshakable.

Learn how to use presentation tools.

Visual aids and other technical support can transform an otherwise good presentation into a wow-worthy one. A few popular presentation tools include:

Canva: Provides easy-to-design templates you can customize

Powtoon: Animation software that makes video creation fast and easy

PowerPoint: Microsoft's iconic program popular for dynamic marketing and sales presentations

Practice breathing techniques.

Breathing techniques can help quell anxiety, making it easier to shake off pre-presentation jitters and nerves. It also helps relax your muscles and get more oxygen to your brain.  For some pre-presentation calmness, you can take deep breaths, slowly inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth.

While presenting, breathe in through your mouth with the back of your tongue relaxed so your audience doesn't hear a gasping sound. Speak on your exhalation, maintaining a smooth voice.

Gain experience.

The more you practice, the better you’ll become. The more you doanything, the more comfortable you’ll feel engaging in that activity. Presentations are no different. Repeatedly practicing your own presentation also offers the opportunity to get feedback from other people and tweak your style and content as needed.

Tips to help you ace your presentation

Your presentation isn’t about you; it’s about the material you’re presenting. Sometimes, reminding yourself of this ahead of taking center stage can help take you out of your head, allowing you to connect effectively with your audience. The following are some of the many actions you can take on the day of your presentation.

Arrive early.

Since you may have a bit of presentation-related anxiety, it’s important to avoid adding travel stress. Give yourself an abundance of time to arrive at your destination, and take into account heavy traffic and other unforeseen events. By arriving early, you also give yourself time to meet with any on-site technicians, test your equipment, and connect with people ahead of the presentation.

Become familiar with the layout of the room.

Arriving early also gives you time to assess the room and figure out where you want to stand. Experiment with the acoustics to determine how loudly you need to project your voice, and test your equipment to make sure everything connects and appears properly with the available setup. This is an excellent opportunity to work out any last-minute concerns and move around to familiarize yourself with the setting for improved stage presence.

Listen to presenters ahead of you.

When you watch others present, you'll get a feel for the room's acoustics and lighting. You can also listen for any data that’s relevant to your presentation and revisit it during your presentation—this can make the presentation more interactive and engaging.

Use note cards.

Writing yourself a script could provide you with more comfort. To prevent sounding too robotic or disengaged, only include talking points in your note cards in case you get off track. Using note cards can help keep your presentation organized while sounding more authentic to your audience.

Learn to deliver clear and confident presentations with Dynamic Public Speaking from the University of Washington. Build confidence, develop new delivery techniques, and practice strategies for crafting compelling presentations for different purposes, occasions, and audiences.

Article sources

Forbes. “ New Survey: 70% Say Presentation Skills are Critical for Career Success , https://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2014/09/25/new-survey-70-percent-say-presentation-skills-critical-for-career-success/?sh=619f3ff78890.” Accessed December 7, 2022.

Beautiful.ai. “ 15 Presentation and Public Speaking Stats You Need to Know , https://www.beautiful.ai/blog/15-presentation-and-public-speaking-stats-you-need-to-know. Accessed December 7, 2022.

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Home Blog Education Presentation Skills 101: A Guide to Presentation Success

Presentation Skills 101: A Guide to Presentation Success

Getting the perfect presentation design is just a step toward a successful presentation. For the experienced user, building presentation skills is the answer to elevating the power of your message and showing expertise on any subject. Still, one can ask: is it the same set of skills, or are they dependable on the type of presentation?

In this article, we will introduce the different types of presentations accompanied by the skillset required to master them. The purpose, as always, is to retain the audience’s interest for a long-lasting and convincing message.

Table of Contents

The Importance of Presentation Skills

Persuasive presentations, instructional presentations, informative presentations, inspirational presentations, basic presentation skills, what are the main difficulties when giving a presentation, recommendations to improve your presentation skills, closing statement.

Effective communication is the answer to reaching business and academic goals. The scenarios in which we can be required to deliver a presentation are as diverse as one can imagine. Still, some core concepts apply to all presentations.

 We define presentation skills as a compendium of soft skills that directly affect your presentation performance and contribute to creating a great presentation. These are not qualities acquired by birth but skills you ought to train and master to delve into professional environments.

You may ask: is it really that evident when a presenter is not prepared? Here are some common signs people can experience during presentations:

• Evasive body language: Not making eye contact with the audience, arms closed tightly to the body, hands in pockets all the time.
• Lack of interest in the presenter’s voice: dull tone, not putting an effort to articulate the topics.
• Doubting when asked to answer a question
• Irksome mood

The list can go on about common presenter mistakes , and most certainly, it will affect the performance of any presented data if the lack of interest by the presenter is blatantly obvious.  Another element to consider is anxiety, and according to research by the National Institute of Mental Health, 73% of the population in the USA is affected by glossophobia , which is the fear of public speaking, judgment, or negative evaluation by other people.

Therefore, presentation skills training is essential for any business professional who wants to achieve effective communication . It will remove the anxiety from presentation performance and help users effectively deliver their message and connect with the audience.

Archetypes of presentations

Persuasive presentations aim to convince the audience – often in short periods – to acquire a product or service, adhere to a cause, or invest in a company. For business entrepreneurs or politicians, persuasive presentations are their tool for the trade.

Unless you aim to be perceived as an imposter, a proper persuasive presentation has the elements of facts, empathy, and logic, balanced under a well-crafted narrative. The central pillar of these presentations is to identify the single factor that gathered your audience: it could be a market need, a social cause, or a revolutionary concept for today’s society. It has to be something with enough power to gather critiques – both good and bad.

That single factor has to be backed up by facts. Research that builds your hypothesis on how to solve that problem. A deep understanding of the target audience’s needs , concerns, and social position regarding the solution your means can offer. When those elements are in place, building a pitch becomes an easy task. 

Graphics can help you introduce information in a compelling format, lowering the need for lengthy presentations. Good presentation skills for persuasive presentations go by the hand of filtering relevant data and creating the visual cues that resonate with what your audience demands.

One powerful example of a persuasive presentation is the technique known as the elevator pitch . You must introduce your idea or product convincingly to the audience in a timeframe between 30 seconds and less than 2 minutes. You have to expose:

• What do you do 
• What’s the problem to solve
• Why is your solution different from others 
• Why should the audience care about your expertise

For that very purpose, using engaging graphics with contrasting colors elevates the potential power of your message. It speaks professionalism, care for details, and out-of-the-box thinking. Knowing how to end a presentation is also critical, as your CTAs should be placed with care.

Therefore, let’s resume the requirements of persuasive presentations in terms of good presentation skills:

• Identifying problems and needs
• Elaborating “the hook” (the element that grabs the audience’s attention)
• Knowing how to “tie” your audience (introducing a piece of information related to the hook that causes an emotional impact)
• Broad knowledge of body language and hand gestures to quickly convey your message
• Being prepared to argue a defense of your point of view
• Handling rejection
• Having a proactive attitude to convert opportunities into new projects
• Using humor, surprise, or personal anecdotes as elements to sympathize with the audience
• Having confidence
• Be able to summarize facts and information in visually appealing ways

You can learn more about persuasive presentation techniques by clicking here .

In the case of instructional presentations, we ought to differentiate two distinctive types:

• Lecture Presentations : Presentations being held at universities or any other educative institution. Those presentations cover, topic by topic, and the contents of a syllabus and are created by the team of teachers in charge of the course.
• Training Presentations : These presentations take place during in-company training sessions and usually comprise a good amount of content that is resumed into easy-to-take solutions. They are aimed to coach employees over certain topics relevant to their work performance. The 70-20-10 Model is frequently used to address these training situations.

Lecture presentations appeal to the gradual introduction of complex concepts, following a structure set in the course’s syllabus. These presentations often have a similar aesthetic as a group of professors or researchers created to share their knowledge about a topic. Personal experience does tell that course presentations often rely on factual data, adequately documented, and on the theoretical side.

An example of a presentation that lies under this concept is a Syllabus Presentation, used by the teaching team to introduce the subject to new students, evaluation methods, concepts to be learned, and expectations to pass the course.

On the other hand, training presentations are slide decks designed to meet an organization’s specific needs in the formal education of their personnel. Commonly known as “continuous education,” plenty of companies invest resources in coaching their employees to achieve higher performance results. These presentations have the trademark of being concise since their idea is to introduce the concepts that shall be applied in practice sessions. 

Ideally, the training presentations are introduced with little text and easy-to-recognize visual cues. Since the idea is to summarize as much as possible, these are visually appealing for the audience. They must be dynamic enough to allow the presenter to convey the message.

Those key takeaways remind employees when they revisit their learning resources and allow them to ruminate on questions that fellow workers raise. 

To sum up this point, building presentation skills for instructional presentations requires:

• Ability to put complex concepts into simpler words
• Patience and a constant learning mindset
• Voice training to deliver lengthy speeches without being too dense
• Ability to summarize points and note the key takeaways
• Empathizing with the audience to understand their challenges in the learning process

The informative presentations take place in business situations, such as when to present project reports from different departments to the management. Another potential usage of these presentations is in SCRUM or other Agile methodologies, when a sprint is completed, to discuss the advance of the project with the Product Owner.

As they are presentations heavily dependent on data insights, it’s common to see the usage of infographics and charts to express usually dense data in simpler terms and easy to remember. 

Informative presentations don’t just fall into the business category. Ph.D. Dissertation and Thesis presentations are topics that belong to the informative presentations category as they condense countless research hours into manageable reports for the academic jury. 

Since these informational presentations can be perceived as lengthy and data-filled, it is important to learn the following professional presentation skills:

• Attention to detail
• Be able to explain complex information in simpler terms
• Creative thinking
• Powerful diction
• Working on pauses and transitions
• Pacing the presentation, so not too much information is divulged per slide

The leading inspirational platform, TEDx, comes to mind when talking about inspirational presentations. This presentation format has the peculiarity of maximizing the engagement with the audience to divulge a message, and due to that, it has specific requirements any presenter must meet.

This presentation format usually involves a speaker on a stage, either sitting or better standing, in which the presenter engages with the audience with a storytelling format about a life experience, a job done that provided a remarkable improvement for society, etc.

Empathizing with the audience is the key ingredient for these inspirational presentations. Still, creativity is what shapes the outcome of your performance as people are constantly looking for different experiences – not the same recipe rephrased with personal touches. The human factor is what matters here, way above data and research. What has your experience to offer to others? How can it motivate another human being to pursue a similar path or discover their true calling?

To achieve success in terms of communication skills presentation, these inspirational presentations have the following requirements:

• Focus on the audience (engage, consider their interests, and make them a part of your story)
• Putting ego aside
• Creative communication skills
• Storytelling skills
• Body language knowledge to apply the correct gestures to accompany your story
• Voice training
• Using powerful words

After discussing the different kinds of presentations we can come across at any stage of our lives, a group of presentation skills is standard in any type of presentation. See below what makes a good presentation and which skills you must count on to succeed as a presenter.

Punctuality

Punctuality is a crucial aspect of giving an effective presentation. Nothing says more about respect for your audience and the organization you represent than delivering the presentation on time . Arriving last minute puts pressure on the tech team behind audiovisuals, as they don’t have enough preparation to test microphones, stage lights, and projector settings, which can lead to a less powerful presentation Even when discussing presentations hosted in small rooms for a reduced audience, testing the equipment becomes essential for an effective presentation.

A solution for this is to arrive at least 30 minutes early. Ideally, one hour is a sweet spot since the AV crew has time to check the gear and requirements for your presentation. Another benefit of this, for example, in inspirational presentations, is measuring the previous presenter’s impact on the audience. This gives insights about how to resonate with the public, and their interest, and how to accommodate your presentation for maximum impact.

Body Language

Our bodies can make emotions transparent for others, even when we are unaware of such a fact. Proper training for body language skills reduces performance anxiety, giving the audience a sense of expertise about the presented topic. 

Give your presentation and the audience the respect they deserve by watching over these potential mistakes:

• Turning your back to the audience for extended periods : It’s okay to do so when introducing an important piece of information or explaining a graph, but it is considered rude to give your back to the audience constantly.
• Fidgeting : We are all nervous in the presence of strangers, even more, if we are the center of attention for that moment. Instead of playing with your hair or making weird hand gestures, take a deep breath to center yourself before the presentation and remember that everything you could do to prepare is already done. Trust your instincts and give your best.
• Intense eye contact : Have you watched a video where the presenter stared at the camera the entire time? That’s the feeling you transmit to spectators through intense eye contact. It’s a practice often used by politicians to persuade.
• Swearing : This is a no-brainer. Even when you see influencers swearing on camera or in podcasts or live presentations, it is considered an informal and lousy practice for business and academic situations. If you have a habit to break when it comes to this point, find the humor in these situations and replace your swear words with funny alternatives (if the presentation allows for it). 

Voice Tone plays a crucial role in delivering effective presentations and knowing how to give a good presentation. Your voice is a powerful tool for exposing your ideas and feelings . Your voice can articulate the message you are telling, briefing the audience if you feel excited about what you are sharing or, in contrast, if you feel the presentation is a burden you ought to complete.

Remember, passion is a primary ingredient in convincing people. Therefore, transmitting such passion with a vibrant voice may help gather potential business partners’ interest.  

But what if you feel sick prior to the presentation? If, by chance, your throat is sore minutes before setting foot on the stage, try this: when introducing yourself, mention that you are feeling a bit under the weather. This resonates with the audience to pay more attention to your efforts. In case you don’t feel comfortable about that, ask the organizers for a cup of tea, as it will settle your throat and relax your nerves.

Tech Skills

Believe it or not, people still feel challenged by technology these days. Maybe that’s the reason why presentation giants like Tony Robbins opt not to use PowerPoint presentations . The reality is that there are plenty of elements involved in a presentation that can go wrong from the tech side:

• A PDF not opening
• Saving your presentation in a too-recent PowerPoint version
• A computer not booting up
• Mac laptops and their never-ending compatibility nightmare
• Not knowing how to change between slides
• Not knowing how to use a laser pointer
• Internet not working
• Audio not working

We can come up with a pretty long list of potential tech pitfalls, and yet more than half of them fall in presenters not being knowledgeable about technology.

If computers aren’t your thing, let the organization know about this beforehand. There is always a crew member available to help presenters switch between slides or configure the presentation for streaming. This takes the pressure off your shoulders, allowing you to concentrate on the content to present. Remember, even Bill Gates can get a BSOD during a presentation .

Presentations, while valuable for conveying information and ideas, can be daunting for many individuals. Here are some common difficulties people encounter when giving presentations:

Public Speaking Anxiety

Glossophobia, the fear of public speaking, affects a significant portion of the population. This anxiety can lead to nervousness, trembling, and forgetfulness during a presentation.

Lack of Confidence

Many presenters struggle with self-doubt, fearing that they may not be knowledgeable or skilled enough to engage their audience effectively.

Content Organization

Organizing information in a coherent and engaging manner can be challenging. Presenters often grapple with how to structure their content to make it easily digestible for the audience. Artificial Intelligence can help us significantly reduce the content arrangement time when you work with tools like our AI Presentation Maker (made for presenters by experts in presentation design). 

Audience Engagement

Keeping the audience’s attention and interest throughout the presentation can be difficult. Distractions, disengaged attendees, or lack of interaction can pose challenges.

Technical Issues

Technology glitches, such as malfunctioning equipment, incompatible file formats, or poor internet connectivity, can disrupt presentations and increase stress.

Time Management

Striking the right balance between providing enough information and staying within time limits is a common challenge. Going over or under the allotted time can affect the effectiveness of the presentation.

Handling Questions and Challenges

Responding to unexpected questions, criticism, or challenges from the audience can be difficult, especially when presenters are unprepared or lack confidence in their subject matter.

Visual Aids and Technology

Creating and effectively using visual aids like slides or multimedia can be a struggle for some presenters. Technical competence is essential in this aspect.

Language and Articulation

Poor language skills or unclear articulation can hinder effective communication. Presenters may worry about stumbling over words or failing to convey their message clearly.

Maintaining appropriate and confident body language can be challenging. Avoiding nervous habits, maintaining eye contact, and using gestures effectively requires practice.

Overcoming Impersonal Delivery

In virtual presentations, maintaining a personal connection with the audience can be difficult. The absence of face-to-face interaction can make it challenging to engage and read the audience.

Cultural and Diversity Awareness

Presenting to diverse audiences requires sensitivity to cultural differences and varying levels of familiarity with the topic.

In this section, we gathered some tips on how to improve presentation skills that can certainly make an impact if applied to your presentation skills. We believe these skills can be cultivated to transform into habits for your work routine.

Tip #1: Build a narrative

One memorable way to guarantee presentation success is by writing a story of all the points you desire to cover. This statement is based on the logic behind storytelling and its power to connect with people .

Don’t waste time memorizing slides or reading your presentation to the audience. It feels unnatural, and any question that diverts from the topic in discussion certainly puts you in jeopardy or, worse, exposes you as a fraud in the eyes of the audience. And before you ask, it is really evident when a presenter has a memorized speech. 

Build and rehearse the presentation as if telling a story to a group of interested people. Lower the language barrier by avoiding complex terms that maybe even you aren’t fully aware of their meaning. Consider the ramifications of that story, what it could lead to, and which are the opportunities to explore. Then, visualize yourself giving the presentation in a natural way.

Applying this technique makes the presentation feel like second nature to you. It broadens the spectrum in which you can show expertise over a topic or even build the basis for new interesting points of view about the project.

