DURATION: 2 DAYS

Course Overview

Unstable economic times can mean fast and frequently unexpected organizational changes, greater responsibilities and new projects and initiatives. Being a confident, polished speaker is not only necessary but well-advised in order to communicate such matters effectively and persuasively. In this course, students will learn how to develop effective and persuasive presentations.

Target Audience

Anyone who needs to develop their presentation skills, speak in front of groups or sell ideas to others and has little or no presentation experience.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course

Course Outline

Module 1: Defining your goals

• Every presentation has a purpose

• Defining the goal of your presentation 

• Quantifying what you want to achieve 

• Inform, persuade, and inspire

Module 2: Determining the details

• Ask the right questions

• Who is your audience?

• What does the audience expect from your presentation?

• When is the presentation?

• Where is the presentation?

• How long are you speaking?

Module 3: Creating handouts, slides, and PowerPoint slideshows

• Reinforcing your presentation points

• Preparing slides and overhead transparencies

• Preparing a PowerPoint slideshow

• Working with an elaborate multimedia presentation 

• Preparing handouts and other takeaways

Module 4: Highlighting the main points

• Don’t bury the lead! 

• Determining what’s important—and what isn’t

• Reinforcing the key points 

Module 5: Telling the story

• A good presentation is like a good story

• Crafting your story 

• The parts of your story 

• Making it flow

• Turning your story into a presentation 

Module 6: Structuring the content

• Planning your presentation 

• Turning your story into an outline 

• Elaborate on your main points 

• Create your slides

• Write your speech 

Module 7: Working within time constraints

• How much time do you have? 

• Timing your presentation 

• Presenting a lot of data in a short period of time

Module 8: Communicating numerical data

• When numbers are important

• Presenting numbers in text form 

• Presenting numbers in tabular form

• Presenting numbers in chart form 

• Presenting raw numbers 

Module 9: Using pictures and graphics

• How and when to visually reinforce your message 

• Photos or illustrations?

• Using moving pictures 

Module 10: Adding style to substance

• Jazzing up a boring presentation

• Adding visual interest 

• Adding a soundtrack 

• Using props 

• Interacting with the audience 

• Using humour—or not 

Module 11: Preparing the room

• Never present “cold”

• Making advance preparations 

• Getting the feel of a room 

• Setting up 

• Working with the audio/visual department 

Module 12: Using a microphone or a camera

• When to use a microphone—and when not to 

• Adapting your speaking style to amplification 

• Working with different types of microphones 

• Working with a camera 

Module 13: Fighting stage fright

• It’s just nerves… 

• Controlling the jitters 

• Making nervousness work for you

Module 14: Making an effective delivery

• Managing your stage presence

• Projecting a positive appearance

• Improving your delivery skills

• Speaking with authority 

• Read, memorize, or improvise? 

• Practice makes perfect 

Module 15: Getting your audience’s attention

• First impressions are important

• Opening a presentation

• Setting up the rest of your presentation 

Module 16: Working with a slideshow and a TelePrompTer™

• A slideshow is just a tool 

• Speaking with the slides

• Transitioning from slide to slide 

• Working with a TelePrompTer 

Module 17: Answering questions

• Planning for questions

• Answering questions 

• Handling unexpected questions 

• Holding a formal Q&A session

Module 18: Dealing with a difficult crowd

• Taking control of the situation 

• Handling a restive audience 

• Dealing with “experts” in the audience 

• Handling a hostile audience 

• Dealing with other interruptions 

Module 19: Keeping track of time

• Managing the flow 

• How to track your time 

• Cutting short a long presentation 

• Stretching a short presentation

Module 20: Making a memorable close

• Ending on a high note 

• Making your point

• Crafting a call to action

• Summarizing your key points 

• The closing statement

• Q&A, feedback, and handouts 

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