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Giving an oral presentation is a common part of any business, whether you’re talking to colleagues, clients, or partners. It’s your chance to persuade, inform, or update them. But rushing in unprepared can lead to less-than-stellar results. So, the key to achieving your objective, whatever it may be, depends on one thing: preparation.

This guide is here to help you dedicate the necessary time to make and rehearse your presentation. With the right approach, you’ll deliver an effective oral presentation PPT that leaves a lasting impression. Now, get ready to transform your next meeting into a confident and persuasive experience.

In this article

Part i: what is oral presentation in business communication, informative presentations, instructive presentations, persuasive presentations, sales deck presentations, product marketing presentations, training and development presentations, data-driven presentations, progress report presentations, pitch deck presentations, demonstrations, blackout unnecessary slides, speak slower to avoid filler words, use ai presentation generator, complement texts with visuals, engage your audience.

An oral presentation is a form of verbal communication delivered to an audience. It is a way to share information, persuade them of an idea, or keep them updated. Visual aids like slides, handouts, or demonstrations often support a speaking presentation.

Oral presentations in business communication have several purposes. These include explaining new projects, pitching client ideas, or delivering team updates. Depending on what works, you can do it solo or with a team and keep it short or long.

However, an effective oral presentation doesn’t just happen on its own.

When making oral presentations, ensure they are well-organized, informative, and engaging. They follow a clear structure, with an introduction, body, and conclusion. You should also be confident, enthusiastic, and able to connect with the audience on a personal level.

Now that we’ve laid the groundwork for business oral presentations, let’s dive into the different types you’ll come across. The next part will uncover a variety of business presentations, each with its own goal.

Part II: 10 Different Types of Presentations in Business

Not all speaking presentations are the same. Different business situations call for different styles. Before you think of what you’ll say, figure out which presentation type works best for your audience. Here are the common types of business presentations you can give:

Informative presentations aim to equip attendees with knowledge of a chosen theme. Imagine presenting industry trends to your team or explaining a new company policy. These business presentations focus on clear communication and factual accuracy.

The instructive presentation aims to equip the audience with skills or knowledge they can apply practically. Think of a training session on using a new software program or a workshop on effective negotiation. This business presentation focus shifts to step-by-step guidance and practical exercises.

In a persuasive oral presentation, the goal is to win people over to your viewpoint. Be it convincing investors or pitching a new marketing plan, the deal is to build a solid case. You want compelling arguments, strong data, and a clear call to action.

Designed for sealing the deal, using a sales deck for your oral presentation highlights the value of a product or service. It emphasizes features, benefits, and why it’s better, all while tackling possible concerns. Salespeople often pull these out in client meetings or when pitching to investors.

A product marketing presentation focuses on creating awareness and excitement about a product. It targets a broader audience, not just potential customers, and aims to generate interest and brand recognition. Think of product launches, industry conferences, or social media marketing campaigns.

Training presentations are crucial for giving employees the skills they need. Whether it’s welcoming new hires or boosting leadership skills, the format changes based on the context. Usually, there’s a mix of instruction, practice, and chances to ask questions. You can use this for your oral presentation to ensure everyone’s up to speed in a way that works.

In data-driven presentations, facts and stats take the spotlight. You can add visuals for research, market trends, or data-backed solutions when making oral presentations. The trick is turning complex info into a clear, punchy story with eye-catching charts.

A progress report presentation updates a project, initiative, or campaign. They often involve data and metrics to show progress toward goals and objectives. These business presentations are crucial for maintaining transparency and building trust among stakeholders.

The pitch deck presentation hustles to get funding for a fresh business idea. Picture quick pitches, like selling your vision to venture capitalists. They zoom in on the problem you’re solving, what makes you stand out, and the promise of success. It’s all about packing a punch quickly to make your oral presentation stick.

These oral presentations go beyond words – they show it in action. Whether it’s software, new gear, or tricky procedures, the focus is on demonstrating. It’s a powerful way for the audience to see exactly how things work and throw in questions for a clearer picture.

Knowing the types of business presentations available is crucial. The next section will empower you to deliver effective oral presentations, regardless of your chosen format.

Part III: Techniques for Giving an Effective Oral Presentation

So, you’ve crafted an amazing presentation deck that captures your vision. Or you are starting with an idea for the oral presentation. Now comes the real challenge: delivering it in a way that grabs attention and keeps everyone hooked. Let’s explore some oral presentation techniques to make it a captivating experience.

Imagine a screen packed with text. Boring. No one wants to read a novel on a slide. Instead, blackout slides that reiterate points you’ll cover verbally. Focus on primary points and leave the details for handouts.

Speaking and presenting too fast can sound rushed and nervous. Slow down your pace and articulate clearly. It allows the audience to absorb your message and creates a sense of confidence. Plus, it helps you avoid filler words like “um” and “uh” that can distract from your message.

We all know you’re passionate about your business idea. However, securing investment requires captivating investors and presenting a vision that resonates deeply. Making a compelling pitch deck traditionally meant long hours of wrestling with design software and agonizing over content.

But what if you could lessen the time to create an oral presentation PPT to a few minutes?

Tools like AI presentation generators can help with structure and flow and even suggest visuals. Wondershare Presentory is one of the best in the market that can help automatically create a starting point for your slides. It makes an initial outline for your review. Then, Presentory generates stunning presentations with text, formatting, and imagery in PPT format. All these are based on a keyword or your topic.

Presentory is valuable for busy professionals and people who need to save time without compromising quality. But it doesn’t stop boosting your work efficiency here. This tool also empowers you to customize the design and content of the AI-generated oral presentation PPT. Furthermore, Presentory offers several additional benefits:

• Online and desktop access: Work on the go. This app lets you access your presentations online or offline, allowing you to work from anywhere.
• Personalized design: Make it your own. This app gives you the tools to customize your slides with layouts and templates that feel fresh and engaging.
• Content optimization: Presentory not only generates content. It also provides suggestions for improvement, ensuring professionalism and persuasiveness.
• Ease of use: No design skills? No problem. This app is user-friendly, and anyone can create professional-looking presentations in no time.
• Integration of resources: Level up your PPT slides. The built-in AI helps you find high-quality images and graphics to make your presentation pop.
• One-click streaming: Reach your audience across platforms. Presentory allows you to stream your oral presentation on Teams, YouTube Live, Facebook Live, Google Meet, and more platforms.
• Enhanced visuals: Import pictures and videos or add animations for a more dynamic presentation.
• Recording: Get your presentation ready for the big day. Use the teleprompter to record yourself practicing and feeling confident.

How To Make an Effective Oral Presentation PPT Using AI?

Presentory empowers you to focus on the speaking and presentation aspects while the AI takes care of the rest. Follow these steps below to create an effective oral presentation PPT for free online:

Step 1: Open the Wondershare Presentory app dashboard in your web browser. Sign in with your Google Account or create a new one.

Step 2: Click Create Presentation AI from the Home page to start.

Step 3: Select Begin with a topic to use AI and generate an outline.

Step 4: Enter your topic in the text box, then click Continue to let AI create the content outline. You can also select from one of the suggested keywords to explore first.

Step 5: Review the AI-generated outline and click Continue if satisfied.

Step 6: Select a template you want to use for the presentation, then click Generating to apply.

Step 7: Tailor your presentation. Edit text, switch slides, add images, and experiment with different layouts and themes to personalize your presentation.

Step 8: Click Share from the upper navigation pane, choose the file format from the pop-up window, then click Export presentation to save the PPT.

Images, infographics, and videos are powerful tools to engage your audience and reinforce your message during oral presentations. But don’t just throw random visuals in there. They should complement your words, not replace them. Choose visuals that are clear, relevant, and support your points.

Giving oral presentations shouldn’t be one-sided lectures. Get your audience involved. Ask questions, encourage participation, and invite discussion. Maybe even throw in a poll or a quick activity to keep them on their toes. Remember, your goal is to present information, connect with your audience, and make them care about your message.

You’ve got the ideas, the passion, the drive. But when it comes to giving an oral presentation , the pressure’s on. Traditional presentation tools can be time-consuming. Relying solely on “best practices” might leave you blending into the background. You need an edge, a way to grab attention and captivate your audience from the get-go.

However, making a compelling oral presentation PPT often takes time and expertise. That’s why you need to incorporate AI tools into your workflow. Try Wondershare Presentory - it is your partner in business communication success. Start creating presentations that win today.

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What It Takes to Give a Great Presentation

by Carmine Gallo

Summary .   

Never underestimate the power of great communication. It can help you land the job of your dreams, attract investors to back your idea, or elevate your stature within your organization. But while there are plenty of good speakers in the world, you can set yourself apart out by being the person who can deliver something great over and over. Here are a few tips for business professionals who want to move from being good speakers to great ones: be concise (the fewer words, the better); never use bullet points (photos and images paired together are more memorable); don’t underestimate the power of your voice (raise and lower it for emphasis); give your audience something extra (unexpected moments will grab their attention); rehearse (the best speakers are the best because they practice — a lot).

I was sitting across the table from a Silicon Valley CEO who had pioneered a technology that touches many of our lives — the flash memory that stores data on smartphones, digital cameras, and computers. He was a frequent guest on CNBC and had been delivering business presentations for at least 20 years before we met. And yet, the CEO wanted to sharpen his public speaking skills.

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Study Materials

Soft Skills Multiple Choice Questions and Answers pdf

Soft skills MCQ questions and answers | Soft Skills quiz pdf Multiple Choice Questions and Answers for the preparation of various exams.

Soft skills are the skills that can be learned through proper education and continuous practice. The more you practice, the more you master the soft skills. Soft skills are critical for your career growth and the efficient running of a business.

These skills are important for employees as well as employers. This blog is an attempt to compile all the Soft Skills MCQ questions and answers in pdf format, which will help you prepare for your exams.

Table of Contents

What is Soft Skill

Soft skills are a broad term that basically describes a person’s ability to handle certain situations and manage certain tasks successfully.

