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Presentation Effectiveness For All
 
We are such a judgmental lot aren’t we!  We form opinions about people within seconds of seeing them, often even before we hear them speak.  We judge their dress, their body language, their style without knowing anything about them as a person.  We are slow to unwind our first impression as well, so those first seconds of any interaction are vital. 
 
We are all critics too, when it comes to presentations. We want the best, we want to be educated, entertained, wowed in our seats and we are usually disappointed.  We carry that history of disappointment around with us like heavy baggage, to the next presentation.  We shamelessly hold others to a level of accountability, we never wish imposed upon us!
 
The cold, hard reality is that Presentation Effectiveness can be a make or break skill in the workplace. At some point in your career you will be asked to present information to a group. It doesn't have to be a formal occasion.  It might just mean answering a question or being invited to express a view or opinion. It is your job to ensure that you are ready to step up to the call. An individual who can present confidently and effectively immediately differentiates themselves from the rest of the group. Whether you are a pro or a beginner with presenting or public speaking, here are some practical tips for improving your presentation and communications skills.
 
Getting Rid of the Stress of Public Speaking
 
Many people are terrified of speaking in front of a group. Everyone is staring at you, your palms are sweating, your pulse is racing, strangely your throat feels suddenly dry and parched, your energy levels have dropped to precipitous levels, your knees might even be knocking as the fight or flight adrenalin kicks in.
 
Many of us can accomplish pulling off a presentation, but feel a certain amount of fear and stress. Speaking in front of groups does not have to be stressful or nerve racking; instead, the experience can help you stand out and get noticed.
 
Here are some tips that will help you fight through your anxiety and deliver an effective presentation:
 
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
 
If you have a complete understanding of your material, it will definitely give you an advantage during your presentation. However, do not feel you have to memorize your material; you just need to be familiar with it. 
 
You can read key points as mental prompts to help you keep the flow going in the best order, but don’t read it if you can avoid it.  Many people are wedded to their text. They spend the entire time making eye contact with their own words on the sheet in front of them, rather than with their audience and then wonder why nobody was impressed with their presentation.  Look at your audience – talk to them as if it was fireside chat, be relaxed and engage with everyone.  I recall a brilliant lecture I attended at Harvard Business School, as part of an Executive Education Programme.  One of the Professors had written down a list of 10 words on the back wall behind the audience.  This was his 3 hour lecture presented entirely without any visible notes.  A list of key words you talk to can be your presentation too or you might use the slide deck as the navigation to move your talk along.
 
Open with Confidence.
 
Here is a big secret - only you know you are terrified.  Unless you tell us, we will imagine you are competent, after all that is what we are expecting.  Japan of course, loves to start a presentation with an apology, often mentioning what a hopeless speaker the individual is.  No, no, no!  If you are sick don’t tell us.  If you are nervous don’t tell us.  If you are sad because your cat died, don’t tell us. Don’t say anything about how you feel, because then the focus is on you and not where it should be - on your audience.  Work the room instead – focus outward not inward.
 
Your opening gives your audience a first impression of your presentation. Make sure n