| Whether you are an investor, entrepreneur, employee, | | | | To be safe, carry an extension cable, a power strip, |
| self-employed or unemployed the ability to present | | | | adaptors, and backup batteries.PROTECTThe day |
| yourself and your ideas powerfully has never been | | | | before and the day of an important presentation, avoid |
| more important than in today's dynamic information | | | | alcohol, smoke, caffeine, chocolate, and antihistamines |
| age. Speaking well can influence other's views, close a | | | | because of their drying effects. If flying, recycled air in |
| deal, motivate your team, enhance your business, and | | | | planes is dehydrating and speaking above engine noise |
| elevate your reputation.Many people get jitters | | | | can put a strain on your voice so talk as little as |
| speaking in public. Lilly Walters author of "Secrets of | | | | possible in-flight. A moist vocal tract will give you the |
| Successful Speakers" says 75% of stage fright can | | | | best sound with the least amount of physical exertion. |
| be reduced by rehearsal and preparation, 15% by | | | | To stay hydrated, consume eight to ten glasses of |
| deep breathing, and 10% by mental preparation. | | | | water daily.To prevent excess mucus, avoid dairy |
| Thorough preparation alleviates anxiety and ultimately | | | | products and sugar. Grain alcohol, vodka, beer, and red |
| provides a consistent structure for achieving | | | | wine can also increase mucus. If you cannot avoid |
| extraordinary results.PREPARECreate template | | | | alcohol, choose white wine before a |
| presentations before you need them. If you use power | | | | presentation.Sufficient sleep is absolutely essential to |
| point, keep text to a minimum with only one idea, no | | | | maximum performance.PRIME1. In the morning, do a |
| more than six lines per slide, large, readable, and | | | | good physical workout to give you energy and focus |
| consistent fonts. Most business people prefer little to | | | | for the day.2. Do some self-massage and vocal warm |
| no slide animation. Summarize often. Never read from | | | | ups in the shower. Massage the base of your tongue, |
| your slides/flipcharts and always face your audience. | | | | the temporomandibular joint (just by your ears |
| Remember, you are the star not your visual | | | | between your cheeks and jaw) and neck and |
| aids.Customize for your audience. Go to websites and | | | | shoulders. Make funny faces to exercise facial |
| printed materials to gather information like vision, | | | | muscles, do your favorite tongue twisters, and sing an |
| mission and values first. Then interview relevant people | | | | uplifting song.3. Before and during your presentation, |
| to find out where the "pain" is in relation to your | | | | drinks should be without carbonation and not too hot or |
| product, service, or topic. Ask questions like, what are | | | | too cold. Avoid combining protein and starch in the |
| the internal/external challenges/changes your | | | | same meal and only eat fruit on an empty stomach.4. |
| organization is currently facing? What is the objective | | | | Run through your presentation physically if you have |
| purpose for the meeting? What result would you like | | | | the time.5. Arrive early. Set up well in advance. Test |
| to see achieved? Are there others presenting? If so, | | | | and double-check all equipment.6. Own the room |
| who are they and where are they on the schedule? | | | | imagining your energy fills the entire space extending to |
| How much time will I have? How much Q&A should | | | | all walls and corners. State your intention aloud four |
| be included in my total presentation time? Is there | | | | times facing a different wall or direction each time. (i.e. |
| anything else you could add to help me do an even | | | | "to win the business")7. Close your eyes. In your mind's |
| better job?Get details like the date, directions to venue, | | | | eye, imagine a person, place, or thing that you love. If |
| meeting start/end times, presentation start/end times, | | | | you are religious or spiritual, you may want to connect |
| dress code, attendees, VIP's, agenda, equipment | | | | with your higher power. Allow six or more deep |
| availability, etc. If you're flying in, ask about the closest | | | | breaths. Breathe in love on the inhale and on the |
| airport and number of miles/kilometers to venue, | | | | exhale, let go of any tension, anxiety, or stress.8. With |
| recommended transport from airport to meeting site or | | | | your eyes still closed, mentally run through your |
| hotel and all contact phone numbers. If you are | | | | presentation. Visualize success seeing your desired |
| meeting overseas, inquire about business and cultural | | | | outcome.9. Play a fast piece of music you love, dance, |
| etiquette.Organize memorable openings and closings | | | | or walk briskly around the presentation room to pump |
| by asking a question, mentioning something relevant in | | | | yourself up and burn excess adrenaline. If it's not |
| the news, using a quotation or audio/video clip. Most | | | | possible for you to do this, run in place or jump up and |
| adults are visual so be creative. Weave humor | | | | down for 20-30 seconds somewhere private. If neither |
| throughout your talk. If you don't consider yourself to | | | | is possible, do simple isometric exercises, tensing and |
| be funny, use humorous photos, drawings, unusual clip | | | | releasing muscles while sitting or standing.10. |
| art, quotes or media clips. Never tell a story or joke | | | | Acknowledge yourself for the time and energy you |
| that would remotely offend anyone. Relate your | | | | have invested to do your best. Trust and BE |
| closing to your opening coming full circle. Answer | | | | yourself.PRESENTStart and stop on time. Address |
| questions. End with a strong summary and a | | | | audience comfort before you begin. Be flexible and |
| compelling call to action.PRACTICEWhen your content | | | | able to cut your presentation short, if necessary. Make |
| is ready, start practicing aloud. Pay special attention to | | | | direct eye contact and speak to your audience as if |
| or memorize your beginning, key points, and ending. If | | | | you were having a conversation with a friend. Move |
| you need insurance, use note cards or visual cues. | | | | around and gesture freely. Smile, have fun, and be |
| During this process, you will inevitably make revisions | | | | enthusiastic about what you are saying. Focus on |
| and improvements. After rehearsing aloud several | | | | delivering maximum value to your listeners. Now, it is all |
| times, record yourself on video. Time yourself. Watch | | | | about them.PLAYBACKIf you can, record all of your |
| your practice session and make adjustments until you | | | | presentations on video for playback and feedback. A |
| are comfortable with your content and | | | | discreet alternative is a pocket-sized audio recorder. |
| delivery.PLANPlan what to wear in advance choosing | | | | Recordings are especially useful for capturing |
| clothes that make you look and feel great. Dress | | | | questions, objections, comments, and action items. |
| appropriately. To gain instant respect and boost your | | | | Always leave a handout, flyer, brochure, or business |
| confidence, dress a bit better than your audience | | | | card making it easy for people to contact you.The |
| does.Reconfirm date, time, venue, and agenda. If you | | | | path to mastery is practice. Confucius said, "A journey |
| are traveling for your meeting, pack early including a | | | | of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Enjoy |
| checklist for last minute items. Always have a | | | | the journey.Copyright 2006 Deborah Torres |
| multimedia CD backup, wireless remote and carry | | | | PatelDeborah Torres Patel helps people express |
| everything you will need for your presentation with you. | | | | themselves with ease and confidence. |