Some Quick Tips

Hi!

I'm instructing the second pilot of the advanced presentation skills course I'm developing for Intel University next week in Oregon. One of the requests that came out of last month's pilot in Chandler was for me to put together a list of some quick presenting tips. I'm sure it'll grow as time goes by, but here it is:

• Have a water bottle handy. Taking a quick drink will not only help your voice, but will give you a moment to collect your thoughts. You audience might not be patient while you stand there and think, but no one will begrudge you a drink of water.

• Give ARs (Action Required for you non-Intel folks) to hecklers. If someone is giving you a hard time by asking off-topic questions, give them the AR to follow-up with you. Acknowledge that the topic is important (even if it’s not), but not a subject you’re prepared to cover in this presentation. This will put the burden of follow-up on them, and should keep them from bugging you for the rest of your presentation.

• Hold pre-presentation sync 1:1s (a two-person meeting). This may seem like a waste of time, but if you can get the folks most likely to object to your ideas on board before the meeting, then you’ll have a much easier time convincing everyone else. This is especially helpful if the main decision-maker is going to be looking to these folks for input.

• Empty your pockets. If you’re the type to put your hands in your pockets, then you should find nothing there that can be a distraction. Even if you’re not, it’s a good idea as too much stuff in your pockets could make you look strange. Anything that distracts your audience from your message is a bad thing.

• Connect your eye contact to your words. Rather than look around constantly, make eye contact with your audience in accordance with your words. Establish eye contact for the duration of a single (~3 second) phrase or sentence; then break the contact right after you complete the thought.

• Keep your hands by your sides. If you keep your hands by your sides when you’re not gesturing, then the gestures you do will have more impact. Gestures should be deliberate and complimentary to the message.

Thanks,
Matt