OOP’s that wasn’t meant to happen.

During presentations occasionally things go wrong. When things do not go as expected the key is not to panic and stay calm.  How many times have you sat through a presentation or training session and heard the line “It normally works at this point”, or “It worked fine this morning?" These lines are not what you want to hear as a delegate.  As a delegate you want to see the product in its best light. 

There are circumstances when something might go amiss which could have amusing connotations. 

These are generally outside the presenter’s control. This small burst in unscripted humour can be both a pause for breath for the audience and for you as the presenter to take a valuable few seconds to compose ready for the next important topic of the presentation.

What we will focus on are those items that are under your control as a presenter.

Software updates

Software updates are one of the most dangerous areas for presenters. Even more so in the current climate of tablets where automatic updates can be enabled, PC users will be familiar with experiencing Windows updates. These updates can have a dramatic effect if your computer connects to a WiFi network. An update can take place, which invariably slows the computers performance for a short while. More often than not this leads to the computer needing a reboot.  If the reboot notification is not cancelled the computer can shut down halfway through your presentation. For that reason try to have automatic updates switched off.

Virus software

Virus software can work in a similar way slowing down the computer performance whilst updates are taking place. For most tasks this may not even be noticed but start playing a video during a presentation and loading may become an issue, let alone performance. Therefore we recommend switching off these updates also.

Office connectivity

Office connectivity provides a standard and expected way of working, with shared diaries, email, interactive whiteboards and files stored online. Presentations in offices do provide their own set of problems.  Make sure during your presentation that email is switched off.  The group of delegates or key business figures do not want to see a notification pop on the screen stating you have an email from a friend inviting you to a drunken party that evening, fancy dress optional. The same can be said for any active social media sites you may be running.

Upgrades

Upgrades in software do provide many opportunities for the presenter and trainer to fall down.  Small changes in layout when you are in full flight during a presentation of software can lead to the thought of “Where has that icon disappeared too”. Alternatively new icons appear in unexpected position. 

Importantly as well, do not leave it to chance that old files will automatically load. New software may prevent older file versions loading or if they do load check that they open and that the layout is as expected. 

Therefore be vigilant when upgrading software, always run through and experience the upgraded version as much as possible ahead of a presentation.  

By following these tips your presentations will run smoother and without any unwelcome intrusion.

Your next presentation

Your next presentation

When you start preparing for your next presentation, take a step back and get a feel for what is at stake and the potential business to be gained. This should give an indication of the time needed to prepare and the level the presentation is aimed. One presentation very rarely fits all levels of management, with regard to information required.

If the direct consequence of a presentation is going to be worth millions to an organisation then quality time needs to be created to get the key message, presentation and delivery absolutely perfect. If you don’t your competitors will.

So are you ready to beat your competitors?

Your key message.

Be clear in the one key message (you do know your one key message don’t you?) you need to convey to win the contract – this could be quality, delivery, price, support or technical specification. Ground work prior to the design of the presentation should give an indication to criteria especially if a written proposal is included as part of a tendering process. 

You the presenter.

Know that as the presenter you have the ability to bring the audience with you so they adopt the key message. This includes learning body language, presentation techniques and a level of styling that will allow you to gain credibility and justify your position in the presentation.  A nervous presenter can wreck even the best deck of a crafted presentation.

Anchors.

Presenters suffer from nerves. The key is how each presenter controls those nerves allowing a hesitant free performance. Learn to create positive anchors that can be turned on instantly by performing a simple action. This action could be creating a mental picture of walking onto the stage to give a rapturous performance; other colleagues may tap their leg three times or click their fingers.  The tip here is what works for you then go with it.

Rehearse.

It should go without saying that rehearsing the presentation will be at the forefront of a quality presentation.  Do not simply stop at standing and reading through the script for each slide. Whilst practicing, each slide ought to carry the same emphasis as when you are standing up in front of your potential clients. Mentally prepare by imagining you are actually in the environment in which the presentation will take place. This offers the opportunity to choreograph movement and stance to sync with the presentation. Your presentation technique and hence delivery will improve dramatically if your presentation is analysed by a professional mentor through the use of video.

