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Introduction -
In either a one- or two-day format, participants will secure the skill base to speak before groups of any size with poise and confidence they might never have thought possible. Audience comprehension soars because presenters learn to deliver content with techniques that both inspire and entertain.
Lecture and demonstration content for either time-frame format is the same. The decision to adopt a one-day or two-day format is based on time availability of the participants versus the desire for more “repetitions” of the interactive, experiential learning modus.
Course content is divided into modules that thoroughly cover Delivery, presentation Content, Presentation Design, handling Questions and Answers, and finally the proper use of Humor.
Delivery:
First, we work to overcome the most common human fear, speaking before a group, and the nervousness and uneasiness that fear creates. Then, participants learn to take command of their audience by channeling their nervous energy into
dynamic presentation skills.
When a presenter has the tools to feel confident, audiences feel more comfortable, and the atmosphere becomes more conducive to persuasion in the process.
Although speaking to a group is reported to be the Number 1 human fear, the truth is a bit more nuanced.
Participants only BELIEVE they fear public speaking because
their most common behaviors when in the spotlight produce exactly the same physiological responses as when
they are genuinely facing a life-threatening event.
In other words, whenever
the brain senses a potential threat, (in this case of one person
speaking to a group, it's the "one against many" scenario), the body responds with the same chemical preparations to
deal with the "threat" as it does when one experiences a blowout
at 70 MPH.
Then, because of what most
have been taught from an early age, they engage in behaviors that exacerbate this
chemical surge. They become their own worst enemy. Not because
they're weak, or think negatively, or are not prepared, as most of the "wisdom" out there would have us believe.
Rather, because they come to the front of the room carrying a huge
load of unavoidable baggage and then commit actions that the body has no choice to respond to other than to
crank it up.
However, by simply changing a few of these wrongly taught
behaviors, participants discover they can completely change
their body's response; with very little practice, the fear is first lessened,
and then it is gone.
No self-hypnosis, no fuzzy neuro-reprogramming, no reliance on "positive thinking" exercises that fail at the
worst time. The process that takes participants from poor
or average to expert is one that simply involves modifying three things that
they've done since their first stand-up book report in grade school.
Content:
The bottom line is that listeners don't care what you do. They care about what you can do for them. Participants learn to talk in terms of results, feelings, benefits, outcomes, and ideas. They learn to imagine audience members with signs on their foreheads that read: "So What? What's in it for
me?“ Time is thus allotted to the content, relevancy, and organization of the presentation. Emphasis is put on creating presentations that contain specific content for specific audiences. Participants discern, and are provided with a comprehensive checklist of, over 25 criteria used in a proper audience analysis.
Presentation Design:
We also examine how, as computer-based presentations have become more the norm than a novelty, audiences are often overwhelmed with poorly developed productions.
Unfortunately, good software alone does not make a good presentation. In fact, quite the opposite is true! Participants learn that there are strict rules to follow, and the innumerable pitfalls that can sap the strength of even superb speakers, ruining an otherwise well-delivered show. It soon becomes self-evident that many who struggle with public speaking are simply trying to deliver the "wrong" presentation!
Participants learn a "paint-by-numbers" approach to good design, and how to save their next audience from the new corporate syndrome know as "Death by PowerPoint".
Best of all, they discover that they need not be graphic artists to create understandable and persuasive on-screen results.
As part of the Presentation Design module, participants:
• Realize the importance of proper delivery of visual
information
• Understand how the brain processes visual input
• Comprehend simplifying -- how Less is
More
• Gain control of audience attention through layout and
timing
• Discover 10 techniques to guarantee that presenter and audience are in sync
Questions & Answers:
Sometimes the prepared presentation is only a prelude to the real program, i.e., the Question and Answer session. So, depending on the firm's needs, up to one-quarter of classroom time can be scheduled for the Q & A process. To enhance the relevancy of this module, participants prepare and trade questions that they would actually encounter in their real business environment. Participants learn:
• How to ask for questions and properly address the
questioner
• How to listen for the real
question
• How to neutralize negative
questions
• How to deliver and format the answer to the entire
group
• How to tie the answer back to the content of the original
presentation
• How to deal with unexpected contingencies
Humor:
There is a plethora of advice on using humor in presentations out there, and most if it is just plain wrong. Improper use of humor can trip up even the most seasoned presenters. Instead, participants will come away knowing:
• When - and when not - to use humor in a presentation
• What type of humor to use, and what to
avoid
• How to use humor effectively even if you're not "funny"
Teaching
Methodology:
There are no pre-requisites. Our "benchmarking" technique allows participants to capitalize on their best traits and re-direct old habits for positive results. Regardless of abilities, all learn the specific techniques necessary to drive their message home and make their next presentation a memorable experience for all.
Methodology follows three forms: Self-Realization, Participation, and Process Improvement.
Self-Realization:
Sessions begin with establishing current competency (based on client preference, we
include videotape). As skills are learned, participants expand their self-realization through peer review in addition to coaching by instructors.
Participation:
All PublicSpeakingSkills.com presentations are conducted with emphasis on the experiential. That is, while each presentation module includes demonstrations by the instructors of the required behavior, the majority of seminar time is given to the participants actually performing the techniques required for proper presenting.
In addition, all participants receive a 100-page hardcover workbook for use in class and as a reference for use beyond class.
Process Improvement:
The skills to becoming a persuasive and effective presenter are broken down into modules that can be easily absorbed at each step. Participants practice thoroughly each module before moving on to the next. With each subsequent module, participants must also incorporate the skills learned in each preceding module. Going forward beyond the classroom, participants are given tools to practice the skills during their regular business day.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completing this course participants will know how to:
• Feel confident to stand and deliver before any size
group
• Use eye contact, gestures, and body language for maximum
effect
• Develop and organize a presentation for any audience and any
event
• Design visuals to enhance both the presenter’s message &
performance
• Deliver visual information in a way that keeps the audience in
sync
• Handle tough
questions
• Master memorization
techniques
• Use humor
effectively
How the participants will
benefit:
Delivery
In learning the skills to present ideas before a group in a persuasive fashion, participants both gain confidence in themselves, and better forward the organization’s mission. Participants gain self-realization through overcoming the most common human fear. Employees become better all-around communicators.
Content
Gaining the skills to develop presentations that inspire and persuade transforms into better business writing, organizational skills, report generation, and knowledge transfer outside the presentation process.
Presentation Visuals
Participants gain an understanding of how simplifying ideas can increase comprehension, how new concepts need to be introduced in elementary form, and how these precepts apply to all aspects of their jobs.
Q & A
Participants learn the art of listening, and through listening, an appreciation of the diversity of learning styles. Cooperation and understanding between co-workers is enhanced as participants discover other’s points of view. Participants learn how to develop positive responses to potentially negative situations.
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