Soft skills can be viewed as a set of behavioral or personal characteristics that are not taught in the classroom but are important to success in the workplace.

Therefore, when you are looking for a new job or trying to understand how to manage a project, you should be aware that these skills are going to make a difference.

So how can you improve your soft skills? Take a look at your life and see what areas could be improved.

Soft skills MCQ questions and answers

1. ___ means ‘language full of technical or special words. A. Colloquialism B. Abbreviations C. Pedantic words D. Jargon Answer: (D) Some words and phrases that adults use can be confusing to children. For example, the word “jargon” refers to words and phrases that are used in a special way, but are not always easy to understand.

2. In any written piece, the sentences of a paragraph should be woven together in such a way that they flow into each other. This principle is called ___. A. Unity B. Order C. Conciseness D. Coherence Answer: (D) In communication, coherence means making sure all the parts of a message fit together.

3. A ___ is a systematic series of actions or operations of a series of changes directed to some end. A. task B. process C. activity D. action Answer: (B) In communication, a process is a way of doing something so that everyone involved can understand and follow it.

4. Communication is a ___ process in which there is an exchange and chain of ideas in a mutually acceptable direction. A. One-way B. Two-way C. Three-way D. Four-way Answer: (B) Two-way communication means that both people can communicate with each other.

5. ___ is defined as the process by which meanings are perceived and understanding is reached among human beings. A. Communication B. Message C. Statement D. Language Answer: (A) Communication means sending and receiving messages with other people.

6. ___ is the use of oral, unwritten words, and is an essential part of interacting with others. A. Informal communication B. Non-verbal communication C. Verbal communication D. Formal communication Answer: (C) Verbal communication is the way we talk to each other using words.

7. Body language, body posture, and hand gestures are examples of ___ type of communication A. Informal communication B. Non-verbal communication C. Verbal communication D. Formal communication Answer: (B) Nonverbal communication means communicating without words.

8. ___ communication includes instances of unrestrained communication between people who share a casual rapport with each other A. Informal B. Formal C. Verbal D. Non-verbal Answer: (A) In communication, informal means not using formal language.

9. ___ is a system of arbitrary signals, such as voice sounds, gestures, or written symbols. A. Interpretation B. Language C. Message D. Media Answer: (B) Language is what we use to communicate with each other.

10. “She did a lot for her son”. Here, the word ‘for’ is a ___ A. conjunction B. preposition C. adjective D. pronoun Answer: (B) Prepositions are words that show where something is, or how it is related to something else.

11. Words are classified according to the function they perform in a sentence. These different classes are called ___. A. Voices B. Tenses C. Synonyms D. Parts of Speech Answer: (D) Parts of speech are the different ways words can be used in a sentence. They include nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.

12. ___ refers to the communication that is within the organization and is designed to not reach outside the organization A. external communication B. written communication C. electronic communication D. internal communication Answer: (D) Internal communication means telling other people what you think and feel, and getting their feedback. This helps you work together better and improve your relationships.

13. ___ are documents presenting a compilation of facts or a number of options and related conclusions and recommendations A. Notice B. Instructions C. Remarks D. Reports Answer: (D) People use reports to communicate their ideas to other people. Reports can help people understand what another person is saying and mean what they say.

14. The main purpose of ___ is to provide feedback on several areas of organizational functioning. A. horizontal communication B. diagonal communication C. upward communication D. downward communication Answer: (C) Upward communication is a way to communicate with someone that is higher up in the organization than you are.

15. The main objective of ___ is to develop teamwork, and promote group coordination within an organization A. horizontal communication B. diagonal communication C. downward communication D. upward communication Answer: (A) Horizontal communication means communicating with people at the same level of understanding.

16. Organisations use ___ communication to announce Information and provide instructions to subordinates by superiors. A. Written B. Oral C. Non-verbal D. Verbal Answer: (A) In written communication, meaning is conveyed through the use of words.

17. What is a Memo? A. Memo is a document presenting a compilation of facts or a number of options and related conclusions and recommendations. B. A Memo is a formal, written document, the objective of which is to draw attention to something or some event that would take place and is usually displayed on the Notice Board of the organization. C. Memo is a written statement that provides information by a person or a committee to other people and forms a part of inter – and intra- departmental correspondence. D. Memos are announcements that are distributed to small or selective groups of people within the organization Answer: (C)

18. A holiday is declared in organizations by ___. A. a notice B. a circular C. a memo D. an instruction sheet Answer: (A) A notice is a kind of communication that people use to tell other people something important.

19. A (n) ___ consists of words (technical or non-technical) with their meaning because it helps the reader to acclimatize with the word used in the report. A. appendices B. bibliography C. index D. glossary Answer: (D) A glossary is a list of words and their definitions. It can help you understand the meanings of words, and it can also help you remember the meanings of words.

20. A ___ is a specific form of writing that is organized around concisely identifying and examining issues, events, or findings that have happened in a physical sense, such as events that have occurred within an organization, or findings from a research investigation A. Instruction sheet B. Memo C. Report D. Notice Answer: (C)

21. Cost-benefit analysis reports are A. Business reports B. General reports C. Engineering reports D. Confidential reports Answer: (A) A business report is a document that tells you what is happening with a company or organization. It can tell you things like how much money they have, how many sales they have made, and what their budget is.

22. Oral Business Presentation skill showcases all of the following except A. extent of knowledge B. logical thinking C. ethical qualities D. range of ideas and your confidence Answer: (C) There are different ethical qualities that mean different things. Some ethical qualities are important because they help us be kind and thoughtful towards other people. Others are important because they help us do what is right and fair.

23. A Seminar is ___. A. a type of conference B. a structured meeting with an educational purpose C. a regularly scheduled appointment D. a gathering was called to discuss a work issue Answer: (B) A meeting with an educational purpose is a way to learn more about a topic.

24. ___ entails deciphering the written symbols that represent the sounds of a language. A. Reading B. Interpreting C. Recording D. Listening Answer: (A) Reading is the process of understanding the meaning of words in a text.

25. Which of the following is NOT the prerequisite for the act of reading and comprehending? A. Knowledge of the written symbols of the language B. Understanding the lexical meaning of the words C. Ability to interpret the literal, subtextual, and contextual meanings D. Ability to hear and listen Answer: (D) Ability to hear and listen is important so that you can understand what others are saying.

26. Circulars are announcements that are ___. A. widely circulated among the members concerned B. usually displayed on the board of the organization C. brief official note circulated to one or more than one person D. agenda of meetings Answer: (A) The circular pattern of communication means that it goes around and around between people. This makes it difficult to get a clear message across to everyone involved.

27. A Notice is a formal, written document, the objective of which is to provide important information, usually in advance, to the receivers about the following except A. An event B. Death of a member of the organization C. A function D. A program Answer: (B) The death of a member of the organization means that person is no longer part of the group.

28. Report findings generally pertain to ___. A. a given or specific task B. to events or issues C. both A and B D. literature Answer: (C)

29. There are three features that together characterize report writing at a very basic level. Identify the wrong one. A. Pre-defined structure B. Independent sections C. Unbiased conclusions D. with or without a purpose Answer: (D) Some things can be done for fun, without a specific purpose in mind.

30. Analyzing the gathered information data involves all of the following excluding one. Identify that. A. sorting of data/information B. fabricating data to arrive at the desired conclusion C. examining the information for accuracy and gaps D. use of statistical methods for analysis Answer: (B) To make a decision, you need to gather information. Sometimes, people fabricate data in order to get the results they want.

31. It is important to add disclaimers to your internal and external emails for: A. protecting company from liability B. prevent accidental receivers of email from claiming damages C. both A and B D. Protect data sources Answer: (C)

32. Efficient reading includes: A. reading fluently with ample speed and accuracy; B. appropriate vocal expression; and C. correct comprehension of all the layers of meaning contained in the written text D. All of the above (A, B & C) Answer: (D)

33. Reading is a ___ which involves visual perception as well as mental decoding of the symbols. A. cognitive process B. behavioural process C. reasoning process D. none of the above Answer: (A) The cognitive process of thinking is a way of using your brain to figure out things. When you think, you use your mind to think about things, and often this process helps you solve problems or understand things.

34. ___ is the fastest type of reading used when we wish to find some specific information about something quickly by glancing through the text. A. Skimming B. Scanning C. Extensive reading D. Detailed reading Answer: (B) What we do when we scan something is use our eyes to take in all the details of the picture.

35. ___ is a type of reading which is done to get the main idea of a written work or to quickly revise what one has already read. A. Skimming B. Detailed reading C. Scanning D. Supplementary reading Answer: (A) When you are skimming a book, you are not reading all of the words. You are just skipping over them.

36. ___ is the slowest and the most focused type of reading, the purpose of which is usually is to read, comprehend and retain as much as possible. A. Previewing B. Detailed reading C. sub vocalized reading D. Supplementary reading Answer: (B) Detailed reading is when you read the text in its entirety, looking for all the details. This can help you learn more about the story and the characters.

37. A resume is drafted with the objective to highlight your ___. A. education & experience to the potential employer B. achievements C. qualification D. skills Answer: (A) The person’s education and experience are important factors in whether or not they are hired for a job.

38. ___ is the most common style of resume adopted by applicants where the focus is on education and work experience. A. Functional resume B. Chronological resume C. Combination resume D. None of the above Answer: (B) A chronological resume is a list of your important life events in reverse chronological order.

39. ___ highlights the applicant’s achievements, accomplishments, and the skill he has acquired during the course of his employment. A. Functional resume B. Combination resume C. Chronological resume D. None of the above Answer: (A) Your resume is a list of all the jobs you’ve ever had. It tells employers what you can do, and shows how you’re qualified for the job you’re applying for.

40. The body of the cover letter describes the applicant’s ___ to distinguish him from other applicants. A. education B. experience C. strong areas D. achievements Answer: (C) Education is the process of learning about things that are important in life.