Tip #2: Don’t talk for more than 3 minutes per slide

It is a common practice of presenters to bombard the audience with facts and information whilst retaining the same slide on the screen. Why can this happen? It could be because the presenter condensed the talk into very few slides and preferred to talk. The reality is that your spectators won’t retain the information you are giving unless you give visual cues to help that process. 

Opt to prepare more slides and pace your speech to match the topics shown on each slide. Don’t spend more than 3 minutes per slide unless you have to introduce a complex piece of data. Use visual cues to direct the spectators about what you talk about, and summarize the principal concepts discussed at the end of each section.

Tip #3: Practice meditation daily

Anxiety is the number one enemy of professional presenters. It slowly builds without you being aware of your doubts and can hinder your performance in multiple ways: making you feel paralyzed, fidgeting, making you forget language skills or concepts, affecting your health, etc.

Meditation is an ancient practice taken from Buddhist teachings that train your mind to be here in the present. We often see the concepts of meditation and mindfulness as synonyms, whereas you should be aware that meditation is a practice that sets the blocks to reach a state of mindfulness. For presenters, being in the here and now is essential to retain focus, but meditation techniques also teach us to control our breathing and be in touch with our body signals when stress builds up. 

The customary practice of meditation has an impact on imagination and creativity but also helps to build patience – a skill much needed for connecting with your audience in instructional presentations.

Having the proper set of presentation skills can be quite subjective. It goes beyond presentation tips and deepens into how flexible we can be in our ability to communicate ideas.

Different presentations and different audiences shape the outcome of our efforts. Therefore, having a basic understanding of how to connect, raise awareness, and empathize with people can be key ingredients for your career as a presenter. A word of advice: success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes dedication and patience to build communication skills . Don’t condition your work to believe you will be ready “someday”; it’s best to practice and experience failure as part of the learning process.

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Chapter 18: Business Presentations

Venecia Williams and Olds College

Learning Objectives

• Understand how to use effective interpersonal communication skills in professional presentations
• Learn how to organize a presentation
• Examine how to use visual aids effectively
• Discuss the effective integration of communication and presentation techniques in the delivery of professional presentations

Along with good writing skills, the ability to communicate verbally is vital to many employers today. It is an integral part of the modern business world. People in the workplace spend the majority of their time communicating. Verbal communication in the workplace takes many forms such as staff meetings, discussions, speeches, presentations, informal conversations, and telephone and video conferences. Communicating verbally is more personal and flexible than writing. It allows workers to exchange ideas, information, and feedback more quickly. Verbal communication tends to occur in person, making it easier to negotiate, express emotions, outline expectations, and build trust, all of which are important in today’s workplace. Communication can also occur between people who are not together in person. In these situations, unique skills are necessary to achieve success. Simple conversation skills are also valued in the workplace, but this does not mean using casual or informal language. Rather, what is prized by many employers is the ability to communicate important information professionally but in a meaningful and understandable way. This can be important when making spontaneous presentations as well as more elaborate formal group presentations, which are a part of many work roles today.

What Makes a Successful Speaker?

According to longtime Toastmasters member Bob Kienzle, there are a few key elements that tend to make a successful speaker:

• Voice : Can the person be easily understood?
• Body Language : Does their body support what they’re saying? Are they confident?
• Coherent Structure: Does what they’re presenting make sense? Is it logical?
• Enthusiasm : Do they care about what they’re presenting?
• Expertise: Do they know what they’re talking about? Are they credible?
• Practice : If they haven’t practised or sufficiently prepared, it will likely show up in one or more of the above.

A successful speaker can be inspired by other speeches or speakers but may fall flat if they try to copy someone else. Authenticity and passion can resonate so much with an audience that it can outweigh elements otherwise considered pitfalls. The techniques, tools, and best practices are a guideline, and it’s important to note there is no such thing as “perfection” in public speaking. “Failure” can happen in myriad ways, but it’s more helpful to see them as learning opportunities, or opportunities to make a stronger connection to your audience. The biggest failure, according to Kienzle, is to pass up opportunities to practise your skills in presenting or public speaking.

Preparing a Presentation

Develop your message while keeping in mind the format, audience, style , and tone . First, you’ll need to think about the format of your presentation. This is a choice between presentation types. In your professional life, you’ll encounter the verbal communication channels in Figure 18.1. The purpose column labels each channel with a purpose (I=Inform, P=Persuade, or E=Entertain) depending on that channel’s most likely purpose.

Figure 18.1 | Presentation Communication Channels

There are some other considerations to make when you are selecting a format. For example, the number of speakers may influence the format you choose. Panels and Presentations may have more than one speaker. In Meetings and Teleconferences, multiple people will converse. In a Workshop setting, one person will usually lead the event, but there is often a high-level of collaboration between participants. The location of participants will also influence your decision. For example, if participants cannot all be in the same room, you might choose a teleconference or webinar. If asynchronous delivery is important, you might record a podcast. When choosing a technology-reliant channel, such as a teleconference or webinar, be sure to test your equipment and make sure each participant has access to any materials they need before you begin.

Once you have chosen a format, make sure your message is right for your audience. You’ll need to think about issues such as the following:

• What expectations will the audience have?
• What is the context of your communication?
• What does the audience already know about the topic?
• How is the audience likely to react to you and your message?

Next, you’ll consider the style of your presentation. Analyze your specific presentation styles. Perhaps you prefer to present formally, limiting your interaction with the audience, or perhaps you prefer a more conversational, informal style, where discussion is a key element. You may prefer to cover serious subjects, or perhaps you enjoy delivering humorous speeches. Style is all about your personality!

Finally, you’ll select a tone for your presentation. Your voice, body language, level of self-confidence, dress, and use of space all contribute to the mood that your message takes on. Consider how you want your audience to feel when they leave your presentation and approach it with that mood in mind.

Presentation Purpose

Your presentation will have a general and specific purpose. Your general purpose may be to inform, persuade, or entertain. It’s likely that any speech you develop will have a combination of these goals. Most presentations have a little bit of entertainment value, even if they are primarily attempting to inform or persuade. For example, the speaker might begin with a joke or dramatic opening, even though their speech is primarily informational. Your specific purpose addresses what you are going to inform, persuade, or entertain your audience with the main topic of your speech.

Incorporating Backchannels

Technology has given speakers new ways to engage with an audience in real-time, and these can be particularly useful when it isn’t practical for the audience to share their thoughts verbally—for example, when the audience is very large, or when they are not all in the same location. These secondary or additional means of interacting with your audience are called backchannels, and you might decide to incorporate one into your presentation, depending on your aims. They can be helpful for engaging more introverted members of the audience who may not be comfortable speaking out verbally in a large group. Using publicly accessible social networks, such as a Facebook Page or Twitter feed, can also help to spread your message to a wider audience, as audience members share posts related to your speech with their networks. Because of this, backchannels are often incorporated into conferences; they are helpful in marketing the conference and its speakers both during and after the event.

Developing the Content

As with any type of messaging, it helps if you create an outline of your speech or presentation before you create it fully. This ensures that each element is in the right place and gives you a place to start to avoid the dreaded blank page. Figure 18.2 is an outline template that you can adapt for your purpose. Replace the placeholders in the Content column with your ideas or points.

Figure `18.2 | Presentation Outline

Introduction

The beginning of your speech needs an attention-grabber to get your audience interested right away. Choose your attention-grabbing device based on what works best for your topic. Your entire introduction should only be around 10 to 15 percent of your total speech, so be sure to keep this section short. Here are some devices that you could try:

After the attention-getter comes the rest of your introduction. It needs to do the following:

• Capture the audience’s interest
• State the purpose of your speech
• Establish credibility
• Give the audience a reason to listen
• Signpost the main ideas

Once you have identified an attention-getting, it is time to develop the body of your presentation or speech. In your body, you will focus on the specific points you would like to communicate to your audience.

Rhetoric and Argument:  Your audience will think to themselves, Why should I listen to this speech? What’s in it for me? One of the best things you can do as a speaker is to answer these questions early in your body, if you haven’t already done so in your introduction. This will serve to gain their support early and will fill in the blanks of who, what, when, where, why, and how in their minds.

Organization: An organized body helps your audience to follow your speech and recall your points later. When developing the body of your speech, recall the specific purpose you decided on, then choose main points to support it. Just two or three main points are usually sufficient, depending on the length of your speech. Anticipate one main point per two to three minutes of speaking.

Concluding on a High Note

You’ll need to keep your energy up until the very end of your speech. In your conclusion, your job is to let the audience know you are finished, help them remember what you’ve told them, and leave them with a final thought or call-to-action, depending on the general purpose of your message.

Presentation Aids

Presentations can be enhanced by the effective use of visual aids. These include handouts, overhead transparencies, drawings on the whiteboard, PowerPoint slides, and many other types of props. Once you have chosen a topic, consider how you are going to show your audience what you are talking about. Visuals can provide a reference, illustration, or image to help the audience to understand and remember your point.

Visual aids accomplish several goals:

• Make your speech more interesting
• Enhance your credibility as a speaker
• Guide transitions, helping the audience stay on track
• Communicate complex information in a short time
• Reinforce your message
• Encourage retention

Methods and Materials

There are many different presentation aids available. Before you decide on a presentation aid, think carefully about how you plan on using it and how it will enhance your presentation.

Using Visual Aids

Visual aids can be a powerful tool when used effectively but can run the risk of dominating your presentation. Consider your audience and how the portrayal of images, text, graphic, animated sequences, or sound files will contribute or detract from your presentation. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you prepare yours.

Designing Slide Decks

When you design your slide decks, you might be overwhelmed by the possibilities, and you might be tempted to use all the bells, whistles, and sounds, not to mention the flying, and animated graphics. If used wisely, a simple transition can be effective, but if used indiscriminately, it can annoy the audience to the point where they cringe in anticipation of the sound effect at the start of each slide.

Stick to one main idea per slide. The presentation is for the audience’s benefit, not yours. Pictures and images can be understood more quickly and easily than text, so you can use this to your advantage as you present.

If you develop a slide deck for your presentation, test these out in the location beforehand, not just on your own computer screen, as different computers and software versions can make your slides look different than you expected. Allow time for revision based on what you learn.

Your visual aids should meet the following criteria:

• Big: legible for everyone, even the back row
• Clear: easy for audience to understand
• Simple: simplify concepts rather than complicating them
• Consistent: use the same visual style throughout

In Figure 18.3 the slide deck on the left has a colour combination which makes the information difficult to understand. The list is not parallel and the slide contains a grammatical error. The slide deck on the right is an improved and more professional version.

Another consideration that you’ll need to make when designing your slide decks is font. As previously mentioned, think about the people at the back of the room when choosing the size of your text, to make sure it can be read by everyone. A common mistake that presenters make is to use decorative fonts or to incorporate many different fonts in their slides. This not only creates a mixed message for the audience but also makes your message difficult to read. Choose legible, common fonts that do not have thin elements that may be difficult to see.

When considering your choice of colours to use, legibility must be your priority. Contrast can help the audience read your key terms more easily. Make sure the background colour and the images you plan to use complement each other. Repeat colours, from your graphics to your text, to help unify each slide. To reduce visual noise, try not to use more than two or three colours. Blue-green colour blindness, and red-green colour blindness are fairly common, so avoid using these colour combinations if it is important for the audience to differentiate between them. If you are using a pie chart, for example, avoid putting a blue segment next to a green one. Use labelling so that even if someone is colour blind, they will be able to tell the relative sizes of the pie segments and what they signify.

Colour is also a matter of culture. Some colours may be perceived as formal or informal, or masculine or feminine. Certain colours have understood meanings; for example, red is usually associated with danger, while green signals “go.” Make sure the colours you use align with your message. If you are discussing climate change or the natural world, for example, you’d be more likely to use blues and greens rather than metallic colours to avoid confusing the audience.

Once you have prepared your visual aid, do not forget to revise. There is nothing more uncomfortable than seeing a typo or grammatical error on your screen in the middle of your presentation. These errors can create a bad impression and affect your credibility with the audience. You want your audience to focus on your message so be sure to revise to maintain the audience’s attention and keep your credibility.

Preparing to Present

You are almost ready to deliver your presentation. What are some final elements you can focus on to ensure a smooth delivery?

To deliver your presentation to the best of your ability, and to reduce your nerves once you take the stage, you need to practise by rehearsing. As you do, try to identify the weaknesses in your delivery to improve on them. For example, do you often misspeak the same words (e.g., pacific for specific; ax for ask) or do your hands or feet fidget? Use your practice time to focus on correcting these issues. These sessions should help you get comfortable and help you remember what you want to say without having to constantly refer to notes. Try practising in front of a mirror, or even recording yourself speaking to a camera and playing it back. It’s also helpful to get feedback from a supportive audience at this stage. Perhaps a few family members or friends could watch you give your presentation and provide some feedback.

Dress for Success

While there are no definitive guidelines for how you should dress for your presentation, your appearance is an important part of your audience’s first impression. If you want them to take you seriously, you’ll need to look the part. While you don’t have to wear a suit each time you present, there are some scenarios where this would be expected; for example, if you are presenting to a corporate audience who wear suits to work, you should do the same. You should dress one step above your audience. If your audience is going to be dressed casually in shorts and jeans, then wear nice casual clothing such as a pair of pressed slacks and a collared shirt or blouse. If your audience is going to be wearing business casual attire, then you should wear a dress or a suit. The general rule is to avoid any distractions in your appearance that can distract your audience’s attention from your message.

Set Up Your Environment

Depending on the circumstances of your speech or presentation, you may have some choices to make about the environment. Perhaps you have a choice of meeting rooms that you can use, or, perhaps you have only one option. If you have some flexibility, it is helpful to think about what sort of environment would best help you get your message across. For example, if you are running a workshop, you might want to assemble participants in a circle to encourage collaboration and discussion. If you are holding a webinar, you’ll need a quiet location with a strong Internet connection and a computer system. It is imperative that you think about what facilities you need well before the day of your presentation arrives. Arriving to find that the equipment you expected isn’t available is not a nice surprise for even the most experienced speaker!

If you have access to the location beforehand, you may need to move tables or chairs around to get things just the way you want them. You might choose to have a podium brought in, if you are aiming for a formal feel, for example, or you may need to position your flip chart. Double-check that you have all the equipment you need, from whiteboard markers to speakers. It is far better if you can get comfortable with the room before your audience arrives, as this will make you feel more prepared and less nervous.

If you are using technology to support your presentation (i.e., PowerPoint slides or a projector), test everything before you begin. Do a microphone check and test its volume, view your slides on the computer you will be using, check any weblinks, play videos to test their sound, or make a call to test the phone connection prior to your teleconference. Your audience will get restless quickly if they arrive and are expected to wait while you fix a technical problem. This will also make you seem disorganized and hurt your credibility as an authoritative speaker.

During the Presentation

You’ve organized your presentation with great visuals and you are ready to present. You now have to deliver your presentation. How do you effectively deliver your presentation calmly and clearly?

Managing Anxiety

Studies have been done to assess how nervous or stressful people typically get during presentations, by examining people’s physiological responses at three intervals: one minute before the presentation, the first minute of the speech, and the last minute of the speech. They discovered that nervousness usually peaked at the anticipation stage that occurs one minute before the presentation. They further found that as the speech progresses, nervousness tends to go down. Here are some things you can do to help you manage your anxiety before the presentation:

• Practice/rehearse in similar conditions/setting as your speech
• Be organized
• Think positively
• Analyze your audience
• Adapt your language to speaking style

During the presentation, there are four main areas where you can focus attention in order to manage your anxiety:

• Your body’s reaction
• Attention to the audience
• Keeping a sense of humour
• Common stress management techniques

Your Body’s Reaction

Physical movement helps to channel some of the excess energy that your body produces in response to anxiety. If at all possible, move around the front of the room rather than remaining behind the lectern or gripping it for dear life (avoid pacing nervously from side to side, however). Move closer to the audience and then stop for a moment. If you are afraid that moving away from the lectern will reveal your shaking hands, use note cards rather than a sheet of paper for your outline. Note cards do not quiver like paper, and they provide you with something to do with your hands. Other options include vocal warm-ups right before your speech, having water (preferably in a non-spillable bottle with a spout) nearby for dry mouth, and doing a few stretches before going on stage. Deep breathing will help to counteract the effects of excess adrenaline. You can place cues or symbols in your notes, such as “slow down” or “smile”, that remind you to pause and breathe during points in your speech. It is also a good idea to pause a moment before you get started to set an appropriate pace from the onset. Look at your audience and smile. It is a reflex for some of your audience members to smile back. Those smiles will reassure you that your audience members are friendly.

Attention to the Audience

During your speech, make a point of establishing direct eye contact with your audience members. By looking at individuals, you establish a series of one-to-one contacts similar to interpersonal communication. An audience becomes much less threatening when you think of them not as an anonymous mass but as a collection of individuals.

Keeping a Sense of Humour

No matter how well we plan, unexpected things happen. That fact is what makes the public speaking situation so interesting. If things go wrong, try to have a sense of humour and stay calm. The audience will respond better if you stay calm than if you get upset or have a breakdown.

Stress Management Techniques

Even when we use positive thinking and are well prepared, some of us still feel a great deal of anxiety about public speaking. When that is the case, it can be more helpful to use stress management than to try to make the anxiety go away. Here are two main tools that can help:

• Visualization: imagining the details of what a successful speech would look and sound like from beginning to end; a way of hypnotizing yourself into positive thinking by using your mind’s eye to make success real.
• Systematic desensitization: Gradual exposure to the thing that causes fear—in this case, giving a speech—can ultimately lead to decreased anxiety. Basically, the more practice you get speaking in front of people, the less fear and anxiety you’ll have about public speaking. Organizations like Toastmasters that help people confront their fears by providing a supportive environment to learn and practise is a good option if you have a true phobia around presenting or public speaking.

