how to make a good presentation

Definition of presentationPresentations are brief discussions of a focused topic delivered to a group of listeners in order to impart knowledge or to stimulate discussion.  They are similar to short papers with an introduction, main body and conclusion.  The ability to give brief presentations is a learned skill and one that is called on frequently in the workplace. 

Pre Condition of PRESENTATIONS

First, remember that your goal is communicationAll presentations should follow particular outlineThink about the presentation beforehandUse PowerPoint beautifully Face your audience at all times Be very clear about how much time you have Be very clear about your key messageEnsure that the slides look good

This is the basic structure

1. Introduction

2. Main part (body)

3. Conclusion

4. Question & Answer session

Plan you presentation carefully

This means that you need to plan every part carefully. Your presentation must tell a story. At this stage you are like a screen-writer, Someone who is writing a play.

Preparation at home

When you plan your presentation you need to answer the following questions:

1. Who is my audience? 2. How am I going to organise my topic? 3. How long should my presentation be? 4. What visual support shall I use?

Making an effective opening

Give them a problem to think about Give them some amazing facts.Give them a story or a personal anecdoteMake a funny remarkRecord a music piece perhaps

There are several ways how to attract the audience right from the beginning. Think of one of the following techniques to introduce your talk:

IntroductionIntroduction is probably the most important part. The Purpose of theintroduction is “to tell the audience what you are going to tell them”.

During the introduction you need to achieve the following aims:

Gain Attention

attract Interestcreate Desire

stimulate Action

Possible Introduction Scheme:

1. Start with welcoming courtesies/introduce yourself (as like) Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to my presentation. It’s very nice to see you all here today.2. State the purpose of your talk, using one of the techniques (as like) Can we get started? Let me say just a few words about this particular issue……3. Give a route map (as like) Tell them how long will your presentation take. 4. Give the rules (as like) Do you allow to be interrupted or should your audience keep questions until the end?

Presenter as an “actor”

When you come to stand on the podium (মঞ্চ) you become the actor

of your presentation. During your presentation you are going to speak

and not read from your notes. This means using your voice, and also

your body language. What is importnat is that you establish eye contact with each member of your audience. You need to think in

advance: Where shall I stand? How shall I keep eye contact? Where shall I keep my hands? What if I get lost?

• the speaker was nervous• the speaker was disorganised• the speaker never looked at me• the speaker had bad accent• the speaker did not sound enthusiastic• the speaker was monotonous• the visuals were bad• I was irritated by his/her clothing• the speaker was speaking too softly• the speech was confused; I didn’t know what he/she was trying to tell me

This is what irritates people during presentations

Putting parts together

Particularly if you are working in a group it is important that you put the parts of your speech in a logical sequence. Your presentation needs to tell a story and be told in a simple language so that the audience can follow you. Include only the information that is relevant to your audience and your objective. What approach should you use? Formal or informal? Lots of visual aids or only a few? But remember, your time is always limited.

Language matters: Spoken vs. Written Style

The language of presentations is different from the language that is used in publications. The language used in books was meant for reading, so the sentences are rather complex and long. However, when we talk to someone we try to tell things in a simple and understandable way. You should make your language as simple and clear as you can. Make your sentences short and simple.

Apply the KISS principle: Keep It Simple Stupid.

Use active verbs. Active verbs are much easier to understand.

Active Verbs:- Toyota sold two million cars last year. Passive Verbs:- Two million cars were sold by Toyota last year.

Ending your talk

When you come to the end of your presentation you need to indicate this to the people.

Follow this scheme:

• summarise facts• give recommendations• give proposals

Thank the audience

Invite questions

Ending your talk : useful phrases

Thanking the audience & Inviting questions

•Thank you for your attention and if you have any questions I’ll be pleased to answer them.• I’ll be happy to answer any questions.• Are there any questions you’d like to ask?

Wrapping up• This brings me to the end of my presentation.• Let me just run over the key points again…• To sum up briefly…• To conclude …• As we’ve seen…• So, my recommendation is ….• I would welcome any suggestions.

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HOW TO SUCCEED AT INTERVIEWS !!!!

PRIOR TO INTERVIEW Completed CV or Application Form Employer is interested

SkillsQualificationsPotential Commitment

DO NOT WASTE THIS OPPORTUNITY

TYPES OF INTERVIEWS

Face to faceTelephone – unannounced, prearranged, sales

or research emphasisSequentialPanelGroupVideo

PREPARATION Study employer’s literature, website,

etc. Research post

Duties and responsibilities Skills and Knowledge required Why the job interests you Why this company?

Research typical interviewer’s questions

Prepare some questions to ask employer

AT THE INTERVIEW Arrive on time Dress appropriately Be friendly – do not be afraid to smile Speak clearly Emphasise the positive – play down the negative Make good eye contact Be honest – don’t waffle If you do not understand the question, ask for

clarification Don’t fidget

Interview BasicsNEVER DO Sell yourself short - “I’ve only….” Make excuses Lie Reveal confidential information Run down their competitors Confuse arrogance with confidence Look disinterested

BODY LANGUAGEThe interviewer notices:

How you look, sit and act – where are my hands?

Eye contact – who do I look at in a panel interview?

Style, tone and delivery of voice – talking too fast?

How confident you appear – smile!

Most Wanted List…

Oral Communicat

ion

Time Management

IT Skills

Team WorkingMulti-tasking

Decision Making

Problem Solving Managing own learning

Presentation

SkillsWritten Communicati

on

ENERGY

Competency Based Interview Usually one-on-one You will be asked to describe your behaviour

according to: STAR The Situation in which it occurred or the Task you

were assigned The Action you took The Result

S T

A R

Tell me about yourself…? Your personal statement

summarising:

EducationSkillsExperienceCareer Objective

Theme: what I can do for YOUR company

TYPICAL QUESTIONS Tell me about yourself Tell me about your course What project work have you done? Why did you decide to study business? What have you learned from your vacation jobs? Why do you think you are suited to this job? Where do you see yourself in 5 years time? What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? What is your greatest achievement to date? What have you done that shows Why you for this position? Have you any questions?

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE INTERVIEWERAsk appropriate job-related questionsWork and TrainingColleaguesLocationSalary and Prospects

After the Interview! Learn from it! Was there anything you could have done better or

differently? Take on board feedback from the InterviewerRECAP Interviews are difficult to attain Don’t waste the opportunity To fail to prepare is to prepare to fail Prepare for typical questions Anticipate “searching” questions Prepare questions you want to ask the employer Think like the interviewer

from

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