Presentation Skills – not talent
Bad News and Good News – it’s not about talent.
If you are a good presenter and don’t know why – beware.
If you are a poor presenter and want to get better – take heart.
The reason is the same for both. Good presenters are skillful presenters – not talented presenters.
The ability to deliver good and great presentations is based on using presentation skills. Skills can be learned and honed. All it takes is study, practice and training.
If you want to be a better presenter, understand the principles, practice the techniques, and get expert coaching. That’s how the best in any field get to be the best and stay there. Just ask Tiger Woods.
Over the years I have met many fabulous presenters. I have not met one yet who claimed to be a natural born presenter. I am a top notch professional presenter and executive speech coach. Yet I was not a natural born presenter. I can tell you stories of my own frustration along the journey. I invested time, effort and money to become a great presenter. I read books, took seminars and listened to tapes and CDs. To get better I studied and analyzed hundreds of presenters. I received advice, coaching and mentoring from the best that I could find. And I haven’t finished yet.
How about you? It's not about where you start. Where do you want to be?
If you want to improve your presentations – improve your presentation skills.
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George Torok
Presentation Skills Training
Speech Coaching
Boardroom Presentations
Speech Coach Interview
Speech Coach Interview
Enjoy this Interview with executive speech coach, George Torok, about delivering business presentations.
Q: Why should a business executive consider working with a coach?
Executive Speech Coach:
To use a golf analogy, because you can’t see your own backswing. Tiger Woods is very talented at the game of golf and he knows the only way that he can improve and stay sharp is by working with his coach. This principle applies to many skills sets and especially to presentation skills.
Q: Why should executives work with a speech coach?
Executive Speech Coach:
Because no one will tell the boss that he is a lousy presenter or even “needs improvement”.
Q: Why do so many poor executive presenters not get speech coaching?
Executive Speech Coach:Pride.
Q: What is the biggest mistake that most business presenters make when it comes to presentations?
Executive Speech Coach:
They treat presenting as a talent and not a skill. Skills are learned, practiced and continually improved. Talent is simply a spark for an interest. You can not ride talent to excellence.
Q: What one thing should most business presenters do differently to be more successful?
Executive Speech Coach:
Be clear on the purpose of your presentation. Design the presentation to achieve that purpose and trim out everything that does not contribute to the purpose.
Q: What is your advice to all business presenters to prepare for their business presentations?
Executive Speech Coach:State your purpose in one simple sentence. Summarize your presentation in one short sentence. Phrase both of those sentences so that both your kids and your grand parents could understand. If you can’t then, you don’t understand it yourself.
Q: What is the most important message that a presenter should convey?
Executive Speech Coach:
That he understands the audience.
Q: Why do so many business presentations use PowerPoint?
Executive Speech Coach:That’s a good question that more business presenters need to ask themselves. Imagine delivering a presentation without PowerPoint.
Q: What’s your closing advice for business presenters?
Executive Speech Coach:
Focus on your purpose. Talk with people – not at them. Say less.
George Torok
Executive Speech Coach
Presentation Tips and Articles
Enjoy this Interview with executive speech coach, George Torok, about delivering business presentations.
Q: Why should a business executive consider working with a coach?
Executive Speech Coach:
To use a golf analogy, because you can’t see your own backswing. Tiger Woods is very talented at the game of golf and he knows the only way that he can improve and stay sharp is by working with his coach. This principle applies to many skills sets and especially to presentation skills.
Q: Why should executives work with a speech coach?
Executive Speech Coach:
Because no one will tell the boss that he is a lousy presenter or even “needs improvement”.
Q: Why do so many poor executive presenters not get speech coaching?
Executive Speech Coach:Pride.
Q: What is the biggest mistake that most business presenters make when it comes to presentations?
Executive Speech Coach:
They treat presenting as a talent and not a skill. Skills are learned, practiced and continually improved. Talent is simply a spark for an interest. You can not ride talent to excellence.
Q: What one thing should most business presenters do differently to be more successful?
Executive Speech Coach:
Be clear on the purpose of your presentation. Design the presentation to achieve that purpose and trim out everything that does not contribute to the purpose.
Q: What is your advice to all business presenters to prepare for their business presentations?
Executive Speech Coach:State your purpose in one simple sentence. Summarize your presentation in one short sentence. Phrase both of those sentences so that both your kids and your grand parents could understand. If you can’t then, you don’t understand it yourself.
Q: What is the most important message that a presenter should convey?
Executive Speech Coach:
That he understands the audience.
Q: Why do so many business presentations use PowerPoint?
Executive Speech Coach:That’s a good question that more business presenters need to ask themselves. Imagine delivering a presentation without PowerPoint.
Q: What’s your closing advice for business presenters?
Executive Speech Coach:
Focus on your purpose. Talk with people – not at them. Say less.
George Torok
Executive Speech Coach
Presentation Tips and Articles
Power Presentations: The Environment
Power Presentations: The 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 won’t pay the required attention and will become irritated.
To do a truly great job, it is very important that you be 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?
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 Venue
Beware of Boardrooms
The boardroom is the worst place to present. Traditionally it is a place of flogging – of assigning blame for the last failed project or fighting over turf. The mindset hardens when managers and executives enter the boardroom. They know they are there to defend or attack. The seating arrangement is adversarial. It is difficult to find the perfect spot from which to speak. Your listeners need to crane their necks to see you no matter where you stand. Many things work against you when presenting in the boardroom so avoid presenting new ideas in the boardroom. It is a sure way to have your ideas quashed. When you want to present new ideas to your people take them offsite where you control the setting. For a better understanding of the hazards of presenting in the boardroom read the article, “Boardroom Presentations: Sweat Like a Horse” at the website, www.PowerPresentations.ca.
Location
If you have control over this, choose the city and site of your presentation carefully. I highly recommend that you spend more money obtaining the right environment and less on food and open bars.
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 won’t pay the required attention and will become irritated.
To do a truly great job, it is very important that you be 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?
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 Venue
Beware of Boardrooms
The boardroom is the worst place to present. Traditionally it is a place of flogging – of assigning blame for the last failed project or fighting over turf. The mindset hardens when managers and executives enter the boardroom. They know they are there to defend or attack. The seating arrangement is adversarial. It is difficult to find the perfect spot from which to speak. Your listeners need to crane their necks to see you no matter where you stand. Many things work against you when presenting in the boardroom so avoid presenting new ideas in the boardroom. It is a sure way to have your ideas quashed. When you want to present new ideas to your people take them offsite where you control the setting. For a better understanding of the hazards of presenting in the boardroom read the article, “Boardroom Presentations: Sweat Like a Horse” at the website, www.PowerPresentations.ca.
Location
If you have control over this, choose the city and site of your presentation carefully. I highly recommend that you spend more money obtaining the right environment and less on food and open bars.
A hotel is always better than your own board room. The neutrality of the location will help the audience concentrate on what you present rather than on unfinished tasks at the office. Make sure the site is easy for everyone to reach. Pick a hotel that is close to main highways and the airport.
Directions
Send a detailed map and directions well in advance. In your directions describe easy recognizable visual landmarks such as traffic lights, church, park and grocery store. Clearly indicate the name and address of the hotel, the presentation room and floor, the telephone number, the date and the exact time of the meeting.
Directions
Send a detailed map and directions well in advance. In your directions describe easy recognizable visual landmarks such as traffic lights, church, park and grocery store. Clearly indicate the name and address of the hotel, the presentation room and floor, the telephone number, the date and the exact time of the meeting.
In the lobby place a welcome sign with the name of your group. Indicate the meeting room and point the direction with arrows. Post another sign outside of the meeting room and you or your designate should greet the arrivals.
Also, double check that everyone is given accurate directions for finding your location by quizzing the front desk clerk. Pretend you do not know where to go (even if you do!) and find out if they are able to give you the correct information.
Make your visitors feel welcomed and do everything you can to minimize their stress. The easier you make if for people to find the meeting the more likely they will arrive on time and in the right frame of mind - ready to listen to your presentation.
If you have an out-of-town site, check that there is adequate and (hopefully) free parking. In your directions point out the best and alternate parking choices. Eliminate surprises. Tell them if they might need to pay for parking. Plan to park near the exit rather than the entrance so that you can leave quickly for your next meeting.
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The above is an excerpt from the revised Secrets of Power Presentations.
George Torok
Executive Speech Coach
Presentation Skills Training
---------------
The above is an excerpt from the revised Secrets of Power Presentations.
George Torok
Executive Speech Coach
Presentation Skills Training
Put the audience in your story with "you"
Put the audience in your story with the word “you”.
As a runner I was reluctant to tell my marathon story because I was afraid of alienating people. But once I started using phrases like “you are at the starting line”, “you start having these inner conversations”… people who were not even runners could relate and comment on the story lesson.
When you tell your story find ways that you can change “I did this” or “I was this’ to “You were thinking…” or ‘Imagine if you ...”
“You” is the magic word of audience engagement.
