Experiencing Ideas

You know what I like? I like other books. You know, the other books out there that deal with presenting, public speaking, and communications. I figure that anyone who has a plan that works and puts it in writing is probably giving good advice. Of course, that statement might not apply to every how-to book ever written, but you get the idea. While most advice is mainly subjective, when rooted in something believable, it can be of great value. I encourage you to investigate the topic of business presentations through the eyes of many experts and gather their viewpoints. You can learn a lot from those who have found success.

Understanding the Process

Basically, there are only three things you have to think about when putting a presentation together.

The first is development of the concept; the second involves the design of the visuals; and the third concentrates on the delivery of the message to the audience. You might be involved in one or more of these stages.

To see the big picture, you have to understand where you are in the process of presenting. This is a good time to touch on how this chapter relates to the ones that follow, as the process is unveiled.

The chapters ahead are separated to cover each part of the process. While this chapter examines the message and teaches you how to script the concept into a workable presentation, Chapter 23, “The Media—Designing Visual Support,” concentrates on the media and offers you advice on designing the visuals. This helps you make the visual expression of the message the best it can be. Chapter 24, “The Mechanics of Form—Developing External Presentation Skills,” and Chapter 25, “The Mechanics of Function—Developing Internal Presentation Skills,” both deal with the mechanics of presenting. The presentation skill is separated into two chapters, one covering external form and the other concentrating on internal function. I arranged these chapters in the order of theory to practice to personal skill.

Chapter 26, “Exploring Technicalities and Techniques,” is dedicated to the environmental issues concerning a presentation, such as the room, the equipment, the seating arrangements, and other elements that might affect the performance of the message.

Chapter 27, “Presenting in a Variety of Settings,” applies elements of the presentation process to many different situations, including conference rooms, small group meetings, and the outdoors, as well as interactive videoconferencing sessions.

Putting People First

One thing all the experts can agree on is that the success of communication is dependent on the presenter. The visuals are secondary to the concept, which is subject to the delivery skills of the person. All three elements are important, but without the presenter, you really can't call it a presentation.

If you think the content and the visuals are most important, try this at your next presentation. Arrive early and place a chair in the front of the room, right about where you are expected to stand. For added effect, place your jacket over the back of the chair. Now, with a cassette player running a voice recording of your presentation, let the PowerPoint visuals advance automatically for the audience. Then, using an egg timer, see how long the group remains in the room!

Communication is about people. Competition is so strong that products or services in the same category are starting to look the same. From household goods to cars to electronics—everything seems on par with everything else. The offerings of a company don't make the difference; instead, the people skills used to express those offerings are often what causes us to make a decision. The role of the presenter has taken on new meaning for companies that expect to compete in the new century.

Becoming a Visual Presenter

Most people, especially those under the age of 40, are visual creatures. They get their information and stimulation from television, movies, computers, and video games. All of these forms are driven by action. Visual creatures demand action. In fact, they crave it. Think about it. Where do you get most of your news information? TV, right? That's because you like all the little pictures. Who doesn't? We're visual creatures. To be successful, presenters need to match the needs of an audience of visual creatures by becoming visual presenters. A visual presenter embodies a message and delivers it with action, creating a lasting impression on the audience.

My development of the concept, the design, and the delivery follows a consistent set of principles based on over 15 years of experience. The MediaNet approach focuses on messages, media, and mechanics in order to blend concepts and visual support with a person's individual delivery style.

A Method to the Madness The processes and skills discussed in this book are simply the fundamentals. You can easily advance beyond the basics; one approach to gaining more comprehensive skills is MediaNet's “Presentation Skills Mastery Program,” which builds a person's presentation style though four levels: Development, Competence, Achievement, and Mastery. The goal of the program is to master the skills and become a complete visual presenter, capable of delivering a variety of topics across a wide range of media.

This method has proven to be a practical, easy-to-understand, and extremely potent technique for changing ordinary business presentations into very memorable events. The techniques and tactics discussed in this book are designed for a visual presenter. This process advances a personal skill, allowing an individual to reach his or her own potential as an expert communicator. The results are immediate and easily applied to new situations.

Although this book discusses one method of presenting unlike any other you are likely to encounter, it is not the only way of developing and delivering better presentations; it's just one way. But, I really believe if you apply these techniques, you will enhance your proficiency, increase your effectiveness, and develop your own style. Hopefully, your style will incorporate some or all of the skills of a visual presenter, from concept to delivery.