Posts Tagged Presenting
Five Tips for Running Efficient Meetings
Posted by Rick Pranitis in GENERAL DISCUSSION on February 6, 2015
Your time is precious, and so is that of your clients, collaborators, colleagues, and professional contacts. When you call a meeting, you want to give invitees the confidence that you are maximizing your time together and will produce great results.
The leadership development consultancy Dale Carnegie Training offers the following advice on how to run an efficient meeting that satisfies your goals and those of everyone in attendance. Use these five tips to make the most of your time.
Set clear goals
When you invite people to a meeting, you must communicate the purpose clearly so attendees come prepared to tackle the task at hand. Make sure everyone is on the same page about why you are meeting and what you intend to accomplish. When you set clear expectations, it’s easier to keep the conversation on track and within the allotted time.
Limit how many people you invite
You know the old saying: Too many cooks in the kitchen ruin the soup. Don’t invite too many people to your meeting. Every person should be able to add value in a meaningful way- not compete to be heard.
Limit distractions from technology
Limiting use of technology in the meeting room shows respect for all attendees. Everyone has dedicated time to meet and must be fully present. It’s not only counterproductive to check your phone, but it’s also poor etiquette. “Consider creating a policy where attendees silence their phones and stow them away during meetings,” Augustine writes.
Don’t Meet Over Meals
Lunch meetings might be commonplace, but how time efficient are they? If you are on a tight schedule, meeting over a meal is not wise planning. If your meeting happens to coincide with a mealtime then plan for it and schedule a separate time for eating.
Sum up before you part ways
Make sure to budget time in your meeting for a summary. You do not want people leaving your meeting without clear next steps or action items. Before you disperse, make sure everyone is clear on the outcomes of the meeting and assignments to be completed.
Four Tips For a Great Presentation
Posted by Rick Pranitis in GENERAL DISCUSSION on October 27, 2014
Giving a presentation is very similar to public speaking. Many people freak out because they have to get up in front of an audience and speak about a topic in which everybody assumes they’re an expert. However, you don’t need to lose your nerves! By following the a few simple rules, you can give a great presentation even if you’re not the expert on that topic.
Know your audience: Try to learn as much about the audience as you can because this is about what the audience wants to learn. It’s not about what you want to talk about. For example, the average age of the audience and their knowledge about the topic are important factors which will help you determine the tone and content of the presentation you will deliver. Keep in mind that your slides should consider what the audience doesn’t know and what they want to know.
Communicate the content of the presentation: It’s helpful to have an outline slide at the beginning and a summary slide at the end specifying the key takeaways of the presentation. In the outline slide, tell the audience what you’re going to tell them during the presentation. Then, tell them what you actually want to tell. Finally, to conclude your presentation, tell them what you told them. This is one of the most effective ways to make your audience still remember your main points after the presentation.
Be professional with your slides: Make your slides entertaining. Don’t use too many bullet points and make your slide look overcrowded. Instead, use graphs and pictures whenever possible. Don’t use too much animation in transitions between slides unless you are absolutely sure that all of the animations will work. If you are giving a presentation in an unfamiliar environment or using a different computer other than yours, animations may not work due to different system versions. Remember that simple is always better and less is always more.
Make an emotional connection: Take every opportunity to connect with your audience. Look your audience in the eyes. Don’t just look at your slides. Be humorous and don’t try to show off. Use gestures and hand motions. Be careful about the tone of your voice. Try to sound friendly and not bossy. Moreover, tell stories whenever you can. People like to hear other people’s lives because they usually find similarities and they can identify themselves with them. In addition, stories are more remarkable than graphs and bullet points as they’re easier to tell compared to facts because you can remember them easier.
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