Speak your way to success: presentation skills - myth vs. reality.Presentation Skills - Myth vs. Reality Fire, electrical blackout A complete loss of power. See brownout. , locust locust, in botany locust, in botany, any species of the genus Robinia, deciduous trees or shrubs of the family Leguminosae (pulse family) native to the United States and Mexico. , earthquake... thus the apprehensive speaker prays. For him and thousands of men and women like him, speaking in front of a group is the experience to be feared most. More than fear of heights, fear of heights, fear of Psychology Altophobia. See Phobia. spiders and even fear of dying. The statistics indeed support Jerry Seinfield's humorous claim that most people at a funeral would rather be the corpse than the person delivering the eulogy. But, it's the ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups that is cited as the number one factor contributing to the success of the highest paid managers. So it's definitely a fear worth overcoming and a skill worth nurturing. Like overcoming any fear, the solution lies in education, understanding and good ole A compound document technology from Microsoft based on its Component Object Model (COM). OLE allows an object such as a graphic, video clip, spreadsheet, etc. to be embedded into a document, called the "container application. repetition. As in any industry, modern research and technology have invalidated in·val·i·date tr.v. in·val·i·dat·ed, in·val·i·dat·ing, in·val·i·dates To make invalid; nullify. in·val much of what we took for granted five, ten and twenty years TWENTY YEARS. The lapse of twenty years raises a presumption of certain facts, and after such a time, the party against whom the presumption has been raised, will be required to prove a negative to establish his rights. 2. ago. Unfortunately, old thinking and myths have plagued many would-be presenters and frightened fright·en v. fright·ened, fright·en·ing, fright·ens v.tr. 1. To fill with fear; alarm. 2. countless others from developing this critical skill. Here are some of the common myths surrounding presentation skills. Myth #1 Start out with a joke - it gets the audience warmed up. Reality: Although it is certainly true that the release of adrenaline adrenaline (ədrĕn`əlĭn, –lēn): see epinephrine. and endorphins endorphins (ĕndôr`fĭnz), neurotransmitters found in the brain that have pain-relieving properties similar to morphine. There are three major types of endorphins: beta endorpins, found primarily in the pituitary gland; and enkephalins and into the system heightens learning and interest, a joke is seldom, if ever, appropriate. Too many speakers confuse comedy with humour. Humour is the relating of funny, relevant, non-offensive stories, cartoons or anecdotes to support the message. When they fail in their purpose, you don't. Leave the comedy to the professional comedians. Myth #2 Write your speech out so the most powerful words are used. Reality: Written communication and spoken communication are two distinctly different mediums. Taking one mode of communication (written) and translating it directly to another (spoken) without any modification is dangerous. The words, phrases and stories we all enjoy reading in our favourite novels are too windy when communicated word for word in a presentation. Myth #3 Put your hands in your pockets. It will make you feel relaxed and makes the atmosphere casual. Reality: Studies from UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX and other universities repeatedly show the critical importance of the visual element in presentations. This includes eye contact, attire, stance, grooming and gestures. When a speaker's hands are buried in pockets (or behind their back) effectively one third of the ability to communicate is eliminated. Supportive gestures enhance the message and facilitate learning. And, if your hands are in your pockets because you're nervous - be careful - they'll find some keys or loose change to play with. Myth #4 Scan your audience, everyone will think you're looking at them. That's important. Reality: Our brains take in information through our eyes in the form of movement, shape, light and colour. Our brain has to process information very quickly when the eyes are scanning the room allowing little time for thinking about this important presentation. Talk to one person at a time, holding your focus for several seconds and slowing the input to your already very busy gray cells. Myth #5 An alcoholic beverage alcoholic beverage Any fermented liquor, such as wine, beer, or distilled liquor, that contains ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, as an intoxicating agent. When an alcoholic beverage is ingested, the alcohol is rapidly absorbed in the stomach and intestines because it does not prior to presenting will relax you and make you sharper - just one!! Reality: Alcohol dulls the senses. Aren't you glad your airline pilot or surgeon doesn't have just one to relax them before they approach their job? Other no-nos in the food and beverage F&B is a common abbreviation in the United States and Commonwealth countries, including Hong Kong. F&B is typically the widely accepted abbreviation for "Food and Beverage," which is the sector/industry that specializes in the conceptualization, the making of, and delivery of foods. category prior to presenting include caffeine caffeine (kăfēn`), odorless, slightly bitter alkaloid found in coffee, tea, kola nuts (see cola), ilex plants (the source of the Latin American drink maté), and, in small amounts, in cocoa (see cacao). , dairy products dairy products dairy npl → produits laitier dairy products dairy npl → Milchprodukte pl, Molkereiprodukte pl , drugs and over-eating. Myth #6 It doesn't matter if you run a few minutes long in your presentation. The topic is an interesting one and after all, they invited you to speak. Reality: In a recent poll, 100% of the people asked said they dislike a speaker running overtime. 