ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Meeting presentations ought to be lively, helpful
John Riddell Jr.
I’ve noticed that when someone is approached about a presentation to a group, invariably they gravitate to one of two positions. A positive few truly view it as an opportunity while the vast majority feels it to be a burden. From this starting point, it is easy to understand why many of us do not look forward to sitting through a program already clouded, unknowingly, with a tinge of personal reservation. How different we feel after a presentation in which the speaker was knowledgeable, engaging, high energy and positive. What most of us fail to discern is that this speaker chose to be all those things. The results of this choice clearly come across. Another interesting observation is that virtually every program or presentation that we enjoy usually makes some kind of personal connection. Regardless of the subject at hand, the presenter’s viewpoint almost always pricks the sensibility or interests of the audience. I suggest that this is not by accident. People who see presentations as opportunities know that their ability to communicate is dependent upon their ability to establish some common thread with those in the audience. They achieve a level of communication and oftentimes participation. From the presenter’s point of view, there are a few simple guidelines that can be put into place to immediately improve the quality of one’s presentations. First and foremost is the need to fully understand just what it is you are trying to accomplish. Generally there are three categories for this intent: persuasion, motivation or simply information. Certainly there are occasions where the intent may be all three, but
not every occasion is. Recognizing these three categories better enables the presenter to tailor the presentation to emotionally engage the audience. The next requirements are clarity and brevity. Both attributes must apply to the message at hand. Another suggestion that significantly improves the quality of presentations is understanding the purpose and limitations of the slides or overheads. Slides are merely notes for talking points, not to be read verbatim as if the audience could not read it themselves. You also may want to avoid needless congestion. Some feel they must see how many bullet points they can possibly squeeze onto a single slide. Most professional presenters will suggest that you limit the quantity of bullet points to three to five per slide. Again, clarity and brevity become quite important. This last recommendation is one that always seems to cause some heartburn. If you have handouts for the audience, do not pass them out until you have concluded your presentation. The rationale for this is very simple. As your presentation is a dialogue with the audience, when you pass out handouts before your conversation, people tend to go through the handouts and not pay attention to the dialogue. Important points and discussions are not heard and the rustling of paper oftentimes is an unnecessary distraction. Your audience always wants you to be successful. No one wants to sit through a dull discussion and if people are generous enough to give you their time, the least you can do is make it worth their while. John F. Riddell Jr., director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Growth-Hamilton County writes each Tuesday about entrepreneurs and their impact on companies and the marketplace. Submit comments to his attention by writing to Business Editor John Vass Jr., Chattanooga Times Free Press, P.O. Box 1447, Chattanooga, TN 37401-1447, or by e-mailing him at business@timesfreepress.com.
