Presentation Skills and Techniques

Think about the last presentation you sat through. Do you remember anything from it? Probably not. Most presentations fail because they are: ❌ Overloaded with bullet points ❌ Devoid of emotion ❌ Data dumps with no clear story The good news? You can make your presentation unforgettable with these 7 simple shifts: 1. Start with a Hook, Not an Intro Most presenters begin with "I'm excited to be here today..." and lose the audience immediately. Fix: Grab attention from the start. Example: “Your company is losing $10M a year—and you don’t even know why.” 2. Tell a Story, Not Just Data People remember stories, not statistics. Instead of listing facts, wrap them in a compelling narrative. Fix: Use the “Problem → Struggle → Solution” technique. Example: "Before using our system, Sarah’s team spent 3 hours a day on reports. She tried different tools, but nothing worked—until she found our solution. Now? Just 15 minutes a day." 3. Use Contrast & Surprise The brain is wired for novelty. If your presentation sounds predictable, people will tune out. Fix: Vary your tone, pace, and visuals. Drop in an unexpected question, statistic, or pause to keep them engaged. 4. Say Less, Mean More Too much information overloads the audience. They’ll remember nothing. Fix: Cut the fluff. Stick to one core message per slide, per section, per speech. 5. Make It Visual Bullet points don’t inspire. Images and metaphors do. Fix: Instead of saying “Our product is faster,” show a race car next to a bicycle. 6. End with a Bang, Not a Fizzle Most presentations end with “Thank you” and no real impact. Fix: Leave them with one key idea and a clear next step. Example: “If you only take away one thing today, let it be this…” 7. Master the Pause Most speakers talk too fast and leave no room for ideas to sink in. Fix: Silence is power. Pause after key points to let them land. 💡 A great presentation isn’t about information—it’s about transformation. Make your next one impossible to forget. What’s the most memorable presentation you’ve ever seen? Drop a comment below! ⬇

What can a baby teach us about mastering presentations? A few years ago, I recalled a memory of a friend navigating new motherhood. She had just welcomed her first baby, and her mother stayed with her for the first week to help her adjust. Despite years of experience babysitting in her teens and early twenties, my friend was understandably nervous about caring for her own infant. She asked her mother if she would stay longer. Her mother, ever calm, offered this timeless advice: “Oh, Elaine, it’s not that hard. Just keep his stomach full and his bottom dry.” Brilliant in its simplicity! The wisdom behind those words has stayed with me, because it reminds us that sometimes the best solutions are the simplest. And when it comes to public speaking, it’s the same principle: keep things clear and focused, and the rest will fall into place. Presenting doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Yet, many people get bogged down in the details—choosing the right words, worrying about how they look, fearing the “what ifs.” But let me tell you, the key to a successful presentation boils down to just two things: 1.      A clear message 2.     Audience connection If you nail these two, everything else is just gravy. The Power of a Clear Message Hone in on one core idea. If you can’t explain your message in a single sentence, you probably don’t have a clear enough grasp on it. Use short, impactful sentences that are easy for the ear to follow. A message may read brilliantly on paper, but when delivered aloud, it can easily lose its power if it’s too complex. So, speak in everyday language. Keep it conversational. People will connect with what you're saying because it feels accessible and real. Building an Authentic Connection with Your Audience Once your message is clear, focus on how it lands with your audience. Valuable content is just the starting point; you need to get your listeners out of their heads and into their hearts. So, how do you build that connection? Start by telling stories—personal anecdotes, industry-related examples, metaphors, and even humor. Stories help the audience see themselves in your message and make the content memorable. Make eye contact. Master the pause. Silence can be a powerful tool—give your audience time to feel your words, not just hear them. Engage them directly by using their names, asking them to participate with a show of hands, or encouraging them to nod in agreement. People respond when they feel like they’re part of the experience. Let them see your humanity—share your struggles and your successes—but don’t make the presentation all about you. Shift the focus to them. Make your message their journey. Just like my friend, who was initially overwhelmed by the thought of caring for her newborn, the simple, straightforward approach to presenting will give you the confidence you need to shine. With a clear message and a strong connection, you’ll deliver a knockout presentation every time.  

