To Infinity…

The ability to communicate is an important skill of our global society. Yet most people still do not fully utilize every opportunity to maximize their communication-potential. Remember every speaking opportunity is a chance to improve and build-on your skills. Here are six pointers on giving better presentations and improving your communication skills.

1. Keep it Simple
   • Human attention = 15-30 minutes MAX!
   • Focus on 1-3 MAIN POINTS, and drive them home.
2. Keep it Crisp and Clean
   • Develop a structure –> Introduction, Body, Conclusion
   • Outline what you will speak about at the beginning, stick to the agenda
3. Maintain your Energy
   • There is nothing worse than a presentation that does not keep my attention!
   • DO NOT drop your endings – this refers to the speaker’s inflection, if it drops at the end of a word/sentence chances are you are a pretty dull speaker and will fall into a rhythmic vocal-pattern that will put your audience to sleep!
4. Watch your Transitions
   • When you want to speak to a different point, INFORM your audience so they can follow your thought patterns
   • If you are involved in a group presentation think about person-person transitions, how will you pass it off? how will you introduce the next person? (do you remember their name?)
   • An audience needs time to absorb your point – use these transition times to pose questions or encourage thoughtful repose
5. NEVER forget your Conclusion!
   • The conclusion is of paramount importance!! Most people leave this until last and do not give it much thought – try starting with your conclusion, thinking: “what do I want to say?”
   • If your presentation thus-far has not communicated your message, this is the LAST chance to get it across..
   • Fill in the blanks for your audience – if said you were going to talk about the importance of Inheritance Taxation in America – you better deliver.. otherwise you just wasted 15-30minutes of their time..

6. Enjoy your time…
   • We do not often have the opportunity to command the attention of a large group of people, so enjoy the moment!
   • Before you begin, STOP – take a breath – take command of the room (turn lights on/off) – acknowledge your audience – quietly thank yourself for being so prepared, and begin…

Think about your STRUCTURE – how you will SUPPORT what your saying with STYLE, and what can you do to SUPPLEMENT your ideas?

Remember, if you are going to make a presentation – be prepared. Think about what message you want to convey, enforce your message with examples or evidence. Have in mind your audience, why is it important they listen to you? And utilize every speaking opportunity as a chance to improve your skills!

Presentations are not a seemingly easy thing, and many people are afraid of public speaking.. My advice, have confidence in what you are saying – understand your core message and the importance to your audience. Past that, brush your teeth, put on your finest threads, and pursue your passion.