You Are Always Selling and Negotiating

The accountant was a partner at a major accounting firm. She was clearly qualified as an expert in her field. She admitted to me that she was quite comfortable talking about her area of expertise to her clients. She was sincerely willing to help her clients.

The point where she ran into difficulty was selling her services to the client. She got anxious when discussing the price and detested “closing the deal”.

Accounting training had not prepared her for the angst of selling your value.

Every presentation is a sales presentation even if you don’t want to see yourself as a salesperson. Every time you speak you must convince people to listen to you, trust you and believe what you say. Most importantly you must convince them to act on what you say.

You are selling your credibility, ideas, services and team. When offering professional services you are also selling your experience, personality, character, strengths and flaws.

Yes, sell your flaws. Tell your audience what you don’t know. And tell them what you can do to get that information. Tell them what you won’t do. That’s more important that you might think. Clients need to you know your limits – and so do you.

I had a conference call with a prospect on a Friday who asked for a response from me for Monday. I told them that I don’t work on the weekend and would have their answer for Tuesday. After a pregnant pause, they agreed. They hired me to train their staff on presentation skills.

In the 1997 movie, The Devil’s Advocate, Keanu Reeves ask Al Pacino (The Devil) “Are we negotiating? The devil answers, “We’re always negotiating.”

When you speak – you are negotiating – you are selling – you are attempting to persuade your audience.

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Warning – Presentation Danger Ahead

When you speak before an audience you will encounter the ravages of Murphy’s Law. It is not a matter of “if” things go wrong, it is only a matter of “when” they will go wrong. You can’t predict when that will happen. Murphy is always lurking in the room just waiting to attack.

Don’t count on luck to help you avoid these presentation gremlins. Remember that there’s both good luck and bad luck. Some presenters claim that if it wasn’t for bad luck, they’d have no luck at all.

If you speak, you will encounter some of these presentation potholes, detours and accidents. Murphy seems to enjoy messing with presentations. This report is as close as you can get to holding a “Get Out of Jail Free” card.

You can’t always prevent these potholes, detours and accidents from assaulting your presentation. But you can prepare for them so you can minimize the damage and shine through the turbulence.

Luck is the residue of design.

Rickey’s Law

Get your free copy of the eBook 
Turn Presentation Disasters into Presentation Success

Just click the link - no need to give your name or email.

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Presentation Tips Video: 3 Parts to Your Presentation

Structure is important to your presentation success. This is a fundamental that many poor speakers overlook. Your presentation needs an Opening, a Body and a Close. The Opening and Close are more important than you might think. Watch this video:



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Presentation Tips: Inform, Engage & Move to Action video

The three things you need to do in every presentation to be successful. Enjoy this short video with valuable presentations tips.



Inform, engage and move to action - your presentation formula for success.

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Wanted: Person with Poor Communication & Presentation Skills

Ha, Ha, Just Kidding!

Have you seen a job ad asking for poor or mediocre communication skills?

Probably not. Think about that. What does that suggest to you?

You've probably seen many job ads asking for good, advanced or superior communication skills.

Let's be clear. Skills of any type are developed. Skills are not natural. Interest might be natural. But skills needs to be developed through learning, practise and coaching.

If you want to be a better presenter you must develop your presentation skills. What have you done about that lately?

There are three necessary steps to developing any skill set:

• Learn the principles
• Practice the techniques
• Get expert guidance

The next time an interviewer asks you about your presentation skills, what will you say to demonstrate how you have addressed those three phases of skill development?

Communication and presentation skills are skills. You need to develop skills. You can't blindly claim ownership.

PS: By following this blog you will learn about the principles and tips that lead to effective techniques. You will still need to practice and get expert feedback from a coach, instructor or mentor.


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Questions To Ask Your Speech Coach

When you are selecting your public speaking or presentation skills coach - here are some important questions that can help you select the best speech coach for you.

Tell me about your most unusual or most challenging presentations that you have delivered.

Tell me about some of the books that you have read recently on presentation skills.

Tell me about some of your speech coaching triumphs.

Tell me about your experience working with executives and executive issues.

Show me what your clients say.

In addition to the questions above, here are some criteria to consider.

Your best speech coach is one who speaks as well as coaches.

Your best speech coach is one who has experienced some of your speaking challenges.

Your best speech coach is one who is constantly learning as well as teaching.



George Torok is the Speech Coach for Executives
To arrange for Executive speech Coaching – call 905-335-1997


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When You Speak It's Not Your Time That You Are Using

The worst presentations waste time.

They start late, drone on too long and go over time.

If you are starting late, ask your host, "When do you want me to finish?" And then finish early. They will love you.

The measure of a good presentation is not how long you can speak. It is about how well you can get your message across in the shortest possible time.

Always be prepared to have your presentation time cut. Leave out that 5 minute story, extra point or extended Q & A.





Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.

Presentation Training: How to Select Your Presentation Skills Trainer

If you are ready to improve the presentation skills of your team and are looking to hire a presentations skills trainer you might be wondering “How do you choose the right presentation skills trainer?”

This article will offer you some tips and ideas on the questions you should be asking of your prospective presentation skills trainer when planning a presentation skills training program for your people.

Ask these five direct and revealing questions of your presentations skills trainer to help you select a superior trainer.


Are you a natural born speaker?

This is an important question because if the trainer is a natural born speaker – they will not likely be a good instructor. The best teachers and trainers are those who struggled to learn the skills. They remember the pain of how difficult it was for them and thus can better help your people. You don’t want a self appointed Prima Donna as your presentation skills trainer. Do you?

It’s a good sign if the trainer briefly describes some of his own pain and struggle to become a better presenter. You don’t want an individual who claims to have a gift.


Other than training, what other types of presentations have you delivered?

You probably heard the expression “those that can, do and those that can’t, teach”. Be sure that your presentation skills trainer is not just a teacher or professor telling students how to do something that they have never done. Almost anyone can tell the theory of delivering a sales or boardroom presentation but it’s another story to actually deliver the real thing and relive the mistakes and lessons for you.


What have you written and where else have you been quoted and published?

If the presentation skills trainer has any substance he will have written something. The real question is who else thinks it’s worth quoting. A few articles is a good start but does not make one an expert. Ask to see copies of several articles written over a period of several years. Look for evidence that the individual is raising and answering provocative issues. If he wrote or contributed to a book, ask for a copy to see if that resonates with your needs and values.


Who says that you’re good?

There are two things that you are looking for here. Who (companies or organizations) have they worked with and for how long? The other important element that you want to see is client testimonials. You want testimonials from clients that detail the results and show the names, titles and companies. Anonymous testimonials are fools gold. Recognition from other experts is helpful. The third area of recognition is the media. Where has your expert been quoted, interviewed or published?


What have you done recently to improve both your presentation skills and presentation skills training?

There are two things that you are looking for with this pointed question. You want to hear that your presentation skills trainer has attended training programs to refresh or upgrade their skills. You want to hear that this person has invested in their own expertise by working with a presentation skills coach. You might also ask about the books that they have read lately or books that influenced them greatly. Here’s a simple tip – ask them what two or three books – other than their own they would recommend to you to improve your presentation skills. If they can’t immediately name at least three and the reason for their picks, you can write them off your list.


When selecting the best presentation skills trainer for your people it’s important that you ask the right questions so you make the right choice. Ask the questions that establish the expertise, approach and fit for training your team on improving their presentation skills.


© George Torok is a presentation skills trainer, keynote speaker, bestselling author and radio show host. Get your free presentation skills tips at http://www.torok.com Arrange for executive speech coaching and presentation skills training at http://www.SpeechCoachforExecutives.com For media interviews call 905-335-1997



Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.

Keep Your Speech Interesting By Being Present Yourself

What happens when you keep your speech more interesting? Your audience will listen attentively to your words. People will think about your message. Your listeners are more likely to act on your call to action.

When those three things happen you know you delivered a successful presentation. So how can you keep your speech more interesting?

First you must realize that making your speech interesting is not something you do one time. You must keep injecting interesting moments throughout your presentation – much like adding spice to your cooking. If you want to make your meal more interesting you will include a variety of flavors and textures that stimulate the palate of your guests.

Delivering an effective speech is similar. You want to stimulate the minds of your listeners. So, what can you do to make your speech more interesting?

You can deliver more interesting and effective presentations by being present when you speak. What does that mean? Your audience must feel that you are there in the room with them – body, mind and soul. They must feel that you want to be there, that you are listening as well as talking and that you truly care about their best interests.

How can you demonstrate that?

Transform your speech into a conversation instead of a lecture. Think of how you might feel when the speaker is lecturing at you. That might feel rather cold. Lectures are often delivered by parents to children. Neither party enjoys them. They tend to be a one way communication. The listeners are usually made to feel small.

Use these techniques to be present when you present.

Ask questions of your audience and listen to their answers. Acknowledge and respect their opinions and perspectives especially when they differ from yours.