100%!! Even if the presentation is very interesting. Don't run long. Don't finish on time. Plan to finish early - five minutes early. Myth #7 Tell them all the background information and all the factors considered and affecting the topic. Its very technical but very necessary. Reality: Your audience only needs to know enough to understand your premise. Allow a question and answer period at the end of your talk to answer those questions the audience is most interested in. Provide detailed information in a handout. Myth 8 You're there to inform them of progress and not trying to persuade anyone so why worry about presentation techniques? Reality: Many individuals and organizations and books and... will report that there are two types of presentations; one to inform and one to persuade. WRONG. There is only one type of presentation - the one to persuade. Whether you're selling a product, a service, an idea or your own credibility, you're persuading and you need to know how people are persuaded. Myth #9 Take questions during your presentation to be certain everyone is with you at all times. Reality: Unless your presentation is several hours long or modular, this practice can be deadly. Questions from the audience can be hostile, get you off track or at best, be time-consuming. Allow time at the end of the presentation for questions. Myth #10 Practice makes perfect. Reality: Perfect practice makes perfect. Practicing the wrong techniques makes for bad habits bad habit Unhealthy habit Clinical medicine A patterned behavior regarded as detrimental to physical or mental health, which is often linked to a lack of self-control. Cf Good habit. that are difficult to break. Learn the techniques that work - practice those. Myth #11 Use the techniques you've seen used by the late night talk show hosts. Its effective for them so it must be right. Reality: Many factors affect our success in a presentation. I wouldn't want to assume my audience attaches the credibility and charisma An earlier presentation graphics program for Windows from Micrografx that included a comprehensive media manager for managing large libraries of image, sound and video clips. to me that they do to the accomplished entertainer. Neither should you. Learn the techniques that work and use them. Myth #12 Don't worry about using visual aids visual aids Noun, pl objects to be looked at that help the viewer to understand or remember something . They distract the audience. Reality: When you use visual aids you are perceived as more professional, more credible, more persuasive and better prepared. In addition, research on the subject shows that when you support your presentation with relevant, interesting, colourful colourful or US colorful Adjective 1. with bright or richly varied colours 2. vivid or distinctive in character Adj. 1. , multi-sensory visuals, learning is improved by 200%, retention by 38% and the time to explain complex subjects is reduced by 25% to 40%. Myth #13 If you use the latest and greatest presentation technologies (like multimedia), you won't have to worry about your presentation skills. Reality: A quick recipe for disaster is to be lulled into thinking that all you need is the latest technology and your problems are over. That idea is unfortunately becoming more and more prevalent with the introduction of more and more innovative methods of incorporating visuals into presentations. Your visual aids are just that - aids. They are intended to enhance your presentation, not make it for you. Managers must remember to focus on the human side. Regardless of how flashy or impressive your visuals may be, you are still the most important visual for your listeners. Myth #14 If you don't speak to groups often, don't waste time and money attending a development programs on the subject. Reality: The skills for effectively speaking to groups are the same skills effective for speaking one on one. If you speak to anyone during the day... your clients, your boss, your co-workers, your employees, your spouse, your kids... you need to develop these important skills. Rowena Crosbie is Founder and President of Tero International, Inc. Specializing in Presentation Skills training, Tero serves its clients by offering training programs and inspirational keynote speeches keynote speech n. See keynote address. Noun 1. keynote speech - a speech setting forth the keynote keynote address keynote - the principal theme in a speech or literary work that take many years of research from the philosophical to the practical for listeners. For more information contact Tero at 515-267-1112 or visit Tero's website at www.tero.com |
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