Presenting.

One of the first steps in becoming a great presenter is the acceptance that your presentation in both format and style are not perfect.  A driving analogy can be used at this point, we all think we are good safe drivers but are we? However long you have been driving bad habits creep in, subconsciously. At times these may be dangerous meaning you have to break suddenly or swerve to avoid an obstacle. Similarly when presentations are delivered the odd hesitant ummmhh may be forthcoming or hands stay in the trouser pocket at a key point. Afterwards the laptop closes and the presentation forgotten.  Always take time to review how the presentation could be improved even if you win that contract worth millions. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you are invincible. 

Reduce the risk.

A starting point for improving your presentations and so add value to your company is by investing in “The Presenter’s Handbook”. This will outline some of the key stepping stones to becoming a Power Presenter.  Still not convinced then take the quick test at www.presentershandbook.com answer 15 questions and get immediate feedback.

Review by Steve Hall of Staffordshire University

This book is an essential read for anyone wishing to make their presentations more meaningful, accessible and engaging to their audience. It models what it promotes having been written in an engaging style which tells the reader in advance what key messages they will experience and then it delivers exactly ‘what it says on the tin’.

The layout aids accessibility with a clear contents page, a well-chosen and thought-provoking quote at the start of each section and a valuable summary paragraph to end the section. As such it is a resource which can be picked up for specific help as and when it is needed as an aide memoire. That said it is also written so well that once started, putting it down is a challenge as the reader is constantly reminded of what further nuggets of quality guidance and advice are coming next.

Each chapter draws the reader into a conversational relationship with the book which, as you are reading it, suggests the coaching conversations you might be having with the authors, a supportive critical friend or even yourself as you think more deeply about the what?, where?, how?, why? and who to? aspects of giving presentations. The concept of self in terms of you as the designer and creator of a presentation; you as the reviewer and editor and finally you as the presenter and evaluator, learning from each experience and challenging yourself to make your presentations ‘better each time’, is key to the success of the book.

Of special note are the sections which connect skills and techniques of presenting with the psychology of knowing and managing both yourself and your audience as you develop your potential as a Power Presenter. The importance of an audience’s emotional engagement with the material used within a presentation is a valuable reminder of the significance of the social and emotional dimensions of learning and this is an indication of the depth of thinking which the authors have employed in making this book such a valuable tool and resource.

This raising of self-awareness as the authors skilfully take you through each stage of giving a presentation keeps you thinking all the time of the impact of your presentation on others, using a balance of practical tips with insights into how  the psychology of presentations can be used to work with rather than against you. The result is a delightful read which challenges your thinking and gets you reflecting on how effective your presentations might really be.

There are many highlights in the book and anyone reading this as a structured training programme or just using it as a self-review tool when reflecting on how to develop and improve presentation skills, will identify a personalised list of key learning points. This is a further strength of the publication as the reader can use the book to ‘challenge the robots’ of previous practice such as the use of bullet points, sounds and animation, reflect on how effective their existing style might be and consider trying a different approach. The references to the importance of coaching, co-coaching, reflecting and practising remind us that this is not rocket science and yet how refreshing to be reminded that there is the potential to be an effective or even a powerful presenter in all of us.

I strongly recommend that anyone involved in designing, developing and delivering presentations whether as individuals or teams of teachers, trainers and facilitators get hold of this book and use it as a tool for reviewing and revising their practise. Whether it is used in a structured or targeted manner to look afresh at the effectiveness of the use of PowerPoint in particular, it will promote a new level of self-talk and self-review but also renewed professional dialogue between colleagues wanting to make sure their presentations ‘hit the spot’ and are memorable for all the right reasons!

Steve Hall                                                                                                                                  

Lead for Professional Learning

Staffordshire University, School of Education 

May 2012

WAYS TO AVOID THE SUPERMARKET TRAP

Co-author of The Presenter's Handbook, Phillip Adcock, recently gave an interview to Linda Harrison of the Daily Express, in relation to his first book Supermarket Shoppology.

