TIPS FOR PRESENTATION

1.	Match thinking styles	You need to tailor your content and delivery to match their thinking style.
2.	Get to the point	Engage your audience by addressing what they want to know quickly.  Avoid opening your presentation with background about you or your company.
3.	Expect tough questions	Come prepared with robust answers.
4.	Keep it balanced	Content proportions: 10% introduction 75% body 15% conclusion Don’t overload introduction or bring new ideas in the conclusion.
5.	Make friends	Establish a good rapport with the audience early.  Greet them warmly; ask how they are enjoying the day.
6.	Back it up	Always provide follow-up materials.  Keep the material concise and relevant to the presentation.
7.	Stand up	Whenever possible, present standing.  It will command attention, and gain better breath and voice control.
8.	Mix your message	A rounded presentation combines several types of arguments.  Use rhetoric and mix ethos and phatos in summing up for a powerful closing.
9.	Hold back the paperwork	Distribute printed handouts after completion of oral presentation so as to prevent audience from becoming distracted.
10.	Keep it simple	Keep the presentation slide simple.
11.	Avoid extras	Don’t leave audience wondering why something that is in the slide was not addressed.
12.	Look at the audience	Don’t use slides as prompts for yourself.  It will encourage you to make slides that are for you rather than your audience.  Furthermore it will make you look at the screen rather than at the audience.
13.	Check  it will work	Always check the compatibility of technologies used.
14.	Rehearse your attitude	Practice the energy and enthusiasm you put into the presentation.
15.	Keep on track	Treat digression as a chance to connect with the audience.
16.	Check lines of sights	Consider whether everyone will have a clear view.
17.	Rest up	Get a good night’s sleep before your presentation.  This will help projecting relaxed confidence.
18.	Accentuate the positive	Avoid crossing your arms or leaning backwards.
19.	Protect your voice	Don’t drink milk or milk product before speaking; they will coat your mouth.
20.	Make it readable	Print out your speech in a large, clear font on single sided pages.  Mark the script for points of emphasis.
21.	Maintain openness	Stay away from defensive language and seek to be empathetic.
22.	Use touchstones	Keep returning back to key words and phrases in your answers.  This will help emphasize crucial points and help audience retention.
23.	Good question!	Don’t overuse the response: “That’s a good question!” or it will lose its meaning with the audience.
24.	Repeat the question	Repeat or summarize each question for the benefit of others in the audience before offering an answer.

Short notes from:

THE BOOK OF MANAGEMENT

The Ten Essential Skills For Achieving High Performance

Darling Kindersley Limited (DKL), Penguin Group (UK)