presentation & pitching tips

Communication: Organisation and Innovation Lecturer’s Guide

© Pearson Education New Zealand 2005

Presentations

And the Pitch



Speaking

When

When we speak is based on what is appropriate in our culture,

our society and normal human relationships

Why

There are many reasons or purposes for speaking

How

We normally speak appropriately



Types of presentation

In business, the main types of presentation include:

introductions

group presentations

asking for questions

thanking a speaker.



Group presentations

Speaker 1:

Introduces the topic and makes a provocative statement,

uses quotations, tells a story, describes a scenario or involves

the audience through questions.

Introduces the team, and outlines briefly what each speaker

will cover.

Presents individual information on the topic.

Introduces the next speaker.



Group presentations (cont.)

Speaker 2 (and 3, if needed):

Thanks the previous speaker.

Links their information to the previous information.

Presents information, facts, figures, examples to support theirideas in a lively and interesting way.

Introduces the next speaker.



Group presentations (cont.)

Final speaker:

Thanks the previous speaker.

Links their information to the previous information.

Presents their information in a persuasive and compellingfashion.

Summarises and concludes the presentation.

May ask for questions from the audience.



Stages of making a presentation

Preparing

Planning

Practising

Polishing



Three stages of preparing

Considering how to communicate with your audience

Choosing a topic

Gathering information



Communicating with your audience

Consider:

Size

Composition

Knowledge

Experience

Sequence

State of mind and body

Venue

Equipment



Choosing a topic

You need to understand the difference between a topic and a

thesis.

A topic is a broad, general area such as communication or

listening.

A topic can be interpreted in a number of ways, either

positive or negative, pro or anti

A thesis is the particular angle, spin or emphasis that you wish

to highlight or explore within that broad topic.

A thesis makes a strong and often provocative statement

which the presenter then has to prove and persuade the

audience to accept and believe.



Gathering information

Once you have chosen your thesis, the next step is to gather

information.

Your thesis statement should be strong enough to have at least

four or five main points in support of it.

As always, ask, ‘What’s in it for them?’ What will the audience

gain and learn, enjoy and use from your presentation?



Planning

Planning involves:

Structure

Response questions

Generating ideas

Sections

Examples, proof and persuasion

Transitions

Introductions and conclusions

Notes

Visual aids



Introductions

An introduction:

creates interest

has impact

helps introduce the specific thesis or product you aretalking about, and

targets the audience.



Conclusions

A conclusion:

summarises main ideas

links back to the introduction

must be convincing

leaves the audience with a strong last sentence toremember.



How to link introductions

and conclusions



Notes

Reading notes to an audience gives them two messages (neitherof them positive):

The speaker lacks knowledge.

This lessens credibility and diminishes persuasion.

The speaker could not be bothered preparing properly.

This suggests that they do not value the audience.



Visual aids

Visual aids:

help the audience focus on the information

provide a structure

allow the audience to learn through their eyes as well as throughtheir ears

help emphasise the most important parts of the message

entertain the audience with bright colours, movement, soundand pictures

add interest and variety to the presentation

create impact and the ‘wow’ factor, especially at the beginningand end of a presentation.



Choosing visual aids

Decide what form of visual aids will work best with yourpresentation, i.e. What will suit your subject? Your audience?And the venue?

PowerPoint™ is the current industry standard.

Determine how many slides you will need and where you will usethem, i.e. which information will the audience need in visualform to supplement your speech?

Graphs, statistics, charts and tables are all needed invisual form to allow the audience to fully comprehendthem.



Preparing visual aids

Choose your background first.

Use a simple font.

Use an appropriate font size.

Simplify and limit material on the slide.

Make the connection between words and visual obvious.

Make your message clear.

Leave room for notes, if desired.

Use visuals as a summary of your presentation.



Practising

Pronunciation

Enunciation

Projection

Volume

Speed

Clarity

Pauses and emphasis

Introducing new ideas, concepts and unfamiliar names



Non-verbal communication

and presentations

Stand tall and relax, head up and shoulders down.

Use your hands naturally and gesture to emphasise particularsections of your presentation.

Move around if you wish.

Make eye contact with your audience and deliberately look atdifferent sides of the room and all the individuals in it.

Use natural facial expressions.

Be animated, interested and enthusiastic.

Smile!



Polishing

Content

Does the beginning grab the audience’s attentionimmediately?

Are there enough examples to make it interesting for theaudience?

Is information repeated?

Are particular words repeated, e.g. ‘like’, ‘basically’,‘absolutely’?

Would the audience accept and understand the message?

Is the presentation persuasive? Are there gaps in argument?

Is the conclusion memorable?



Polishing (cont.)

Presentation

Can the audience hear all members of the team?

Are words pronounced correctly and enunciated carefully?

Is everyone’s stance appropriate?

Is eye contact maintained with the audience?

Are gestures used well?

Are notes relied on?

Are speed, volume, movements and gestures varied?

Are there any annoying mannerisms like flicking hair or saying ‘um’

at the beginning of every sentence?

Do the visual aids enhance and extend content?



Polishing (cont.)

Add impact

Recap and summarise

Prepare to conclude the presentation strongly by

emphasising the message and the benefits to the audience

stressing ongoing cooperation and the business relationship

reflecting back on the introduction and the problem or issuesraised there.



Gaining and maintaining

audience attention

Make a promise, e.g. to increase sales.

Use drama.

Make eye contact.

Move.

Ask questions.

Give demonstrations.

Provide samples.

Use a variety of visuals.

Ask again, ‘What’s in it for the audience?’



Performing the presentation

Arrive at the venue early.

Have many backups ready.

Have sufficient handouts for the audience or clients.

Dress neatly and tidily.

Take deep breaths before you start.

Take your time, speak up, pause often and slow down.

Look at your audience and smile.

Connect with other members of your team.

Be prepared to answer questions at the end.



Summary

Speaking in public is a common and widely held fear.

Giving a presentation is just one of the many skills that the

effective business communicator requires

Being able to speak well is an enormous asset in any position and

one that is integral to success in business and in private life.

presentation & pitching tips

Education

communication orlistening

previous speaker

previous information

involvesthe audience

final speaker

group presentations

broad topic

individual information