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 ❤️ 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴? 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗹. 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗽. Speaking to a group, big or small, can be daunting. But here's how to tackle it head-on and turn nerves into a powerful presentation. 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁, 𝗹𝗲𝘁'𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗯𝘂𝗻𝗸 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀. → Fear of judgment is often in our heads. Most audiences are rooting for you. They want to see you succeed. → Perfection isn't the goal. Authenticity is. Mistakes make you relatable. 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱, 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱: →Visualize success. Imagine your audience engaged and responding positively. → Breathe deeply. It calms nerves and steadies your voice. → Know your material inside out. Confidence comes from preparation. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱, 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: → Arrive or dial-in early. Familiarize yourself with the space. → Warm up your voice. It’s a muscle that needs stretching. → Make idle conversation with participants. You will be surprised by how relaxing it will be for you. 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵, 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆, 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱: → Start with a story or anecdote. It breaks the ice and draws your audience in. → Maintain eye contact. It builds connection and trust. → Use pauses effectively. They emphasize key points and allow your audience to digest information. Fifth, e𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹: → Ask questions. It invites interaction and keeps them attentive. → Use humor appropriately. Laughter relaxes both you and your audience. 𝗦𝗶𝘅𝘁𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆, 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: → Be yourself. Authenticity shines through and puts everyone at ease. → Acknowledge your nerves if they surface. It humanizes you and makes the audience empathetic. Remember, stage fright signals that you care about your message. Embrace it, and you'll turn your fear into fuel. 💪 How can I help?

Creating an Effective Presentation: Tips for Impactful Communication Creating an effective presentation is more than just compiling slides—it's about telling a compelling story that engages your audience and drives your message home. The art of presentation lies in how well you can communicate your ideas with clarity, simplicity, and impact. Here are some key strategies to keep in mind: ⭐️Start with a Clear Structure: Your presentation should have a logical flow. Begin with a strong introduction that sets the stage, followed by the main content organised into key points, and end with a powerful conclusion. Think of it like a story with a beginning, middle, and end. ⭐️Keep It Simple: Avoid overcrowding your slides with too much text or too many visuals. Focus on the key messages you want to convey and use concise language. The simpler your slides, the easier it is for your audience to follow along and retain the information. ⭐️Use Visuals Wisely: Visual aids can enhance your message, but only if used effectively. Use high-quality images, graphs, and charts that support your points and help to explain complex information more clearly. Remember, visuals should complement your narrative, not overshadow it. ⭐️Engage Your Audience: Ask questions, use anecdotes, or include interactive elements to keep your audience engaged. The more you can involve them, the more memorable your presentation will be. ⭐️Practice, Practice, Practice: Rehearse your presentation multiple times to get comfortable with the content and the flow. This will help you deliver your message more confidently and allow you to focus on engaging with your audience rather than worrying about what comes next. ⭐️Connecting When Presenting Online: In the virtual world, connection is just as important as in-person. Become familiar with the technology so that both you and your presentation appear on screen. This ensures that your audience can see your expressions and gestures, which are crucial for conveying enthusiasm and engagement. Practice switching between your presentation and direct engagement with the camera, so you can maintain a strong connection with your audience throughout. Creating an effective presentation is about more than just the slides; it’s about how you connect with your audience and make your message stick. Whether you're pitching a new idea, sharing research, or leading a training session, following these tips can help ensure your presentation is both impactful and memorable. #PresentationSkills #EffectiveCommunication #PublicSpeaking #Leadership #ProfessionalDevelopment

