Giving presentations with pizazz - public speaking

Information Outlook, April, 1999 by Mary K. Dzurinko

Panelist Roger Harvey, an investigative reporter for Indianapolis TV station WTHR-13, shared the skills he has learned from his experiences as a TV reporter. He provided eight points to "Winning Over An Audience":

1. Know your subject. You should know what you're talking about. An audience knows if you're not comfortable with a subject. Even though Harvey doesn't use a script when broadcasting on location, he indicated that he makes notes about the situation as a guide when on camera.

2. Practice, Practice, Practice. Practice makes perfect and gives you confidence.

3. Eye to Eye. Eye contact gets the audience's attention and develops a rapport with. them.

4. Humor 'em. A humorous story or incident breaks the ice and relaxes you and the audience.

5. Grab 'em. A startling statement, story, or comment gets audience attention.

6. Move it. Move your speech along. Be aware of the type of sentence structure you use and the amount of information you provide.

7. Visual Aids. Use graphics when necessary, but use them wisely.

8. Go Slow. Did you forget what you were going to say? Slow down. Did you lose your place? Slow down. Are you nervous? Slow down. Are you suffering from the "um" or "er" syndrome? Slow down. Are you talking too fast? Slow down.

Harvey advised nervous speakers to take deep breaths before speaking a sentence and recommended thorough preparation and practice as an aid in dealing with unexpected situations.

Claire Hart, executive director of Enterprise Products, Dow Jones Interactive Publishing, shared her experiences from a public speaking workshop she had attended which was conducted by Dorothy Sarnoff. Sarnoff, a former Broadway actress and founder of Speech Dynamics, is the author of Never Be Nervous Again, a popular book that details step-by-step techniques to help speakers conquer the fear of speaking, overcome nervousness, and develop positive verbal skills.

Hart shared several tips she had learned at the workshop:

1. Prepare your material carefully, paying particular attention to your beginning and ending.

2. Rehearse your presentation.

3. Pay attention to your personal appearance.

4. Develop relaxation exercises as a way to calm your nerves and build your confidence.

5. Be enthusiastic.

6. Maintain eye contact with the audience.

Hart stated that the workshop helped her assess her speaking skills and develop a plan to sharpen and enhance these skills.

The presentations demonstrated the value of the public speaking tips Lantz, Harvey, and Hart offered. The panelists captured and held the audience's attention, combined humorous comments with practical applications, and were confident and in command of their space. The rapport they established with the audience resulted in a lively question and answer session.

You can't anticipate the problems you'll face when speaking in public. But the "Lantz, Harvey, Hart Tips" will make you a winner: prepare, breathe deeply, practice, practice, practice...

Mary K. Dzurinko is principal of MK Dzurinko Associates, an information management consulting firm. She can be reached at mkdtrain@aol.com.