41. Swallowing, blushing, and flushing are subtle signs of emotion and they convey meanings. These processes, which are involuntary, are part of the following categories of nonverbal communication. A. Eye Contact B. Physiological responses C. Paralanguage D. Personal Space Answer: (B) Some people have different ways of reacting physically to things. For example, some people might get a lot of energy when they’re happy, and others might get sleepy.

42. A consultant was hired by a company to implement the change in production layout. Board and Managing Director listened to his proposal. The appropriate listening type required from the above attendees for approving the proposal would be: A. Focused listening B. Appreciative listening C. Empathetic Listening D. Evaluate listening Answer: (D) Evaluate listening is a way of understanding what someone has said by looking at the way they have spoken.

43. State True or False: (1) Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present. (2) Communication is a two–way process in which there is an exchange and chain of ideas toward a mutually acceptable direction. A. 1-True, 2-True B. 1-False, 2-False C. 1-True, 2-False D. 1-False, 2-True Answer: (A)

44. Fill up the blank: (1) ___ is a greeting to the receiver from the sender’s end. (2) A letter without a ___ does not hold any value. So, it is mandatory that the sender checks it before he dispatches the letter. A. (1) Salutation (2) Signature B. (1) Attention line (2) Salutation C. (1) Salutation (2) Reference number D. (1) Attention line (2) Subject line Answer: (A) The Salutation is what people say when they greet someone. The Signature is what people put on the front of a letter or a document.

45. Which of the following communication type offers the advantage of accuracy, record and goodwill, and image building? A. written communication B. oral communication C. non-verbal communication D. paralanguage Answer: (A) One way that people communicate with each other is through written words. People write down their ideas and thoughts so that other people can understand them.

46. A good business letter contains four important sections. They are: A. Heading, Opening, Body, and Closing B. Heading, Subject, Salutation, and Signature C. Reference number, Subject line, Salutation, and Signature D. Salutation, Opening, Body, and Signature Answer: (A)

47. Fill up the blank: (1) When some document is attached to the letter and the writer or sender wants the reader to go through it, he uses the ___ notation. (2) The abbreviation “cc” refers to ___ where a number of copies of the original letter are sent to different people A. (1) attention (2) complimentary close B. (1) enclosure (2) carbon copy C. (1) attachment (2) content copy D. (1) addition (2) carbon copy Answer: (B) Enclosure is when you put something inside a box. Carbon copy is when you make a copy of something. 48. In seminars or conferences during board meetings or during presentations, participants are advised/requested to switch off phones. This is to remove one of the common barriers to the listening process. Select the barrier. A. Physical distraction B. Psychological distraction C. Language barrier D. Cultural barrier Answer: (A) Physical distraction is when you’re not paying attention to what you’re doing because you’re thinking about something else. 49. State True or False (1) External Communication refers to the exchange of information and messages with inside groups and individuals. (2) According to Goodall and Waagen, organizational communication is the evolutionary, culturally dependent process of sharing information and creating relationships.” A. 1-True, 2- True B. 1-True, 2- False C. 1-False, 2- True D. 1-False, 2- False Answer: (C) 50. Fill up the blanks (1) Organisational transactions related to procurement, sales, marketing, collection of bills, and so on are accomplished through ___. (2) Stake Holders in ___ include suppliers, government agencies, financial institutions, and banks A. (1) external communication, (2) external Communication B. (1) external communication, (2) internal communication C. (1) internal communication, (2) external communication D. (1) internal communication, (2) internal communication Answer: (A) External communication is when we talk to other people.

FAQs on Soft Skills

Q1. What are some of the soft skills you think are very important? Ans: Some very important soft skills that all employees should have are:

* Active listening * Problem-solving * Communication * Decision-making * Adaptability * Learning ability * Working in a team * Stress management * Creating a positive environment * Interpersonal skills

Q2. Do you think soft skills are important in hard-core programming too? Ans: Of course! A good programmer should be a good communicator. Soft skills involve things like communication, influencing, etc. and they are very much important in programming.

Q3. What’s the best way to improve soft skills? Ans: The best way to improve your soft skills is to practice using them. Over the years, I have spent hours and hours conducting interviews with the objective of ‘screening’ for good candidates. It is a very intense experience.

You start off with a list of questions that you have prepared and just when you think you have exhausted all questions, a situation takes place that forces you to ask another question.

And, you realize that you have never faced that situation before. You are forced to keep your ears and eyes open and your mouth shut.

You watch and listen, and then you tell your candidate that you have to make a decision. In the end, you make up your mind.

Q4. What are some of the soft skills that are essential for every job/role? Ans: A lot of us may have the technical skills required to do our jobs, but it is equally important to possess the soft skills to get ahead and remain relevant in this cut-throat business world.

Soft skills are those that you cannot teach in the classroom but can be picked up by observing and practicing at work. Here are a few examples of soft skills that are essential for every job.

Q5. What are some of the good books you’ve read that teach you soft skills?

Ans: Soft skills are about how you carry yourself and interact with people, so these are really the skills you will use on a daily basis.

Some good books that teach you soft skills are “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie, ” 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Steven Covey, and “Do What You Are” by Paul Tieger and Barbara Barron.

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14 effective presentation tips to impress your audience

Get your team on prezi – watch this on demand video.

Anete Ezera July 15, 2022

An effective presentation can communicate key ideas and opinions, save time, and contribute to your overall success as a business, but good presentation skills don’t come naturally to everyone. In this blog post, you’ll find 14 effective presentation tips you can implement in your next presentation to make it a success. 

Whether you’re preparing for an important presentation at work or school, or you’re looking for ways to generally improve your presentation skills, you’ll find these presentation tips useful. We’ve gathered a list to help you impress your audience from the get-go. You’ll find tips for creating and presenting your slides, talking in front of an audience, and other effective presentation techniques to help you stand out. 

Most common presentation mistakes

Before we list our top effective presentation tips, let’s explore the most common presentation mistakes. If you’ve made one or more mistakes in this list, you’re not alone. Most people have made at least one mistake. However, what’s important is to be aware of these errors and try avoiding them next time.

#1 A poor start

One of the most common mistakes people make is undermining the importance of the first few minutes or seconds of their presentation. 

Let’s say you’ve practiced your key talking points meticulously and gone over your slides a million times, but when you’re in the spotlight and need to say your first line, do you know exactly what to say to wow the audience? 

The start of your presentation is crucial. Not only because how you start sets the tone for the rest of your presentation, but also because people generally require around 8 seconds to decide whether they find the subject interesting enough to keep listening. Starting your presentation with a captivating intro is even more important than you think. To ensure you start off right, read our guide on how to start your presentation . 

#2 Lack of preparation

Yes, even though it’s clear that you should prepare before giving a presentation, it’s still a common mistake amongst presenters. Preparing content and talking points is an obvious start, but there are other steps that you might be overlooking.

Before you even join a meeting or walk into a room where you’re going to present, consider the technical requirements and get familiar with the equipment. If you’re presenting online, make sure to test-run your presentation and the visual aids you’re going to use. The last thing you want is a broken video link, poor audio, or a weak connection when you’re presenting. 

Also, consider the questions your audience might want to ask you about the topic. Think about how you’d answer those questions, or do even further research to really impress the audience with your answers. 

Explore other ways to prepare for a presentation to feel even more confident when presenting.

#3 Losing track of time

It’s great to feel passionate about your topic. However, you’ll have to consider your audience’s level of interest and knowledge. Some details might seem fascinating to you, and you’d like to talk about them for hours, but for your audience, too much information will drain their energy and lose their attention. 

Therefore, make sure to keep track of time. Also, consider your audience’s interests. A concise presentation is always better than a long one with a ton of information. Plus, you’ll have a higher chance of keeping your audience’s attention throughout the presentation. 

Effective presentation tips

Now that we’ve looked at some of the most common presentation mistakes – let’s dive into effective presentation tips that’ll help you excel in future presentations. 

#1 Tell a story

Stories connect, inspire, and empower people. Telling a story can entice action, help understand an idea, and make people feel connected to the storyteller. It’s also one of the most effective presentation tips. A study by organizational psychologist Peg Neuhauser found that a well-told story is easier to remember than facts, which makes it a highly effective learning technique. 

With that in mind, telling a story when you’re presenting can engage your audience and make it a more memorable experience. You can either share a personal story or a historical event, just make sure to have a clear connection between the story and the topic you’re presenting. 

#2 Work on your body language

Body language can make a huge difference in how your presentation is perceived. It’s one of the presentation tips you definitely shouldn’t overlook. 

Body language says a lot about a person’s confidence level, emotions, state of mind, and even credibility. For the audience, it’s a way to understand what the person is saying and how interested they are in the topic. 

Therefore, work on your body language to better convey the message you’re trying to communicate. Practice in front of a mirror before your presentation and be conscious of your hand gestures and facial expressions. 

#3 Understand your audience

Before crafting your presentation, you must know who you’re speaking to. Understanding the interests, demographics, professional background, and other valuable information of your audience is crucial in making your speech successful. 

If you’re speaking at an event, contact the organizers to get more information about other speakers and the audience. If you’re presenting at work, you may already know your audience fairly well. Use this information to your advantage and create content you know they’ll resonate with.

#4 Use high-quality visuals

What’s one of the most effective presentation techniques? Use of visuals. They play a crucial role in your presentation. However, only high-quality visuals will make a good impression and effectively communicate your message. Use high-quality visuals like images, videos, graphs, maps, and others to really land your point. 

Using visuals is a great way to convey your ideas as they’re easier to process than text. If you’re not sure where to find great visuals, check out our blog post on presentation visuals for five free resources.

P.S. the Prezi library holds a variety of images, videos, GIFs, stickers, and other visuals, including different charts and maps to spice up your presentation. It’s all available in your dashboard .

#5 Use data visualizations

Do you want to showcase statistics or other datasets in your presentation? Use data visualizations to make your data stand out and impress your audience. 

