What does the New Year mean for you? Will you head off in a new direction and maybe apply for a new job? Do you have a fresh vision for your business? Or are you thinking of having a party for that special age you turn this year? Whatever is new for you, it is most likely you will have to sell this idea – or indeed yourself – to a particular audience. How are your presentation skills going to hold up?
At Kool Results we can offer you advice and tips for speaking out confidently.
Effective presentation skills
When you get up to speak do you come over well? You may be required to give a presentation; speak at a public event or appear at that crucial second interview for a job.
What’s your current style? Is it death by power point or are you able to make that emotional connection with your audience? In a presentation you will need to provide facts and figures which are accurate, but can you do it in such a way as to inspire your audience? Make sure you bring your personality to bear on the talk. Offer anecdotes and tell a story to illustrate your facts. If the audience can relate to what is being discussed they will become actively engaged. Story telling is a legitimate way of doing business, so use it if it works for you. Remember not to stray too far off topic in case your audience really does think you are in fairy-tale land!
Maybe it’s not a product or idea you are trying to sell, but it’s you at an interview when you seek a career change. The interviewers will have seen and heard it all before, so how can you make a point of difference? What do you need to do to stamp your personality on the job? This is where coaching is particularly valuable, as a coach can improve your self-confidence and self-awareness. When your strengths are high-lighted, you can recognise the qualities you do have and become empowered to express them confidently. Most people find it challenging to sell themselves – particularly women – so it is important to enhance these skills.
In the December newsletter we talked about social intelligence and its importance. When you are at a team meeting, perhaps trying to sell a new idea to your people, it’s particularly important for you to get staff on board. You need to engage them and get them to share your values. They won’t be convinced by raw data, dry graphs and pie charts. So use the other strengths you have; maybe it’s your sense of humour and your spontaneity. Bring your personality into discussions so they can share in your passions and dreams.
Whatever the nature of the presentation you need to make, being at ease and comfortable with yourself is the key. Use some of the tools suggested, and then try to imagine you are having a chat with the audience to break down any barriers. Just as you need to feel comfortable, the audience will be far more receptive if they are at ease and engaged with your style.
Have a look at some of the greatest television interviewers. The chat show host, Michael Parkinson, had real skills in not only relaxing his interviewees, but also in engaging the television audience so they felt they were in the same room.
You may never have to appear on television, but Kool Results can help you become the best speaker and best presenter you possibly can be.
Kool Results ... putting you firstPersonal & Business CoachingPhone: 08 8376 3492 Fax: 08 8376 3493 Mobile: 0438 017 873Email: fiona@koolresults.com.au Web: www.koolresults.com.au Blog: http://kool-results.blogspot.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment