Avoiding the Pitfalls of Presentation

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Presentation

By Michael Crom, Executive Vice President, Dale Carnegie Training

Dear Carnegie Coach:
I have just been promoted to editor at my well-know publishing company. My new role will require me to make numerous presentations to both upper management and external customers.  I’ve taken a public speaking/presentations course in college but have never presented in the “corporate” world.  How can I ensure that I do a great job and avoid mistakes?  -- Theresa

Dear Theresa:
First, allow me to congratulate you on your new position which shows that you already have support from at least one person who believes you will do a great job in your new role – your boss.  Now, to get to the presentation: 

Since you’ve taken a public speaking course already, you know the basics: plan, prepare, practice and present. Below is some advice that will help you steer clear of mistakes speakers commonly make:

1.Know your topic.  The worst mistake is trying to speak on a topic you don’t know enough about, or don’t care about.  You need to know your subject thoroughly.  And you must be enthusiastic about it.  

2.Prepare as best you can by researching.  Then, start thinking about professional and personal experiences of your own to tie to the topic.  It’s easier to speak confidently from the personal perspective.  It also helps increase rapport—and  credibility—with your audience.  

3.You should put your main points or ideas on 3x5 cards and build your talk from these concise notes, or an outline.  Otherwise, you fall into the trap of  reading to your audience, weakening the all-important human connection.  There are occasions when writing a speech makes sense, particularly if there are policy or legal issues involved.  Still, you want to write like you talk.  

4.When rehearsing, remember to actually “speak the speech.”  Just running through it mentally is not enough.  Rehearse your speech alone, with others, or by using an audio or video tape.  Better yet, do all three. 

5.If you’re using visuals, be sure not to use too many.  That can cause the visuals to become the message instead of the speakers and what they are saying.   

6.Wrap it up with a productive Question & Answer session.  Have a few questions ready in case the audience doesn’t respond.  Start with, “A question I often hear is. . .”  This primes the audience to jump in with their own questions.

7.And finally, know your audience.  Who are they?  What are their values?  What’s important to them?  Why did they invite you to speak?  

If you would like more management tips, visit our web site at www.dalecarnegie.com or email us at carnegiecoach@dalecarnegie.com.

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