Review your personal stories and find ways to change the word “I” or “me” to “you” or “your”
George Torok
Your Executive Speech Coach
Your Keynote Speaker
As a runner I was reluctant to tell my marathon story because I was afraid of alienating people. But once I started using phrases like “you are at the starting line”, “you start having these inner conversations”… people who were not even runners could relate and comment on the story lesson.
When you tell your story find ways that you can change “I did this” or “I was this’ to “You were thinking…” or ‘Imagine if you ...”
“You” is the magic word of audience engagement.
Review your personal stories and find ways to change the word “I” or “me” to “you” or “your”
George Torok
Your Executive Speech Coach
Your Keynote Speaker
Presentation Tip - Speaking to the seven dwarfs
Presentation Tip – Speaking to the seven dwarfs
Every member of your audience is different. You can’t treat them the same and expect the same reaction from all of them.
You must be prepared to connect on different levels and receive different reactions to your presentation.
Consider this challenge. Imagine that you are presenting to the seven dwarfs. You might be tempted to think that they are all the same because they are all dwarfs and all working in the same industry. Think again.
Consider these possible very different reactions to your presentation.
Dopey - the youngest, sweetest, and silliest of the seven
Dopey will like you no matter what you do or say – even though he does not understand you. He might ask silly questions or make silly jokes to suggest that he supports you. But he doesn’t have a clue.
Grumpy - the grouchiest and most curmudgeonly of the group
It’s just his way. He is still devoted to the group and the cause but he feels that it is his responsibility to point out the down side of things. He is not going to let you make an easy sale. He will test you and challenge you. No malice intended. It’s the principle.
Doc – he wears glasses (so presumably the most intellectual)
He will listen for the logic of your content. He will not be impressed by your jokes or entertainment. Will listen intently and make some notes. Might even ask some probing questions.
Happy - the most rotund of the dwarfs
He is happy to be anywhere with a group. He will smile, laugh and applaud. Will take few notes. For him this is a gathering and gatherings are to be enjoyed.
Bashful - evokes his bashful nature through a classic pose of shyness (hands clasped behind back, shoulders slightly raised, eyes upturned)
Does not want to be engaged – “Don’t pick me”. He feels safe when in the group but not in front of it. Won’t ask questions, won’t volunteer and prefers not to be centered out.
Sneezy – often sneezing or preparing to do so
Health or allergies causes him to be coughing or sneezing – always at the wrong times. It’s not intentional. It just is.
Sleepy - he wears a perpetually sleepy look
Was he up too late or is he ill. Did he just work a double shift? It doesn’t matter because he is yawning or dozing during your presentation. You might feel insulted by his obvious lack of interest.
So you are presenting and not everyone loves or even likes you. Get over it - you could be presenting to the seven dwarfs.
George Torok
Executive Speech Coach
Presentation Skills Training
Corporate Spokesperson
Every member of your audience is different. You can’t treat them the same and expect the same reaction from all of them.
You must be prepared to connect on different levels and receive different reactions to your presentation.
Consider this challenge. Imagine that you are presenting to the seven dwarfs. You might be tempted to think that they are all the same because they are all dwarfs and all working in the same industry. Think again.
Consider these possible very different reactions to your presentation.
Dopey - the youngest, sweetest, and silliest of the seven
Dopey will like you no matter what you do or say – even though he does not understand you. He might ask silly questions or make silly jokes to suggest that he supports you. But he doesn’t have a clue.
Grumpy - the grouchiest and most curmudgeonly of the group
It’s just his way. He is still devoted to the group and the cause but he feels that it is his responsibility to point out the down side of things. He is not going to let you make an easy sale. He will test you and challenge you. No malice intended. It’s the principle.
Doc – he wears glasses (so presumably the most intellectual)
He will listen for the logic of your content. He will not be impressed by your jokes or entertainment. Will listen intently and make some notes. Might even ask some probing questions.
Happy - the most rotund of the dwarfs
He is happy to be anywhere with a group. He will smile, laugh and applaud. Will take few notes. For him this is a gathering and gatherings are to be enjoyed.
Bashful - evokes his bashful nature through a classic pose of shyness (hands clasped behind back, shoulders slightly raised, eyes upturned)
Does not want to be engaged – “Don’t pick me”. He feels safe when in the group but not in front of it. Won’t ask questions, won’t volunteer and prefers not to be centered out.
Sneezy – often sneezing or preparing to do so
Health or allergies causes him to be coughing or sneezing – always at the wrong times. It’s not intentional. It just is.
Sleepy - he wears a perpetually sleepy look
Was he up too late or is he ill. Did he just work a double shift? It doesn’t matter because he is yawning or dozing during your presentation. You might feel insulted by his obvious lack of interest.