There’s nothing more boring than a bunch of data presented in a flat way. If you want to tell a story with your data, use interactive infographics or slides enriched with eye-catching visuals. Showcasing data will make your ideas appear more trustworthy and credible. 

Prezi Design offers a range of templates to choose from. You can start creating data visualizations from scratch or choose a template and edit the data there. 

#6 Make it engaging with interactive elements

It’s not easy to deliver an engaging presentation. People can easily get distracted or try to multitask, especially in the virtual environment. Sometimes, it’s difficult to focus on the speaker and the written text. Other times, the content just isn’t impressive enough to hold the audience’s attention. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

You can make your presentation more engaging for everyone by including interactive content like graphs and charts. With interactive data visualizations, you’ll make the data discovery process more engaging and exciting for your audience. 

Your audience will be able to hover over data points and click on certain icons or datasets to discover information on their own. Interactive visualizations will make the presentation more memorable and impressive. 

As you can see in the example below, you can discover different data by engaging with the infographic. 

#7 Stay consistent with fonts and color styles

You want your presentation to look visually appealing and highlight essential information. To make that happen, stay consistent with font styles and color schemes throughout your presentation. 

Use one or two fonts max to make the text easy to read and understand. Also, use a carefully selected color scheme that’s not too distracting. If you’re using Prezi Design, you can easily copy and paste styles by right-clicking on your data visualizations and selecting “copy styles.” This makes it easier to stay consistent and saves time when picking matching colors. 

#8 Structure your presentation properly

Before creating your presentation, think about its structure. What’s the main idea you want to convey? Use that as your starting point, and only include information that adds value to the narrative. 

Plan out the first topics carefully to properly introduce your argument. Add the essential information in the middle part of your presentation. Lastly, close your presentation with a summary of the main points and leave your audience with an afterthought. Also, plan when you’re taking questions and for how long. 

For more insight, watch this tutorial on how to structure your presentation:

#9 Practice your public speaking skills

Public speaking may not be your forte, but you can get better with practice. Don’t decline a great opportunity to share your ideas with a larger audience just because you feel nervous speaking in front of a group of people. 

One of the best ways to improve your public speaking skills is to practice in front of your family or friends – people you feel comfortable with. Also, focus on the topic you’re presenting and get excited about the idea you want to convey. This way you’ll appear more confident and feel less nervous about public speaking. 

Explore other public speaking tips from Jessica Chen, the founder, and CEO of Soulcast Media: 

#10 Show your slides next to you on-screen

If you’re presenting on Zoom or in a virtual meeting , think twice before you share your screen. The days of hiding behind slides are over. People want to see and connect with other people, not sit through another run-of-the-mill screen share. To do that, use Prezi Video to showcase all your content right next to you in your video feed. 

As a result, your presentation will look more engaging than a traditional virtual presentation . Also, your audience will have the chance to read your body language and follow along with what you’re saying even better. 

If you already have your slides prepared, don’t worry – you can easily integrate them into Prezi. 

See Prezi Video in action and check out our video templates to get started.

#11 Calm down before presenting

Being in front of an audience can feel nerve-racking. However, there are ways to calm down before presenting that will make you feel more centered and confident. The last thing you want is all your hard work to go to waste just because of stress. 

Try breathing exercises or a five-minute guided meditation before presenting. The trick is to remove all distractions and focus on the present moment so you’re not overthinking right before starting your presentation. Also, be fully prepared and know exactly what to say and when which will help you feel more collected. If you want to discover other ways to feel and look more confident, read how not to be nervous before a presentation . 

#12 Use transitions and animations 

Add movement to your slides with transitions and animations. You’ll make your presentation more visually appealing and engaging. However, be careful not to overwhelm your audience with your choice of transitions and animations. 

Choose a transition that matches your presentation visually and use it throughout your presentation. Consider what animations will be relevant to your audience and select a few to add to your slides. Don’t overdo it. Keep the focus on the message you’re trying to convey, and use animations to only support that message. 

#13 Be enthusiastic 

When you’re in a room with a positive and enthusiastic person, you can’t help but feel uplifted as well. High-energy people have this effect on others. Most importantly, a lot of people tend to mimic people’s behavior and mirror their energy when they feel a connection or relate to them. That’s called the chameleon effect . 

When you’re presenting, you want your audience to feel curious about what you’re presenting. You may also want to leave your audience feeling uplifted, interested to know more, or inspired. To have that effect on others, try to convey those emotions when presenting. Practice your speech, slow down your narration at times, or take a pause after you’ve delivered a statement, and use different presentation techniques to present your project and really drive your points home. 

#14 End your presentation in a memorable way

The first few minutes of your presentation are crucial for captivating your audience’s attention. However, don’t underestimate the importance of ending your presentation as powerfully as you started it. 

The way you end your presentation will play a crucial part in how your audience will remember it. You want to make a memorable impression by closing your presentation with a summarizing statement, a rhetorical question, a call to action, or another impactful way. Discover 10 ways you can end your presentation in our guide.  

There are a lot of factors to consider when creating and delivering a presentation. You want your slides to look professional and visually appealing while conveying your main points. You also want to look and sound confident even if you’re nervous about public speaking. Whatever your concerns may be, remember that preparation is essential. Practice and dedication are the keys to giving a successful presentation . Make sure to follow these effective presentation tips to excel in your future presentations. If you’re interested in creating a captivating presentation with Prezi, contact us to learn more or try it for free . 

Elevating presentations with Prezi AI

Embrace the innovation of Prezi to bring your presentations to life. With its unique platform, Prezi AI offers more than just visually appealing templates; it provides an immersive narrative experience, engaging your audience with a story-driven approach. By integrating Prezi AI , our platform’s capabilities are further enhanced, offering intelligent design suggestions and optimizing content layouts to ensure your presentations are not only beautiful but impactful. This integration is a perfect example of effective presentation techniques in action, using technology to create a more engaging presentation.

Interactive elements: transforming passive listening into active engagement

Prezi revolutionizes the way information is presented by incorporating interactive elements that invite audience participation. With Prezi AI, these features become even more accessible, suggesting ways to make your presentation more engaging through clickable areas, zoomable images, and dynamic visualizations. This level of interaction encourages exploration, making your message more memorable and transforming a standard presentation into an effective presentation.

Adding a personal touch in digital presentation with video

Prezi Video stands out by seamlessly integrating your content alongside your video feed, bridging the gap between traditional presentations and personal engagement. This feature is crucial for those looking to follow presentation tips that emphasize the importance of connecting with your audience on a more personal level. Prezi AI enhances this experience, ensuring your content is displayed in the most effective way possible, making your virtual presentations feel as though you’re directly conversing with your audience.

Mastering presentation artistry with Prezi

The journey to becoming a skilled presenter involves continuously refining your approach and embracing tools that elevate your ability to communicate effectively. Prezi, enriched with Prezi AI, is one such tool that transforms ordinary presentations into captivating experiences. By leveraging these advanced features, you can deliver presentations that are successful, memorable, and truly unforgettable, embodying the essence of tips for presentation mastery.

Whether you’re an experienced speaker or preparing for your first presentation, Prezi equips you with the tools to succeed. Engage your audience, tell compelling stories, and deliver your message with confidence and creativity. Following effective presentation tips and exploring how Prezi AI can transform your next presentation is a step towards mastering the art of impactful communication. Delve into the features and begin your journey to presentation mastery today.

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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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• The Complete Guide to Mastering Business Presentations
• Engaging Your Audience in a Business Presentation

Key Elements for a Memorable Oral Business Presentation

Aayush Jain

Crafting a powerful opening statement.

Engaging Your Audience from the Start ideas for business presentation

The opening of any oral business presentation is not just about beginning your speech; it's about capturing the attention of your audience immediately and effectively. A powerful opening statement acts as the gateway to your presentation, setting the tone and establishing expectations. It's here that you provide a snapshot of what's to come, intriguing your audience and compelling them to listen. Crafting such an opening requires a blend of creativity, clarity, and relevance to the business topic for presentation. It’s essential to start with something that resonates with your audience, whether it’s a startling statistic, a provocative question, or a compelling story, ensuring the ideas for business presentation are front and center.

Understanding the significance of your opening statement goes beyond merely grabbing attention; it involves laying a solid foundation for the entire presentation. Historical context plays a crucial role here. Great speakers throughout history have understood that the first few minutes of any presentation can make all the difference. By examining successful sales presentations and other business presentations , we learn that the most impactful beginnings are those that connect with the audience's needs, interests, and emotions. A well-crafted opening is rooted in thorough research and an in-depth understanding of your audience's demographics, expectations, and business growth aspirations.

Real-World Examples and Current Trends

Incorporating real-world examples into your pitch deck or opening can significantly enhance its impact. Consider how Steve Jobs commenced his product launch presentations; he often started with broad, relatable statements before narrowing down to the specifics of his new product, embodying the essence of an impactful presentation. Similarly, TED Talks often begin with personal anecdotes or thought-provoking questions that directly engage the audience's curiosity. These techniques are not only effective for maintaining audience interest but also for setting the stage for a persuasive presentation. Modern trends show a move towards more interactive and visually appealing presentation styles, often supported by presentation design services to create a memorable experience from the start.

Research and statistics offer a solid foundation for the importance of a strong opening. According to a study by a leading presentation design company , audience engagement levels are highest within the first two minutes of a presentation. Furthermore, a survey by a renowned agency presentation design found that presentations that start with a story or surprising fact are 25% more likely to retain audience attention till the end. These findings underscore the critical role of the opening in setting the trajectory for the entire presentation, highlighting the necessity of investing in the right presentation design agency and strategy to craft openings that resonate.

Strategies for Building and Maintaining Audience Interest

Captivating Your Audience Beyond the Opening sales presentations

After a strong start, the challenge shifts to maintaining that grip on your audience’s attention throughout the presentation. This is where the strategic interplay of content creation, delivery, and presentation design becomes crucial. Engaging your audience requires a dynamic approach that adapts to their responses and keeps them interested in the next business idea or topic for presentation. To achieve this, presenters must master the art of storytelling, integrate interactive elements, and use visual aids effectively. Each of these strategies contributes to building a connection with the audience, ensuring they remain invested in the ideas for business presentation from beginning to end.