Encourage questions from your audience. Listen carefully to their queries and answer as best as you can. Look at the person asking the question and allow others to offer their comments.

Make eye contact with your audience while you are speaking. Don’t speak to a spot on the back wall, your slides or the floor. Look at your listeners and talk to them. Connect with people for a few seconds and then move your eyes to another person. Talk to every person in your audience one person at a time.

Be human. Admit a personal flaw, mistake or failing. Nothing says “I’m real” like sharing an embarrassing moment. Pretending to be perfect will offend your audience. Just don’t admit to all your flaws in one speech.

Laugh. Ha! Inject some humor into your presentation. Laugh when you make a mistake and laugh when something funny happens in the room. When you make a mistake be willing to allow people to laugh at you.

Be aware of what is happening in the room. When someone sneezes, say “Bless you.” When a cell phone rings, make a comment. If there is noise from outside, acknowledge that. If the mood seems to be dragging, either take a break or finish early.

Tell stories. Most people would prefer to listen to stories over lectures. Just ask your children. Include stories in your presentation that connect with your audience and illustrate your message.

You can keep your speech more interesting by demonstrating to your audience that you are fully present in the room.

© George Torok helps business presenters deliver million dollar presentations. Get your free Power Presentation Tips at http://www.SpeechCoachforExecutives.com Arrange for presentation skills training or coaching at http://www.Torok.com For media interviews call 905-335-1997


Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.

How do you know if you gave a successful presentation? Video

Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.

What is the best way to rehearse your presentation?

Question about presentation skills

Presentation Skills Expert:

Two parts to this answer:

1. Rehearse your presentation on your feet at least three times as close to the manner in which you will deliver it as possible.

2. Although you might practise your presentation from start to finish - you should also practise it in modules. This helps train your brain to recover when you get lost or to cut something out to save time. And practise your opening and close more than the other parts so you can deliver these important parts strong.


George Torok
Presentation Skills Expert


Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.

What if Your PowerPoint Slides Make You a Liar?

The marketing director of a well known Internet company presented us with fascinating stats about Internet use and users.

I was captivated by the numbers and percentages until he reached the graph slide in his PowerPoint presentation.

One of my colleagues raised his hand to ask a question. The presenter innocently paused to take the question and was blindsided by what happened next.

My colleague boldly announced that the graph slide was wrong. The data clusters clearly could not be true for the axis defined in the example. When this was pointed out I could see his point. The graph was bogus. The marketing director tried to recover by accepting that the “data” illustrated on the slide was indeed bogus but that it was only for illustration purposes. My colleague continued to point out that because the data represented was bogus therefore anything else the marketing director said was thus suspect.

The marketing director stumbled as he attempted to skate by the flaw and continue to use the questionable slide for his example. My colleague persisted to the point of sounding angry. The marketing director finally conceded and moved on to the next slide and announced that the bogus slide would not be used again.

I was intrigued by the exchange and the impact on the room. Most of the audience knew of my colleague’s expertise and most likely “sided” with him on the point of credibility. The dispute ruined the flow of the presentation and hurt the presenter’s credibility. The presenter first attempted to continue what was clearly a flawed example. He attempted to belittle the flaw.

Most importantly the presenter failed to do three things:

He did not thank my colleague for being so astute.

He did not apologize for the error, (attempted deception).

And because of that he failed to clarify what I suspect was an important point.


You can take a few presentation learning points from this incident.

Don’t use PowerPoint slides prepared by someone else until you understand them fully.

When you use a PowerPoint presentation prepared by someone else – the audience will hold you accountable for errors.

Never use an illustration that is not representative of reality.

Not everyone raising their hand is asking a friendly question. Be prepared for the unexpected attack during your presentation.

When you are clearly wrong – apologize to the audience and thank the person who pointed out your error.


George Torok

The Speech Coach for Executives




Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.

Presentation Training & Coaching in Toronto, Jan 25,26

If you want to dramatically transform your presentation skills here is an exciting opportunity for you to act on:

How to Deliver Superior Presentations – because inferior never wins
Public Seminar – January 25

This intense, one day seminar collects the best tips from a three day seminar that I delivered in a three day seminar for the Canadian Management Centre for 12 years. The focus is on how to improve the delivery of your message for better results.

Location: Toronto Airport
More details:
http://presentation-skills-seminars.com/superior-presentations/

There’s still time to save $80 if you register by January 13. But hurry or you will miss it.