Focus on Verbal Communication Techniques

• Pitch : Use pitch inflections to make your delivery more interesting and emphatic. If you don’t change pitch at all, your delivery will be monotone, which gets boring for the audience very quickly.
• Volume : Adjust the volume of your voice to your environment and audience. If you’re in a large auditorium, speak up so that people in the back row can hear you. But if you’re in a small room with only a few people, you don’t want to alarm them by shouting!
• Emphasis : Stress certain words in your speech to add emphasis to them, that is, to indicate that they are particularly important.
• Pronunciation : Make sure that you know the appropriate pronunciation of the words you choose. If you mispronounce a word, it could hurt your credibility or confuse your audience. Your pronunciation is also influenced by your accent. If your accent is quite different from the accent you expect most members of your audience to have, practise your speech in front of someone with the same accent that your audience members will have, to ensure you are pronouncing words in a clear, understandable way.
• Fillers : Avoid the use of “fillers” as placeholders for actual words (like, er, um, uh, etc.). If you have a habit of using fillers, practise your speech thoroughly so that you remember what you want to say. This way, you are less likely to lose your place and let a filler word slip out.
• Rate : The pace that you speak at will influence how well the audience can understand you. Many people speak quickly when they are nervous. If this is a habit of yours, practice will help you here, too. Pause for breath naturally during your speech. Your speaking rate should be appropriate for your topic. A rapid, lively rate communicates enthusiasm, urgency, or humour. A slower, moderated rate conveys respect and seriousness.

Focus on Non-verbal Communication Techniques

• Gestures : You can use your hands or head to help you express an idea or meaning, or reinforce important points, but they can be distracting if overused. If the audience is busy watching your hands fly around, they will not be able to concentrate on your words.
• Facial Expression : Rehearse your speech in front of a mirror to see what facial expressions come across. If you are speaking about an upbeat topic, smile! Conversely, if your topic is serious or solemn, avoid facial expressions that are overtly cheerful, because the audience will be confused by the mixed message. In North American culture, the most important facial expression you can use is eye contact. Briefly catch the eye of audience members as you move through your speech. If you can’t look your audience members in the eye, they may view you as untrustworthy. You’ll want to avoid holding eye contact for too long with any one person, as too much can be unnerving.
• Posture : Try to stay conscious of your posture and stand up straight. This gives the audience the perception that you are authoritative and take your position seriously. If you are slouching, hunched over, or leaning on something, this gives the impression that you are anxious, lacking in credibility, or not serious about your message.
• Silence : Silence is a powerful technique if used well. Pauses are useful for emphasis and dramatic effect when you are speaking. Some speakers are reluctant to pause or use silence because they become uncomfortable with the dead air, but sometimes your audience needs a moment to process information and respond to you.
• Movement : You can use your body movements to communicate positively with the audience. Leaning in or moving closer to the audience helps to bridge the space of separation. Moving from one side of the room to the other in a purposeful way that supports your content is a useful way to keep your audience engaged; their eyes will track your movements. However, pacing rapidly with no purpose and no support to your message may quickly distract from your message.

Coping with Mistakes and Surprises

Even the most prepared speaker will encounter unexpected challenges from time to time. Here are a few strategies for combating the unexpected in your own presentations.

Speech Content Issues

What if a notecard goes missing or you skip important information from the beginning of your speech? Pause for a moment to think about what to do. Is it important to include the missing information, or can it be omitted without hindering the audience’s ability to understand your speech? If it needs to be included, does the information fit better now or in a later segment? If you can move on without the missing element, that is often the best choice, but pausing for a few seconds to decide will be less distracting to the audience than sputtering through a few “ums” and “uhs.” Situations like these demonstrate why it’s a good idea to have a glass of water with you when you speak. Pausing for a moment to take a sip of water is a perfectly natural movement, so the audience may not even notice that anything is amiss.

Technical Difficulties

Technology has become a very useful aid in public speaking, allowing us to use audio or video clips, presentation software, or direct links to websites. But it does break down occasionally! Web servers go offline, files will not download, or media contents are incompatible with the computer in the presentation room. Always have a backup plan in case of technical difficulties. As you develop your speech and visual aids, think through what you will do if you cannot show a particular graph or if your presentation slides are garbled. Your beautifully prepared chart may be superior to the verbal description you can provide. However, your ability to provide a succinct verbal description when technology fails will give your audience the information they need and keep your speech moving forward.

External Distractions

Unfortunately, one thing that you can’t control during your speech is audience etiquette, but you can decide how to react to it. Inevitably, an audience member will walk in late, a cell phone will ring, or a car alarm will go off outside. If you are interrupted by external events like these, it is often useful and sometimes necessary to pause and wait so that you can regain the audience’s attention. Whatever the event, maintain your composure. Do not get upset or angry about these glitches. If you keep your cool and quickly implement a “plan B” for moving forward, your audience will be impressed.

Reading Your Audience

Recognizing your audience’s mood by observing their body language can help you adjust your message and see who agrees with you, who doesn’t, and who is still deciding. With this information, you can direct your attention—including eye contact and questions—to the areas of the room where they can have the most impact. As the speaker, you are conscious that you are being observed. But your audience members probably don’t think of themselves as being observed, so their body language will be easy to read.

Handling Q&A

Question-and-answer sessions can be trickier to manage than the presentation itself. You can prepare for and rehearse the presentation, but audience members could ask a question you hadn’t considered or don’t know how to answer. There are three important elements to think about when incorporating Q&As as part of your presentation:

1. Audience Expectations

At the beginning of your speech, give the audience a little bit of information about who you are and what your expertise on the subject is. Once they know what you do (and what you know), it will be easier for the audience to align their questions with your area of expertise—and for you to bow out of answering questions that are outside of your area.

2. Timing of Q&As

Questions are easier to manage when you are expecting them. Unless you are part of a panel, meeting, or teleconference, it is probably easier to let the audience know that you will take questions at the end of your presentation. This way you can avoid interruptions to your speech that can distract you and cause you to lose time. If audience members interrupt during your talk, you can then ask them politely to hold on to their questions until the Q&A session at the end.

3. Knowing How to Respond

Never pretend that you know the answer to a question if you don’t. The audience will pick up on it! Instead, calmly apologize and say that the question is outside of the scope of your knowledge but that you’d be happy to find out after the presentation (or, suggest some resources where the person could find out for themselves). If you are uncertain about how to answer a question, say something like “That’s really interesting. Could you elaborate on that?” This will make the audience member feel good because they have asked an interesting question, and it will give you a moment to comprehend what they are asking. Sometimes presenters rush to answer a question because they are nervous or want to impress. Pause for a moment, before you begin your answer, to think about what you want to say. This will help you to avoid misinterpreting the question or taking offense to a question that is not intended that way.

A final tip is to be cautious about how you answer so that you don’t offend your audience. You are presenting on a topic because you are knowledgeable about it, but your audience is not. It is important not to make the audience feel inferior because there are things that they don’t know. Avoid comments such as “Oh, yes, it’s really easy to do that…” Instead, say something like “Yes, that can be tricky. I would recommend…” Also, avoid a bossy tone. For example, phrase your response with “What I find helpful is…” rather than “What you should do is…”

Good presentation skills are important to successfully communicate ideas in business. Make sure your presentation has a clear topic with relevant supporting details. Use verbal and non-verbal communication techniques to make your presentation engaging, and don’t forget to practice!

End of Chapter Activities

18a. thinking about the content.

What are your key takeaways from this chapter? What is something you have learned or something you would like to add from your experience?

18b. Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions

• How can a speaker prepare a presentation for a diverse audience? Explain and give some specific examples.
• How can an audience’s prior knowledge affect a presentation?
• Think of someone you have met but do not know very well. What kinds of conversations have you had with this person? How might you expect your conversations to change if you have more opportunities to get better acquainted? Discuss your thoughts with a classmate.
• While managing a Q&A session following a presentation, if you find yourself unable to answer a question posed by one of the audience members which tactics can you use to maintain control of the session?

18c. Applying chapter concepts to a situation

Presenting for success

Akhil works at a software development company in White Rock called Blackball Technologies. It is a medium-sized company that allows its employees to dress casually and occasionally work from home. Akhil likes this because his preference is to wear t-shirts and jeans to the office or work from home in his pyjamas.

Blackball recently created a new software program that has the potential to make a huge profit. However, they need investors to fund their latest innovation. The new software was developed using one of Akhil’s ideas; therefore, the company chooses him to present their proposal to a diverse group of investors from several countries.

Some of the investors are not fluent in English as it is their second language. Additionally, they each have a busy day ahead as they have to listen to proposals from multiple companies. Akhil fears that the investors will not understand him. He is also nervous about the presentation due to its significance to his career. If he is successful, he will get the promotion that he has wanted for the past two years and a pay raise.

What are some of the things that Akhil should consider when presenting to the investors? 

18d. Writing Activity

Watch this video from TED.com on The Secret Structure of Great Talks . Summarize the video. What is the most interesting point made by Nancy Duarte in your opinion?

Attribution

Content attribution.

This chapter contains information from Professional Communications OER by the Olds College OER Development Team used under a CC-BY 4.0 international license.

This chapter contains information from Business Communication for Success  which is adapted from a work produced and distributed under a Creative Commons license (CC BY-NC-SA) in 2010 by a publisher who has requested that they and the original author not receive attribution. This adapted edition is produced by the  University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing  through the  eLearning Support Initiative .

Media Attribution

Presentation icon made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com .

Whiteboard icon made by Phatplus from www.flaticon.com .

Handout icon made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com .

Demonstration icon made by Ultimatearm from www.flaticon.com .

Chapter 18: Business Presentations Copyright © 2020 by Venecia Williams and Olds College is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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21 Ways To Improve Your Presentation Skills

Published: April 07, 2023

You know the feeling of sitting through a boring presentation. A text distracts you. A noise outside pulls your gaze. Your dog begs for attention. By the time the presentation ends, you question why you needed to sit and listen in the first place.

Effective presentation skills can stop you from boring an audience to oblivion. Delivering strong presentations can help you stand out as a leader, showcase your expertise, and build confidence.

Table of contents:

• Presentation skills definition
• Importance of presentation skills
• How to improve presentation skills
• Effective presentation skills
• Presentation skills for executives

Presentation Skills Definition

Presentation skills include anything you need to create and deliver clear, effective presentations to an audience. This includes creating a compelling set of slides , ensuring the information flows, and keeping your audience engaged.

Speakers with strong presentation skills can perform the following tasks:

• Bring together different sources of information to form a compelling narrative
• Hook audiences with a strong beginning and end
• Ensure audiences engage with their content through questions or surveys
• Understand what their audience wants and needs from their presentation

Importance of Presentation Skills

At some point in your career, you will present something. You might pitch a startup to a group of investors or show your research findings to your manager at work. Those in leading or executive roles often deliver presentations on a weekly or monthly basis.

Improving your presentation skills betters different aspects of your working life, including the following:

Communication: Improving your presentation skills can make you a better communicator with your co-workers and friends.

Confidence: 75% of people fear public speaking. By working on your presentation skills, you can gain confidence when speaking in front of a crowd.

Creativity: You learn to understand how to use imagery and examples to engage an audience.

Management: Presentations involve pulling together information to form a succinct summary, helping you build project and time management skills.

How To Improve Presentation Skills

1. create an outline.

Before designing slides and writing a script, outline your presentation. Start with your introduction, segue into key points you want to make, and finish with a conclusion.

2. Practice, Practice, Practice

Almost 8 in 10 professionals practice their presentations for at least an hour. So, practice your presentation in the mirror or to a close friend.

3. Start With a Hook

When presenting, grab your audience with a hook. Consider starting with a surprising statistic or a thoughtful question before diving into the core information.

4. Stay Focused on Your Topic

You might want to cover everything under the sun, but information overload can overwhelm your audience. Instead, stay focused on what you want to cover. Aim for key points and avoid including unnecessary details.

5. Remember To Introduce Yourself

At the beginning of the presentation, introduce yourself. Kill any tension in the room by mentioning your name, your role, and any other helpful details. You could even mention a fun fact about yourself, putting the audience at ease.

6. Work on Your Body Language

55% of people look to nonverbal communication when judging a presentation. Straighten your back, minimize unnecessary gestures, and keep your voice confident and calm. Remember to work on these aspects when practicing.

7. Memorize Structure, Not Words

You might feel better knowing exactly what you want to say. But skip the script and stick to memorizing the key points of your presentation. For example, consider picking three to four phrases or insights you want to mention for each part of your presentation rather than line-by-line memorization.

8. Learn Your Audience

Before crafting a killer outline and slide deck, research your audience. Find out what they likely already know, such as industry jargon, and where they might need additional information. Remember: You're presenting for them, not you.

9. Reframe Your Anxiety as Excitement

A study conducted by Harvard Business School demonstrates that reframing your anxiety as excitement can improve performance. For example, by saying simple phrases out loud, such as “I’m excited,” you then adopt an opportunity-oriented mentality.

10. Get Comfortable With the Setting

If you plan to present in person, explore the room. Find where you’re going to stand and deliver your presentation. Practice looking into the seats. By decreasing the number of unknowns, you can clear your head and focus on the job.

11. Get Familiar With Technology

Presenting online has unique challenges, such as microphone problems and background noise. Before a Zoom presentation, ensure your microphone works, clean up your background, test your slides, and consider any background noise.

12. Think Positively

Optimistic workers enjoy faster promotions and happier lives. By reminding yourself of the positives — for example, your manager found your last presentation impressive — you can shake off nerves and find joy in the process.

13. Tell a Story

To engage your audience, weave storytelling into your presentation — more than 5 in 10 people believe stories hold their focus during a presentation. Consider ways to connect different parts of your slides into a compelling narrative.

14. Prepare for Questions

At the end of your presentation, your audience will likely have questions. Brainstorm different questions and potential answers so you’re prepared.

15. Maintain Eye Contact

Eye contact signals honesty. When possible, maintain eye contact with your audience. For in-person presentations, pay attention to each audience member. For online ones, stare at your camera lens as you deliver.

16. Condense Your Presentation

After you finish the first draft of your outline, think about ways to condense it. Short and sweet often keeps people interested instead of checking their phones.

17. Use Videos

Keep your audience’s attention by incorporating video clips when relevant. For example, videos can help demonstrate examples or explain difficult concepts.

18. Engage With Your Audience

Almost 8 in 10 professionals view presentations as boring. Turn the tide by engaging with your audience. Encourage audience participation by asking questions or conducting a live survey.

19. Present Slowly and Pause Frequently

When you get nervous, you talk faster. To combat this, remember to slow yourself down when practicing. Place deep pauses throughout your presentation, especially when transitioning between slides, as it gives you time to breathe and your audience time to absorb.

20. Start and End With a Summary

A summary at the start of a presentation can pique your audience’s interest. One at the end brings everything together, highlighting key points your audience should take with them.

21. Ask for Feedback

You will never deliver the perfect presentation, so ask for feedback. Talk to your managers about where you could improve. Consider surveying your audience for an unbiased look into your presentation skills.

Effective Presentation Skills

Effective presentation skills include communicating clearly, presenting with structure, and engaging with the audience.

As an example, say a content manager is presenting a quarterly review to their team. They start off with a summary. Their introduction mentions an unprecedented 233% growth in organic traffic — numbers their team has not seen in years. Immediately, the presenter grabs their team’s attention. Now, everyone wants to know how they achieved that in one quarter.

Alternatively, think of an entrepreneur delivering their pitch to a group of investors. They start with a question: How many of you struggle to stay awake at work? They then segue into an exciting product designed to improve the sleep quality of working professionals. Their presentation includes videos demonstrating the science behind sleep and surprising statistics about the demand for their product.

Both examples demonstrate effective presentation skills. They incorporate strong attention grabbers, summaries, and attempts to engage the audience.

Think back to strong presentations you viewed as an audience member. Ask yourself: What made them so memorable, and how can I incorporate those elements into my presentations?

Presentation Skills for Executives

Presentations take up a significant portion of an executive’s workload. Executives regularly showcase key company initiatives, team changes, quarterly and annual reviews, and more. Improving your presentation skills as a leader can help with different parts of your job, such as:

Trust: Delivering great, effective presentations can build trust between you and your team.

Confidence: Most people dread presentations — so a strong presenter projects the confidence needed by a leader.

Emotional intelligence: A great presentation taps into the audience’s perspectives, helping executives improve their emotional intelligence .

Expertise: Presentations help executives display their subject-matter expertise, making employees safe in their hands.

Delegation: At times, executives might need to pull information from different sources for a presentation — improving their ability to delegate as managers.

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6 presentation skills and how to improve them

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What are presentation skills?

The importance of presentation skills, 6 presentation skills examples, how to improve presentation skills.

Tips for dealing with presentation anxiety

Learn how to captivate an audience with ease

Capturing an audience’s attention takes practice. 

Over time, great presenters learn how to organize their speeches and captivate an audience from start to finish. They spark curiosity, know how to read a room , and understand what their audience needs to walk away feeling like they learned something valuable.

Regardless of your profession, you most likely use presentation skills on a monthly or even weekly basis. Maybe you lead brainstorming sessions or host client calls. 