The key to maintaining interest lies in understanding who your audience is and what they seek from your presentation. Background information on audience demographics, their industry knowledge level, and what they find valuable can guide the customization of your presentation. Historical analyses of successful sales presentations reveal that the most engaging ones are tailored to the audience's specific interests and needs. This customization can range from the use of industry-specific jargon for expert audiences to simplifying complex concepts with visuals for general audiences. Recognizing these nuances is critical for keeping your audience engaged throughout your presentation.

Illustrative Success Stories and Trends presentation design agency

Take, for example, the trend of incorporating live polls or Q&A sessions using platforms like Slido during presentations. This technique not only revitalizes audience interest but also provides immediate feedback, allowing for real-time engagement. Another effective method is the inclusion of case studies or success stories relevant to the presentation topics. For instance, a business presentation on innovation could feature a case study of a successful start-up, directly illustrating the applied concepts. These strategies, supported by high-quality presentation design from a presentation design company , not only enrich the presentation but also reinforce the audience’s connection to the content.

Research supports the effectiveness of these strategies. A study by a leading best presentation design company or agency indicated that presentations incorporating interactive elements like Q&A sessions have a 40% higher retention rate. Additionally, data from the best presentation powerpoint design agency or company shows that the use of visuals and stories can increase audience engagement by up to 50%. These statistics highlight the importance of a well-thought-out presentation design, emphasizing the role of a best presentation design agency or company in creating content that resonates with and captivates the audience throughout the presentation.

The Art of Effective Transitions Between Presentation Points

Seamlessly Connecting Your Ideas

Transitioning smoothly between the main points of a presentation is an art that can significantly enhance the flow and comprehension of your message. Effective transitions act as bridges, guiding your audience from one idea to the next, ensuring a cohesive and logical progression of thoughts. This skill is crucial in maintaining audience engagement, as it prevents confusion and keeps the narrative clear. To master this art, presenters must plan their transitions with care, using verbal cues, thematic continuity, and visual aids from presentation design services to create a seamless experience. This approach not only enriches the presentation's structure but also reinforces the audience's understanding of the business topic for the presentation.

The importance of transitions is well-founded in communication theory, which emphasizes clarity, coherence, and audience retention. Historical speeches and business presentations that have stood the test of time often share a common trait: they employ clear transitional phrases and concepts that elegantly link different segments of the presentation. For instance, phrases like "moving on to," "in contrast," or "as a result" signal a shift in focus and prepare the audience for what’s next. Additionally, using consistent themes or motifs throughout the presentation can help reinforce these transitions, making the presentation design integral to the narrative flow.

Practical Examples and Modern Techniques

In the realm of business presentations, the use of visual transitions has become increasingly popular, thanks to advanced presentation design tools. For example, a presentation design company might use animated slides to visually explain or signify a transition, making it both engaging and clear to the audience. Another technique is to pose a rhetorical question or recap the previous point before moving on, which not only reinforces the information but also keeps the audience engaged. Companies like TED have effectively used these methods to create memorable and impactful presentations, demonstrating the power of well-executed transitions.

Studies conducted by presentation design agencies have shown that presentations with clear and creative transitions are more likely to be remembered and understood. A survey by a top presentation design agency revealed that 70% of respondents found presentations with smooth transitions between points to be more compelling and easier to follow. Furthermore, incorporating transitions that involve audience interaction, such as quick polls or reflective questions related to the presentation topics, has been shown to increase engagement levels by up to 30%. This evidence underscores the value of investing time and resources into developing effective presentation transitions, highlighting the role of presentation design agencies in enhancing the overall presentation quality.

Incorporating Memorable Closing Statements

Ensuring a Lasting Impact PowerPoint presentations

The conclusion of a business presentation is not merely an endpoint but a critical moment to reinforce your key message and leave a lasting impression on your audience. A memorable closing statement serves as the capstone of your presentation, encapsulating the essence of your message and motivating your audience towards reflection or action. Crafting such a conclusion requires careful thought and creativity, aiming to resonate emotionally and intellectually with the audience. This is where the cumulative impact of your presentation culminates, making it essential to echo the core themes and drive home the significance of the business topic for the presentation .

Drawing from the principles of rhetoric and communication, an effective closing statement should serve several purposes: it should summarize the main points, highlight the presentation's significance, and, where appropriate, call the audience to action. Research in the field of public speaking and presentation skills underscores the importance of a conclusion that reinforces the audience's memory of the presentation and leaves them with a clear takeaway or next step. This can be achieved through a variety of rhetorical devices, including repetition, callbacks to powerful moments within the presentation, and forward-looking statements that challenge the audience to think or act differently.

Real-World Examples of Powerful Closings

Looking to successful business presentations and TED Talks for inspiration, the most impactful conclusions to corporate presentations often incorporate personal anecdotes, compelling quotations, or a vivid vision of future possibilities. These elements can dramatically enhance the emotional resonance of the closing statement. For instance, a sales presentation might end with a success story that illustrates the transformative potential of the product or service offered. Similarly, a presentation on business growth strategies might conclude with a provocative question that challenges business leaders to rethink their approach, or purchase process, thereby encouraging audience reflection and action steps.

Data from many presentation design agencies and companies indicates that audiences are more likely to remember and act on presentations that include a strong, clear, and motivational closing. A survey conducted by a leading presentation design agency found that presentations ending with a compelling call to action increased audience engagement post-presentation by up to 50%. Additionally, incorporating visual elements from presentation design services in the presentation partner conclusion—such as impactful imagery or concise summary slides—can further enhance retention and motivation, solidifying the closing statement's effectiveness.

Creating a Consistent Presentation Tone

Harmonizing Your Message with Your Delivery

A consistent tone throughout your presentation is pivotal in maintaining audience engagement and ensuring your message is conveyed effectively. This consistency in tone, whether it be professional, inspirational, or conversational, helps to set the audience's expectations and contributes to a cohesive experience. It aligns the verbal and non-verbal elements of your presentation, including language, pacing, and visual style, with the overarching message and goals of your talk. A well-maintained tone that matches the content and context of your presentation can significantly enhance the audience's understanding and retention of the business topic for presentation .

The foundation of achieving a consistent tone lies in understanding the various components that contribute to it. These include the choice of words, sentence structure, the pacing of delivery, and the overall visual design of the presentation. Each element should be carefully considered and aligned with the intended tone and message. For example, a presentation design company can tailor the visual elements, such as color scheme and typography, to complement a formal or informal tone, depending on the presentation's context. Additionally, the presenter's body language and vocal modulation play crucial roles in reinforcing the desired tone, making presentation skills training an invaluable investment for anyone looking to improve their effectiveness as a speaker.

Leveraging Examples for Tone Consistency

Successful presentations often employ a consistent tone to enhance the audience's connection with the material. For instance, TED speakers meticulously match their tone to their topic and audience, whether they're discussing complex scientific concepts or sharing personal stories. This careful matching helps to maintain audience interest and engagement from start to finish. Similarly, companies presenting new products or services at industry conferences use a tone that reflects their personal brand, identity and values, further establishing a connection with their audience. These examples illustrate the impact of a well-executed tone on audience reception and engagement.

The research underscores the significance of tone consistency in presentations. Studies have shown that audiences are more likely to perceive a presentation as credible and persuasive if the speaker maintains a consistent tone that aligns with the presentation's content and purpose. A report by a notable presentation design agency highlights that presentations with a consistent tone are up to 30% more effective in achieving their objectives, whether those be to inform, persuade, or inspire action. This data reinforces the value of investing in good presentation design and speaker training to ensure that every aspect of the presentation contributes to a harmonious and impactful delivery.

Strategies for Repetition Without Boredom

Reinforcing Key Messages Creatively

The strategic use of repetition in a business presentation serves as a powerful tool to reinforce key messages, ensuring they resonate and remain with the audience. However, the challenge lies in employing repetition without inducing boredom or disengagement. To navigate this, presenters must find creative ways to reiterate their main points, varying the delivery to maintain interest. This involves a powerpoint presentation design leveraging different formats, such as stories, analogies, visuals, and interactive elements, to present the same idea in fresh and engaging ways. By doing so, the core messages of the powerpoint presentation design and topics become memorable without becoming monotonous.

Cognitive psychology suggests that repetition is essential for memory retention. Yet, it also warns against the diminishing returns of too much repetition, which can lead to disengagement and annoyance. The key, therefore, is balanced repetition - introducing the main points several times throughout the presentation but in varied and innovative forms. This could mean revisiting a central idea through a different narrative lens, presenting data in new formats, or incorporating audience interaction to refresh the concept. Such strategies not only reinforce the message but also enhance the overall engagement with the presentation.

Illustrating Through Case Studies

Consider the case of a renowned sales presentation by a leading tech company, which introduced its product's unique selling proposition (USP) at the beginning powerpoint presentation, reinforced it with customer success stories in the middle, and summarized its benefits in the closing. Each repetition of the USP was presented differently, keeping the audience engaged while solidifying the product's value in their minds. Similarly, educational presentations often repeat key concepts through direct explanation, followed by examples, and then quizzes or interactive discussions. These approaches demonstrate how repetition, when executed creatively, can be both effective and engaging.

Research by marketing and presentation design companies and agencies has shown that presentations employing creative repetition strategies significantly increase message retention and audience satisfaction. A study by a leading presentation design company revealed that audiences were 30% more likely to recall the main message of a presentation when it was repeated in varied formats compared to when presented singularly. Furthermore, feedback collected indicated a higher level of engagement and positive reception towards presentations that used innovative methods to revisit key points. This evidence underscores the importance of employing repetition creatively to enhance both the memorability and enjoyment of the presentation.

