Presentation Potential
You have the undivided attention of a number of people who have some reason to be interested in what you have to say!
What is your Presentation Potential?
You have the undivided attention of a number of people who have some reason to be interested in what you have to say!
Everyone can give a presentation, right?
It’s not complicated. Decide what you want to tell people. Throw a few slides together. Get some statistics that support your argument and off you go. That’s the way most business presentations are done. We tell people what it is we think they need to know.
But let’s back up a minute.
Presentation Potential
What is the potential or opportunity of a presentation?
Well for a period of time, you have the undivided attention of a number of people who have some reason to be interested in what you have to say. They want to know what’s on your mind.
Ok so let’s put in a bit more effort. Most people can and generally do, do this using PowerPoint or a word programme which they transfer to a PowerPoint.
The thinking is logical, the arguments proceed in an appropriate fashion usually using bullet points, lists, information, and statistics. In fact, the end result will be a pleasing, comforting, well-shaped piece that lets me know exactly what you think and why.
All good, but hang on,
You have the undivided attention of a number of people who have some reason to be interested in what you have to say!
Surely there is a more significant opportunity here?
What is your true potential as a presenter?
Well, let’s start by extending our definition of a presentation.
Think beyond the time you have their precious undivided attention.
Let’s think of your presentation as a living thing with a life before and after your 20 minutes in the spotlight.
Let’s give it a name, give it a reason for being, give it purpose, give it history and future desire.
Now we’re getting somewhere. Now they’ll listen and remember, won’t they?
Nah.
We’re still missing something here. It’s still ordinary. It’s still passive.
Remember you have the undivided attention of a number of people who have some reason to be interested in what you have to say!
Ok so let’s take that powerpoint and give it its true place. That PowerPoint is your preparation and speaking notes. That’s all.
Your audience should never see it.
So what can you show them that’s more powerful?
Well once you’ve ditched the words in your well-constructed script you’re left with anything and everything that isn’t words.
Pictures, graphs, photos, props (things you and they can touch and hold), other people, iconography, logos, video, audio clips…
Suddenly there is endless material and your job is now to pare it down to the most powerful and useful.
But we’re still not done.
It’s you we have to work with now. You are the deliverer of the good (or bad) news.
What do they want from you?
Not much really, they just want your passion, your belief. They want to be entertained, to be engaged, challenged, excited, and rewarded.
Make them feel. Give them heroes and villains.
They want suspense and a glorious ending.
They want something to take away that they will remember forever.
Sooo.
Now we see the true potential of your presentation.
If it seems like too much of a challenge, too much hard work, think of it this way.
Take up the challenge of achieving your true presentation potential.
Fail miserably.
You will still be head and shoulders above the original presentation you were thinking of delivering when we started.
You have the undivided attention of a number of people who have some reason to be interested in what you have to say!
Make good use of that gift.
Check out Impact Factory’s
Five-day Elite Presentation with Impact Course
and
Presentation Potential
By Jo Ellen Grzyb, Director, Impact Factory
