Presentation Skills

Pick the right time to insert pauses in presentations

January 23, 2013

Nervous public speakers tend to rush. They mumble, mutter and stammer their way through their speeches, yearning to finish and get off the stage. Yet there’s a simple technique that calms anxious presenters: the well-timed pause. Use these guidelines to decide when to apply one.

You have 30 seconds to impress me

December 27, 2012

When addressing senior executives, every minute counts. Make your point succinctly—without tangents or long stories—and end decisively. Consider these structural frameworks when organizing your material:

Know your selling point and stick to it

December 21, 2012

To win over others, it’s tempting to recite every possible reason why they should accept your proposal. Psychologists call this the Presenter’s Paradox: We assume that more is better when we try to convince others when, in fact, limiting our pitch to only the most appealing reasons works better.

4 ways to speak forcefully: Power presentations

November 21, 2012
Before you address an audience of one or 100, know your goal and prepare an outline to stay on track. Start with simple ideas and add complex points (evidence, details, case studies) gradually. Consider the pros and cons of four formats:

Seeing yourself on video: Eye-opening

November 19, 2012
The best way to brace for a media interview is to simulate the real thing. It’s often agonizing, but it’s worth it.

Open your speech with ‘fire’

November 6, 2012
Legendary marketer David Ogilvy once said, “When you advertise fire extinguishers, open with the fire.” It’s good advice for business presenters. Captivate your listeners from the first seconds of your talk. To organize the first minute of your speech, prepare in threes:

Master the Q-and-A segment

September 1, 2012
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Shortcuts to social media savvy

July 23, 2012
Still a little shaky on social media? Pick your own way to get comfortable:

Leadership Tips: Vol. 412

April 2, 2012
Gauge your audience: When addressing a crowd you don’t know, quickly assess their immersion in your subject … Distinguish style from substance … Find a winning strategy.

3 techniques for memorable lines

April 1, 2012
This content requires a subscription. PLEASE LOGIN Email Address: Password:   Forgot Password? | Setup Username/Password Subscribe today to get: By converting proven theories into practical advice, Leadership Briefings helps aspiring leaders learn how to make sound decisions that will raise productivity and fatten the bottom line; negotiate with vendors, competitors, employees and clients; innovate […]