Do you dread making presentations?
For many people giving a presentation is their worst nightmare, a task to be avoided whenever possible. Presentations can turn seemingly confident professionals into quivering wrecks. Where they are assured, and eloquent sitting around a meeting room table, the moment they have to stand up and command attention they go into panic mode and struggle to get through to the end. And of course, there’s the added stress of knowing that there may be a lot riding on that presentation-it’s a horrible and uncomfortable feeling. I even know of people who won’t put themselves forward for promotion simply because the new role would involve presenting to large groups of senior colleagues.
Improve your presentation skills in 2015
So what better way to start 2015 than tackle things head on and make a resolution to become a great presenter! I’m going to be posting a series of short articles covering my top 10 tips for improving your presentation skills-all based on my experience of delivering training in presentation skills to almost 2,000 people in the last 8 years.
Whether you are just starting out in your sales career, or you’re a reluctant presenter who knows there’s room for improvement, these tips will help you feel calmer, more in control and more confident the next time you stand up to speak.
Presentation skills: top tip #1- enthusiasm
A good presentation requires energy and enthusiasm from the presenter- something Steve Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft has in spades- as he more than ably demonstrates in this unforgettable clip, which even if you have seen previously is always worth a second viewing!
Okay, it is over the top. and that kind of approach by anyone other than him would no doubt have audiences racing for the nearest exit. But there’s no denying he grabs his audiences attention and has them immediately on side.
For a presentation to be successful, enthusiasm is an essential ingredient. Your enthusiasm alone has the power to engage the audience, persuade them to believe in what you are saying. The more passionate you are, the more belief your audience will have in you.
Believe in what you are presenting, let your enthusiasm show-but keep a vision of Steve Ballmer in your head as a measure of what too much enthusiasm looks like!