Utilizing Rhetorical Devices for Impactful Delivery

Enhancing Persuasion and Engagement

Rhetorical devices are a speaker's best ally for making their delivery more impactful and persuasive. These linguistic tools can significantly enhance the appeal of a presentation, making complex information more accessible, engaging, and memorable. By skillfully incorporating techniques such as metaphors, analogies, repetition, and rhetorical questions into persuasive presentations, presenters can strengthen their argument and connect more deeply with their audience. This strategic use of language elevates the presentation from a mere conveyance of information to an engaging narrative that captivates the audience's attention and imagination.

The use of rhetorical devices is rooted in ancient rhetoric, emphasizing the art of persuasion through effective speech. Each device serves a specific function: metaphors and analogies simplify complex ideas; rhetorical questions engage the audience's thought processes; and strategic repetition emphasizes key points. Understanding how to employ these devices can transform the delivery of a business presentation , making the content not only more persuasive but also more enjoyable for the audience. This approach is particularly effective in business presentations where the goal is to persuade or motivate, such as in sales presentations or pitches for new projects.

Real-World Applications and Examples

A closer look at memorable speeches and presentations reveals the masterful use of rhetorical devices. For example, Steve Jobs frequently used analogies and metaphors to describe new technologies, making them relatable and exciting. Similarly, TED Talk speakers often pose rhetorical questions to provoke thought and make the audience ponder deeper issues, thereby increasing their engagement with the topic. These examples demonstrate how rhetorical devices can be effectively used to enhance the delivery of a presentation, making the message not only clearer but also more compelling.

Research supports the effectiveness of rhetorical devices in enhancing presentation outcomes. Studies have shown that presentations utilizing rhetorical strategies are more likely to persuade audiences and be remembered long after the presentation concludes. For instance, a survey by a presentation design company found that presentations incorporating rhetorical questions and analogies had a 25% higher audience engagement rate. Additionally, a study in the field of communication found that the use of metaphors significantly increases the persuasiveness of a speaker, highlighting the importance of these techniques in crafting an impactful presentation.

Techniques for Building Emotional Connection with the Audience

Fostering a Deep, Personal Link

Building an emotional connection with the audience is pivotal for the success of any business presentation . This connection facilitates a more engaging and impactful exchange, making the audience more receptive to the message being conveyed. Techniques to achieve this involve sharing personal anecdotes, displaying genuine enthusiasm, and expressing empathy toward the audience's challenges and concerns. By humanizing the presentation, speakers can transcend the boundaries of formal communication, creating a memorable experience that resonates on a personal level with each audience member.

At the core of building an emotional connection is the ability to communicate effectively empathize with the audience. This involves understanding their perspectives, needs, and emotions, and reflecting this understanding in the presentation. Through empathy, a presenter can tailor their message in a way that acknowledges the audience's experiences, thereby fostering a sense of trust and rapport. For instance, addressing common challenges faced in the industry and offering relatable solutions can demonstrate the presenter's commitment to adding value, and enhancing the emotional bond between the speaker and the audience.

Illustrative Exampl es of Emotional Engagement

The impact of emotional connection can be observed in some of the most compelling presentations. Presenters like Brené Brown, who share personal stories and vulnerabilities, succeed in creating a powerful emotional bond with their audience. This approach encourages the audience to engage not just intellectually but emotionally, making the presentation's message more impactful and enduring. Similarly, business leaders who share their own experiences of overcoming challenges can inspire and motivate their audience, illustrating the profound effect of personal connection in a professional context.

Empirical evidence highlights the significance of emotional connection in presentations. Studies have shown that audiences are more likely to remember and act upon messages delivered with emotional appeal. A report by a leading presentation design agency found that presentations that included personal stories or emotional elements had a 35% higher retention rate among audiences. Moreover, emotional engagement has been linked to increased persuasion, with audiences more likely to be influenced by speakers to whom they feel a personal connection. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating techniques that build emotional rapport, emphasizing the role of genuine, empathetic communication in achieving presentation success.

The Power of Personal Anecdotes in Business Presentations

Humanizing Your Message with Personal Stories

The inclusion of personal anecdotes in business presentations serves as a powerful tool to humanize the speaker, making the content more relatable and engaging for the audience. Personal stories can bridge the gap between abstract concepts and real-world applications, providing tangible examples of how business principles play out in personal experiences. This approach not only captivates the audience's attention but also enhances the memorability of the presentation, as personal narratives are often more easily recalled than statistical data or theoretical explanations.

Personal anecdotes work because they tap into the universal human experience, allowing audience members to see themselves in the stories being told. This relatability is crucial in business presentations , where the goal is often to persuade or inspire action. By sharing challenges, failures, successes, and learnings from their own life, a speaker can demonstrate vulnerability and authenticity, fostering a stronger connection with the audience. This technique is especially effective in presentations on topics such as: leadership skills, innovation, and overcoming adversity, where personal journeys can illustrate key points more vividly than abstract discussion.

Examples of Effective Anecdotal Presentations

Notable speakers and business leaders frequently leverage personal anecdotes to great effect. For instance, in presentations about innovation and creativity, speakers might share their own "eureka" moments or the setbacks they encountered on the path to discovery. These stories not only provide insight into the creative process but also humanize the speaker, making them more approachable and their messages more impactful. Similarly, entrepreneurs often recount the origins of their business ventures, highlighting the personal passion and perseverance that fueled their success. Such anecdotes can inspire and motivate audiences, demonstrating the tangible results of applying business principles in real life.

Research underscores the effectiveness of personal anecdotes in communication. Studies in the fields of psychology and marketing have shown that stories and personal narratives significantly enhance message retention and empathy, compared to presentations that rely solely on factual data. A survey by a presentation design company revealed that presentations incorporating personal stories had a 40% higher engagement rate among audiences. Furthermore, anecdotal evidence suggests that audiences are more likely to take action or change their perspective when they feel a personal connection to the speaker, highlighting the transformative power of personal anecdotes in business and marketing presentations too.

Encouraging Audience Reflection and Action Steps

Motivating Change Through Engagement

A pivotal goal of any business presentation is not just to inform or persuade but to motivate the audience toward reflection and action. This involves crafting a message that resonates on a personal level, encouraging individuals to consider how the information presented applies to their own lives or work. By concluding with a clear call to action or reflective questions, presenters can inspire their audience to take the next steps, whether it’s implementing a new strategy, reevaluating a process, or pursuing further learning. This active engagement ensures that the presentation has a lasting impact, extending beyond the confines of the event itself.

To effectively encourage reflection and action, presenters must be strategic in their approach. This includes providing practical, actionable steps that the audience can take post-presentation, making meaningful goal and the path forward clear and attainable. Additionally, leveraging rhetorical questions throughout the presentation can stimulate thinking and self-reflection, preparing the audience for the concluding call to action. It's also beneficial to share resources or tools that can aid in the implementation of these steps, thereby supporting the audience's journey from inspiration to action.

Illustrative Success Stories

The effectiveness of this approach is evident in presentations that have successfully spurred industry changes or motivated personal growth among audience members. For instance, a keynote on sustainable business practices might end successful presentation on climate change with a compelling call to action, urging companies to audit their environmental impact and commit to specific improvements. Such a presentation could share success stories of organizations that have made significant changes, offering a roadmap for others to follow. These real-world examples not only demonstrate the feasibility of the action steps but also provide the inspiration needed to embark on this path.

Research supports the efficacy of presentations that encourage reflection and prompt action. Studies in educational psychology suggest that individuals are more likely to retain information and apply it when they see clear, actionable paths forward. A survey conducted by a leading presentation design agency found that presentations ending with a strong call to action or reflective questions resulted in a 30% higher rate of audience members taking subsequent steps. This data underscores the importance of carefully crafting the conclusion of a presentation to ensure it not only resonates with the audience but also propels them toward meaningful action.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best topic for a business presentation?

The best topic for a business presentation is one that aligns with the interests and needs of your audience while also reflecting your expertise and passion. It should address current trends, challenges, or opportunities in your industry, offering valuable insights and actionable solutions. Topics that encourage innovation, discuss market dynamics, or share success stories tend to be particularly engaging.

What are the best presentation topics?

The best presentation topics are those that resonate with your audience, whether it is today's world, sharing cutting-edge industry insights, offering solutions to common challenges, or exploring new growth opportunities while promoting products and business plan. Topics like technological advancements, leadership strategies, customer experience improvements, and sustainability in business practices are universally relevant and engaging.

What should be in a business presentation?

A compelling business presentation should include a clear objective, a well-structured narrative, engaging content, and a strong call to action. It should start with a presentation requires a powerful opening to grab attention, followed by the presentation of key ideas supported by data and examples, effective transitions, and a memorable closing that encourages reflection and action.

How do you make a catchy presentation?

To make a catchy presentation, start with a compelling story or surprising fact, use a visually appealing presentation design, and incorporate interactive elements like polls or questions. Keep your slides concise and visually oriented, and deliver your presentation ideas and content with enthusiasm and confidence to engage your audience fully.

What is a good business presentation?

A good business presentation effectively communicates its message, engaging and persuading the audience. It is well-organized, clear, and concise, with a strong opening and closing, supportive visuals, and a confident delivery. It should also be tailored to the audience's interests and needs, making the content relevant and compelling.

What is a good 5-minute presentation?

A good 5-minute presentation is concise and focused, highlighting the most critical aspects of the topic with clarity and enthusiasm. It should have a clear structure—introduction, body, conclusion—and use engaging visuals and examples to support the main points. The key is to prioritize content that can be realistically covered in a short time while leaving a lasting impression.

The best presentation topics stimulate interest and curiosity, covering innovative solutions, industry trends, business topics, personal success stories, unique perspective, or insights into common challenges. Topics that offer value, whether through knowledge, inspiration, or practical advice, will always stand out.

What is a good title for a business presentation?