Developing effective presentation skills makes it easier to contribute ideas with confidence and show others you’re someone to trust. Although speaking in front of a crowd sometimes brings nerves and anxiety , it also sparks new opportunities.

Presentation skills are the qualities and abilities you need to communicate ideas effectively and deliver a compelling speech. They influence how you structure a presentation and how an audience receives it. Understanding body language , creating impactful visual aids, and projecting your voice all fall under this umbrella.

A great presentation depends on more than what you say. It’s about how you say it. Storytelling , stage presence, and voice projection all shape how well you express your ideas and connect with the audience. These skills do take practice, but they’re worth developing — especially if public speaking makes you nervous. 

Engaging a crowd isn’t easy. You may feel anxious to step in front of an audience and have all eyes and ears on you.

But feeling that anxiety doesn’t mean your ideas aren’t worth sharing. Whether you’re giving an inspiring speech or delivering a monthly recap at work, your audience is there to listen to you. Harness that nervous energy and turn it into progress.

Strong presentation skills make it easier to convey your thoughts to audiences of all sizes. They can help you tell a compelling story, convince people of a pitch , or teach a group something entirely new to them. And when it comes to the workplace, the strength of your presentation skills could play a part in getting a promotion or contributing to a new initiative.

To fully understand the impact these skills have on creating a successful presentation, it’s helpful to look at each one individually. Here are six valuable skills you can develop:

1. Active listening

Active listening is an excellent communication skill for any professional to hone. When you have strong active listening skills, you can listen to others effectively and observe their nonverbal cues . This helps you assess whether or not your audience members are engaged in and understand what you’re sharing. 

Great public speakers use active listening to assess the audience’s reactions and adjust their speech if they find it lacks impact. Signs like slouching, negative facial expressions, and roaming eye contact are all signs to watch out for when giving a presentation.

2. Body language

If you’re researching presentation skills, chances are you’ve already watched a few notable speeches like TED Talks or industry seminars. And one thing you probably noticed is that speakers can capture attention with their body language. 

A mixture of eye contact, hand gestures , and purposeful pacing makes a presentation more interesting and engaging. If you stand in one spot and don’t move your body, the audience might zone out.

3. Stage presence

A great stage presence looks different for everyone. A comedian might aim for more movement and excitement, and a conference speaker might focus their energy on the content of their speech. Although neither is better than the other, both understand their strengths and their audience’s needs. 

Developing a stage presence involves finding your own unique communication style . Lean into your strengths, whether that’s adding an injection of humor or asking questions to make it interactive . To give a great presentation, you might even incorporate relevant props or presentation slides.

4. Storytelling

According to Forbes, audiences typically pay attention for about 10 minutes before tuning out . But you can lengthen their attention span by offering a presentation that interests them for longer. Include a narrative they’ll want to listen to, and tell a story as you go along. 

Shaping your content to follow a clear narrative can spark your audience’s curiosity and entice them to pay careful attention. You can use anecdotes from your personal or professional life that take your audience along through relevant moments. If you’re pitching a product, you can start with a problem and lead your audience through the stages of how your product provides a solution.

5. Voice projection

Although this skill may be obvious, you need your audience to hear what you’re saying. This can be challenging if you’re naturally soft-spoken and struggle to project your voice.

Remember to straighten your posture and take deep breaths before speaking, which will help you speak louder and fill the room. If you’re talking into a microphone or participating in a virtual meeting, you can use your regular conversational voice, but you still want to sound confident and self-assured with a strong tone.

If you’re unsure whether everyone can hear you, you can always ask the audience at the beginning of your speech and wait for confirmation. That way, they won’t have to potentially interrupt you later.

Ensuring everyone can hear you also includes your speed and annunciation. It’s easy to speak quickly when nervous, but try to slow down and pronounce every word. Mumbling can make your presentation difficult to understand and pay attention to.

6. Verbal communication 

Although verbal communication involves your projection and tone, it also covers the language and pacing you use to get your point across. This includes where you choose to place pauses in your speech or the tone you use to emphasize important ideas.

If you’re giving a presentation on collaboration in the workplace , you might start your speech by saying, “There’s something every workplace needs to succeed: teamwork.” By placing emphasis on the word “ teamwork ,” you give your audience a hint on what ideas will follow.

To further connect with your audience through diction, pay careful attention to who you’re speaking to. The way you talk to your colleagues might be different from how you speak to a group of superiors, even if you’re discussing the same subject. You might use more humor and a conversational tone for the former and more serious, formal diction for the latter.

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses when it comes to presenting. Maybe you’re confident in your use of body language, but your voice projection needs work. Maybe you’re a great storyteller in small group settings, but need to work on your stage presence in front of larger crowds. 

The first step to improving presentation skills is pinpointing your gaps and determining which qualities to build upon first. Here are four tips for enhancing your presentation skills:

1. Build self-confidence

Confident people know how to speak with authority and share their ideas. Although feeling good about your presentation skills is easier said than done, building confidence is key to helping your audience believe in what you’re saying. Try practicing positive self-talk and continuously researching your topic's ins and outs.

If you don’t feel confident on the inside, fake it until you make it. Stand up straight, project your voice, and try your best to appear engaged and excited. Chances are, the audience doesn’t know you’re unsure of your skills — and they don’t need to.

Another tip is to lean into your slideshow, if you’re using one. Create something colorful and interesting so the audience’s eyes fall there instead of on you. And when you feel proud of your slideshow, you’ll be more eager to share it with others, bringing more energy to your presentation.

2. Watch other presentations

Developing the soft skills necessary for a good presentation can be challenging without seeing them in action. Watch as many as possible to become more familiar with public speaking skills and what makes a great presentation. You could attend events with keynote speakers or view past speeches on similar topics online.

Take a close look at how those presenters use verbal communication and body language to engage their audiences. Grab a notebook and jot down what you enjoyed and your main takeaways. Try to recall the techniques they used to emphasize their main points, whether they used pauses effectively, had interesting visual aids, or told a fascinating story.

3. Get in front of a crowd

You don’t need a large auditorium to practice public speaking. There are dozens of other ways to feel confident and develop good presentation skills.

If you’re a natural comedian, consider joining a small stand-up comedy club. If you’re an avid writer, participate in a public poetry reading. Even music and acting can help you feel more comfortable in front of a crowd.

If you’d rather keep it professional, you can still work on your presentation skills in the office. Challenge yourself to participate at least once in every team meeting, or plan and present a project to become more comfortable vocalizing your ideas. You could also speak to your manager about opportunities that flex your public speaking abilities.

4. Overcome fear

Many people experience feelings of fear before presenting in front of an audience, whether those feelings appear as a few butterflies or more severe anxiety. Try grounding yourself to shift your focus to the present moment. If you’re stuck dwelling on previous experiences that didn’t go well, use those mistakes as learning experiences and focus on what you can improve to do better in the future.

Tips for dealing with presentation anxiety 

It’s normal to feel nervous when sharing your ideas. In fact, according to a report from the Journal of Graduate Medical Education, public speaking anxiety is prevalent in 15–30% of the general population .

Even though having a fear of public speaking is common, it doesn’t make it easier. You might feel overwhelmed, become stiff, and forget what you were going to say. But although the moment might scare you, there are ways to overcome the fear and put mind over matter.

Use these tactics to reduce your stress when you have to make a presentation:

1. Practice breathing techniques

If you experience anxiety often, you’re probably familiar with breathing techniques for stress relief . Incorporating these exercises into your daily routine can help you stop worrying and regulate anxious feelings. 

Before a big presentation, take a moment alone to practice breathing techniques, ground yourself, and reduce tension. It’s also a good idea to take breaths throughout the presentation to speak slower and calm yourself down .

2. Get organized

The more organized you are, the more prepared you’ll feel. Carefully outline all of the critical information you want to use in your presentation, including your main talking points and visual aids, so you don’t forget anything. Use bullet points and visuals on each slide to remind you of what you want to talk about, and create handheld notes to help you stay on track.

3. Embrace moments of silence

It’s okay to lose your train of thought. It happens to even the most experienced public speakers once in a while. If your mind goes blank, don’t panic. Take a moment to breathe, gather your thoughts, and refer to your notes to see where you left off. You can drink some water or make a quick joke to ease the silence or regain your footing. And it’s okay to say, “Give me a moment while I find my notes.” Chances are, people understand the position you’re in.

4. Practice makes progress

Before presenting, rehearse in front of friends and family members you trust. This gives you the chance to work out any weak spots in your speech and become comfortable communicating out loud. If you want to go the extra mile, ask your makeshift audience to ask a surprise question. This tests your on-the-spot thinking and will prove that you can keep cool when things come up.

Whether you’re new to public speaking or are a seasoned presenter, you’re bound to make a few slip-ups. It happens to everyone. The most important thing is that you try your best, brush things off, and work on improving your skills to do better in your next presentation.

Although your job may require a different level of public speaking than your favorite TED Talk , developing presentation skills is handy in any profession. You can use presentation skills in a wide range of tasks in the workplace, whether you’re sharing your ideas with colleagues, expressing concerns to higher-ups, or pitching strategies to potential clients.

Remember to use active listening to read the room and engage your audience with an interesting narrative. Don’t forget to step outside your comfort zone once in a while and put your skills to practice in front of a crowd. After facing your fears, you’ll feel confident enough to put presentation skills on your resume.

If you’re trying to build your skills and become a better employee overall, try a communications coach with BetterUp. 

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Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

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How to speak up and be heard

Public speaking is an important skill for leaders and business professionals. Whether you’re giving a motivational talk to team members, addressing an audience at a business event or pitching an idea to a client – you need to know how to get your point across and make a good impression.

But if the thought of public speaking fills you with dread, don’t be deterred – some of the most famous storytellers in history were nervous speakers.

“There are only two types of speakers in the world – the nervous and the liar.” - Mark Twain

In addition to being an accomplished author and wit, Twain was one of the best-known public speakers of his day. Lecture tours were a key source of his income and he relied on them to promote his books.

But his famous quote just goes to show that even some of the most renowned speakers don’t find public speaking comes naturally. Like anything, public speaking is a skill that can be learned, and through practice, can be mastered.

Dr Sarel Gronum ,  a teacher of Innovation and Entrepreneurship studies at The University of Queensland (UQ) Business School  says mastering public speaking is key to successful business pitches, enhancing leadership and extending influence.

In addition to over 20 years of international lecturing experience, Sarel is also passionate about empowering entrepreneurs to develop and implement innovative strategies. As an engaging, powerful presenter himself, Sarel shares tips and advice for entrepreneurs and business professionals on how to deliver a presentation that gets results. 

1. Decide on the theme

Be clear about why you are speaking, the subject you will be talking about and the key message you want to convey. Do you want to raise awareness of a problem, gain support for a cause, or motivate people to take action? A good speech should have a consistent theme throughout and a clear key message. 

2. Understand the purpose 

A common mistake many students make when pitching new business ideas, Sarel says, is to start by selling their solution from the onset without explaining the ‘job that their value proposition is doing for specific customers’.

“Effective pitches clearly illustrate a command of the ‘problem space’ before diving into the ‘solution space’, he says.

"It’s important to first uncover needs that are currently not served, underserved or overserved. The problem has to be presented in a personalised narrative, showing the size and severity of the problem you’re addressing.

"Only once the problem is clarified do you provide your solution by focusing on the value it creates for users rather than its features.”   

3. Research the audience

Good public speakers manage to establish a rapport with the audience. To do this, you need to understand who they are. When preparing your presentation, research your audience’s interests and acknowledge them by adding in the relevant material.

It’s also a good idea to adapt your tone and language. Try to reflect your audience and ensure any jokes and anecdotes are relevant and appropriate. For example, you would use a different tone and language whether you’re presenting to professionals or the general public.

4. Add in the content

Once you have the framework, start adding in the words. Use different types of content to add interest – a story, a personal anecdote, a joke or humorous story. You can also add in a few statistics and a quote from a famous person.

Emphasise the key points through repetition and by providing examples. One technique is ‘fact-example-fact’ where you state the fact, give an example of how it works in practice, then repeat the fact using different words.

It’s also important to think of ways to make your speech more interactive to engage the audience. You can do this, for example, by posing a question or asking them to raise their hands.

According to Sarel, “Nothing sells an idea better than confidently presenting validated evidence of actual results or adoption metrics of your solution by real clients. This goes for any presentation; you have to fuel your arguments with facts and actual data, preferably from your own hypotheses tests.

“However, be careful not to turn your hook into a harpoon; never exaggerate, keep facts simple and remember less is more”.

5. practise and review.

Once your speech is complete, practise it over and over again. Read it in front of the mirror, have a friend watch you and give you feedback or perform in front of a video camera while pretending you are speaking to an audience, then play back the video.

You may have to adapt your delivery and rewrite any weak parts of the speech to ensure it delivers maximum impact.

6. Perfect your delivery

Memorise your speech so you need only rely on one or two prompt cards to remind you of the key points or do without them altogether. This makes it easier to speak directly to the audience, which in turn helps them to feel more engaged.

Some speakers recommend dividing the audience into thirds and speaking directly to one person in each. As you move your gaze from one third of the audience to the next, choose a different person each time.

Another tip to help you improve your delivery is to learn to control your breathing, so you are not speaking too fast. Follow Barack Obama’s example and pause after the key phrases to add emphasis and allow them to sink into the audiences’ minds.

7. Fake confidence until you feel it

Preparation and practice will go a long way to helping you feel more confident. However, if you do experience nervous energy on the day of your speech, try to channel in a positive way – this heightened state of readiness can actually improve your performance.

In the lead-up to your speech, use visualisation and picture yourself walking confidently on stage and giving a successful speech. Repeat positive messages to yourself, such as ‘I can do this’.

It can help to pretend you are feeling confident even if you aren’t – by acting calm you will start to feel calmer. Over time as you give more speeches and gain more experience, you will build confidence and become more at ease.

“It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” - Mark Twain

Public speaking is not easy and requires a major investment in time and effort to get it right. 

But good public speaking skills can extend your sphere of influence and transform your career. Being able to put your message across in a persuasive way makes all the difference as to whether it is heard.

Are you ready to be heard?

Gain the confidence and skills to perfect your next speech with a short course on advanced presentation skills at uq business school..

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Presentation Skills:

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Presentation Skills

Presenting information clearly and effectively is a key skill in getting your message across. Today, presentation skills are required in almost every field, and most of us are required to give presentations on occasions. While some people take this in their stride, others find it much more challenging.

It is, however, possible to improve your presentation skills with a bit of work. This section of SkillsYouNeed is designed to help.

Many people feel terrified when asked to talk in public, especially to bigger groups. However, these fears can be reduced by good preparation, which will also lay the groundwork for making an effective presentation.

There are Different Types of Presentations, but They’re All Presentations

There are any number of occasions when you may be asked to speak in public or to a group of people. They include:

• Presenting or making a speech at a conference or event.
• Objecting to a planning proposal at a council meeting.
• Making a speech at a wedding.
• Proposing a vote of thanks to someone at a club or society.
• On behalf of a team, saying goodbye and presenting a gift to a colleague who is leaving.
• Seeking investment or a loan to help you set up a new business.

These can all be considered presentations.

They do not, however, all require the same approach. You would not, for example, use PowerPoint to thank a colleague who was leaving. It would be unusual (though it has been done) to use it in a speech at a wedding. However, a conference audience would be somewhat surprised NOT to see slides projected onto a screen.

It follows, therefore, that there is no single set of rules that apply to all presentations. There are, however, some things that every presentation opportunity has in common. These include:

You will present better if you have prepared effectively . This does NOT necessarily mean that you have written out your speech verbatim and rehearsed it until you know it off by heart—although that might work for some people. It does, however, mean that you have to be confident that you are saying the right thing, in the right way, to the right people.

You need to be clear about your audience and your message . Every presentation will be better if you have clearly considered the message that you want or need to convey, and how best to convey it to your audience. These two pieces of information drive your style, structure, content, and use of visual aids.

You must never overrun your allocated time .  In other words, don’t outstay your welcome. Almost every speech or presentation is better if it is shorter. Nobody minds going for coffee early or finishing before they expected to do so. Everybody minds being held up.

Generally speaking, your audience starts on your side. As a rule, your audience is there (more or less) voluntarily. They have chosen to listen to you, and they want to enjoy your presentation. The occasion is yours to lose.

An Important Point

There is one very important point to remember: if what you’re doing or saying is not working, do something else.

One of the worst feelings as a presenter is that you have lost your audience. You know that’s happened, but you continue to stumble through your remaining PowerPoint slides for the next 15 minutes, as your audience checks their phones and wishes it was coffee time. You think you have no choice, but that’s not actually true.

When you present, you are in charge of the room . The audience has effectively handed you control and is sitting back waiting for you to do something. You may have prepared a specific talk, but if you see that isn’t working, you can always change it. You are, after all, the expert.

You can, for example:

• Skip through some slides to a section that they may find more interesting;
• Ask your audience whether there is particular information that they were expecting that you are not providing;
• Suggest that everyone looks a bit sleepy, and maybe it would be better to start questions early, or have a discussion; or
• Ask the audience at the start of the presentation what they are expecting and what they want you to cover. That way, you can tailor the presentation to fit their expectations.

Just as when you are facilitating, you want to help your audience get the most out of your presentation. The best way to do that is to accept feedback—which may include smiles, nods of interest, or people getting their phones out.

