Course Outline

A good presentation begins with a good introduction

• Instructor introduction
• Instructor outline of course objectives
• Mini presentation by each participant (video taped but not critiqued) covering:
  • Participant introductions
  • Survey and interactive session to define current personal strong points and weaknesses, and
  • desired outcome from the course
• Session summary and critique by course director

Analysis of a great presentation
This module has two objectives. The first is to recognise there is no single ideal presentation style, but each person is capable of developing a style that is ideal for their character and personality.

The second objective is to emphasise that a strategic approach to preparation and delivery of presentations will usually result in the best outcome, and can settle pre-presentation nerves.

• Key reasons for presenting
• Overview of the four key factors – objectives, audience, content and structure, and delivery style
• The preparation process in overview
• The components of the actual presentation – content and delivery style in overview

Planning & preparation
As in project management, failing to plan is planning to fail, yet so many projects continue to fail largely through lack of planning.
This module will reveal how the same applies to public speaking and presenting, and to understand and apply the preparation techniques essential to effective presentations.

• Define objectives in detail
• Create interesting content to achieve presentation objectives
• Know your audience, and using information to improve presentation delivery
• Develop a thorough checklist for preparation and delivery of a great presentation
• Structure the ideal mix of achieving objectives, engaging audiences, content and delivery style
• Design a room layout that suits the venue and presentation style for maximum speaker – audience rapport

The importance of the introduction – How to plan & deliver one
Emphasise the importance of the presentation introduction in engaging the audience and taking their attention fully away from all distractions, making them eager to hear what you have to say.

• 7 techniques for a presentation opening that instantly builds audience rapport
• Use the speaker’s introducer (chairperson or master of ceremonies) to commence the audience engagement process
• Make the introduction relevant to the overall purpose
• Hint at your objectives during the introduction or early on

Maintaining interest during the body of your presentation

• Understand how and why audience interest levels fluctuate
• Techniques for minimising fluctuations in audience interest levels
• Audio visual – what’s available, what not to do in using it, and how to use it to really enhance any presentation
• Audience interaction – they either love it or hate it. How to ensure they love it before you go too far with it
• Add professionalism using stage positioning, specialist techniques for changing positions, moving among the audience, and using smooth transitions between key parts of your delivery

Concluding your presentation

• Why the closing is an important time to keep original objectives in mind
• Techniques for reinforcing objectives while establishing strong memory connections
• Make the audience feel good about you, your material, and most importantly, themselves
• Close with style and professionalism – the theory and practice of several proven techniques

Using humour in presentations

• How humour differs from comedy
• Sourcing humorous material, and using it effectively
• Nothing beats personal experience – but where do we find funny material from our personal experiences
• 7 simple principles for humour in any (appropriate) presentation
• How to weave the ideal amount of appropriate humour material into your presentation
• When one should never use humour
• How practice in ‘improvisation’ techniques can greatly enhance a presenter’s humour delivery abilities

Performance aspects of presentation

• Understand fear of presenting, and pre-presentation nerves
• Techniques for eliminating fear of public speaking forever
• Techniques for converting pre-presentation nerves into positive performance energy
• Using the tools we possess – voice improvement exercises, and techniques to enhance vocal range
• Using voice to evoke emotion
• The importance of pacing and pausing. Using pausing for emphasis, impact and emotion
• How to avoid using a lectern, and how to use it properly if you must
• Stagecraft – using lighting, stage space and relationship with the audience to maximum advantage