A good title for a business presentation is both descriptive and engaging, giving the audience a clear idea of the company culture what to expect while piquing their interest. It should be concise, memorable, and relevant to the audience find the content of the presentation, potentially incorporating a key benefit or intriguing question.

What are the best general topics?

The best general topics for presentations are those that have broad appeal, such as personal development, technology impacts modern society, sustainability, social justice, and mental health, and wellness. These topics can be tailored to fit a wide range of audiences and industries, offering valuable insights and discussions.

How much do presentation designers charge?

Presentation designers' charges vary widely based on prior experience, the complexity of the project, and geographical location. Rates can range from $50 to $200 per hour for freelance designers, with project-based fees varying from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the scope and requirements.

What is a good presentation,design agency?

A presentation design agency specializes in creating visually appealing and engaging presentation materials. They offer services ranging from slide design and storytelling to complete presentation redesign and makeovers, employing a team of designers, writers, and strategists to enhance the effectiveness of essential elements of your presentation.

Which company is best for presentation?

The best company for presentation services depends on your specific needs and budget. Companies like PowerPoint Design 24/7, SlideGenius, and Buffalo 7 are highly regarded for their quality, creativity, and range of specialized design services. It's essential to choose a company that aligns with your presentation goals and aesthetic preferences.

What does a presentation designer do?

A presentation designer focuses on creating visually compelling presentation materials that enhance communication and engagement. They work on slide design, and data visualizations, storytelling, and data visualization, ensuring that the first impression final presentation made is both informative and captivating to the audience.

Discover how we can create magic in your communication

Improving Business Presentation Skills through Technology

Final Thoughts: Mastering the Business Presentation for Lasting Impact

Recap of Key Insights from the Entire Guide Introduction to the Recap In the journey toward mastering business presentations, we've traversed through varied landscapes of skills, strategies, and insights. This recapitulation serves not just as a reminder but as a cornerstone for those aspiring to leave a lasting

The Top 10 Business Presentation Apps for Smartphone-Enhanced Presentations

Overview of Smartphone-Enhanced Presentation Apps Engaging Audiences Anytime, Anywhere: The Rise of Smartphone-Enhanced Presentation Apps In today's fast-paced world, the ability to deliver compelling presentations on the go has become indispensable for professionals across all industries. Smartphone-enhanced presentation apps have emerged as a revolutionary tool, transforming how we

Elevating Your Business Presentation: A Guide to Advancing Your Skills

Densifying areas for Personal Improvement in Presentation Skills Unlocking Potential: A Deep Dive into Creative Presentation ideas The journey to elevating your business presentation begins with a critical self-assessment, pinpointing areas ripe for enhancement. This introspection is pivotal for anyone aiming to leave a lasting impact through their presentations. By

Module 6. Oral Presentations

12. oral presentations.

For many students, and even for many professionals, the thought of making an oral presentation can be anxiety-inducing. But the ability to speak clearly and confidently in public is an important competency. Getting comfortable facing an audience—whether online or IRL (in real life)—can serve you well in your professional life, increase your self-confidence, and improve your ability to communicate with others in a variety of situations.

Learning Objectives

This chapter contains the following sections to help you develop confidence and skills in making presentations, whether individually or as part of a team, and in designing visually effective presentations:

• 12.1  Building Confidence as a Presenter
• Systematic process for deliberate practice
• Designing visual aids
• Visual rhetoric
• 12.4   Presenting as a Team
• This chapter is a derivative of Technical Writing Essentials by Susan Last, licensed under a Creative Commons 4.0 International License. Located at : https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/technicalwriting/ . License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike . License Terms : Technical Writing Essentials by Kim Wozencraft is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise indicated.
• This chapter is a derivative of Online Technical Writing by Dr. David McMurrey, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Located at : https://www.prismnet.com/~hcexres/textbook/ . License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike . License Terms : Technical Writing Essentials by Kim Wozencraft is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise indicated.

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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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Resource of the earth, community workers, 12.9k plays, describing and identifying shapes, ordinal numbers.

Oral presentation

16 questions

Introducing new   Paper mode

No student devices needed.   Know more

"Tell them what you are going to tell them" should be incorporated into which part of the planning outline?

Introduction

Main points

Conclusions

When choosing a presentation method, consider each of the following except....

equipment availability

the allotted time

seating capacity

the audience

Demonstration should be added into your presentation because....

adds interest to your talk

makes an impact on listeners

engages the audience

all of the above

___________ can be used to win over an audience, but could also detract from the presentation

None of the above

All of the following should be included in your presentation except __________

main points

picture captions

subtopics within each main point

introduction

All of the following are examples of oral presentations except a __________

keynote at a conference

workshop on geophysical methods

conference announcements

product demonstration to customers

Oral presentation vary in length, topic and _____________

preparation

Which of the following should not be done when using humor in a presentation?

tell a joke related to the topic of the presentation

use a joke to lighten up a very serious presentation

use a short, funny story as an introduction

none of the above

The general purpose of an oral presentation include all of the following except to ____________

direct others

present your research

Being a part of a team of presenters Arek is the last speaker before the lunch break. He has been allotted 15 minutes; however, all of the speakersahead of him are running over time. The presentation must be finished before the lunch break. Which of the following is the best choice for Arek?

Present according to original plan, but without Q&A

Request a later time and present then

Shorten presentation

Signal speaker before him to speed up or cut short

All of the following statements are guidelines for effective practice of your presentation except __________

memorize your notes

practice in front of a mirror

time yourself

practice using all the equipment you will need

Body language for the presentation should not include ________

making eye contact

standing straight

"Tell them what you told them" should be incorporated into which part of the presentation?

Perfect presentation should ________

use lots of slides

use figures and tables directly from publications

use small-print

The perfect background and font color for the slideshow is _______

yellow font on dark background

white font on dark background

blue font on white background

Bad choice of background and font color is ____________

red font on green background

white font on black background

red font on black background

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Oral presentation skill: what it is and how to develop it

• May 1, 2022

In each private and professional environment, effective communication is a fundamental skill. Among the various types of communication, oral shows stand out as an effective capability of conveying information, ideas, and opinions. Whether in academic, business, or social environments, the potential to deliver a compelling oral presentation can notably affect how your message is received. This article will discover what is oral presentation skills, the purpose of oral presentation, how to use them effectively, and when to use them in Presentation design services.

Table of Contents

What are Oral Presentation Skills?

Oral presentation skills refer to the ability to convey information and ideas through spoken words, body language, and visual aids in a structured and engaging manner. It involves organizing thoughts, tailoring content to the audience, and delivering the message confidently and clearly.

These skills encompass verbal and non-verbal communication techniques, ensuring your message is understood, remembered, and impactful.

The Purpose of Oral Presentation

These are the main purpose of Oral presentation skills:

1-Inform and Educate:

Oral presentations are an advantageous tool for disseminating know-how and information. Whether it is a business proposal, research finding, or an academic seminar, the main purpose is to inform and instruct the target market about the subject matter.

2-Persuade and Influence:

In a professional context, oral presentations are frequently used to persuade and affect stakeholders, customers, or colleagues. It could be a sales pitch, a project proposal, or a motivational talk to inspire action or change.

3-Showcase Skills:

Presentations can also showcase your expertise and proficiency in a particular field. A well-delivered presentation can leave a lasting impression and enhance credibility and reputation.

The different types of oral presentations

Luckily, there are different types of oral presentations. The type you give will depend on what’s needed in the situation! For example, an informative speech is typically used to educate your audience about something specific while a persuasive one tries convincing people around them that they should do/believe so-and it doesn’t matter if this works because both have their own purposes behind them anyway.

How to Use Oral Presentation Skills Effectively?

Here are some tips to improve your oral presentation skills effectively:

Know Your Audience:

Tailor your presentation to your audience’s needs, interests, and knowledge level. Understand their expectations and adjust your content accordingly to ensure maximum engagement.

Structure Your Presentation:

Organize your content into a clear and logical structure. Typically, a presentation consists of an introduction, main points with supporting evidence, and a conclusion. Ensure smooth transitions between sections to maintain flow.

Engaging Visuals:

Utilize visuals such as slides, videos, or props to complement your verbal message. Visual aids can enhance understanding and retention but avoid overwhelming the audience with too much information.

Practice and Rehearse:

Practice your presentation multiple times to become familiar with the content and delivery. Rehearsing also helps reduce nervousness and build confidence in communicating effectively.

Eye Contact and Body Language:

Maintain eye contact with the audience and use positive body language to create a connection. Gestures, facial expressions, and posture can convey confidence and enthusiasm, enhancing the impact of your message.

How to develop your oral presentation skills

To improve your oral presentation skills, be prepared and know the material inside out. Additionally, practice makes perfect! It’s helpful to pay attention not just to what you’re saying but also to how YOU are sounding–that is assuming people will actually listen anyway (which they won’t).

Eye contact can help engage an audience as well by making them feel like their opinion matters or that this person truly wants input from every single individual present at any given time during a speech/presentation session…all while smiling confidently with pride because these techniques work wonders even on oneself.

When do you need to Use Oral Presentation Skills?

1-academic settings:.

Students often use oral presentations to share research findings, present projects, or defend their theses. Mastering these skills boosts grades and prepares students for future professional endeavors.

2-Public Speaking Engagements:

Speaking at conferences, seminars, workshops, or occasions allows sharing knowledge, network, and construct recognition as a professional in your field.

3-Social and Personal Life :

Strong oral presentation capabilities are precious in daily life, whether or not speaking at family gatherings, handing over a toast at a wedding, or sharing thoughts in a neighborhood meeting.

4-Social and Personal Life:

Strong oral presentation skills are valuable in everyday life, whether speaking at family gatherings, delivering a toast at a wedding, or sharing ideas in a community meeting.

Tips for delivering an effective oral presentation

Here are a few tips to help you deliver an effective oral presentation. First, start off by grabbing your audience’s attention with an interesting opening sentence or phrase; keep them interested in what comes after that! And remember not everyone will understand all the jargon used during a technical conversation so try keeping things clear and simple – even if it means sacrificing some depth knowledge (which isn’t always bad!).