Presentation Skills Coaching Clinic – January 26
The other option for you is presentation coaching. You or some of your team might be ready to dramatically transform your presentations. The fastest and lasting way to do that is with coaching.

You have a choice of small group or private coaching.

Learn more about the small group coaching
http://presentation-skills-seminars.com/group-coaching/

or the private coaching.
http://presentation-skills-seminars.com/private-coaching/

There is limited enrollment in these coaching programs.

Coaching is only for those individuals who are really serious about transforming their presentation results.

Check it out or forward this message to a friend or colleagues who might be interested.

This is the opportunity to make a real advance with your presentation skills.

Read what other clients have said.
http://www.speechcoachforexecutives.com/clients.html


Of course if you prefer, you can still arrange for me to come in and work with your people.

I look forward to working with you and helping you and your team become superior presenters.

Feel free to email or call me to discuss any of these options.


George Torok
905-335-1997

The Speech Coach for Executives
Author of Power Presentation Tips

http://presentation-skills-seminars.com/superior-presentations/



Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.

Too much information - not enough time

How to deliver your management report clearly by saying less

You have been asked to present a report to management. You have two hours worth of information but only 20 minutes to speak. What a dilemma! How do you get your message across? How will you decide what to leave out? And will management punish you for leaving something out?

5 to 10 Times Rule
What should you do? If you only have two hours of information then you should only speak for about 12 to 24 minutes. Why? Because if you have two hours of material - then most of it will be irrelevant or boring or both. Follow this rule - you should always have at least 5 to 10 times more information than you present.

If you worked on the project and researched the information, you might easily fall into the trap that everything is important and interesting. After all, you sweated over all the details. And more important to you - you want management to see you as doing a thorough job. You don't want to leave something out because that might make you look as if you don't know everything - or that you didn't do your homework.

Show Your Stuff Without Telling All
How do you appear to know all your 'stuff' without telling all your 'stuff'? How do you make the right impression on management? You might feel that the only way to appear open and honest is to tell everything you know. The reality is that if you tell everything you know - you are wasting their time and you are demonstrating that you can't judge what is important and what isn't. The message that you will convey is that you can't be trusted to think.

Like it or not you must leave some information out. You must decide on what is most relevant to management for this presentation. Learn to do that effectively and you will have more success with your management reports. You will get more support from management and you will be better perceived as management material.

Let's look at the "5 to 10 times" rule. If you know 5 to 10 times what you actually deliver - you will feel more confident while presenting because you will clearly know your stuff. You will give the group your best stuff. And when you get questions - especially the obscure ones - you will handle them skillfully and confidently. Management will see that there is real substance behind the presentation. That will make them feel more confident about your report and you. It does not matter how much information you present - if they don't believe you or feel confident about you. Senior management must believe in you. That is your real bottom line.

So how do you cut? First, decide on your most important message. What is it that you want your listeners to feel, say or do after your presentation? For example, are you asking management for approval, budget, or other resources? Do you want them to feel confident that you are handling things well - and they can leave you alone? Or are you warning them about a problem that they might need to act upon? Be clear about your key message?

Focus On Key Message
Before you start to prepare your presentation - write your key message on a piece of paper and keep that in front of you while preparing your presentation. If you can't do this, then you really don't understand the purpose of your presentation. And people who do things without understanding their true purpose are doomed to fail. Check every exhibit, phrase, and fact against that purpose. If something doesn't help you get your key message across, delete it.

If you sculpt your presentation well enough you might deliver that 20-minute presentation in 17 minutes. And guess what? No one will be unhappy that you did it in less time. In fact, take note of the approving nods and smiles around the room when you finish early.

Several Versions
Take this method one step further. Because you will deliver similar messages over your career, develop different time versions of each message. Be ready to deliver your key messages in a 20-minute, 5-minute and 90-second format. When you can do that you will deliver the right presentation at the right time and be more successful in getting what you want.

What can you do if you really want management to have all the information? Give them the detailed report. But keep your presentation short. The best thing you can do for your business presentations is to make them shorter. Management will reward you.

SC© George Torok is the Speech Coach for Executives. Register for your free presentation skills tips at www.Torok.com Arrange for presentation skills training for your sales team by calling 905-335-1997 Find more free presentation skills tips at www.SpeechCoachforExecutives.com Receive regular presentation tips at http://twitter.com/PresentationsGo



Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.

4 Questions You Need to Answer in Your Presentation

Every time you speak you must answer four questions for your audience.

Why?
This addresses the question of purpose and relevance.


What?
This addresses the question of direction.


How?
This addresses the question of detail.


What if?
This addresses the question of wild cards.



Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.

Speaker Boot Camp in the UK

Are you in the UK?

Are you a professional or advanced speaker that wants to fine tune your presentations skills even more?

This Speaker Boot Camp is not for novice speakers.

In this program a maximun of six speakers will receive direct and intense coaching from Warren Evans CSP.

You will receive help with structure, content and delivery from a no-nonsence master of presenting.

Click here to learn more about this unique opportunity.

This Speaker Boot Camp will run October 22-24.

Discover more information here.


PS: I attended this program in Toronto two years ago. I was already a very good speaker and wondered if I would get a good return on my money. I expected more than a few silly tricks. I still am happy with the results that I got from from this Speaker Boot Camp. I was able to put the lessons into action at my next presentation.

George Torok

Speech Coach for Executives




Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.

How to Turn a Service Club Talk into a Marketing Opportunity

As an entrepreneur or sales professional are you tapping into the unlimited opportunities to promote if you are a good presenter?

In an era of tough competition good presentation skills give you a competitive edge.

Speaking before a group about your business is definitely the least expensive and best way to market your product or service and expand your customer base. I know this from first hand experience. I started talking about my hair styling business at local service organizations, such as Rotary, Kiwanis, Optimists. That helped me build my service business and led to a full time speaking and training business.

Check out the Room:

Being prepared is a key to presenting a good talk. It's a comfort knowing that the lights, the microphone, the flip charts, etc. are working and, more importantly, that you know how to work with them.

Go to the room where you will be speaking earlier than everybody else. Imagine yourself a success. Get comfortable on the stage. Test the microphone. Are your notes in order?

You may not be a professional speaker, but struggling with audio/visual equipment just distracts and annoys your audience. You want them on your side.

Presenting your Talk:

Do not read your speech. Write key points in large, bold typeface on your pad you keep on the lectern or table. I urge you not to stand behind the lectern throughout your entire talk. It puts a barrier between you and the audience and they feel it. However, if you feel more secure standing behind the lectern, do not lean on it.

The Introduction:

Write your own introduction. Use your resume as a guide, but customize it to fit the topic on which you're speaking. Do not include your job as a life guard in your intro unless it directly relates to your subject.

Handouts:

Develop a page detailing your key points. Or if you've had an article published, make copies for the audience members. Make sure that the handout includes your name, address and telephone number.

Business Cards:

If your goal is to develop business contacts, always collect business cards from the audience members. You can offer to send additional information, articles or tip sheets to them. Or you can offer a door prize (this can be a product you sell or certificate for service--a free evaluation of financial status, etc.); ask that everyone drop their business cards in a box from which you or the program chair will draw the winner (or winners) at the end of your talk. The business cards give you prospects with whom you can follow up later. If you offer to provide attendees with written material, you might include an order blank for you product or service.

Just Do It!

Speaking before a group of strangers can be intimidating, but keep focused on the positive impact the presentation will have on your business reputation and your bottom line. Don't expect to be a magnificent speaker the first time out. Your goal is to present the most valuable information possible to the members of the audience. Think of it as the beginning of many long-term relationships.

Go on--step up on the podium and profit from the experience.

Click here for information about our upcoming Speaking Camps.

Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAESales Presentation Trainer, Keynote Speaker, Executive Speech Coach - Patricia coaches clients on the three essential aspects of presentation: simplifying organization, mastering content, and perfecting delivery. Learn More



Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.

Guest Speaker Advice from Students

I'm scheduled to speak to a class on Business Communication at the University of Toronto next week. The students have the forethought, (or perhaps pain of experience) to provide a page of tips for guests speakers.

Notice that it covers three important elements for a successful presentation - preparation, information about your audience and ideas for an egaging delivery. The point on preparation includes extended advice on the use of PowerPoint. Do you think that they already (2nd year university) have experiened enough bad PowerPoint presentations?

I will probably not use PowerPoint in my presentation. Wonder if they've ever seen that before?

Imagine if you received an advice sheet like this before every presentation.

--------------------------------

University of Toronto, Scarborough
Department of Management – MGTB90 – Business Communication

Advice (From Students) for Guest Speakers

What to do before getting here

PowerPoint stuff

• Not too long; it’s about quality not quantity
• Emphasize / spend more time on complex things
• It should be interesting
• It shouldn’t build to a climax … every slide should have a point
• Ask yourself, can they read this slide in the back of the room?
• Send the professor a copy of your presentation in advance so it can be uploaded to the class web site
• Please don’t put too much information on PowerPoint slides. More images, less text.
  

