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Present yourself
by Karin Call
November 13, 2000
If the thought of public speaking makes your synapses melt down, you’re not alone. Many people sell their computers rather than succumb to giving the dreaded speech.
An exaggeration? Perhaps. But avoiding the occasional presentation is a common phenomena in the workplace. Not to worry. Learn how to appropriately present yourself right here. Your fears and stresses can be alleviated and those disastrous presentations can be headed off at the pass.
It's just a matter of time before your boss asks you to present a project to the bigwigs or explain a new software system to the troops. If you happen to be the sole employee with knowledge on one particular subject, you might have to stand up to the plate. No more bribing your friends, ducking into bathrooms, or faking laryngitis — nobody would believe you anyway.
What's your style?
Do you normally just wing it, since, everyone knows, technical talks are inherently boring anyway? Why bother improving your presentation skills? Well, you don't have
Presenting information is an unavoidable evil at times. If you're good at it, you will get a rep for being an illustrious communicator, as well as a brilliant IT person. That’s a lethal combination.
Where to begin
Start by summarizing what will be covered. Keep in mind that words written for a speech should be conversational. Act like you’re among friends – but the kind you don’t swear in front of, of course. And avoid sounding as though you are reading straight from the manual. After all, they could RTFM on their own time (though you and I know they never will).
Begin your speech with a preview of what you plan to talk about – tell them what you plan to say. Then, expand upon everything provided in the preview, point by point. Finish by quickly summarizing the information. Don’t drag the end out like your downloading a new version of IE on a 33.6K modem. That’s excruciating.
Worry about that later
Terry C. Smith, an author of the book "Making Successful Presentations," prepares a total of one hour for every minute he plans to talk. Your prep time will undoubtedly differ - but the point is to spend plenty of time putting your speech in order. Preparedness shows, just as it does when you’re not ready.
Vary it
Different people absorb information in various ways. PowerPoint presentations, for example, help grab the attention of visual learners. But slide shows can be disastrous if not delivered well.
For example, have you ever tried focusing on a particular slide, then it suddenly gets zipped away from you? You know the type of speaker I’m describing: the one who has a remote and plans to use it - faster than the speed of light. Everything turns into a frustrating blur.
Or, take the slow as molasses type of slide show. You can memorize the slide, fit in a 10-minute snooze, and count ceiling tiles in between clicks. Therefore, it may be useful to know that a comfortable speed one slide for every minute of speech.
Know your people
You need to know who will be listening to you. But let's not become fanatics. It’s not necessary to run a background check on each audience participant. Just have an idea about how your audience will use the information you are presenting. Are you showing colleagues how this new computer system will solve their problems? Like how to get dates and grow hair?
Or are you trying to prove to the Board of Directors that this new computer system will make their company run more smoothly and efficiently? Your audience's viewpoint will have an effect on many factors of your speech: the terminology you use, the depth with which you express your ideas and information, and the actual content.
The uber-brain
You're obviously knowledgeable about the subject, or else you wouldn't have been invited to speak. But this doesn't mean you know it all.
Is this news to you? Well, interestingly enough, many good speakers supplement their speeches with outside research and examples. Search the Internet, get on the phone or send out e-mail to colleagues and experts in the field. Pick up an idea, some advice, or an anecdote regarding the subject so you can reinforce your topic.
You're so funny
Use humor to lighten a heavy technical topic. By the same token, overdone humor can ruin a perfectly fine presentation. If you try to be the Jay Leno of the technical world, you may erode your own credibility. And never use off-color humor - it is bound to alienate someone in the crowd. And avoid leading with a prepared joke. If it fails, you have just set the tone for the remainder of your speech. Who’s laughing now?
How annoying
Does your voice drone on and on, in a monotone? Do you jingle the keys in your pocket? Are you, ummm, using one word more frequently than any other word in the Webster's New World Dictionary? And what's with the pointer? Some speakers must believe that pointers are swords to be waved around, just in case someone in the audience is up for a duel.
Nothing is more enlightening than practicing your speech using a cassette tape or videocamera. Even better, ask a brutally honest real person (how about your ex?) to listen and critique a dry run of your presentation. Brace yourself for the feedback - those unconscious habits will surprise you.
Best laid plans
Rehearse your gestures. Look for places to move naturally and gesticulate smoothly as you speak. And practice those movements. You don’t want to look like your dancing the Funky Chicken.
Keep that crucial eye contact. And remember to step away from the podium. It may help to arrive early so that you can get to know the room, too. Just don't start gesticulating wildly and loudly driving your point home to the empty room. If someone should arrive early and see you, they may end up calling for a straight jacket. And where will that get you.
Nervous?
Join the club. An estimated 80% of the population has some level of fear about speaking in public, according to psychologists. It will help if you know your material and practice the delivery. Experience may lessen stage fright.
So does practicing breathing techniques: breathe in slowly, hold your breath for four seconds, and slowly exhale. Some therapists say that visualizing a successful speech makes it so. If all else fails, use the old standby: imagine your audience in their underwear. But stop snickering!
You can do it
Even the best presenters make mistakes. Just pick up and keep going. With your speech, that is, not out the door. The audience will give you points for not being a quitter. So wipe off those sweaty palms and begin your well-practiced presentation. Go ahead and dazzle them with your remarkable knowledge and ability. It won’t hurt a bit and you may end up enjoying yourself.
Recommended Links:
http://www.toastmasters.org
Toastmasters International
http://www.ljlseminars.com/aspects.htm
Seven aspects of dynamic presentations
http://www.ee.ed.ac.uk/~gerard/Management/art1.html
Presentation skills for emergent managers
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