Effective Presentations January 26, 2007 Peter Masucci Adjunct Professor of Marketing University of New Hampshire Whittemore School of Business and Economics January 26, 2007 Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide - “Great speakers aren’t born, they are trained.” Presenting is a Skill… Developed through training and experience January 26, 2007 Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide - Agenda • • • • • January 26, 2007 Introduction Planning your presentation The presentation sequence Creating effective visual aids Effective presentation techniques Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide - Peter Masucci – Teaching Experience UNH, Whittemore School of Business & Economics, Durham, NH – Undergraduate courses • ADMN 651 – Principles of Marketing • MGT 732 – Explorations in Entrepreneurial Management • MGT 755 – International Management • MKTG 752 – Marketing Research • MKTG 757 – Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications • MKTG 762 – Marketing Workshop • MKTG 763 – Market Opportunities Analysis • MKTG 798 – Advertising Workshop – Graduate courses • ADMN 852 – Marketing Research, MBA • ADMN 898 – Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications, MBA • ADMN 898 – New Product Development, MBA • ADMN 960 – Marketing Management, MBA • MOT 898 – Market Research for Emerging Technologies, MS MOT • MOT 941 – Product Development and Marketing, MS MOT Simmons College, Boston, MA – Graduate School, Master’s in Communications Management Program (MCM) • MCM 442 – Emerging Communications Technologies • MCM 451 – Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications • MCM 453 – Strategic Marketing Planning • MCM 458 – Online Marketing January 26, 2007 Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide - Peter Masucci – Professional Experience Professional experience: 2001 VX Management Group, Founding Partner • Management and marketing consulting 1998 Open Market/FutureTense, VP Business Development • Internet content management and transaction processing software 1998 Saradam Telemedicine Systems, Founder and CEO • Remote medical services delivered via videoconferencing over the Internet 1996 PictureTel, VP Marketing • Videoconferencing equipment and services 1994 Sequoia Systems, VP Marketing • High-performance, fault-tolerant business computer systems 1986 Alliant Computer Systems, VP International Operations • High-performance, scientific supercomputer systems 1973 Digital Equipment, various marketing management positions • PCs, minicomputer systems, embedded real-time computers, semiconductors 1970 Rockwell International Space Division, Project Engineer • Apollo moon missions and Skylab space station programs 1967 NASA – Electronics Research Center, Research Assistant • Trajectory analysis planning for deep space probes • Education: – Boston University, BS in Aerospace Engineering – Clark University, MBA with concentration in marketing January 26, 2007 Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide - Introduction January 26, 2007 Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide - Why Give A Presentation? Three Main Purposes Inform Persuade Educate January 26, 2007 Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide - Definitions Presentation • “Something set forth to an audience for the attention of the mind “ Effective • “…producing a desired result” January 26, 2007 Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide - #1 Fear • Feared more than death! • THE FACTS: Shaky hands, blushing cheeks, memory loss, nausea, and knocking knees • NORMAL! January 26, 2007 Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide - Causes of the Anxiety • • • • • Fear of the unknown OR loss of control Fight or flight mode No backup plan No enthusiasm for subject Focus of attention January 26, 2007 Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide - Vocal Techniques • Loudness – Will you be using a microphone? • Pitch – Vary to make points • Rate – Watch your audience • Pause for effect – Allow time for message to “sink in” • Deviate from the norm for emphasis January 26, 2007 Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide - The Voice C: Clear – the use of simple, easily understood words and phrases L: Loud (enough) – it is important that everyone can hear you A: Assertive – a bright and confident air born of knowledge of the subject and good preparation P: Pause – it is essential to allow the listeners time to digest what you have said January 26, 2007 Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide - Use the Rights Words What you say, and how you say it, is the key to a successful presentation: P – state your position or point R – explain your ideas E – use examples P – restate your position or point January 26, 2007 Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide - Use of Body Language • • • • January 26, 2007 Make eye contact Use your hands, but don’t go crazy If possible move around, but slowly! DON’T speak with your back to the audience Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide - Body Language • Make eye contact,…but move focus around the audience • Use your hands,…but don’t go crazy • If possible move around,…but slowly! • Maintain good posture • Make sure everyone can see you • DON’T speak with your back to the audience January 26, 2007 Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide - Scripts and Notes • Learn and use a script for formal presentations to large groups • Small note cards, or PPT notes page, can be used, but FIRST write a script • Underline key words that will best remind you what you want to say • Use one card for each slide or topic • If possible, have someone else advance slides for you January 26, 2007 Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide - Speaker Reads Slides • A speaker may put his entire presentation on his slides He turns his back to the audience and reads the slides aloud Perhaps he feels this approach guarantees all the information will get to the audience • This may be the most annoying way to give a presentation Audience members feel insulted: they already know how to read! They wonder why the lecturer doesn’t simply hand out a copy of the slides • The visual presentation dominates the presenter The presenter is not adding any value to what is on the slides Psst! This slide is way too busy! January 26, 2007 Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide - Common Problems • Verbal fillers – “Um”, “uh”, “like”, “you guys” – Any unrelated word or phrase • • • • • January 26, 2007 Swaying, rocking, and pacing Hands in pockets Lip smacking Fidgeting Failure to be audience-centered Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide - Pauses • Useful – Awaiting thought – Switching gaze – Reading slide – Reinforcing point • Powerful • Difficult January 26, 2007 Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide - Control of Information • • • • • Know your subject well Know what you are talking about Practice More practice More rehearsals - in front of the mirror - in front of colleagues or friends - in front of family members • Believe in yourself • Know your opening by heart January 26, 2007 Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide - Closing Summary • • • • • • • January 26, 2007 Audience is always attentive at the begining Somewhat less attentive in the middle Generally more attentive at the end Tell them what you are going to say Then say it At the end, say it again Allow time for questions Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide - Questions and Answers Opportunities • Welcoming gestures • Focusing gaze • Body language • Getting point • Reinforcing message • Including audience January 26, 2007 Pitfalls • Hostile gestures • Wandering gaze • Body language • Missing point • Seeking approval • Excluding audience Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide - 5 Presentation Tips Smile Breathe Water Notes Finish on, or under time January 26, 2007 Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide - Summary Guide audience gently Design slides carefully Use pauses effectively Answer questions inclusively January 26, 2007 Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide - January 26, 2007 Effective Presentations © 2007 Peter Masucci - Slide -