Make sure your presentation has an overreaching theme or conclusion

Prepare for when audience is uninterested / not cooperative—adapt your pace and timing to the audience


What you should know about us


Read the audience and adjust your presentation

The lecture is late on a Thursday evening, we’re all very tired

Our attention spans are often short

We’re interested in stuff that relates to us—help us understand the message in your presentation and what it has to do with our daily lives


What you should do while you’re here

Bring your material to life for us.

We prefer stories - Try to make it sound like you are not teaching but telling us a story

Give examples that apply to our lifestyle so that we can relate

Show videos, give us handouts, survey us with a show of hands … engage us

Bring you’re A game!!! – Tell us about, and show us, your passion!

Allow for a break half-way through. Don’t talk for a full two hours

Don’t turn your presentation into a commercial for your company

-----------------------------

I'll be sure to bring my A game!


George Torok

Presentation Skills Training

Public Speaking Coaching



Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives

8 Presentation Flaws that Steal Your Money

Why should you care about your presentation skills? Because poor presentations cost you money. Do you want to close more deals and make more money? Improve your presentation skills!

There are no perfect presentations and no perfect presenters, which means that every presenter could be better – if they want to be.

There are three types of presenters:

• Bad and don’t know it
• Bad and don’t care
• Concerned and taking steps to improve
  

Effective presentations are the result of good presentation skills in action. Skills are improved by understanding the principles, practicing the techniques and getting constructive feedback from a skilled coach. Champions in any field follow this simple formula.

Have you ever wondered why some presentations are so painful to sit through and others can be delightful? Here are some of the presentation flaws that I’ve witnessed at recent industry conferences. Perhaps you can relate to them.

Presentation Flaws

1. Clumsy start

How many seconds do you have to make a good first impression? The start of your presentation is the first impression. Yet many presenters don’t have a prepared opening line. And there is something ironically wrong when the IT industry presenter has technical problems with his computer at the start of the presentation.

2. Limp close

The next most important impression is the last one because that is how your audience will remember you. You need a prepared and well-rehearsed closing line that reinforces your message.

3. Nervous ticks

It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous while presenting. But if your audience sees it they will question your veracity. Stop the shuffling feet, fretting with your hair and playing with paper or pens.

4. Lack of eye contact

If you won’t look at me, why should I listen or believe you?

5. Annoying slides

“You probably can’t read this.” Yet the presenter showed the PowerPoint slide anyway. Why are so many presenters so inconsiderate when it comes to designing their slides? Your slides either enhance or annoy. Are you clear on the difference? Technology is only valuable if it enhances the human experience.

6. Presenter reading the slides

The presenter reads the slides, word for word as if we are too stupid to read them ourselves. This is just plain rude and insulting. It’s also very boring.

7. Inappropriate language

The words you use convey a lot about you, your values and how you see your audience. “You guys” is a valley girl frame of reference. Even if we shared a beer with you at the networking event last night we expect to be shown more respect during your presentation.

8. Lecturing instead of conversing

When was the last time you bought something from a professor lecturing at you? Conversations sell – lectures don’t. Make your presentations more conversational and you will sell more.

Ponder this

How much did you invest to get the opportunity to deliver your presentation either at an industry conference or directly to your prospects? Why not improve your odds of success? Learn the best techniques, practice your skills to improve them and work with a presentation skills coach. How much are you willing to invest on your presentation skills to improve your success rate?


©George Torok is the Speech Coach for Executives. He helps business presenters deliver million-dollar presentations. George Torok offers practical presentation skills coaching for individuals and presentation training for groups that produces superior results and helps you close more deals. More free presentation skills tips at http://www.torok.com/presentation/free.html To arrange presentation coaching and training call 905-335-1997

Read more presentation skills articles from George Torok

Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.

Use the microphone when you present

Use the microphone:

• If there are more than 40 people in the room.


• If the speakers before you used the microphone.


• If it is a large room.


• If you are soft spoken.



• If the room has bad acoustics.



• If you have something important to say.



• If you want to play with your vocal nuances.
  

If any of the above is true - Use the microphone.

Your audience will hear you better.

Forget the macho “I don’t need a microphone” stuff.

Use the microphone.
Your audience will hear you better.
It is easier on your throat.
You can make better use of your vocal range.

Use the microphone.
It is your friend.

Naturally you will need to practice with a microphone to use it right. It is a tool and all tools require knowledge, skills and practice for best results.

George Torok

Presentation Skills Coaching

Presentation Skills Training

Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.