Presentation Skills: Practical Strategies that Drive Engagement

This class is designed for anyone who is expected to deliver information in a group business setting while displaying a slide deck. Special emphasis will be given to implementing a series of “do this, not that” changes that are relatively simple to put into practice and will make any presentation less stressful to deliver and far more engaging to experience.

Class format will provide time for the instructor to recommend best practices, explain new concepts, demonstrate methods and answer questions. Participants will have time to immediately apply new knowledge and try out new skills through a series of short challenges and presentations.

Topics include:

Ideology (core concepts)

• The “magic formula” for compelling presentations

• What audiences will appreciate, will tolerate, and won’t forgive

• How presentations differ from slideshows, slidedocs, and reports

• How slides, speaker’s notes & audience handouts should differ

Story (content)

• Identifying your main point & communicating a clear call to action

• Researching, compiling and editing your content

• Utilizing storyboarding to organize your subject matter

• Creating a compelling narrative through storytelling

Show (slides)

• Converting standard PowerPoint slides into visual aids for a speaker

• Utilizing visual thinking to enable “at a glance” comprehension of slides

• Understanding how graphic design subconsciously conveys meaning

Tell (delivery)

• Embodying the best version of your genuine self

• Utilizing deliberate practice to quell anxiety and improve performance

• Managing the interplay between your verbal presentation & your slides

• Delivering fluently and comfortably without the stress of memorization

• Managing yourself, your audience, environment, equipment & time

• Incorporating audience interaction and humor safely and naturally

Host or Publisher Employers Network