So you are presenting and not everyone loves or even likes you. Get over it - you could be presenting to the seven dwarfs.
George Torok
Executive Speech Coach
Presentation Skills Training
Corporate Spokesperson
Presentation Tip - Ignore Grumpy
Presentation Tip - Ignore Grumpy
Don’t get hung up over the one person whose body language suggests that he hates you. You don’t know what is troubling them. When speaking to one group I was pleased that the audience laughed and seemed to be enjoying my presentation. All except one person who sat with arms crossed and a grumpy face. Each time I looked at him my gut tightened. After the presentation he approached me and said with the same grump face, “You were the best speaker we have ever had.” Some people just look grumpy on the outside.
Don't focus on Grumpy. Instead speak to the 80% of the audience with which you have a chance to connect.
George Torok
Corporate Spokesperson
Executive Speech Coach
Presentation Skills Training
Don’t get hung up over the one person whose body language suggests that he hates you. You don’t know what is troubling them. When speaking to one group I was pleased that the audience laughed and seemed to be enjoying my presentation. All except one person who sat with arms crossed and a grumpy face. Each time I looked at him my gut tightened. After the presentation he approached me and said with the same grump face, “You were the best speaker we have ever had.” Some people just look grumpy on the outside.
Don't focus on Grumpy. Instead speak to the 80% of the audience with which you have a chance to connect.
George Torok
Corporate Spokesperson
Executive Speech Coach
Presentation Skills Training
Presentation Insights from George Torok
Presentation Insights from George Torok
Enjoy these pithy presentation insights from George Torok. Use the ideas that resonate well with you. If you reprint these insights or quote them – be sure to credit George Torok as your source.
George Torok is a presentation specialist who simplifies powerful presentation principles and shows you how to be a more effective presenter.
If you like what you read and would like to work directly with George Torok contact him at 905-335-1997.
The more we see you speak in public – the more we believe you to be a leader.
If you attempt to present yourself as perfect – we will not believe you and we will hate you. We like you when we see that you are imperfect like we are.
We love to hear stories. We don’t need another lecture. Just ask your kids.
Your audience will remember how they felt about you. They will forget your name and your message.
Smile when you start, when you finish and when you say something important.
Do not attempt to think on your feet. Instead be prepared with a menu of options. Then you only need to select. Thinking on your feet is too dangerous. Your feet are for running – not for thinking.
PowerPoint! Yuk! No one changes minds, leads people or makes the sale because of PowerPoint. But a lot of presenters annoyed their audiences with their PowerPoint.
For more presentation insights from George Torok read his articles on this website, read Secrets of Power Presentations or call him to work with him directly. 905-335-1997
Contact George Torok
George Torok in the Media
Read Presentation Articles
Register for Free Presentation Tips
Enjoy these pithy presentation insights from George Torok. Use the ideas that resonate well with you. If you reprint these insights or quote them – be sure to credit George Torok as your source.
George Torok is a presentation specialist who simplifies powerful presentation principles and shows you how to be a more effective presenter.
If you like what you read and would like to work directly with George Torok contact him at 905-335-1997.
The more we see you speak in public – the more we believe you to be a leader.
If you attempt to present yourself as perfect – we will not believe you and we will hate you. We like you when we see that you are imperfect like we are.
We love to hear stories. We don’t need another lecture. Just ask your kids.
Your audience will remember how they felt about you. They will forget your name and your message.
Smile when you start, when you finish and when you say something important.
Do not attempt to think on your feet. Instead be prepared with a menu of options. Then you only need to select. Thinking on your feet is too dangerous. Your feet are for running – not for thinking.
PowerPoint! Yuk! No one changes minds, leads people or makes the sale because of PowerPoint. But a lot of presenters annoyed their audiences with their PowerPoint.
For more presentation insights from George Torok read his articles on this website, read Secrets of Power Presentations or call him to work with him directly. 905-335-1997
Contact George Torok
George Torok in the Media
Read Presentation Articles
Register for Free Presentation Tips
AIESEC Canada - comments
George Torok spoke to AIESEC Canada about presentation skills. Here is what they said.
“Truly eye-opening and entertaining. A great way to see the clear relevance of effective executive speaking and understand easy, specific ways to improve your own style.”
Carolyn Rush, Regional Vice President Ontario
AIESEC Canada
“George makes everyone feel comfortable together as a group, yet pushes each individual outside of their public speaking comfort zone. Just through watching George present, I am motivated to improve my speaking skills.”
John Kelly, Region Vice President West & Atlantic
AIESEC Canada
“George has an amazing ability to take the mundane and creating it into something engaging yet simple enough to remember and put into practice. Over the years, I have taken classes and read many books on effective speaking; however George’s class had the most impact on my development. I saw improvement in participating for only 4 hours of his session.”
