Skill of the Week

Presence and Presenting Skill

Be a Catalyst for Clarity 
Establish clear, manageable objectives, and deliver them.

The Point?

It's easy when we're trying to present something new, particularly in a training environment, to be overwhelmed by all there is to know and say on the subject. At the same time, as good trainers, teachers, or facilitators, we want our audience to get the most learning in the least time. The problem is that this type of thinking can get us and our audience confused. Trying to deliver a plethora of information in accordance with our agenda may overshadow the learning needs of the audience. So plan your presentation around only a few (no more than three) items in a single sitting. Seek to deliver these points clearly and succinctly. This will help to make your presentation clearer and provide the space for the audience to contribute their own wisdom, allowing you to adjust the course of the presentation to meet their learning needs.

Finally, it's OK to leave the audience wanting a little bit. It's better for them to leave hungry and curious rather than overwhelmed and confused!

Example

Suppose you have an hour to present all there is to know about conflict resolution? You just happen to be an expert on this. You have at least 10 key points you want to deliver, about 5 examples, and you can talk on this subject for 60 minutes non-stop with no problem. You are concerned about how to present this in the time allowed. Try putting yourself in the seat of the audience and pick three points on this subject you'd like them to leave with if you were one of them. Deliver these points using your planned activities. Then pull additional details from your audience through questions and discussion. This approach assures that the audience leaves with the major points you want them to have, and it also allows them to generate and share additional details in accordance with their immediate needs. They will likely leave feeling heard and excited about what they've learned. 

Hey, we have plenty of room right here for your logo or banner ad! Be seen by nearly 3,000 readers each week!
Go here for details.

Action

The next time you have something to present, try this. Limit your agenda to no more than three major points. Focus on creating opportunities for your audience to demonstrate to you and each other that they do in fact understand the material. This change in perspective will do wonders for your presentation. Not to mention your audience attention span! I'm interested in hearing what happened.  Please email me your thoughts, stories, and experiences.

Skill Related Resource
How to Get Your Point Across in 30 Seconds or Less by Milo O. Frank
Get your listeners attention, keep their interest, and make your point--all in thirty seconds! Anyone can be more effective in 30 seconds than in 30 minutes or 3 hours. Milo Frank, America's foremost business communications consultant, teaches you how to zero in on one's listeners and economically make your point by showing you how to: 

* Focus your objectives
* Utilize the "hook" technique
* Use the secrets of TV and advertising writers
* Tell terrific anecdotes that make your point
* Shine in meetings, question-and-answer sessions, and more! 

Milo's proven techniques give you the edge that successful people share -- the art of communicating quickly, precisely and powerfully! 

Interactive Forum
Creating Dialogue With Our Readers

In an effort to stimulate discussion on facilitation tips, tools, and processes that are relevant to your interests, we'd like to hear from you. Please post your answers to the questions at on our interactive forum to stimulate discussion on these topics.

If you know someone who might benefit and enjoy this newsletter, please send this link to a friend.  

About the Author: 
Steve Davis is a Business and Life Coach facilitating others to stretch beyond their full potential in their business and personal lives. Please email your stories, comments, suggestions, and ideas. I'd love to hear from you. If you find this newsletter helpful, please forward it to your friends. Thanks for reading!