Linda starts by outlining that the weekly shop is a ritual familiar to us all. There’s the challenge of buying staples such as milk, tinned goods, a bag of pasta and a bottle of plonk without going over budget. Some of us buy in bulk, others pick up items as we go but we all face the bright lights and endless aisles laden with goodies at our local supermarket.

In an effort to cut costs, who hasn’t snapped up an item labelled “best value”, “three for two” or the bewildering acronym BOGOF (buy one get one free)? I often feel my brain is about to explode by the time I get to the till, never sure I’ve actually reduced my weekly spend. 

Now consumer behaviour expert Phillip Adcock has written a book exposing the real workings of the average supermarket, the tricks they employ, the confusing offers slapped on packaging and the store layouts that mean we sometimes spend more than we want to. 

Supermarket Shoppology: The Science Of Supermarket Shopping And A Strategy To Spend Less And Get More (Shopping Behaviour Xplained, £9.79) promises to spill the beans on all the stores’ secrets. 

“The average householder spends £150,000 in supermarkets in their lifetime,” says Phillip. “They’re spending more in there than on anything except the mortgage.”

Phillip, who for 20 years taught leading retailers how to induce consumers to spend more, agreed to accompany Linda on her weekly shop. 

Find out what happens by reading the full article.

The A to Z of Presenting

Whilst there is no quick fix to becoming a Power Presenter here are a few tips from The Presenter's Handbook team.

 

A	Audience	Consider the audience at all times during the presentation.
B	Body	Read the audiences body language to know if they are still interested in your message.
C	Credibility	Create credibility with the audience, this helps them take on the key message.
D	Deliver	Deliver a presentation that is memorable for the right reasons.
E	Enjoy	Enjoy the feeling of presenting, your enjoyment will help your performance.
F	Feedback	Ensure you gain feedback from the audience, you will then know how good the presentation was.
G	Graphics	Use good quality graphics during your presentation avoid clipart.
H	Help	Ensure help is on hand from a technician if a malfunction occurs during your presentation.
I	Interaction	Allow delegate interaction for presentations over 20 minutes.
J	Joke	A joke shared with the audience will relax both the audience and yourself.
K	Key	Understand what your key message is going to be for the presentation.
L	Learn	Learn from your performance, build in self reflection tools after presenting.
M	Mirror	Use your mirror neurons to learn from the best.
N	Nerves	Nerves can be quashed by building anchors to trigger a positive state.
O	Orientation	If you are not happy with the orientation of the room,  move tables and chairs.
P	Physiological	Maintain a good physiological stance when presenting.
Q	Quantify	Quantify what your objectives are before designing the presentation.
R	Rehearse	Rehearse, rehearse and rehearse some more for a successful presentation.
S	Safety	Always have a safety net available in case things do not go according to plan.
T	Timing	Timing is a key function of the presentation, start and finish on time.
U	Underpinning	Underpinning your key message is you. Ensure you are at your best.
V	Video	When using video in a presentation make it short and relevant.
W	What	What is your story to relate you to the presentation? Tell the audience.
X	X-rated	Avoid an x-rated presentation. What you find amusing others may take objection to.
Y	Yes	Yes you can become a great presenter - reading The Presenter's Handbook is a first step.
Z	Zero	Accept a zero tolerance approach to poor presentations, evolve and improve.

For more information on becoming a Power Presenter visit The Presenter's Handbook website or simply start improving by investing in a copy of the book. (US)  or (UK)

Introducing The Presenter's Handbook

Recently one of our authors Ian Callow was interviewed ahead of the release of the book "The Presenter's Handbook". The interviewer was Mitt Nathwani of Turning Technologies UK.

We’re passionate about well-delivered presentations and this is why we’re so excited about the launch of the Presenter’s Handbook. We caught up with one of the authors, Ian Callow, to find out a little more about the book and what motivated him and fellow author Phillip Adcock to write it.

Where did the idea for the book come from?

I’ve known Phillip as a friend and golf partner for a few years now although we’d never really overlapped in our professional lives. We got talking one day and realised that we were both frustrated by the number of poorly delivered PowerPoint presentations we were seeing out there. With our combined backgrounds we thought we’d have a go at solving that problem!