Quick Guide to Effective Presentations

If you need to improve your presentation skills quickly, then a really good place to start is with our Top Tips for Effective Presentations .

This will give you some ‘quick wins’ that will help you improve your presentations. If you’re already an experienced presenter, this page should be a useful refresher, or even take your skills from good to great.

Our tips include general ideas about connecting with your audience, information about the importance of voice and body language, and detailed tips about preparing slide-shows.

The most important tip of all, however, is to remember that it's all about your audience.

Keep that in mind, and your presentation skills will almost instantly improve.

If you have more time to develop your presentation skills…

…then the Presentation Skills section of SkillsYouNeed is designed to help.

Our Presentation Skills section is split into two parts.

• The first gives you a step-by-step guide to putting together and delivering a professional and effective presentation .
• The second provides more detailed information about presenting and communicating in particular circumstances .

You can either use our step-by-step guide to walk you through the presentation preparation and delivery process, or you can focus on particular areas that are an issue for you.

Preparing for Your Presentation

The guide starts by explaining What is a Presentation?

We define a presentation as a means of communication that can be adapted to various speaking situations, such as talking to a group, addressing a meeting or briefing a team. Effective presentations usually require careful thought and preparation—although this preparation need not take very long.

Preparation is the most important part of making a successful presentation.  Our page on Preparing For A Presentation explains what information you need before you can really start to plan your presentation and decide what you are going to say. The most important aspects include the objective of the presentation, the subject, and the audience.

Irrespective of whether the occasion is formal or informal, you should always aim to give a clear, well-structured delivery. To do so, you need to organise your presentation material . You can either do this in your head, or use a technique like mind-mapping to help you identify links and good flow.

By the time you come to write your presentation , you should know exactly what you want to say and the order in which you want to say it. You may want to use one of the standard presentation structures, such as ‘What, Why, How?’. You will also find it helpful to consider how to tell your story most effectively, and to use stories in your presentation to illustrate points. There is more about this in our page on writing your presentation .

You also need to decide on your presentation method . Presentations range from the formal to the informal. Your choice of presentation method will depend on many factors, including the audience, the venue, the facilities, and your own preferences.

Visual aids can add another dimension to your presentation, helping to hold your audience’s attention, and also act as a reminder of what you wanted to say. However, they need handling with care. Only use visual aids if they are necessary to maintain interest and assist comprehension . If visual aids are not used well, they can ruin a presentation.

See Working with Visual Aids to avoid falling into the trap of the dreaded ‘ Death by PowerPoint’ .

A particular case of visual aids is the use of data in a presentation.

There are times when using data in a presentation can really help you to tell the story better. It is, however, important not to blind your audience with statistics. You also need to remember that many people find numbers difficult to understand. Our page on Presenting Data gives some hints and tips about using data effectively in a presentation situation.

On the Day of the Presentation

There are a number of aspects to delivering your presentation on the day.

The practicalities of how you manage your presentation can make a significant difference to its success, and to your nerves! For example, turning up early means that you have will have a chance to see the room, and ensure that you can operate all the necessary equipment. There is more about how to cope, including managing sound systems, audio-visual equipment and lecterns in our page on Managing the Presentation Event .

Many people also feel very nervous before and during a presentation. This is entirely normal, and can even be helpful if you can channel it in the right way. There are some tried and tested strategies and techniques to manage your nerves so that you can concentrate on delivering an effective and engaging presentation.

See Coping with Presentation Nerves for some ideas that will help.

How you present yourself can also affect how your audience responds to your presentation.

You need to fit with your audience's expectations if they are not going to spend quite a large chunk of your presentation dealing with the differences between expectations and reality.

For more about aspects of self-presentation, see our page on Self-Presentation in Presentations .

You also need to consider how to manage your presentation notes .

Few people are able to give a presentation without notes. You will need to know your own abilities and decide how best to make the presentation. You might manage your talk by using full text, notes on cue cards, keywords on cue cards, or mind maps. There is more about this in our page on Managing your Presentation Notes .

After the presentation, you may be faced with a question-and-answer session. For many people, this is the worst part of the event.

Decide in advance how and when you wish to handle questions. Some speakers prefer questions to be raised as they arise during the presentation whilst others prefer to deal with questions at the end. At the start of your presentation, you should make clear your preferences to the audience. See our page on Dealing with Questions for more ideas about how to make the question session pleasant and productive, rather than something to dread.

Presenting Under Particular Circumstances

You may find that you need to give a presentation under certain circumstances, where your previous experience is less helpful.

Circumstances that may be new to you include:

• Giving a Speech , for example, at a wedding.

One particular special case is attending public consultation meetings.

Our pages on Attending Public Consultation Meetings , and Managing Public Consultation Meetings provide information to help whether you are a concerned member of the public, or responsible for organising a public meeting.

You may also find yourself required to organise or manage a press conference.

Although this may not strictly be what you would describe as a ‘presentation’, it is nonetheless an event at which you are required to present your organisation in a particular light.

Our page on Managing a Press Conference gives some ideas about how best to do that.

Finally, should you be unlucky enough to be involved in a serious crisis or disaster that affects your organisation, our page on Crisis Communications gives some ideas about how to manage press and public relations on these occasions.

Start with: What is a Presentation? Top Tips for Effective Presentations

See also: Personal Appearance Interpersonal Communication Skills

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Importance of Presentation Skills in Business Communication

In the world of commercial communication, strong presentation abilities are essential. A strong presentation with a clear structure can attract a crowd, have an impact on choices made, and lead to positive business outcomes.

Successful professionals have the capacity to communicate ideas clearly, hold listeners’ attention, and explain complex information succinctly. In order to increase one’s reputation, foster trust, and forge solid professional connections, presentation skills are essential.

They enable people to present their skills, influence stakeholders, and leave lasting impressions.

Why Presentation Skills Are Necessary for Business Communication

Presentation skills are essential for effective business communication due to several reasons.

Showing Leadership

Businesses that have team members with excellent presenting abilities will be likely to establish themselves as leaders in the eyes of partners, investors, and future customers. This is essential to accomplishing company objectives and goals and setting up the best environment for growth.

Creating a Favorable Impression

Giving an overview to funders or potential consumers is a great chance to ensure that they have a favorable impression of the company. You need to put forth every effort to create the foundation for a successful working relationship because research indicates that people form opinions about you within a matter of seconds of meeting you.

Preventing Misinterpretations

Stress, resentment, late submissions, and subpar performance are just a few severe problems that may frequently be brought on by a simple misunderstanding in the workplace. To ensure that your staff receives your message that knows exactly what is required of them, you must have highly developed presentation abilities. Their levels of efficiency, effectiveness, and engagement will increase as a result, which will eventually be advantageous to your business.

Displaying Assurance and Authority

Businesses need strong, powerful individuals on board that can clearly express their ideas to the world for them to stand out and flourish in today’s cutthroat business environment.

Strong presentation abilities can help you come off as grounded and confident, which will increase the effectiveness of your point of view and inspire confidence in you from possible partners, investors, and clients. Additionally, it is essential for enhancing executive presence.

Fostering Relationships of Trust with your Staff, Coworkers, and Clientele

Building good relationships and performing business both require a shared sense of trust. The way you interact with people directly affects how trustworthy they perceive you (and the company as a whole) to be.

Improved Employee Retention

Training in presentation skills can boost team morale and possibly increase worker retention. Employees report greater satisfaction with their jobs and are less inclined to look for other employment when they believe they are being offered suitable chances to develop and develop inside the firm. Focusing on long-term retention methods is essential for expanding and maintaining your business because.

Boosting Sales

Every successful company knows that the key to success is delivering sales pitches that resonate with potential customers. Continuously enhancing your team’s presenting skills gives them the knowledge and comprehension necessary to create a story with a narrative that the prospect can readily relate to. Long-term delivery times and higher-value purchases can also be shortened and revenues enhanced by honing your presenting skills.

Effective Presentation Techniques Every Business Person Should Know

• The capacity to create and maintain interest – Any presentation must have the capacity to draw in and keep audience members’ attention. This can be accomplished by using PPT templates , vocal modulation, and eye contact effectively. To avoid boring or confusing the audience, slides should be created with an important point in mind and kept simple. Voice inflection is crucial because it enables the speaker to highlight particular phrases or clauses, which keeps the audience interested.
• Intensive Eye Contact – One of the most crucial things anyone can do during a presentation is to maintain strong eye contact. Making eye contact with your listeners will help them feel appreciated and listened to. Additionally, it will support them in keeping their focus on what you are saying. Maintaining eye contact with the person who asked the question initially and then scanning the room before responding will help you show people that you are paying attention to them.
• Enthusiasm – A variety of abilities are necessary for company success. It helps to have market knowledge, strong negotiating skills, and the ability to handle challenging circumstances. Effective presentation abilities, nevertheless, are the most important of all. Nothing is more crucial than having the ability to communicate with others clearly and efficiently. Even if you have no idea what is happening, you must be prepared to speak with assurance and sound like you know about it.
• Confidence – Being confident is among the most crucial presentation abilities for corporate communication. It is not enough to have a well-reasoned concept and to be ready to support it with data; if you lack faith in your argument, why should someone else? Standing straight and having your shoulders squared will help you make a good first impression. When you look someone in the eye, smile, even if it seems forced at first. Avoid rushing or mumbling when speaking. So that listeners may easily follow along, and speak clearly and gently.
• Naturalness – Being genuine is crucial when presenting. Get feedback from family and close friends while you practice your speech by presenting to them. Make sure that you stand up straight with confidence, project your speech so that everybody in the room is aware of what you are saying, make eye contact with those watching, and refrain from looking at your phone or computer screen when making a presentation. There is nothing more catastrophic than a presenter who wanders off stage or fidgets while they are speaking since it takes their attention away from the point they are making
• The capacity to answer Queries Fluently – There is always a potential that someone might pose a question you haven’t thought of, regardless of how thoroughly you have prepared. Your ability to present will be useful in this situation. Always keep an answer ready, and be prepared to offer it with assurance. You do not want your viewers to question your subject matter expertise. Additionally, when a person asks something that is not relevant to your issue, refocus their attention by providing a convincing answer.

To help improve your presentations for business communication, consider some presentation skills training .

You can communicate easily with your audience if you are a skilled presenter. For instance, if you have good time management skills, you will have the opportunity to think through the details of your presentation. 

Additionally, it will improve your employment prospects and be important for the expansion of your business because you will be in charge of conveying the company’s mission. As a business person, you are aware of the value polished presenting abilities have to your team members, clients, and other stakeholders.

Professional presentation abilities are obviously important in everyday situations, whether you’re trying to pitch yourself to a prospective employer or pleading with your partner to watch the kids one more night so that you can go to see friends.

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Why Presentation Skills Are Essential To Every Business

by Paul A. Slattery NxtGEN EP | Jun 21, 2022 | Presentation Skills

From boardroom presentations to sales pitches and motivational speeches, presenting information is an integral part of every business.

Without strong presentation skills, however, these interactions are not likely to make a lasting impression on your audience. This is because data alone is soulless — it needs context for people to be able to relate to it in a meaningful way.

When you craft a compelling narrative with the data, it is transformed into something else entirely. It gives you the power to influence and persuade your audience, whether it’s colleagues, employees, investors, or prospective clients.

We explored this concept in some recent articles:

• Tips for Effective Data Presentation
• How to Persuade and Influence: The Fundamentals of Corporate Storytelling
• Corporate Storytelling for Boardroom Presentations

At the heart of all of this lies the art of effective communication — the ability to convey your message with clarity and confidence, whether it’s in front of an audience of two or two hundred. This is one of the most vital aspects of business growth, development, and success in the long run.

In this article, we will outline why presentation skills are essential to every business, regardless of the industry or size of the organisation.

Why are presentation skills so important?

Soft skills (often also referred to as ‘power skills’) such as time management, communication, and collaboration are becoming increasingly important in the corporate world, and presentation skills should be top of this list.

Presentation skills are an invaluable asset when it comes to acquiring new clients, as well as getting more work from existing clients, and provide the foundation for any solid, sustainable business.

Strong presentation skills can help you to grow your business on so many levels, including:

Demonstrating leadership

Businesses whose team members have strong presentation skills will be able to position themselves as a leader in the eyes of investors, partners, and potential clients. This is crucial for achieving business goals and objectives, thus creating the optimal conditions for growth.

Making a good first impression

As the old saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Delivering a presentation to investors or potential clients is a prime opportunity to make sure their first impression of the business is a good one.

Research suggests that people form judgments about you within seven seconds of meeting you, so you must do everything you can to lay the groundwork for a fruitful working relationship.

Building trust with your employees, colleagues, and clients

A mutual sense of trust is essential for conducting business transactions and building successful relationships. The way you communicate with others has a direct impact on how trustworthy you (and the business as a whole) are in their eyes.

Showing confidence and executive presence

To stand out and succeed in today’s competitive landscape, businesses need to have confident, powerful people on board who can effectively communicate their vision to the world.

Having solid presentation skills will make you seem grounded and self-assured, strengthening the impact of your message and encouraging investors, partners, and potential clients to place their trust in you. It is also a vital part of developing Executive Presence .

Avoiding misunderstandings

A simple misunderstanding can often be the cause of serious issues in the workplace, including stress, feelings of resentment, missed deadlines, and poor performance. Highly-developed presentation skills will enable you to deliver your message with clarity, ensuring that your team understands your message and knows exactly what is expected of them.

This will improve their engagement, productivity, and performance levels, resulting in better outcomes for your business.

Attracting attention and building your morale

Developing effective presentation skills increases your chances of attracting attention from the right kind of people, which is crucial for business growth.

It will also help you to influence and persuade your target audience, driving them to take action (and giving yourself a well-deserved morale boost in the process).

Increasing employee retention

Presentation skills training can lead to improved morale among your team and even increased staff retention. When employees feel they are being given adequate opportunities to develop and grow within the organisation, they experience greater job satisfaction and are less likely to seek alternative employment.

According to research by Gallup, the cost of replacing an employee can be anywhere from one-half to two times their annual salary, so focusing on long-term retention strategies is crucial for growing and sustaining your business.

Increasing sales

Delivering engaging and compelling sales pitches that truly resonate with prospective clients is a cornerstone of every successful business.

Developing your team’s presentation skills on an ongoing basis empowers them with the knowledge and understanding needed to craft a story and a narrative that your prospect can relate to and can easily understand.

Improving your presentation skills can not only translate into increased sales but also to shortened lead times and higher-value acquisitions in the long run.

Clear, concise communication for better business growth

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits of presentation skills in the corporate world. Being able to get your point across clearly and concisely is an invaluable skill, one that can help you acquire new clients, build trust with existing clients, and ultimately foster long-term business growth and development.

At NxtGEN Executive Presence , we specialise in providing comprehensive communication and presentation skills training for corporates, business leaders, managers, and executives.

So don’t wait. Get in touch today and find out if our team can empower you to communicate more effectively, and engage, inspire and influence your audience.

• Communication Skills (6)
• Data Presentation (4)
• Executive Presence (10)
• Leadership Training (16)
• Lunch & Learn (5)
• Masterclass (7)
• Presentation Skills (15)
• Upcoming Events (13)
• Workplace Culture (1)

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• The Foundations Of A Successful Panel Discussion: Our Five Golden Rules February 21, 2024
• Cultivating A Healthy Workplace Culture In 2024 February 9, 2024
• Unlocking Executive Presence: From Good To Great Executive Communications January 26, 2024

If you would like to enquiry about this programme or any of our programmes, please fill out our enquiry form or get in touch using the details below.

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Team Training Individual Training

Programme Design, Certified Coach & Facilitator

Neil Cody has 20+ years of experience in architecting training, learning & development, and learning technology solutions for large enterprisees, the public sector, SMBs and individual clients. As an experienced people manager and leader, he has worked for global brands, including Twitter, PayPal and Dell, where he led teams and strategic learning and development, training, coaching and technology-enabled solutions in dynamic, complex and commercially focused operational environments.

His BSc in Computer Science (1H) has given him a lifelong interest in technology & innovation and equips me to research, learn and understand new technology, tools, applications, platforms, and systems. He has a creative and entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for business, sales, marketing, design, branding, and communications. He also holds a professional diploma in digital and social selling.

His diverse global project and program management experience extends across various roles and skills in the Learning & Development industry, from consultancy, facilitation, instructional design, learning technology, program management, and leadership.

As a Life & Executive Coach, Certified Global Gallup Strengths, Certified Insights Discovery Licensed Practitioner, Certified Hogan Assessments and EQi 2.0 Emotional Intelligence Coach, he has a natural curiosity, interest, empathy, and care for supporting and enabling people.

As an experienced designer, presenter and facilitator, he is passionate about creating and delivering impactful learning experiences to groups in person or virtually. He uses his coaching skills to facilitate and support others to learn and grow.

He is analytical and execution-focused and loves collaborating with clients, driving solutions end to end, and achieving business goals, metrics, and objectives. He has built a reputation for understanding needs and leading the creative design, development and execution of solutions that exceed expectations. Others seek out and recommend him as a trusted advisor, consultant, mentor, and coach throughout his career.

Marketing & Communications Manager

Saoirse durkan.

Saoirse Durkan is a dynamic and results-oriented marketing and PR strategist with over seven years of experience in developing and executing innovative marketing campaigns across diverse industries including NxtGEN Executive Presence, London Stock Exchange Group and Accenture. She is currently based in NYC representing NxtGEN overseas and has a proven track record of driving brand awareness, customer engagement, and revenue growth through strategic planning, market analysis, and creative problem-solving.

