Winging It

We've all been there.  You have an important business presentation coming up.  You're the keynote speaker at a prestigious event.  You're expected to speak at a meeting.  You have practiced and practiced and practiced some more.  And then, the moment arrives and all your rehearsing is for nothing because you have suddenly forgotten all that you were supposed to say.  What do you do now?  According to the experts, don't panic - wing it!

If the thought of improvising your speech or presentation at the last minute gives you cold chills, there are some techniques you can use to help.

1.  Relax.  This may be difficult but you will find it easier to think if you remain calm.  Take a few deep breaths, give yourself some silent but positive encouragement and go for it.

2.  This is one instance where silence is not golden.  Long periods of dead air will definitely let everyone know that something is not quite right.  However, you can use silence to your advantage if you use it sparingly.  So if necessary, take a minute to collect your thoughts.   

3.  Don't edit yourself.  Go with your first instinct.  Dead air results while you are busy second-guessing yourself and trying to come up with exactly the right thing to say.  Trust your gut and speak what's on your mind.

4.  Talk with your hands.  Seriously.  Researchers found that people with unrestricted gestures were more fluent than people who had their arms immobilized.  So take your hands out of your pockets.  Stop clenching them together in front of you or behind your back.

5.  Don't try to be flawless.  Your audience hasn't read your speech so they won't know if it isn't letter perfect.  Instead of focusing on trying to recall exactly what you were going to say, focus on communicating your ideas and serving your audience to the best of your ability.

6.  Speak clearly.  Mumbling or using "umm" after every other word decreases your audience's confidence in what you are saying. Speak in a strong voice, pay attention to your grammar, and use the appropriate level of formality.

Winging it doesn't mean running ahead full throttle without thought.  It means staying in control of the situation.  Use these techniques and you'll  impress your audience, and yourself, with your confidence and poise.  They'll never know your mind went blank - unless you tell them.

What's Your Point?

I took a couple of business prospects to a presentation last Monday. The prospects were eager to see the business, the speaker had been part of our team for several years, he was making great money and was very successful. And yet neither of my prospects joined my team. Why? Because I hate to admit it, but even I got lost during the presentation and I already knew how it worked. And the presentation I said would be 30 minutes long wound up being almost 90 minutes in length. By the time it was all over, my guests wanted nothing more than to bolt for the door and head for home.

Why do most people want to use twelve words when two will do? And what makes them think we are interested in every incident in their lives? The stories may be funny to some people, but when you're trying to get your point across, less is definitely more. Rambling, drawn out presentations only lose everybody trying to listen.

When making a presentation or sharing your business with a prospective client, get to the point quickly. You'll hold your listener's attention much more effectively. Since most people think faster than they speak or listen, if you start to ramble, their thoughts will wander to other things. And you want their attention focused on what you have to say. If you are dealing with a younger person, it's especially critical. It has been scientifically proven that younger people have much shorter attention spans. Their brains are used to processing short bursts of information. These products of the computer and video game era aren't going to sit still for your epic presentation. So lay out your bottom line quickly and succcintly. The Gettysburg Address is 272 words - a mere 10 sentences long. And yet it is regarded as one of the most greatest speeches in history.

How can you become better at making a presentation? Preparation and practice. First, listen to some speakers you like and who capture their audience's attention. Observe other business presentations and note what kept your focused and what caused your mind to wander. Then prepare your own presentation. Make an outline of points you want to make to help keep you on track, but don't write the entire presentation. You'll be too tempted to just read it and that' another no-n0.

Now the most important part - PRACTICE! Give your presentation to your family, your friends, your colleagues - anyone who will listen and give you constructive criticism. Rehearse until you feel completely comfortable. If possible, tape yourself so you can hear and see for yourself how look and sound.

Don't let poor presentations skills cost you business. Keep it short, keep it pertinent, make it interesting, and PRACTICE!