Creating effective PowerPoint presentations is an essential skill for administrative professionals. Here are some tips to help you create compelling and professional presentations: 1. Plan Your Presentation Outline Your Content: You can start with a clear presentation outline. Determine the main points you want to cover and the order in which you will present them. Set Clear Objectives: Know what you want to achieve with your presentation. This will guide your content and design choices. 2. Design with Clarity and Simplicity Use Consistent Themes: Choose a professional theme and stick with it throughout the presentation. This creates a cohesive look. Limit Text on Slides: Aim for a maximum of 6 bullet points per slide, with no more than six words per bullet point. This keeps slides easy to read and visually appealing. High-Quality Images: Use high-resolution images and graphics. Avoid pixelated or stretched images. Readable Fonts: Use sans-serif fonts like Arial or Calibri. Ensure the font size is large enough to be read from the back of the room (minimum 24pt for body text). 3. Master the Tools Shortcuts and Tools: Learn keyboard shortcuts for quicker editing. Use tools like SmartArt to create diagrams and infographics. Templates and Slide Masters: Use PowerPoint templates and slide masters to maintain consistency across your presentation. This saves time and ensures uniformity. 4. Effective Use of Data Charts and Graphs: Present data using charts and graphs. Choose the correct type of chart for your data (e.g., pie charts for proportions, line charts for trends). Simplify Data: Don’t overload slides with too much data. Highlight key points and trends. 5. Visual Hierarchy Highlight Important Information: Use font size, bold text, and colors to emphasize key points. Whitespace: Use whitespace to avoid clutter and make slides easier to read. 6. Practice Delivery Rehearse: Practice delivering your presentation multiple times. This helps you become familiar with the content and timing. Feedback: Get feedback from colleagues and make necessary adjustments. 7. Technical Preparedness Check Equipment: Ensure all equipment (projector, computer, etc.) is working before your presentation. Backup: Always have a backup of your presentation on a USB drive or in the cloud. 8. Know Your Audience Tailor Content: Adapt your presentation content and style to suit your audience's knowledge level and interests. Engagement Strategies: Consider how to engage different types of audiences, such as executives, clients, or colleagues. 9. Review and Edit Proofread: Check for spelling and grammar errors. Ensure all information is accurate. Consistency: Review the presentation for consistency in fonts, colors, and slide layouts.

Great slides don’t guarantee a great presentation! Your delivery does. Here’s how to practice your slides effectively 🔹 1. Rehearse aloud → Don’t just read silently→ speak your presentation out loud. ↳ This helps you get comfortable with the flow and identify awkward phrasing. ↳ Speaking aloud builds muscle memory and improves articulation. 🔹 2. Record yourself → Playback reveals what you don’t notice in the moment. ↳ Listen for pacing issues, filler words, or unclear sections. ↳ Watch for body language cues—are you engaging or stiff? 📌 You can’t fix what you don’t hear or see. 🔹 3. Time your presentation → Every presentation has a time limit—respect it. ↳ Use a timer to make sure you’re within the allocated time. ↳ If you’re too long, trim unnecessary details—if too short, expand key insights. 📌 Well-paced delivery keeps the audience engaged. 🔹 4. Focus on transitions → A great presentation flows smoothly between slides. ↳ Avoid abrupt shifts—use transition phrases to connect ideas. ↳ Example: “Now that we’ve seen the problem, let’s explore the solution…” 📌 Good transitions keep your audience following your narrative. 🔹 5. Practice with your visuals → Your slides should support, not distract from, your delivery. ↳ Align your explanations with your graphs, tables, or animations. ↳ Use a pointer or highlight key areas to guide the audience’s focus. 📌 Your slides are tools→ use them strategically. 🔹 6. Seek feedback → Fresh eyes catch what you miss. ↳ Rehearse in front of peers, mentors, or colleagues. ↳ Ask for specific feedback on clarity, engagement, and body language. 📌 The best presenters refine their delivery based on feedback. 🔹 7. Simulate the environment → Rehearsing in a similar setting reduces anxiety. ↳ Practice in a room similar to where you’ll present—stand, move, and use gestures. ↳ If possible, practice with your actual equipment (clicker, mic, projector). 📌 Familiarity builds confidence. 🔹 8. Refine your script → Bullet points, not full sentences, make for a natural delivery. ↳ Have key talking points but avoid reading slides word-for-word. ↳ Practice until you can speak naturally without relying on notes. 📌 Confidence comes from preparation, not memorization. ****************** 💬 Which of these strategies do you use when preparing for a presentation? #PresentationSkills #PublicSpeaking #Communication #Leadership #ProfessionalDevelopment

I spent 2 weekends analyzing 50+ presentations from #McKinsey, #Bain, and #BCG Here are 5 low-effort techniques we can all use immediately in our own presentations: 1️⃣ Never share a single data point in insolation 30% looks great until we see growth was 40% YoY last year 2️⃣ The SCQA Framework Start by explaining the Situation State the Complication Share the Question the presentation answers Provide the Answer It’s actually kind of funny how all 50 of their presentations followed this exact framework 3️⃣ The Pyramid Principle Executives don’t care about all the grunt work we do, so start with the bottom line (i.e. the conclusion) up front 4️⃣ Color With Intention Use colors to help focus the viewers' attention on specific sections of a slide 5️⃣ Table vs. Graphs Graphs and charts are amazing at visualizing data but use tables when you need to show precise values #presentationtips

Over thousands of hours in the classroom, I have seen two kinds of moments. Sometimes a speaker starts and everyone leans in—you can feel the room focus. Other times, eyes drift and notes come out. What is the difference? It is not just charisma. It is structure. I have distilled the best presentations down to five moves:  • 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 (one sentence).  • 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 (not twelve).  • 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗵 (one proof per reason).  • 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 + 𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.  • 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝗸 (specific). I wrote on The Edge a short, copy-ready guide with templates you can use for your next presentation, all-hands, or board update: https://lnkd.in/eCZcrr5G I’m attaching a short guide with the five building blocks. #Leadership #Communication #PublicSpeaking #Management #TheEdge

No one learns by being talked at. Adults learn by doing, reflecting, and trying again. Last week, I had the privilege of leading a presentation skills workshop for the ESCP - European Society of Coloproctology. What stood out? The energy in the room. A small, engaged group of professionals fully invested in leveling up their skills. Within the first 45 minutes, participants were already presenting. Why? Because real growth comes from action. You can’t master communication by sitting back and listening. You have to step in, try, and refine. Here are three techniques we practiced (and you can start using today): → State your one-sentence takeaway *before* showing a slide. This sets the stage for your audience. → Open with a clear promise of value, then guide your audience with a structured agenda. → Use the PRA method for Q&A: Pause. Reframe the question. Answer with 1-2-3 points for clarity. By the end of the day, the progress was visible. Confidence grew. Messages became sharper. And every participant left with tools to amplify their impact. Thank you to Gabrielle van Ramshorst and the ESCP team for creating a space where curiosity and commitment thrived. If your organization or leadership team is ready for practical, hands-on training that delivers measurable improvement, let’s talk. Together, we can build clarity, confidence, and connection.

As leaders, strengthening our public speaking skills is essential for our ability to communicate ideas, influence others, and inspire meaningful action. Here are some public speaking do's and don'ts: Positioning 🛑 Don’t pace incessantly—it makes your audience anxious. ✅ Do move with purpose. Pause for effect and plant your feet firmly to emphasize key points. Visual Aids 🛑 Don’t overload your slides with text. ✅ Do use visuals to complement your message and keep slides concise. (Note: if you are reading your slides, your audience is too in which case you could have sent an email instead of giving a presentation 🙂) Audience Engagement 🛑 Don’t ignore your audience's reactions. (Your public speaking superpower is knowing how to read the room and adjust to what's happening) ✅ Do ask questions, encourage participation, and be responsive to their feedback. Preparation 🛑 Don’t get on stage and wing it. (It doesn't matter how well you know your content, you should always prep and practice!) ✅ Do respect your audience by creating a presentation appropriate for their level and engaging them with relevant, tailored content that meets their needs and expectations. One of my favorite things is teaching and coaching leaders on actionable ways to enhance their public speaking skills. Through 1x1 coaching and workshops, leaders practice posture and positioning, engagement techniques, recovery and adjustments, time management, and more. They also deliver short presentations and receive real-time feedback in a supportive environment. If improving your public speaking skills is part of your professional development plan for this year let's connect!