Messalina Tiro, Vice President Corporate Development
AIESEC Canada
“George is not only a fantastic presenter he is also extremely effective with his time and content delivery. In a couple of hours he delivered several simple tips and techniques that will make me a much better presenter. Attending the “Effective Executive Speaking” course was certainly a great investment in my professional and personal development.”
Talicia Correa, Director of Alumni Relations
AIESEC Canada
“A truly motivating and inspirational presenter. This is my second time to receive training from George and I learn something new every time. The skills and techniques from this course help me every day both personally and professionally. Given the opportunity, I would certainly take a course from George again.”
Juan Panlilio, Director of National Accounts
AIESEC Canada
George Torok
Presention Skills Training
Executive Speech Coaching
“Truly eye-opening and entertaining. A great way to see the clear relevance of effective executive speaking and understand easy, specific ways to improve your own style.”
Carolyn Rush, Regional Vice President Ontario
AIESEC Canada
“George makes everyone feel comfortable together as a group, yet pushes each individual outside of their public speaking comfort zone. Just through watching George present, I am motivated to improve my speaking skills.”
John Kelly, Region Vice President West & Atlantic
AIESEC Canada
“George has an amazing ability to take the mundane and creating it into something engaging yet simple enough to remember and put into practice. Over the years, I have taken classes and read many books on effective speaking; however George’s class had the most impact on my development. I saw improvement in participating for only 4 hours of his session.”
Messalina Tiro, Vice President Corporate Development
AIESEC Canada
“George is not only a fantastic presenter he is also extremely effective with his time and content delivery. In a couple of hours he delivered several simple tips and techniques that will make me a much better presenter. Attending the “Effective Executive Speaking” course was certainly a great investment in my professional and personal development.”
Talicia Correa, Director of Alumni Relations
AIESEC Canada
“A truly motivating and inspirational presenter. This is my second time to receive training from George and I learn something new every time. The skills and techniques from this course help me every day both personally and professionally. Given the opportunity, I would certainly take a course from George again.”
Juan Panlilio, Director of National Accounts
AIESEC Canada
George Torok
Presention Skills Training
Executive Speech Coaching
You don't have a presentation
You don’t have a presentation
As I prepared to deliver my presentation I told the AV guy that he could turn off the computer projector – that I would not use PowerPoint.
His response was, “Oh you don’t have a presentation.”
I grinned at him and said, as I pointed at my head, “Oh yes I do, and it is all in here.”
Isn’t it funny how some people equate presentation with PowerPoint. I guess that congratulations are due to Microsoft on the power of their marketing. Microsoft has trained a generation of managers that believe that presentation = PowerPoint. Poor managers and especially poor presentation prisoners.
Many PowerPoint presentations are so bad. It is often just the speaker’s notes on the screen. Sometimes the PowerPoint is the speaker’s presentation – word for word.
A good presentation is about connecting with your audience, about delivering stories and about moving them to action. PowerPoint does none of those things. I’m sure that if George Orwell imagined the possibility of PowerPoint he would have included it in his novel of Big Brother’s torture “1984”. Dante’s Inferno would have surely included a gate in hell marked “PowerPoint”. You belong there if you commit the PowerPoint Sins.
My question to you – do you have a presentation or do you have a PowerPoint?
George Torok
Speech Coach for Executives
Presentation Skills Training
Motivational Speaker
As I prepared to deliver my presentation I told the AV guy that he could turn off the computer projector – that I would not use PowerPoint.
His response was, “Oh you don’t have a presentation.”
I grinned at him and said, as I pointed at my head, “Oh yes I do, and it is all in here.”
Isn’t it funny how some people equate presentation with PowerPoint. I guess that congratulations are due to Microsoft on the power of their marketing. Microsoft has trained a generation of managers that believe that presentation = PowerPoint. Poor managers and especially poor presentation prisoners.
Many PowerPoint presentations are so bad. It is often just the speaker’s notes on the screen. Sometimes the PowerPoint is the speaker’s presentation – word for word.
A good presentation is about connecting with your audience, about delivering stories and about moving them to action. PowerPoint does none of those things. I’m sure that if George Orwell imagined the possibility of PowerPoint he would have included it in his novel of Big Brother’s torture “1984”. Dante’s Inferno would have surely included a gate in hell marked “PowerPoint”. You belong there if you commit the PowerPoint Sins.
My question to you – do you have a presentation or do you have a PowerPoint?
George Torok
Speech Coach for Executives
Presentation Skills Training
Motivational Speaker
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