Presentation
Presenting in front of a group of people tests your communication skills, timings, confidence and your ability to perform under pressure.
Learn from the best
You will not find a better presenter than Steve Jobs. The iPhone launch video is a masterclass - it’s old but, as they say, “form is temporary, class is permanent”:
You will notice the following things: Steve Jobs is unhurried, he’s knowledgeable, he’s confident, he’s smiling, he’s enthusiastic, he uses his hands and arms to help convey his message, he engages with his audience and he uses humour selectively. Oh! And he never reads from the slides.
A picture is worth a thousand words
Use images, charts and diagrams to illustrate your points. A visual can often explain a complex idea more effectively than a chunk of text.
The brief
Read the presentation brief or topic very carefully. What is the core question you need to answer? What are the key points they want you to cover? Make sure you understand any specific requirements (e.g. including a Q&A).
Structure
“Tell them what you’re going to tell them - tell them - and then tell them what you told them”. In other words, include an introduction, the main body of the presentation and a conclusion.
Timing
Rehearse your presentation to ensure you stay within the time limit. Companies are pretty ruthless if you run over your allocated slot, and will usually ask you to stop once your time is up.
Simplify
Keep your slides free from clutter, minimise the number of words per slide and never use clipart!
Interesting
The content needs to be interesting and thought provoking. A bored audience is a lost cause.
Visual aids
In certain circumstances, it may be appropriate to bring a visual aid with you (e.g. a drawing or a 3D-printed object).
Face your audience
Make eye contact regularly with everyone in the room, and don’t stand in front of the screen.
Cue Cards
If you’re concerned about forgetting to say what you planned, prepare cue cards. Use these as prompts to ensure you box off the key points.
Q&A
Listen to each question fully before you start to answer. It's fine to take a moment to think before responding. If you don’t know the answer to a question, say so - but make a note and promise to research further.
Artificial Intelligence
Upload your presentation slides to an AI platform - it should be able to predict questions you are likely to be asked at the end.
Rehearse
I know I’m starting to sound like a stuck record, but practising with an audience is vital. Focus on your structure, timings, slide content and delivery. And, of course, record yourself, review and make any necessary improvements.