Presentation Techniques

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Presentation Techniques

• Ricardo Bullan

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Agenda

• Introduction
• Theory
• How do people learn? The 4MAT system
• Preparing your presentation
• "Your show"
• Visualisation rules
• Elements of an impressive presentation
• Giving feedback

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General things about presentations

• Presentations are used to...
• transfer knowledge
• introduce results of your work
• start discussions / brain stormings
• entertain
• "In the beginning, there is the aim."
• What do I want to accomplish? (max/min goals)
• Topic and aim of a pres. are two (different)
  things
• Aims may be to inform, to motivate, to sell sth.,
  convince etc.

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Communication Model for Presentations
1.) Content WHAT? validitylogical
orderbeginning / endexamples
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2.) Relation HOW? body language gesture standin
g look manner of speaking articulation breaks t
one length of sentences
55
38
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Communication Model for Presentations
3.) Process BY WHAT? visualisation
4.) Situation WHERE? WHEN? setting, time
managementuse of media
5.) Personality WHO? charismaself
confidenceengagementenergy
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The 4MAT System

• 4 learning types (modes)
• can be determined by a questionaire
• check out www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.
  html

concrete experience
reflective observation
active experimentation
abstract conceptualization
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The 4MAT System

• Concrete Experience FEELING
• TYPE 1 WHY?
• Reflektive Observation WATCHING
• TYPE 2 WHAT?
• Abstract Conceptualization THINKING
• TYPE 3 HOW?
• Active Experimentation DOING
• TYPE 4 WHAT IF?

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The 4MAT System

• WHY do I need to know this?innovative learners,
  need to have a reason for learning, want to
  connect new information with pers. experience
• WHAT is the content?analytic learners aquiring
  facts in order to deepen their understanding of
  concepts and processes
• HOW will I use this in real life?common sense
  learners how do things work? want to get in and
  try out
• WHAT possibilities will this create?dynamic
  learners interested in self-directed discovery,
  rely on their own intuition want to teach both
  themselves and others

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The 4MAT System

• learning cycle

acting (chunkin down)
concrete experience
1.
4.
2.
3.
thinking about it (chunking up)
developing problem solving ideas
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The 4MAT System

• learning cycle applied to your presentation

future summary and results plan of further
action knowledge transfer
past, present universals "As you
know..." motivation "If you apply XY, then you
have more / less..."
1.
4.
2.
3.
discussion exchange of experiences analiyses of
the problem brainstorming demonstration
facts, figures, data and statistics sources,
history thesis, ideas, approaches suggestions
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Preparing your presentation

• Choosing content
• Who is my audience? Do I know somebody
  personally?
• What do they already know about that topic?
• What shall they know / be able to to after the
  presentation?
• What are my aims?
• Content draw-up
• How do I devide the topic into 3-5 core
  statements?
• What are appropriate examples?
• Which arguments / questions are motivating /
  activating?
• How do I create wise transitions?

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Preparing your presentation

• "Pimping" your presentation
• Which citations, anecdotes, recent news etc. are
  connected with this topic? How do I create a
  special introduction?
• Which difficulties could appear, what do I do
  then? (e.g. questions, you can't answer)
• Where can I shorten the presentation, if
  necessary?
• Where can I add something to fill space?
• Organisational
• Which devices / media do I need?
• Where will the presentation be? (local
  properties)
• All equipment ready?
• Which clothes will I wear?

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"Your show" presentation techniques

• Content-wise
• Opening
• raise curiosity
• greeting to the audience
• introduction of yourself, background
• overview, agenda
• if applicable common agreements (questions,
  notes etc.)

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"Your show" presentation techniques

• Main part
• logical order for your argumentation
• 7 core statements
• most important statements at beginning / in the
  end
• connecting contents
• statement gt example gt use
• End
• conclusion
• aim of your presentation
• advice for further action
• forecast / future

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"Your show" - troubleshooter

• Performance-wise
• If you lose the plot / get off track
• give a summary of what you said until this point
• ask for questions
• ask the audience, what could come next
• skip a point
• If questions come up, you can't answer in the
  moment
• be honestly
• thank for it
• "I will come to this point later..."

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Use of Media

• Visualisation...
• helps supporting the spoken word, can make things
  clearer to the audience
• is an important element of the presentation
• can be done with the help of
• (overhead / slide) projectorse.g. computer
  supported (PowerPoint)
• flip charts
• pin boards, black/white boards
• additionally markers, arrows, stickers (colored
  dots)
• mind maps

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Visualisation

• diagrams, scales, tables, lists, trees, nets
• composing diagrams

rows
rhythm
emphasis
dynamic
structured
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Visualisation

• The eye is listening in!
• Come to the point!
• only write down keywords, that meet the core
• do not overload your slides
• If possible, use symbols and graphics.
• Be sure that everybody can read it.
• font size, font style, hand writing, colors and
  contrast
• Use colors to emphasize certain things.
• usually not more than three be consistent

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Elements for impressive presentations
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Feedback rules

• "Feedback is the breakfast for champions!"
• Feedback is valuable for your further development
• Nobody likes criticism, but that usually helps
  more than being praised too much
• describe performance / facts
• criticism ("the mace") should be wrapped with
  gift paper, like a sandwich
• give "I-messages", describe own feelings,
  thoughts, avoid usage of "you did / did not..."
• be helpful (concrete, honestly)
• give it right after the presentation

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Giving Feedback

• The Pow3er-Burger POsitiv-3xW-eResult

Cover Result conclusion (what is the profit?)
- positive
bun
3 Wish I would like... how could you...?Ask,
do not dictate!
meat
2 Effekt (Wirkung) I felt like...I got the
impression, that... (always subjective!)
lettuce
1 Perception (Wahrnehmung) What did I see?
Ask, do not dictate!
meat
Basis Positive Details sth. you can count on
bun
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Giving Feedback

• Example
• No "Bob, your presentation was a catastrophe!"
• Yes "Bob, I like your commitment and courage to
  speak about this difficult topic. Especially your
  introduction und the statement in the end were
  convincing!"What I saw in the middle was that
  most of the audience looked at your flip chart
  very irritated. I also had difficulties to read
  your charts. Your constant playing with the
  pointing device disctracted me. I had the feeling
  you were very nervous. I would like to have a
  better handwriting and more visualisation of the
  complex information. Maybe you can find some
  ideas for that.Compared to earlier presentations
  by you, you have made a significant advance. Keep
  it up!

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Receiving Feedback

• listen actively, if sth. is unclear to you, then
  ask to clarify
• do not argue, explain or apologize, justify or
  defend
• think about what is said, search ways for
  changing
• thank for helpfull feedback

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Motivation

• Whether you think that you will succeed or that
• you will fail, you'll be definitely right.
• (Henry Ford?)

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References

• Information in this composition based on training
  material by the following certified trainers
• Florian Gayk, Master of Business Communication,
  RohdeSchwarz, Munichwww.career-tools.de
• Peter Maas, Düsseldorfwww.maas-training.de
• These slides available at www.tzi.de/rib (soon)