Practice makes perfect – the more you present, the better you’ll get!

Presentations are a common occurrence in today’s business world. Whether you’re giving an oral presentation to your team or pitching for investors, being able to communicate effectively and inspire lively will set clients’ minds at ease when they hear from YOU! Here is some advice on how best to approach this essential skill: Maintain eye contact with every person who speaks during yours as well as their own reactions; don’t get distracted by anything around them (including other people) because it can cause hesitation which makes someone else more comfortable speaking up instead – even if what was said wasn’t exactly relevant towards our current topic discussion., Use gestures often so everyone understands where certain points lie within the overall message.

Based on your current knowledge about what is Oral presentation skills, you are aware that they are valuable in today’s fast-paced and interconnected world. Mastering these skills allows you to communicate your ideas effectively, influence others positively, and showcase your expertise. You can become a confident and impactful communicator in any setting by understanding the purpose, honing the techniques, and recognizing when to employ oral presentation skills. So, embrace the challenge, practice, and watch as your ability to connect and inspire others soars to new heights.

What are the 5 Ps of oral presentation?

The 5Ps of Oral presentation are planning, preparation, practice, performance, and passion, which can guide you to a successful presentation.

What is the difference between public speaking and oral presentation?

The main factor of public speaking is the involvement with the live audience. However oral presentations can be carried out with or without a live audience.

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Question: 1. Which of the following statements about business presentations and speaking skills is most accurate? a. Speaking skills are useful only for individuals in upper-level positions. b. Organizations today are increasingly interested in hiring people with good presentation skills. c. For many positions only technical skills are needed, not communication

1. Which of the following statements about business presentations and speaking skills is most accurate?

a. Speaking skills are useful only for individuals in upper-level positions.

b. Organizations today are increasingly interested in hiring people with good presentation skills.

c. For many positions only technical skills are needed, not communication skills.

d. Oral presentations in the workplace are necessary only when you must motivate action.

2. Which of the following statements about preparing for an oral presentation is not accurate?

a. Many people feel a great deal of anxiety when getting ready for an oral presentation.

b. You can lay the foundation for a professional performance by focusing on preparation, organization, audience rapport, visual aids, and delivery.

c. If you prepare well, you will eliminate all your fears of public speaking.

d. For many people, fear of speaking before a group is even greater than fear of dying.

3. The most important part of preparing for an oral presentation is

a. analyzing the audience.

b. determining the purpose.

c. gathering research.

d. deciding what you’re going to wear so that you’ll look professional.

4. Which of the following is the best example of a statement of purpose for an oral presentation?

a. To persuade the board of directors to offer stock options to all employees.

b. To persuade my audience in a short, interesting, and effective speech.

c. This oral presentation will both entertain and inform the listeners about my topic.

d. The next hurricane could cause even more widespread gas shortages, which we can’t afford.

5. After stating your purpose for the presentation, what is your next important step?

a. Conducting research

b. Checking out the room where the presentation will be made

c. Preparing your PowerPoint slides

d. Analyzing the audience

6. After analyzing your audience, you have decided that audience members will be friendly and interested in your topic. What delivery style should you use?

a. You should be warm, pleasant, and open; and you should use a lot of eye contact and smiles.

b. You should be calm and controlled, and you should speak evenly and slowly.

c. You should be controlled and do nothing showy; you should use confident, small gestures.

d. You should be dynamic and entertaining; you should also use large gestures and move around.

7. Some repetition in oral presentations

a. is necessary because speaking speed is much greater than listening speed.

b. is helpful because it increases audience comprehension and retention.

c. bores listeners and should be avoided.

d. encourages daydreaming and makes the speaker sound unprepared.

8. The introduction to your oral presentation should do all but which of the following?

a. Preview the main points of your presentation.

b. Capture your listeners’ attention and get them involved.

c. Develop the main point with adequate explanation and details.

d. Introduce yourself and establish your credibility.

9. Jessica tells the audience that she has been a social networking professional for five years and that she has helped over 100 local businesses learn how to use social networking for marketing purposes. She is attempting to

a. capture her listeners’ attention and get them involved.

b. preview the main points of her presentation.

c. present the main goals of her presentation.

d. identify herself and establish credibility.

10. At the beginning of his presentation, Zachary asked, Do you want to cut your commute costs by more than 75 percent? By asking this question, Zachary is

a. identifying himself and establishing credibility.

b. previewing the main points of his presentation.

c. capturing listeners’ attention and getting them involved.

d. misleading his audience

True-False (2.5 marks):

• Speaking skills are useful at every career stage. True
• The most important part of preparation for an oral presentation is deciding the purpose. True
• Once you have determined the kind of audience you will have, the most important step is to plan your presentation so that it focuses on audience benefits. True
• Good organization and conscious repetition are the two most powerful keys to audience comprehension and retention.
• It may be appropriate to begin a speech with a promise, a question, an anecdote, and even a joke.
• You can avoid one of the biggest problems with most oral presentations if you focus your speech on a few key ideas.
• Nathan is presenting statistics about the diversity of college students in different parts of the country. He will most likely organize by chronology.
• A professional way to end a presentation is to say something like That’s it .
• Anecdotes or quotations should be used only in introductions, not in conclusions, to business presentations.
• You will make the best connection with your audience by providing the hard, dry facts and avoiding personalized statistics or personal anecdotes.

Fill-in-the-Blank (3 marks)

1. _________ analysis issues include size, age, gender, experience, and professional background.

2. You should capture listeners’ attention, introduce yourself, establish your credibility, and preview your topic in the _________ of your presentation.

3. Your main points should be developed in the _________ of your presentation.

4. In the ___________ of your presentation, you should summarize your main themes and leave the audience with something memorable.

5. A comparison of similar traits between dissimilar things, such as Searching for the gene that causes this disease is similar to looking for one, specific, tiny pebble on the bottom of the ocean, is a(n) _______________.

6. Knowledgeable speakers help the audience recognize the organization and main points in an oral message with ____________ signposts that keep listeners on track.

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Consider the four statements given and evaluate which seems most accurate with regard to the importance of speaking skills in business; in this case, option b suggests that organizations value good presentation skills.

A n s w e r :

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Preparing and Delivering Oral Presentations

Fundamentals of presenting, plan a presentation.

The fundamentals of public speaking remain the same in any context, be it classroom, conference, parliament or crowded city square. Good public speakers use simple and clear language to communicate complex points. They pause when they speak, and they deliver their message with confidence derived from their knowledge and preparation.

A good presentation:

Has a focused and relevant message

• Is clearly organized and supported by evidence
• Demonstrates understanding and analysis of ideas
• Is delivered calmly and confidently

Focus and Purpose

A presentation is not a dry list of disconnected facts. Like lab reports or essays, it makes a specific point. Start by asking yourself “So What?” Determine thethe most important point you wish to make and identify why it is important.

Plan your presentation to suit your audience. Consider their familiarity with the subject and their purpose for listening to your presentation. Classmates will likely have some background on the topic, and because they are keenly aware that they will eventually present to you, they are usually quite generous in their reception of your talk.

A logical structure supports a clear and focused message, and it stops you from leaping from idea to idea, which can make it difficult for your audience to understand your talk.

Introduction:

• Tell the audience who you are and present your main argument with key background information.
• Explain why your presentation is important.
• Build a rapport with the audience to help them follow what comes next.

Body of your presentation:

• The largest section of your presentation
• It supports your main argument with specific examples.
• Visual aids clarify your points and lend credibility to your presentation.

Conclusion:

• A strong conclusion summarizes your main points.
• Use key words from your introduction to briefly re-state your argument.
• End your presentation with a simple, strong statement.

Preparation

Rather than prepare a script, create a plan for each section or idea with point form notes. A good presentation is not written down word for word or memorized but instead is a discussion of a subject you know inside and out. Speaking from point form notes keeps your delivery fresh. Remember, you are talking to people, not reading at them.

Key technical details can be written down, but it make sure that you include only essential information as too many technical details may confuse your audience and cause them to tune out.

Visual Aids

Visual aids, like PowerPoint slides or printed handouts, offer structure for your presentation and help the audience follow the main points. Visual aids may be bulleted lists or outlines, charts or figures, or images that show important details that would take time to explain orally. Use visual aids to complement, rather than compete, with your presentation. If they are not necessary or helpful, don’t use them.

And never read the exact words from slides that you present.

For a detailed examination of using PowerPoint, explore our “Using PowerPoint" guide .

Rehearse! Focus on tone, volume, word choice, transitions, pauses and pacing. Note time limits. Time yourself and revise as appropriate. Practice your presentation before a friend or family member and ask for feedback.

Get to the room well ahead of time. Listen to some relaxing music if this helps you. Make sure the technology is all up and running if you need to use it.

Chat with people in the audience before you present. This breaks the ice, creates    connections, personalizes the encounter and helps you feel more confident.

Experts often suggest that you focus your presentation on a group of individuals instead of the entire audience. This makes it seem as if you are speaking to a smaller group

Pace and Volume

Take it slow. The single biggest mistake inexperienced speakers make is going too fast. [SB1] Remember that your audience is hearing the material for the first time and isn't nearly as familiar with the topic as you are.

Speak loudly and clearly. Practice pronouncing difficult words in advance.

Body Language and Eye Contact

Make and maintain eye contact with your audience. Always face your audience; avoid reading from your slide presentation and try to look up from your notes regularly.

Stand tall at the front of the room. Don’t sit down, lean on a desk or hide behind a lectern. Try not to sway back and forth.

Answering Questions

Leave time to answer questions, and prepare in advance for possible questions your audience may ask. You can pause to gather your thoughts before you reply, and if something is outside of your comfort zone, simply (and confidently) say “that is outside the scope of this research.”

Share your Personality

Try to have some fun, put your personality into the presentation while maintaining professional decorum. Make the presentation uniquely yours – people will remember you and your message.