Oral and Written CommunicationSession 5

Steve Seepersaud

For discussion:

What stayed with you from the last session?

Business presentations - a lot at stake

• Preparation is key.

• Plan out who will say what.

• Practice on your own and with group.

• At minimum, think/talk through content.

Professionalism

• Dress at same level or a little above the audience.

• Tone needs to be serious.

• Even if humor comes naturally, put it aside.

Pitches

• Determine your purpose.

• Analyze audience; determine its needs.

• State main message and support it.

• Call to action.

Inverted pyramid

• Method of storytelling used by newspapers.

• Go from most important to least important information.

• Ensures there is time for main messages.

Answering questions

• Be ready for anything.

• Anticipate possible questions.

• If you don’t know something, admit it.

• Don’t get defensive.

Multiple team members

• Each person should play to strength.

• Keep transitions smooth.

• Don’t ping-pong excessively.

• Have a team captain.

For discussion:

Have you seen a good business presentation?

What made it good?