Keeping up public appearances: master the fine art of public-speaking and give a great presentation every time

Black Enterprise, July, 1997 by Audrey Arthur

You've worked hard and your boss is so impressed that you've been chosen to make a quarterly presentation before your peers and company higher-ups. What do you do next?

"To be a strong presenter you have to give your audience something they didn't have before they walked through the door," says Janice Powell-Rollins, director of public policy at U S West Inc. in Denver, who makes frequent presentations to government and business leaders.

Presentation skills are vital for the simple fact that more organizations are having meetings and conferences. Two hundred corporations and associations responding to a recent Meeting Professionals International/National Speakers Association survey estimated they would plan more than 7,600 meetings in 1996-97, consisting of training seminars, sales meetings, professional/technical seminars, management/board meetings and conventions/trades shows. Patricia Ball, president of the National Speakers Association and author of Straight Talk Is More Than Words (Knox Publishing; $20), says an effective presentation has these elements:

* An attention grabbing opener.

* Good content interspersed with humor and anecdotes that relate to the presentation's main point(s).

* A closing that is hard-hitting, inspirational or a call to action.

* Strong delivery skills--vocal variety, movement techniques, gestures, facial expressions, believability and passion.

Gather twice as much information as you think you'll need, and use the most interesting and dynamic points. Research your audience as well to determine the key players and their levels of expertise. Ask yourself:

Will there be any strong advocates or dissenters? Why is this audience coming together to hear you? What information can you give that they don't already know?

With research completed, work should begin on content, which represents 80% of your presentation. It's essential that this portion of the presentation flow--with the theme or main point emphasized at the beginning.

Last, but not least, practice. "When well prepared, the amount of nervousness subsides and it's something you can handle," says Powell-Rollins. Develop a cadence so that your audience doesn't get bored. But don't speak so fast that your audience can't follow.

When the time comes to present, remember that there is nothing wrong with starting a sentence over, or having a thoughtful pause during your presentation, notes Ball. Audiences decide your credibility within the first 30 seconds, so make sure your attire, posture and gait, the way you pause and smile exude confidence.

Good verbal communication skills are one of the most important skills a person can have, says Ball. "Not only does it give you confidence and exposure, but that confidence flows into other areas of your professional life.

TIPS FOR AN EFFECTIVE PRESENTATION:

* Slides and other forms of multimedia can make your speech more polished, but they should be used only to support the points you wish to make.

* Make eye contact with every part of the room.

* Be aware of your hand gestures, posture and voice inflection.

* Avoid speaking negatively to your audience, e.g., "Please bear with me. I'm not use to doing this ..." Instead, jump right in with positive talk, "Good afternoon. I'm happy to be here ..."

* Don't concentrate on yourself during the presentation; instead, focus on the message and your audience.

RELATED ARTICLE: NETWORKING NOTEBOOK

Building vision, direction and energy

The National Association of Black Accountants will hold its 26th annual convention July 8-12 at the Hyatt Regency Miami.

The conference offers members and others opportunities to increase their knowledge of accounting practices and methods, network and enhance their professional development. For more information, contact: NABA, 7249-A Hanover Parkway, Greenbelt, MD 20770; 301-474-NABA.