Presentation Environment

The place and conditions in which you present have an important influence on how well your message is received. If the environment isn’t right, participants might not pay attention and worse - will become irritated. When the audience is irritated they always blame the speaker.

To do a truly great job, it is important that you are familiar with your presentation room in advance. 

• Where will it be? 
• Will you be in a board room at head office or a district branch? 
• At a hotel, a college, or a conference centre? 
• What facilities will be available?
• Where are the bathrooms?
• What parking challenges will people face?

Make every effort to visit the location so that you can determine what adjustments are necessary. Give yourself enough lead time for special arrangements as to seating, equipment, microphones, lighting, and whatever you want to change.

The presentation environment can make or break your presentation. It means that you must pay attention to the little details that influence the thinking and feelings of your audience.

I recall attending a workshop at university. The way to the presentation room was well and consistently marked with signs and directions. I wouldn't have found the room without the directions. By the time I entered the room I was already impressed with the presenter.

What a great way to influence your audience before you even speak.

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When and How to Use Props in Your Presentation

Props

Props have the sensory appeal of making your presentation more visually pleasing and different. Difference is what interests us and what we tend to remember.

For example, if you travelled to work today – the same as always – you tended not to notice things nor remember anything specific. If something different happened – you woke up – noticed it and remembered it. You might even have told others about the different thing today. But you probably never told someone about your boring commute.

Similarly if your presentation is just as boring as all the rest, your audience night not wake up and remember any part of it – let alone tell others about it later.

A prop can provide that visual difference. Your product could be the prop you use or you might use a prop as a metaphor. This can be especially effective when explaining a service or concept. Laying your props out on a table can also serve as your speech notes.

Here are some sample props and possible messages.

Baseball – teamwork

Shovel – setting the groundwork

Tennis racket – importance of returning calls

Balloon – fun

Sundial – technological change

Another type of prop that can work very well is a simple magic trick. Don’t saw the boss in half. Just a simple card, rope or ring trick can help anchor your key message at the appropriate time. Be sure to rehearse it well and have a saver line ready in case the trick doesn’t work.

Use a prop if it helps clarify or anchor your message. If the prop does neither – don’t use it. You don’t want people wondering – “What was that all about?”

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