Presentations

Things that make a presentation fail:
1. Not being prepared.
2. Being boring.
3. Reading the slides but not looking at the audience.
4. Too repetitive.
5. Being disorganized.
6. The message does not connect. We need to share content valuable to them.

Best things we can do for a presentation:
1. Humor.
2. Vary styles.
3. Really know your material. Work as a team.
4. The message speaks to the priorities of the audience.
5. Jam pack it with value. More than what's expected.
6. Time efficient.

7 things to nail it.
1. The funneling process. (Going from a broad subject or problem to a more detailed solution and point that is taken away by the listener)
a. Determine the actions you want them to take.
b. Define the audience.
c. Brainstorm the needs. If we want people to share the message we need to think about what they are going to share.
d. Write down objectives.
e. Test our objectives. Let's make sure to verify that those objectives are on target.

2. Alleviate the four audience tensions.
a. Between audience and audience other members. They want to say hello to the others in the audience. Or maybe they don't know the others and we need to get all the formalities out of the way first.
b. Between the audience and the presenters. Up front give value so they know you have something to offer and can put that to rest.
c. Audience and the materials. Everyone is looking through all that stuff not listening. Layer the materials as you go.
d. Audience and the environment. The temperature, chairs, viewing angles, make sure it all works.

3. Trust transference. Trust of someone or something else builds trust into your message. Could be a book, quote, another person, research documents.

4. Business entertainment. Bring smiles to people's faces. Jokes, music, props, give-always, quizzes, and activities.

5. Verbal surveying. Ask them specifically what they want and then adjust to them.

6. Target polling. Ask them prior to the presentation what they want.

7. Audience closure. Closure to the different points and then transitions to the next. At the end is there an organized take away and action outline.