She has previous work experience as an Account-Based Marketing (ABM) Specialist for LSEG, executing tailored marketing campaigns to engage high-value clients and prospects in the financial services sector within the dynamic landscape of Wall Street in New York City.

Saoirse thrives in fast-paced environments, leveraging creativity and innovation to stay ahead of market trends and deliver impactful solutions that resonate with target audiences.

Saoirse holds a Master's degree in Public Relations from the Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII) where she enhanced her passion for creativity and effective communications following from her BA degree in Music and Communications from University College Dublin.

In her spare time, Saoirse is an advocate for world travelling and staying active.

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What time of day suits you for us to call? Morning Afternoon

Digital Marketing Assistant

Amy mcnulty.

Amy is NxtGEN's Digital Marketing Assistant who is involved in creating brand content, and articles and performing general administrative tasks.

Amy first came to us as an intern during her degree and is now working part-time in her final year of Information Communications Studies and Sociology at University College Dublin.

She applies her contemporary knowledge, dedication and lust for learning to her role at NxtGEN. Amy hopes to obtain a master’s degree in Communications in 2024 to further expand her wisdom and expertise.

Researcher & Content Creator

Gabi widurek.

Gabi Widurek contributes as a Freelance Content Creator and Research Consultant, adding to brand content, teaching curriculum, and research.

Gabi holds a Master's degree in TESOL from University College Dublin, where she is currently pursuing a PhD in Linguistics at the School of Languages, Cultures, and Linguistics. She runs a language consultancy, Executive Language Lab, which focuses on exploring the nuances of the Language of Business, particularly in the context of English for Specialised Purposes through the Corpus Linguistics approach.

Deeply passionate about empowering people for whom English is not their first language to express themselves in any professional situation.

In addition to her Master’s degree, Gabi holds a Higher Professional Diploma in Content Writing for Marketing from UCD Professional Academy. She is an ardent yoga practitioner, a lifelong learner, reader, and traveller who enjoys spending free time with her family.

Founder, iSpeak Inc iCMI

Russ peterson jr..

Russ is the co-founder and Managing Director of iSpeak, Inc. - An award-winning professional development training company. He is a professional speaker, award- winning international trainer, and published author on Professional Sales Communication and Business Communication. He has gained experience as a sales professional, business development manager, entrepreneur, and senior executive from his career.

Over the past 20 years, he has delivered workshops, keynotes, and personal communication coaching services to business professionals in the U.S. and around the world. Russ has a heart for developing leaders and business professionals so they can enter their next challenging situation with greater confidence, an engaging message, and the ability to inspire and influence. He sees every workshop he delivers as an opportunity to serve and every success story from a student as the real payday.

In 2013 Russ co-authored “Corporate Ovations: Your Roadmap to More Effective Presentations” In, 2009 he received the Gold Stevie Award - Best Sales Trainer, and in 2003 he published “Cut the C.R.A.P. and Make the Sale”.

Russ and Paul have been collaborating since 2009 on designing, co-facilitating, and delivering multiple Corporate Communications Skills training initiatives globally for multinational clients such as U.C.C. Academy, Dell, Microsoft, Vodafone, Ornua, Virgin Media, to name but a few.

Certified Coach & Programme Facilitator

Steven farrell.

Steven’s passion is helping people achieve their goals and dreams. He has over 20 years of experience in building long-term relationships, particularly at C-Suite level, and has led high performance teams with telecoms/technology industry.

Steven is also an energetic and results driven Sales Leader with an exceptional track record in the Corporate, SMB, and consumer segments. He has worked in various sales and sales leadership roles withing technology and telecoms multinationals.

Clients will appreciate his enjoyment of teaching, clear tone and his passion for technology. He will devotedly discuss the impact of digital transformation with business leaders across the Enterprise and Public sector segments.

His collaboration with NxtGEN began in 2017. He is a qualified Business and Executive Coach and holds a MSc in Leadership from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. Steven also volunteers his time on a weekly basis to coach and mentor young people in the areas of sport and career development.

iSpeak Certified Instructor & iCPI Online Facilitator

Cynthia oelkers.

Since 1993, Cynthia Oelkers has been giving keynotes on technical topics (such as telephony and B2B website integration) and communication skills to audiences from CEOs of Fortune 100 companies to college students as an instructor at St. Edward’s and LeTourneau Universities. Fourteen years in the high-tech environment is enough to make anyone long for laughter.

Since 1999, Cynthia has performed improv comedy for The National Comedy Theatre (formerly ComedySportz), In The Moment, and Girls, Girls, Girls! in Austin while working to help Dell, Inc. become an e-business.

She is a professional public speaker and has led management training in the corporate and higher-education sectors for over nineteen years. She combines her work as an improv comedian, researcher, and businesswoman to create keynote experiences that are insightful, relevant, and fun.

Cynthia holds a Master’s degree in Interpersonal Communication from The University of Texas at Austin and teaches Presentational Speaking at St. Edward’s and Business Communication at LeTourneau Universities. Along with her 16 years of professional speaking experience, Cynthia is the co-author of workbooks titled Team Productivity, Leading without Losing It, Business Writing, and Conflict Management.

Founder and Managing Director iCMI, DipPSYC, DipMAN, IITD Cert, SII QSC, FSII

Paul a. slattery.

Based in Dublin, Ireland, Paul A. Slattery is one of only five Certified Master Instructors (iCMI) for iSpeak and the only one in Europe. Paul is an Expert Facilitator in University College Dublin (UCD) Smurfit Graduate Business School, where he delivers a unique team-based presentations skills class to the MBA Students on the Leadership Development Programme. He is also Programme Director with UCD Smurfit Executive Development, where he delivers the Communication and Executive Presence short programme. Today Paul is a Former Fellow of the Sales Institute of Ireland, the Institute of Directors in Ireland and the Irish Institute of Training and Development.

Paul’s career started as a CATV engineer and project manager however he has gained an impeccable sales record over the past twenty-five years of strategic sales, business development and management experience Internationally. Holding positions as Account Executive, Account Director, Global Account Director, Regional Sales Director and Country Manager within the technology sector. He has successfully fronted two international telecom entrants in the Irish market in the past fifteen years.

Paul has been running his own successful business in Ireland since March 2004. Providing executive educational services, executive mentoring and coaching, management training workshops, as well as motivational seminars and keynote speeches internationally. His professional qualifications include: IBAT Dip in Psychology, IBAT College Dublin, Successful Case Teaching Accredited by The Case Centre, Cranfield University, UK, iSpeak Certified Master Instructor Accredited by iSpeak, Austin, Tx, USA, DIT Diploma in Management Accredited by The Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) in Ireland, SII/ICM Diploma in Sales Coaching Accredited by The Sales Institute of Ireland and Institute of Commercial Management (UK) and Certificate in Training and Development Accredited by Irish Institute of Training and Development.

Curriculum Developer & iCPI Instructor

Ilaria dondero.

Ilaria lives and works to help people tell their stories. She specialises in Business Communications, Negotiation Techniques, and Professional Development Strategies. She has over 15 years of experience working in multicultural environments. During the past eight years, she’s been teaching training programmes and offering coaching services across a variety of industries in Ireland and abroad.

With a background in Law, she started her career in the corporate Financial Services sector, and since 2015 she has been collaborating with NxtGEN Executive Presence. Ilaria teaches Business Communications courses at the International School of Business (ISB) and Dublin Business School (DBS) and delivers Business Communications, Applied Negotiation Skills, and Professional Development Modules (QQI, Level 8) at ICD Business School, Dublin.

Her approach is structured and action-focused to build the competence and the confidence to influence diverse audiences through consistency and credibility. In addition, Ilaria uses Emotional Intelligence concepts to support improved self- awareness and effective business communications across different channels.

Her professional qualifications include a Master’s Degree in Law (University of Studies of Genoa); Higher Diploma in Business (DBS); Certified Master Coach Practitioner (PSG); Qualified Trainer (IITD); iCPI – iSpeak Certified Professional Instructor (iSpeak Inc). She considers herself a lifelong learner and looks forward to working on new projects. Ilaria has co-facilitated the following projects with NxtGEN: Sales Discovery - Vhi Healthcare, Device Atlas, Vodafone, UCC Academy. In addition, her coaching and content customisation are instrumental in delivering Tools For Influencing, Influence and Negotiation Skills at UCC Academy plus Presenting4Success for UCD Smurfit, UCD CEMS, and Microsoft Ireland, to name a few.

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The Importance of Presentation Skills In Business

There are few things in the business world that are scarier than delivering a presentation, yet there are few that are as important. Presentation skills are key to both individual success and business success. Presenting information clearly and effectively is a fundamental skill in getting your message or opinion across, and today presentation skills are required in almost every field. Even if you don’t need to make regular presentations in front of a group, there are plenty of situations where good presentation and public speaking skills can help you advance your career. Many people feel terrified when asked to make their first public talk, but these initial fears can be reduced by good preparation which will also lay the groundwork for making an effective presentation. At CareerWise, we are experts in all things career-related.

Here is our guide to making the most of your presentation and enjoying your opportunity to bask in the limelight.

• Subject and preparation

Preparation, preparation, preparation! This is the key to delivering a confident and clear presentation. Do your research thoroughly, making sure you have facts to supplement your speech. Create an outline, and once you’ve prepared your presentation, don’t be afraid to revise.

To develop your presenting skills and increase your confidence you must prepare, practice and learn from each presentation. Rehearse what you are going to say out loud a minimum of three times. This will ensure you’ve found your flow and help eliminate any “ums”, “ahs” or other filler words.

No one is impressed by a presentation that rambles. Rambling happens when the speaker is both self-indulgent and unorganised. Your purpose and prose must be specifically directed to the interests of your listeners or they will mentally shut you down.

If you’re not interested in your subject then no-one else stands a chance. You must bring some enthusiasm to your talk. Don’t be afraid to let go, even if it feels overdone at first. Be enthusiastic about your topic, it will help get your audience excited. Stand up and give the best of yourself. Try and feel the adrenalin from your nerves as a positive and use it to give yourself some energy.

• Use Media Only to Enhance

PowerPoint, visuals and video are powerful presentation tools when used correctly. But they can be disastrous distractions when misused. They should never replace you as the provider of expertise. Keep your PowerPoint to a few words and never read from the screen in the presentation. Ask yourself if a slide or video is truly necessary before adding anything.

• Short window to grab their attention

Every audience wonders what’s in it for them, so start a presentation with a reason to listen. You only have 45 seconds to get your audience’s attention so make it count. You don’t need to tell jokes or do anything out of the ordinary, simply explain why your presentation is worth listening to.

• Don’t let the slides be your notes

Prepare the presentation slides for the audience and not for you. A good speaker will always use their own notes to prompt them and keep them on track; a bad speaker will use the slides as their notes. The slides aren’t supposed to be your notes or your crutch, they are for the audience.

• It’s okay to say, “I don’t know”

It’s okay to not know the answer to every question. Admit you don’t know, explain why you don’t know and say you will get back to them. The trick is to manage the stress you feel when this happens.

Be that leader for your audience! Guide your audience through your thoughts and keep them engaged. Establishing yourself as a leader will gain respect from your audience and help you get them to take the action you want them to.

• Be yourself

It’s absolutely important to remember, the more you try to act like someone you’re not on stage, the more people will see right through you. Gestures should be a reflection of what you’re feeling, helping convey that to your audience. They should come naturally, and should be one of the only unplanned parts of your speech. Make sure your movements are fluid and go along with what you are saying at that exact moment. The more you act like yourself, the more confident you’ll seem, and the more the audience will be able to relate to you.

Presentations can be daunting, but with preparation and practice, they are something that everyone can master. Enthusiasm and passion for your subject are key – if you make sure you are well informed, your audience will be more engaged and interested in what you have to say. Giving a good presentation can open up many career opportunities, so enjoy your chance to demonstrate your knowledge and skills.

Are you looking for a job in Ireland? Get in touch with CareerWise today. As specialists in the engineering , supply chain , science/pharma , IT and accounting industries in Ireland, we pride ourselves on connecting the best talent with the best opportunities, every time.

(Director) BBS (Hons), MBPICS – Shannon Office

Joe Robbins is co-founder of CareerWise Recruitment. A graduate of the University of Limerick (Degree in Business Studies, 1985), Joe worked in the UK for five years where he specialised in materials management, production management and plant management for a number of companies.

He returned to Ireland in 1992 to become Operations Manager for a Cork-based start-up, FMC Automotive Division which was subsequently taken over by Snap-on Equipment. Joe managed the business re-location of this company to Shannon in 1997 before setting up CareerWise Recruitment in 1999.

He is a committee member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Mid-West region, and a former Director and Vice President of the Shannon Chamber of Commerce. Joe is former Chairperson of the Sixmilebridge Camogie Club and current Chairperson of the Clare County Camogie Board.

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Phone: +353 (0) 61 513 367

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Phone: +353 (0) 91 452 444

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Communication Like a Pro: 8 Practical Tips for Business Analysts

• Business Analysis

Key takeaways

Effective communication and presentation skills are important skills for business analysts , enabling them to convey complex information, engage stakeholders, and drive successful project outcomes.

Key tips in short:

• Clear and Tailored Communication : Tailoring communication to suit the audience and ensuring clarity in conveying technical information are fundamental for effective communication as a business analyst.
• Visual Aids and Storytelling : Utilizing visual aids and storytelling techniques can make technical information more engaging and easier to understand for non-technical stakeholders.
• Active Listening and Empathy: Cultivating active listening skills and demonstrating empathy towards stakeholders fosters stronger relationships and a deeper understanding of business needs.

As a business analyst, you’re responsible for analyzing data, identifying trends, and presenting your findings to stakeholders. You need to be able to communicate complex ideas in a way that’s easily understood by non-technical people.

In this post, we’ll explore how you can develop your communication and presentation skills as a business analyst. We’ll cover the fundamentals of effective communication, techniques for developing strong presentation skills, and ways to improve your communication skills through practice.

Understanding the Role of a Business Analyst

As a Business Analyst, you are responsible for analyzing an organization’s business needs and finding solutions to business problems. Your primary role as a business analyst is to act as a bridge between the stakeholders and the development team to ensure that the project’s requirements are met.

Core Responsibilities

As a Business Analyst, you have several core responsibilities , including:

• Gathering and documenting requirements: You are responsible for eliciting and documenting the project’s requirements from stakeholders. This involves conducting interviews, surveys, and workshops to gather information about the business needs.
• Analyzing requirements: Once you have gathered the requirements, you need to analyze them to ensure they are complete, accurate, and feasible. You also need to identify any gaps or conflicts in the requirements and resolve them.
• Facilitating communication: You need to act as a mediator between stakeholders and the development team. This involves facilitating communication and ensuring that everyone is on the same page.
• Managing scope : You need to ensure that the project’s scope is clearly defined and that any changes to the scope are properly documented and communicated to stakeholders.

Importance of Communication and Presentation Skills

Effective communication and presentation skills are essential for a Business Analyst. You need to be able to communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner to stakeholders and the development team. Good communication skills also help you to build relationships with stakeholders and gain their trust.

You need to be able to present your findings and recommendations to stakeholders and the development team in a way that is easy to understand. This involves creating clear and concise presentations and using visual aids to help convey your message.

Fundamentals of Effective Communication in Business Analysis

Let’s look at the fundamentals of effective communication, including verbal, nonverbal, written communication, and active listening.

Verbal Communication

Verbal communication is the use of words to convey a message. When communicating verbally, it is essential to use a tone that is appropriate for the situation. Your tone of voice can convey your attitude and emotions, and it can affect how your message is received.

Speak clearly, with the right pace and volume, and be mindful of your grammar and pronunciation. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that your audience may not understand. Instead, use simple language to ensure that your message is clear and easy to understand.

Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication refers to the use of body language, facial expressions, and gestures to convey a message. Your body language can communicate your attitude and emotions, and it can affect how your message is received.

Maintain eye contact, use appropriate facial expressions, and use gestures to emphasize your points. Be mindful of your posture, and avoid crossing your arms or legs, as this can make you appear defensive.

Written Communication

Written communication refers to the use of written words to convey a message. As a Business Analyst, you will be required to write emails, reports, and other documents. When writing, it is essential to use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Use simple language, and avoid using technical terms or jargon that your audience may not understand. Use bullet points and headings to organize your information and make it easy to read.

Active Listening

Active listening is the process of listening to someone else’s message and understanding it. When listening, it is essential to give your full attention to the speaker. Avoid interrupting, and ask questions to clarify your understanding.

Paraphrase what the speaker has said to ensure that you have understood their message correctly. Be mindful of your body language, and maintain eye contact to show that you are engaged in the conversation.

Developing Strong Presentation Skills as a Business Analyst

Here are some tips to improve your presentation skills as a business analyst :

1. Structuring Your Message

Structuring your message is essential to ensuring your presentation is clear and concise. Start with an attention-grabbing opening that sets the tone for your presentation. Then, organize your main points in a logical order, using bullet points or numbered lists to make them easy to follow. Finally, end with a strong conclusion that summarizes your key points and leaves a lasting impression on your audience.

Here are some practical tips to help you structure your message:

• Clear Introduction: Begin by clearly outlining the purpose of your message and what your audience can expect to learn or gain from it. A concise and compelling introduction sets the stage for the rest of your presentation.
• Logical Flow: Organize your content in a logical sequence that guides your audience through a coherent narrative. Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to break down complex information into digestible segments, making it easier for your audience to follow along.
• Compelling Conclusion: End your message with a strong conclusion that summarizes key takeaways and reinforces the main points you want your audience to remember. Leave them with a clear call to action or a thought-provoking insight to leave a lasting impression.