In your experience how big is the problem?

That’s a tricky question because the problem is often exaggerated. After all, if a presentation is terrible it will stick in our minds. In reality we think around 75-80% of presenters have room for improvement. In the majority of cases they just need minor tweaks.

Okay, tell us a bit more about your backgrounds

I’ve spent over 20 years in the business presentations environment and over that time have trained thousands of delegates within an array of industry sectors including corporate, MOD, police, NHS and education. Phillip has more than 30 years of human behavioural research behind him and helps the retail sector through his company, Shopping Behaviour Xplained. He’s also got experience of publishing, having written and launched his book Supermarket Shoppology last year.

Shoppology and behavioural research? How does this help with good presentation practice?

When we sat down and brainstormed the ways in which people can improve their presentations, everything came into one of 3 camps; psychology, physiology, or self-reflection. When you look at it that way, it matches our backgrounds really neatly. Phillip’s behavioural research is very much grounded in psychology and my experience of presenting and presentations gives me a large base to draw on when helping people self-reflect, for example.

You mentioned the ‘physiology’ of presenting. What exactly do you mean by that?

I literally mean ‘body position and movement’. For example when you present, are you looking at the ground or engaging with the audience? And what about your gestures? Do you look like the PowerPoint file is driving you or are your body movements at one with the content of your presentation?

The Presenter’s Handbook sits alongside a training course. What’s the relationship between the book and the course?

They both deliver the same message and in that sense they’re intertwined in terms of chapter titles and content. One could improve their skills through either method so it comes down to personal choice. The main difference is that the course is completely tailored. We interview the delegates beforehand and, if possible, watch them present before we pull on our experience to build a course that matches their needs.

There are lots of presentation books and courses out there. What’s so good about yours?

That’s a great question. We think we’re the first to pull together the psychology and the physiology and the self-reflection elements of improving one’s presentation skills. We use technology like TurningPoint and iConnect to enhance the course for delegates as well.

If you had to pick one, what single piece of advice would you give to a presenter looking to improve?

It really depends on their needs but if I had to pick, I’d say don’t over complicate your slides. If you can’t express your point in less than 6 words then leave it off. Too often presenters don’t understand the difference between the presentation and the narrative, which results in busy slides and disengaged recipients!

Ian Callow was talking with Mitt Nathwani of Turning Technologies UK
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Presentation v Presenter

Over an evening meal an interesting question was asked regarding presentations.  The question opened up a debate with many views exchanged with no great consensus.  The question was “What makes a presentation most memorable? Is it the presenter or the presentation content?”

Searching the internet does not seem to produce a percentage to which proportions play the largest element of a memorable presentation, ideally the presenter and presentation work in tandem, but what happens if one slips below par?

Early discussion focused on the presenter and how a good presenter can carry a poor presentation, making certain elements memorable. The confidence of the presenter can basically carry the audience. This confidence could be through a positive physiology and narrative to support the slides. This visual stimulus can stay within the long term memory but overtime the message can still be lost.  Personally I remember a couple of occasions where the presenter has stood out but over time the message has faded.  One presenter explained why he always wore a dinner jacket and another who was exuberant always wore a brightly coloured bow tie, both at the time were visually stimulating.

As the conversation developed and more views and examples were shared, thought drifted to the presentation as a whole.  This was based on whether a presentation can be remembered even if it is extremely well crafted with clear key messages, but the presenter is a little hesitant. It would be no contest if both the presentation and the presenter were poor, but for this discussion we assumed the presentation material was of a high standard. A colleague had to admit to seeing the same corporate presentation performed by two of his colleagues. The presentation with the confident presenter as you would expect carried more clarity. The hesitant colleague dragged attention away from the presentation, if you like creating noise for the key message to battle through. How bad though does a presenter have to be to really influence the key message of the presentation?

The conclusion from the debate was that the presenter carries more weight to the presentation than the presentation quality itself, not concluded though was the proportion of influence.

Do you agree? What percentage ratio would you place on the presenter to presentation 60:40, 80:20? Let us know your thoughts.