2. Storytelling

Telling a story is a powerful way to engage your audience and make your presentation memorable. Use anecdotes, examples, and case studies to illustrate your points and make them relatable to your audience. This will help them better understand your message and remember it long after your presentation is over.

Here are some practical tips to improve your storytelling:

• Engaging Narratives : Craft your stories with engaging narratives that resonate with your audience. Use real-life examples, anecdotes, or case studies to illustrate your points and make complex information relatable and memorable.
• Emotional Connection: Infuse emotion into your stories to create a deeper connection with your audience. Highlight the human element of your analysis, and emphasize the impact of your insights on stakeholders, customers, or the broader business environment.
• Visual Storytelling: Incorporate visual aids such as charts, graphs, and images to complement your narrative. Visual storytelling can help convey complex data in a compelling and accessible manner, enhancing audience understanding and retention.

3. Use Open, Friendly Body Language

Your body language can make a big difference in how your message is received. Stand up straight, relax your shoulders, and make eye contact with your audience. Use open, friendly gestures to convey confidence and warmth. This will help you connect with your audience and build rapport.

Here are some practical tips to improve your use of open, friendly body language:

• Open Posture : Adopt an open and welcoming posture by avoiding crossed arms and standing or sitting with an upright and relaxed stance. This conveys approachability and openness, making it easier for your audience to connect with you.
• Gestures and Expressions: Use natural and purposeful gestures to emphasize key points and express enthusiasm. Facial expressions and hand movements can add emphasis and clarity to your message, helping to keep your audience engaged.
• Maintain Eye Contact : Establishing and maintaining eye contact with your audience creates a sense of connection and attentiveness. It shows that you are actively engaging with your listeners and helps build rapport.
• Maintain a Balanced Approach : Find a balance between making eye contact with different sections of your audience. Avoid focusing solely on one area or individual, and instead, distribute your eye contact evenly to ensure inclusivity and connection with everyone present.

4. Practice Your Delivery

Practice makes perfect, and this is especially true when it comes to delivering a presentation. Rehearse your presentation several times, focusing on your pace, tone, and body language. This will help you feel more confident and natural when you deliver your presentation.

Here are some practical tips to improve your delivery as a business analyst:

• Rehearse Regularly : Practice your presentation multiple times to familiarize yourself with the content and flow. Rehearsing allows you to refine your delivery, identify areas for improvement, and build confidence in presenting the material.
• Seek Feedback : Enlist the help of colleagues, friends, or mentors to provide constructive feedback on your delivery. External perspectives can offer valuable insights into your presentation style, pacing, and overall effectiveness.
• Record and Review: Utilize video recording to capture your practice sessions. Reviewing the recordings enables you to assess your body language, tone of voice, and overall delivery, empowering you to make targeted improvements.

5. Engaging Your Audience

Engaging your audience is key to keeping them interested and focused on your message. Ask questions, encourage participation, and use humor to lighten the mood and make your presentation more enjoyable.

Some tips to improve this

• Know Your Audience: Tailor your presentation to resonate with the specific interests and needs of your audience. Understanding their background, challenges, and expectations allows you to deliver content that is relevant and engaging.
• Interactive Elements : Incorporate interactive elements such as Q&A sessions, polls, or group activities to encourage active participation and foster a dynamic exchange of ideas. Interactive segments can invigorate your presentation and keep your audience engaged.
• Compelling Storytelling : Weave compelling narratives and real-life examples into your presentation to captivate your audience. Engaging storytelling can evoke emotions, spark interest, and make complex information more relatable and memorable.

6. Utilizing Visual Aids

Visual aids such as charts, diagrams, and images can help you convey complex information in a simple and engaging way. Use them sparingly, however, and make sure they support your message rather than distract from it. Keep them simple and clear, with minimal text and bold, easy-to-read fonts.

Practical tips for this

• Choose Relevant Visuals: Select visuals that directly support and enhance the key points of your presentation, such as charts, graphs, and diagrams that simplify complex data.
• Visual Consistency : Maintain visual consistency across your aids by using cohesive color schemes, fonts, and design elements. Consistency enhances visual appeal and ensures that your audience can easily follow the flow of information.
• Simplify Complex Data : Use visual aids to simplify complex data and concepts. Incorporate charts, graphs, and diagrams to present information in a clear and accessible manner, making it easier for your audience to grasp key insights.

7. Handling Q&A Sessions

Handling Q&A sessions can be challenging, but with practice, you can learn to handle them with confidence and ease.

Anticipate common questions and prepare thoughtful, concise answers. If you don’t know the answer to a question, be honest and offer to follow up with the person later. This will help you build credibility and trust with your audience.

Here are some practical tips to improve your ability to handle Q&A sessions as a business analyst:

• Preparation is Key : Anticipate potential questions and prepare thoughtful responses in advance. Familiarize yourself with the subject matter and be ready to address inquiries with clarity and confidence.
• Active Listening : Actively listen to each question attentively, and ensure that you fully understand the inquiry before responding. Paraphrasing the question can demonstrate your attentiveness and provide clarity to both yourself and the audience.
• Embrace Transparency: If you encounter a question to which you don’t know the answer, be transparent about it. Offer to follow up with the questioner after the session, and use the opportunity to further your understanding of the topic.

8. Be Yourself

Finally, be yourself. The most important thing of all is to be authentic.

Authenticity is key to building trust and connecting with your audience. Don’t try to be someone you’re not, and don’t be afraid to show your personality and sense of humor. This will help you build rapport with your audience and make your presentation more enjoyable for everyone.

• Authenticity : Embrace your unique personality and communication style. Authenticity fosters genuine connections with your audience and enhances your credibility as a presenter.
• Share Personal Insights : Incorporate personal anecdotes or experiences that are relevant to the presentation topic. Sharing personal insights can make your delivery more relatable and engaging.
• Embrace Confidence: Embrace self-assurance and confidence in your expertise. Trust in your knowledge and insights, and let your passion for the subject shine through in your delivery.

Improving Communication Skills Through Practice

Whether you’re presenting to stakeholders or collaborating with team members, effective communication is essential. Fortunately, communication skills can be developed and improved with practice.

Regular Practice and Feedback

One of the best ways to improve your communication skills is through regular practice. Look for opportunities to speak in front of groups, participate in meetings, and engage in conversations with colleagues. The more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you’ll become.

It’s also important to seek feedback from others. Ask for constructive criticism from colleagues, supervisors, and mentors. This feedback can help you identify areas for improvement and make adjustments to your communication style.

Continuous Learning and Improvement

Effective communication requires continuous learning and improvement. Stay up-to-date with the latest communication trends and techniques by reading books, attending workshops, and taking courses. This will help you stay current with best practices and develop new skills.

You can also learn from others by observing their communication styles. Pay attention to how effective communicators deliver their messages, engage with their audience, and respond to feedback. Use this knowledge to inform your own communication style and improve your skills.

Adapting to Different Audiences and Contexts

Another key aspect of effective communication is the ability to adapt to different audiences and contexts. As a business analyst, you’ll likely be communicating with a variety of stakeholders, each with their own unique needs and preferences.

To adapt to different audiences, consider factors such as their level of expertise, communication style, and cultural background. Tailor your message and delivery to best meet their needs. Additionally, be mindful of the context in which you’re communicating. Adjust your communication style to fit the situation, whether it’s a formal presentation or an informal conversation.

Leveraging Technology and Tools for Presentations

As a Business Analyst, you can leverage technology and tools to enhance your communication and presentation skills. Below are some of the tools you can use to improve your technical skills and data analysis capabilities.

Data Analysis and Visualization Tools

Data analysis and visualization tools can help you analyze large amounts of data and present it in a way that is easy to understand. SQL is one of the most commonly used data analysis tools. It allows you to extract, manipulate, and analyze data from databases.

You can also use Power BI and Tableau to create interactive dashboards and visualizations that can be used to communicate insights to stakeholders.

Project Management Software

Project management software can help you manage your projects more efficiently. It allows you to track tasks, set deadlines, and collaborate with team members. Some of the most popular project management software includes Trello, Asana, and Jira.

Business Intelligence Tools

Business intelligence tools can help you analyze and interpret data to make informed business decisions. They allow you to collect, process, and analyze data from various sources. Some of the most popular business intelligence tools include Microsoft Power BI, Oracle BI, and IBM Cognos.

Tips : If you are curios to learn more about business analysis and related topics, then check out all of our posts related to business analysis

Communication and Presentation Skills in Business Analysis: The Essentials

Effective communication and presentation skills are important skills for business analysts, enabling them to convey complex information, engage stakeholders, and drive successful project outcomes. By improving these essential skills, business analysts can elevate their professional impact and contribute significantly to organizational success.

Key Takeaways: Communicating as a Business Analyst

• Clear and Concise Communication : Business analysts should strive to convey information in a clear, concise, and easily understandable manner to facilitate effective collaboration and decision-making.
• Engaging Presentation Techniques: Utilizing visual aids, storytelling, and audience engagement strategies can enhance the impact of business analysts’ presentations and ensure key messages resonate with stakeholders.
• Active Listening and Empathy : Cultivating active listening skills and demonstrating empathy towards stakeholders fosters stronger relationships and a deeper understanding of business needs.
• Adaptability and Flexibility: Business analysts should be adaptable in their communication and presentation approaches, tailoring their style to suit the preferences and needs of diverse stakeholders.

FAQ: Presentations and Communications for a Business Analyst

What strategies can a business analyst use to improve their oral and written communication skills.

As a Business Analyst, you can improve your oral and written communication skills by practicing active listening, clear writing, and persuasive speaking. Use visual aids such as charts, graphs, and diagrams to make your presentations more informative and persuasive. Additionally, it’s important to develop your interpersonal skills and cultural awareness to communicate effectively with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.

Why are strong communication skills critical for a Business Analyst, and how can they be enhanced?

Strong communication skills are critical for a Business Analyst because they enable you to effectively communicate project requirements, goals, and progress to stakeholders, team members, and management. To enhance your communication skills, practice active listening, clear writing, and persuasive speaking. Use visual aids to make your presentations more informative and persuasive, and develop your interpersonal skills and cultural awareness to communicate effectively with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.

What are some effective presentation techniques for Business Analysts to convey complex information clearly?

To convey complex information clearly, Business Analysts can use effective presentation techniques such as using visual aids, breaking down complex information into smaller, more manageable pieces, and using analogies or real-world examples to help stakeholders understand the information. Additionally, it’s important to be confident and engaging when presenting information, and to use a clear and concise speaking style.

How can a Business Analyst improve their documentation skills to support project clarity and stakeholder understanding?

To improve your documentation skills as a Business Analyst, focus on creating clear and concise documentation that accurately reflects project requirements, goals, and progress. Use plain language and avoid jargon or technical terms that stakeholders may not understand. Additionally, it’s important to organize your documentation in a logical and easy-to-follow manner, and to ensure that it is consistent and up-to-date.

In what ways can a Business Analyst practice and refine their presentation skills for various audiences?

To practice and refine your presentation skills as a Business Analyst, consider practicing in front of colleagues or friends to receive feedback and improve your skills. Additionally, you can attend public speaking or presentation skills workshops, or seek out opportunities to present to different audiences to gain experience and confidence.

What resources or training methods are recommended for Business Analysts seeking to advance their communication abilities?

There are many resources and training methods available for Business Analysts seeking to advance their communication abilities. Consider attending public speaking or presentation skills workshops, taking courses in writing or communication, or seeking out mentorship or coaching from experienced professionals. Additionally, there are many online resources available, such as blogs, podcasts, and webinars, that can provide valuable tips and insights into effective communication and presentation skills.

Meet Eric, the data "guru" behind Datarundown. When he's not crunching numbers, you can find him running marathons, playing video games, and trying to win the Fantasy Premier League using his predictions model (not going so well).

Eric passionate about helping businesses make sense of their data and turning it into actionable insights. Follow along on Datarundown for all the latest insights and analysis from the data world.

Related Posts

The 9 Technical Skills a Business Analyst Should Know

7 Ways Business Analysis and Project Management Work Togheter

Job Description of a Business Analyst: 5 Main Responsibilities

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The Importance of Great Communication Skills in Business

September 24, 2017 - Gini Beqiri

Developing communication skills can help many aspects of your life, from your professional career, to social gatherings, to your family life.

In today’s hectic world, we rely heavily on sharing information, resulting in greater emphasis being placed on having good communication skills. Good  verbal  and  written  communication skills are essential in order to deliver and understand information quickly and accurately. Being able to communicate effectively is a vital life skill and should not be overlooked.

In contrast, poor communication skills can have a negative impact – a poorly delivered message may result in misunderstanding, frustration and in some cases disaster.

Communication can be  defined  as the process of understanding and sharing meaning. To communicate well is to understand, and be understood. This can be achieved in the following ways:

• Verbally  – your voice
• Visually  – e.g. images, graphs, maps, infographics
• Non-verbally  – e.g. body language, eye contact, gestures
• Written  – e.g. books, websites, emails

Listening is an important part of communication

Being able to actively listen is an important communication skill. It’s easily overlooked, as people tend to focus more on what they want to say, rather than listening to what the other person is saying.

Knowing when to pause to allow the other person to talk is an important skill. It conveys respect and a willingness to hear the other person’s point of view.

Active listening skills  will help you and your colleagues have more open and useful exchanges, where each contributor’s point of view is expressed and heard. This should lead to a more positive working environment.

Active listening is an important part of communication skills.

Importance of communication skills

1. valued in the workplace.

If you are  applying for jobs  or looking for a promotion with your current employer, you will almost certainly need to demonstrate good communication skills.

Communication skills are needed to speak appropriately with a wide variety of people whilst maintaining good eye contact, demonstrate a varied vocabulary and tailor your language to your audience, listen effectively, present your ideas appropriately, write clearly and concisely, and work well in a group. Many of these are  essential business skills  that employers seek.

Having the ability to listen carefully, speak clearly and put others at ease is valuable in any organisation and can involve a wide range of skills:

• Listening to others and showing interest in what they say
• Dealing with telephone conversations appropriately
• Encouraging interest and interaction from others in your team
• Expressing an opinion or asking a question clearly
• Being able to persuade others

2. In demand by businesses

Oral and written communication proficiencies are consistently ranked in the top ten desirable skills by employer surveys year after year. Employees are often encouraged to take online courses and in-person training to  improve their presentation  and communication skills.

Skills potential employers seek:

• Communication (written and verbal)
• Organisation
• Critical thinking
• Analytical skills

Communication skills are among the most in-demand skills for employers. Source:  LinkedIn research

3. Helps your career progression

You will need to request information, discuss problems, give instructions, work in teams, interact with colleagues and clients. If you are to achieve co-operation and effective teamwork, good human relations skills are essential. Also, as the workplace is also becoming more global, there are many factors to consider if you are to communicate well in such a diverse environment.

Being able to deliver messages clearly and understand other people means work can be completed more effectively and to the benefit of the company as a whole.

Employers want staff who can think for themselves, use initiative and solve problems, staff who are interested in the long-term success of the company. If you are to be seen as a valued member of the organisation, it is important not just to be able to do your job well, but also to communicate your thoughts on how the processes and products or services can be improved.

• Top  communication skills courses  to help with career progression.

4. Allows you to speak concisely

It is natural to feel some nerves when speaking to superiors or to clients.  Communication skills training  will help you learn how best to communicate effectively in a wide range of situations, and how to be direct in order to get the most out of your dealings with others.

5. Builds better rapport with customers

Customers desire nothing more than to be understood by a company and they wish to feel like they are being heard and listened to. This is a particularly important point if your business involves a large amount of contact with customers, either face-to-face or over the phone.

6. Influences how you learn

Communication skills have played an important part of your existing knowledge and beliefs. You learn to speak in public by first having conversations, then by answering questions and then by expressing your opinions.

You learn to write by first learning to read, then by writing and learning to think critically. Good communication skills help you absorb information and express your ideas in a clear, concise and meaningful way to other people.

7. Enhances your professional image

You want to make a good first impression on your friends and family, instructors, and employer. They all want you to convey a positive image, as it reflects on them. In your career, you will represent your business or company in spoken and written form. Your professionalism and attention to detail will reflect positively on you and set you up for success.

8. Other benefits of effective communication

The most successful organisations understand that if they are to be successful in today’s business world, good communication at all levels is essential. Here is a useful mnemonic to remember the benefits you and your organisation can achieve from effective communication:

• Stronger decision-making and problem-solving
• Upturn in productivity
• Convincing and compelling corporate materials
• Clearer, more streamlined workflow
• Sound business relationships
• Successful response ensured

Read more about these benefits here:  Why Are Communication Skills Important?

Methods of communication

• Verbal communication is delivered and received face to face, by phone, radio, computer, television and other media.
• Non-verbal communication is delivered and received through body language, eye contact, gestures, and how we dress or behave.
• Visual communication is delivered and received via charts, maps, images and graphs.
• Written communication is delivered and received through printed or digital media such as letters, e-mails, books, magazines, and the internet.

Verbal communication

When we communicate verbally, it involves not only speaking, but also requires non-verbal communication skills – listening, eye contact and body language. Mispronunciations, insufficient language skills, or struggling with the diction can greatly hamper a person’s ability to get their message across.

Also, delivering too much information can be as counter-productive as delivering too little. How we communicate is dependent on the context of the situation too. A different approach is needed for different situations in order for the information to be meaningful to the listener.

Practice your verbal communication skills with  interactive online exercises .

Non-verbal communication

Body language  needs to be in line with the verbal content. When used effectively, facial expressions, gestures and posture can greatly improve the listener’s understanding of the verbal information being presented. It can also add interest, and help to maintain the listener’s concentration.

Eye contact between speaker and listener is important too. If a speaker actively seeks out eye contact when talking, he or she is judged to be more believable, confident and competent. However, too much eye contact can make the listener feel uncomfortable, or think the speaker rude, hostile and condescending; and too little eye contact can make the listener think that the speaker is uneasy, unsure or insincere.

How much eye contact is considered appropriate though will always depend on the situation, the setting,  cultural expectations , gender, and personality types.

Your body posture, hand gestures and eye contact all express a meaning, often saying much more than the words you speak. For instance, standing or sitting with your arms and legs relaxed and open will convey a friendly impression that will invite others to interact with you.

The ability to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues and managers is essential, whatever sector you work in. Good communication improves teams, inspires high performance and enhances the workplace culture. Just remember, communication is a two-way process, so take notice of other people’s verbal and nonverbal signals as well as your own.

By teaching yourself how to communicate more effectively, you’ll interact in a more constructive and productive manner, making the workplace a positive and thriving environment.

Summary of benefits

• Highly valued in the workplace
• Helps your career progression
• Allows you to speak concisely
• Build better rapport with customers
• Enhances your professional image
• Highly skilled communicators make more money
• Good communicators have higher self-esteem
• Most important skill For people entering the workforce
• Communication is among the top traits of successful entrepreneurs
• Effective communication skills aid in development of leadership skills
• Gives you the tools to participate in society

Read these tips in more detail:  The Importance of Communication Skills [Top 10 Studies]

Role of Communication in Presentation and Speech

What is a presentation in communication? Presentation in communication is the act of presenting a message or topic to an audience. It involves speaking, using visual aids, and engaging with the audience to convey a specific message. 

Being concise, using visual aids, speaking confidently, and engaging with the audience are all important aspects of delivering a successful presentation. Additionally, one should be prepared, practice extensively beforehand, and handle questions with ease.  

The Most Effective Communication Skills to Present Like a Pro

Do you want to present like a pro? The key to success is effective communication. It’s an essential skill for both personal and professional success. Fortunately, presentation skills in business communication can be developed and improved with practice. What is a presentation in communication? In this post, we will explore the 8 most effective communication skills to help you present like a pro. 

From understanding your audience to expressing yourself confidently, you’ll learn everything you need to know to make your presentations successful. Read on to discover how to become a masterful presenter.

Know your audience

Before you present, it is important to take the time to know your audience. Understand who they are and what their interests are. Knowing your audience will help you customize your presentation to appeal to them. 

Ask yourself questions like: Who are they? What is their level of knowledge on the topic? Are they primarily interested in the practical application of the topic or more theoretical aspects?

Answering these questions will help you tailor your presentation skills in business communication to make it more interesting and effective. When you have a good understanding of your audience, you can better  choose the communication techniques that are best for engaging them.

Make a connection

It is essential to make a connection with your audience when giving a presentation. Take time to get to know them and ask them questions to determine their needs and interests. Try to use examples and stories that will resonate with them and show that you understand their concerns. 

Use humour if appropriate and focus on engaging the audience as much as possible. When speaking, focus on being personable and making eye contact with people in the room. Show that you are passionate about what you are presenting and be sure to smile. 

Be sure to actively listen to feedback so that you can modify your presentation accordingly. If you make an effort to connect with your audience, you will be able to make your presentation more memorable and effective.

Tell a story

Stories can be powerful tools to help get your point across during a presentation. Not only do stories engage your audience, but they also help to personalize the topic and make it more interesting and memorable. Stories can be used to illustrate your points and give real-life examples of what you are talking about. 

When sharing a story, be sure to provide enough detail and keep it focused on the topic of your presentation. Focus on the key elements of the story and how it ties in with your message. 

Use the story as an example or analogy to help the audience better understand the information you are trying to present. Finally, be sure to use storytelling techniques like vivid descriptions, suspense, and a moral to bring the story to life and make a lasting impression on your audience.

Use strong words

Strong words can be a powerful tool for delivering an effective presentation. Not only do strong words help to capture your audience's attention, but they also convey your message with clarity and confidence. 

When preparing your  presentation skills in business communication , think about the kind of words you want to use. Use words that are relevant and make an impact on your audience. Avoid using too much jargon and complex language; this can be off-putting for some listeners. Instead, try to choose words that are interesting and engaging. Also, be sure to vary your word choice to keep your audience interested.

Moreover, don’t be afraid to emphasize certain words. This can help add weight to your point and create a sense of drama or urgency. Paying attention to your volume and pitch when you say certain words can also help create a more compelling presentation. 

Using strong words is an important way to communicate effectively in a presentation. It can help you engage your audience and make your message more memorable.

Use body language

Body language is a powerful tool for communication and can add emphasis to your presentation. Pay attention to how you stand, how you hold your arms and even the direction of your gaze. Positive body language conveys confidence and enthusiasm. 

Keep your arms open and away from your body. Speak with gestures and move around the room when appropriate. Eye contact is essential – make sure to look at the audience when you’re speaking and establish a connection with them. 

Don't be afraid to smile and pause for a few seconds while talking. Your body language should be congruent with what you are saying. Doing so will show that you are comfortable and competent in delivering your message.

Be aware of your voice

Your voice is a key factor in communicating effectively. It can be used to emphasize points and make your presentation memorable. When you're presenting, be conscious of the volume, tone, and pacing of your voice. 

Speak loud enough so that everyone can hear you, but not too loudly. Your tone should be confident and conversational. Speak clearly and pronounce each word correctly. Also, vary your speed and pitch to emphasize important points and keep your audience engaged. 

Taking pauses in the right places can help people better understand what you're saying. Lastly, don't rush through your presentation, and make sure to take your time. By being aware of how you use your voice, you can make a lasting impression on your audience.

Use visual aids

Using visuals in your presentation is a great way to engage your audience. Visual aids help break up the monotony of talking and can be used to explain complex concepts simply and concisely. 

There are various types of visual methods of effective communication ppt you can use, such as photographs, infographics, diagrams, slides, and videos. Make sure to choose visuals that are relevant to your presentation and that can be seen by everyone. 

When using visual aids, keep in mind that they should complement what you are saying, not overpower it. 

Be sure to practice with the visual aids before presenting so that you can be sure of their impact. By using visual aids in your presentation, you will be able to add depth and clarity to your message.

Practice, practice, practice!

The most important part of delivering an  effective communication skills , presentation is practice. It is the key to building your confidence and ensuring that you make the best possible impression on your audience. 

Start by writing out your presentation and practicing it alone, then practice in front of family and friends until you are comfortable with your delivery. 

Rehearse your presentation several times to familiarize yourself with it and to ensure that you don’t leave anything out. Familiarizing yourself with the material will help you present it confidently and make you appear more competent and professional. 

Practicing your methods of effective communication ppt will also help you identify any areas where you can improve, allowing you to make necessary changes and ensure that you are delivering the best presentation possible.

Presentation skills for engaged business communication

What is a presentation in communication? Successful business communication involves more than just knowing the right words to say. To truly engage your audience, you need to know how to effectively deliver your message. Presentation skills are an essential part of effective communication in the business world. 

In this post, we will explore 8 communication skills presentations that will help you engage your audience and ensure your message is delivered clearly and effectively. Whether you are presenting to a room full of colleagues or a single client, having strong presentation skills can make all the difference. Read on to learn more about the 8 presentation skills for engaged business communication.

1) The Art of Storytelling

Storytelling is an invaluable tool for making an impact with your business presentations. Telling stories helps to draw your audience in and create a connection with them while making complex concepts easier to understand. 

Through stories, you can capture their attention and share your message in a way that will stay with them long after the presentation has ended. When using methods of effective communication ppt stories, be sure to select relevant stories that illustrate the main points of your presentation, and keep them brief so you don't lose your audience's focus.

2) Be Concise

When presenting to an audience, it is important to be succinct. This means conveying your message in the most efficient manner possible. 

Avoid going off-topic and include only relevant information. Speak clearly, using language that everyone in the room can understand. Don't rely on jargon or slang to communicate your ideas. 

Focus on the main points and keep your presentation as concise as possible. Let your slides do some of the talking, too. Get to the point quickly and finish promptly. Being concise will help you keep your audience's attention and ensure they walk away with your key messages.

3) Use Visual Aids

Visual aids can be an effective way to engage with your audience and illustrate your points. Choose visuals that are easy to understand and keep the text to a minimum. Utilizing charts, graphs, or images can make complex ideas easier to digest. 

Use visual aids to bring life to your presentation, help break up the information, and maintain the audience’s attention. Make sure to practice using them so they are not distracting from your key message.

4) Speak with Confidence

When giving a presentation, it's important to speak with confidence. This doesn't mean you need to be overly loud or assertive; it simply means that you need to be sure of yourself and your topic. Projecting your voice and speaking clearly will help ensure that your message is communicated effectively. 

Additionally, use body language that indicates you are confident in what you are saying, like keeping eye contact with your audience and maintaining an open, upright posture. With practice, you'll find speaking confidently comes naturally.

5) Engage with Your Audience

When delivering a presentation, engaging your audience is essential for successful communication. Ask questions, make eye contact, and allow for interaction. Incorporating interactive activities like polls or brainstorming can help keep the audience engaged. 

Encourage feedback and discussion by using inclusive language like "we" and "us". Invite questions and address them thoughtfully, considering the interests and needs of your audience. Finally, create a dialogue with your audience, and don't be afraid to get creative!

6) Be Prepared

In business communication, it is vital to be prepared. Preparation includes researching your topic thoroughly and having an outline of what you would like to say. Make sure to have a few key points to emphasize and practice presenting them. 

Be organized and be able to defend any claims that you make. Finally, plan to ensure that you can accommodate any interruptions or questions. Having the right materials at hand will give you the confidence you need to engage your audience.

7) Practice, Practice, Practice

When it comes to mastering presentation skills in business communication, practice is essential. Not only should you practice out loud until you are confident in your delivery, but also practice different scenarios and answers to potential questions. 

Visualize yourself delivering the presentation and anticipate any challenges that could arise. Practicing will help you feel more prepared and confident during the actual presentation. With enough practice, you'll become a master of delivering engaging presentations that leave a lasting impact.

8) Handle Questions with Ease

An important part of any presentation is the Q&A session. Be prepared to answer questions from your audience effectively and confidently. Answer questions completely and honestly, and be sure to explain complex concepts. 

If you don’t know the answer to a question, take the time to research it and provide an informed response. By being prepared and providing honest answers, your audience will appreciate your transparency and respect your knowledge.

Communication is an essential tool for any presentation or speech. It helps to develop trust, gives you the ability to delegate tasks, encourages others to share their ideas, and allows you to have difficult conversations. By practicing effective  communication skills in presentation , you can improve your writing skills and get promoted in the process. Communication is a crucial skill that can be used to great effect in presentations and speeches.

Useful Resources:    What is an effective presentation |  What is written communication |  Types of communication formal and informal

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Importance of presentation skills – Effective Communication

Importance of Presentation skills: Effective presentation skills are a part of communication.

You need effective presentation skills to present your ideas, projects, plans, strategies, and products in front of the audience, team, and front of venture capitalists online and offline.

In this interaction, it’s important to have technical and non-technical presentation skills to achieve the end goal. Communication and presentation skills are a part of each other. To be effective in communication you need presentation skills.

Presentation skills help you to communicate more effectively and professionally with your audience, boss, team members, students, and teachers.

While everyone communicates online and offline in written, verbal and visual formats such as blog posts, social media posts, YouTube videos, slideshows, seminars, and official meetings to convince the small and larger audience.

But not all use presentation skills and that’s why most people are not that effective in communicating in a meeting, in the classroom, and in interviews.

So presentation skills are important to communicate more effectively so that the message is broadcast meaningfully in the mind of people and target readers/audience/viewers and customers.

In simple words, people use presentation tools and methods so that other people do not need to think, analyze and feel stressed to understand the message and agenda in meetings and classrooms. Presentation skills are more popular these days due to the digital era.

The goal of the presentation is to make communication between 2 or 10000 people simple, with slideshows, meaningful, and easy to understand so that 2nd person listeners, viewers, readers or the audience need to think on their own less.

Presentation skills are not only about the knowledge of Microsoft PowerPoint application, SlideShare, and google slides.

Students, freelancers, job seekers, and leaders almost everyone need presentation skills. it’s because everyone has to communicate for business and career reasons.

And that needs to be meaningful, inspirational, creative, memorable, and informational. That’s why presentation skills, presentation applications, images, text, videos and examples, and introductory effects and appearance help to build the interest of the audience.

1. Importance of presentation skills in an interview

When you introduce yourself in an interview, you present yourself. You present your personality, behaviors, expressions, skills, knowledge, and experiences so that the interviewer can get you as a valuable asset to the company.

You do it in an offline interview or online interview, on Skype or google hangout or present yourself on your portfolio website and project proposal letters. The most important thing is how effectively you know about the craft, ideas and, talent, and strengths. Such things help to present anything to anyone effectively.

Presentation skills in front of clients or interviewers matter the most for you to crack the interview or get hired for the project. That’s why presentation skills are important for job seekers and freelancers.

2. Importance of presentation skills for students:

Presentation skills are very important not only for teachers but also for students. Presentation skills help students to present in the classroom what they have learned. It is the way they can explain more deeply and study the topic.

There is almost every private school, teachers are giving homework for students to make a presentation on certain subjects or objects such as environmental changes, disaster management, and IT components.

While many students create that presentation to present in school.

But the problem is that some of them visit with their parents to a cyber cafe to make that presentation, due to a lack of computer or internet skills or lack of time and they pay to create it. This is not good, it’s important for teachers and parents to make sure that students are doing each homework on their own is it a presentation or research work.

When students try and practice creating a presentation using PowerPoint or google slideshow or other applications they find and learn very creative tools such as custom animation, start and existing effects, motion effects, color sense and font selection and sizes etc. technical and official documentation skills.

These skills help them later in their career to present the facts, data, and analysis through slideshows in school competitions, seminars, meetings, interviews, workplaces, and in business. That’s why presentation skills help students to build leadership skills, communication skills, self-promotion skills, people skills, career, and business development skills.

Related:  Importance of Communication Skills for Students

3. Role of presentation skills in business: 

Presentation skills in business mean the way you present/introduce/explain your product and services in front of customers online and offline by using websites, videos, and social media, at the shop counter.

When someone lists the product on their online store website, creates, a title, and writes a description it means they are presenting the product to customers or people who are visiting the website.

Similarly, when a boss in a meeting introduced a new agenda, problem, solution or plan that is also a presentation. When a team member explains the agenda, a PowerPoint presentation is a presentation.

Every presentation is communication. And to make communicate in meetings, marketing, discussion, event, and program means it’s important to have presentation skills. Presentation skills are the ingredient that converts average details/product/speech/writing into great.

Related: Why communication skills are important in business

4. Presentation skills are one of the leadership skills:

Every leader needs to have presentation skills. No matter whether they are in banking, agriculture, politics, business, or education they are always communicating with people and team members, they are presenting their plans and visions in front of investors, they are giving an interview on the news channels, or they are just creating YouTube videos.

But they can’t do it just as a formality, they have to make it effective, meaningful, educational, and informational for the people they are representing.

That’s why presentation skills technical and non-technical help them to get the support for the ideas, get the investments they are looking for, get more views on videos, more traffic to their blog, more likes to social media posts and more conversion on their landing page.

5. Presentation skills are helpful in career development:

For career development, everyone has to deal with leaders, clients, bosses, team members, teachers, students, government authorities, interviews and most important clients. In such things, they have to win the trust of others.

They can do it with certifications and qualifications and experience but the presentation of past achievements, current projects and future plans in front of potential clients or employers need effective presentation skills to make an impact.

And great presentation and communication skills can help them to get bigger projects, high-salary jobs or promotions in the company, and investment in their startup. That’s why presentation skills are important for career development.

Related:   Top 11 Most important Computer Skills to learn for career development

In conclusion: Learning to present a subject and object is important to building leadership skills as well as relationships. And fort, that it is important to participate in networking events. It is important to get hired by potential clients. It’s important to increase sales and traffic to the website. And for that, all presentation skill helps in self-promotion and explanation of achievements in meaningful ways.

That’s why presentation skills are important in life, career, and in business.

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5 Strategies for Improving Mental Health at Work

• Morra Aarons-Mele

Benefits and conversations around mental health evolved during the pandemic. Workplace cultures are starting to catch up.

Companies are investing in — and talking about — mental health more often these days. But employees aren’t reporting a corresponding rise in well-being. Why? The author, who wrote a book on mental health and work last year, explores several key ways organizations haven’t gone far enough in implementing a culture of well-being. She also makes five key suggestions on what they can do to improve the mental health of their employees.

“I have never felt so seen.”

• Morra Aarons-Mele is a workplace mental health consultant and author of  The Anxious Achiever: Turn Your Biggest Fears Into Your Leadership Superpower (Harvard Business Review Press, 2023). She has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, O the Oprah Magazine, TED, among others, and is the host of the Anxious Achiever podcast from LinkedIn Presents. morraam

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