Successful Presentation Skills (3rd edition) - Softcover

Bradbury, Andrew

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0749445602 ISBN 13: 9780749445607

Publisher: Kogan Page, 2006

Synopsis

Effective communication is essential for business success. From training new employees to building a rapport with potential clients, the ability to deliver information, whilst achieving maximum impact, is a skill that all business people need, yet many find difficult to master.

This fully revised edition continues to provide practical advice, addressing the common problems people face when making a presentation. Ideal for the inexperienced speaker or anyone wanting to improve their communication skills, Successful Presentation Skills includes tips on how to:

overcome nerves;

be concise;

understand body language;

use visual aids effectively.

Now in its third edition it includes up-to-date information and tips to achieve a first-class presentation, including advice on structuring a presentaion and the advantages of using PowerPoint technology.

An indispensible guide to communicating with confidence.

About this title

About the Author

Andrew Bradbury is a qualified social psychologist with over 20 years' experience of designing and delivering training courses in both technical and 'soft skills'. He is the author of Develop Your NLP Skills and Successful Presentation Skills, both published by Kogan Page.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

1. Where do you want to go? 1

Do you need this book? 1; Presentations

are about communication 2; The seven

basic steps 3

2. 2, 4, 6, 8 - how do you communicate? 4

It's not what you say 4; It's the way that you say

it 6; I'm really pleased to be here - maybe 6

3. When you feel the fear... 9

Panic now - and avoid the rush 9; Your

'performing edge' 14; Winning ways 14;

It must be seen to be believed 17; Pictures and

images 18

4. Confidence matters 20

You're never alone in a presentation - it just

feels like that 20; That certain look 23; Ready,

willing and able 25; A sense of perspective 25;

The look, the feel, the sound 26; Hand signals

should be observed 26; Turning theory into

practice 27; How to create confidence 29

5. The main objective 33

Is this really necessary? 33; And the point is? 34;

Hold that thought 35; I have a dream 36; Roll up,

roll up! 37; No problem too great 38; Now hear

this 39; Cutting your cloth 40

6. Know your audience 42

Putting the customer first 42; Will they hear

what you mean? 43; Vague and precise language 45;

Four learning styles 47; Audiences have feelings,

too 49

7. Words, words, words 51

More than a licence to talk 51; The sweet KISS

of success 52; On confronting a blank sheet of

paper 55; Creating a structure 57; All the truth

that's fit to present 58; Think ahead - plan

ahead 58; Script, notes or cue cards? 59

8. When you come to the end - stop 63

The into and the outro 63; What was it all

about? 63; Closing comments 64; Know when

to stop 66; Beware the red light 69

9. Curtain up! 71

On your marks, get set ... 71; The moment you

walk in the joint... 72; Maps and shoehorns 77;

Setting a mood 79; Creating motivation 79;

Establishing credibility 80; Are batteries

included? 81; Making and breaking

expectations 81; Providing a framework 81;

Times and events 82; Never say not! 83

10. Selecting and using visual aids 84

Just for effect? 84; Horses for courses 85

11. Designing effective visual aids 95

Planning screen and flipchart displays 95; Points

that make a point 96; A chart (or graph) for

all reasons 98; Using colour 102; PowerPoint - the

next generation 105; Last word on

graphics 107; Handouts 108

12. Setting the scene 111

Anyone for tennis? 111; Please be seated 112;

So many switches - so few hands 118; The little

things that count 120; And then the lights went

out 120

13. Question and answer sessions 122

Why? 122; When? 122; Taking control of

audience questions 123; The three basic

secrets of handling questions 124; What to do

when you don't know the answer 125; An

excuse is a loaded gun 125; The football fan 126;

Dr Heckle 126; Mr Jibe 127; Beware the 'early

bird' 128; Bones of contention 128; The

Phantom 130; Happy Wanderers 131; The good,

the bad and the ugly 132; In the seats of power 134

14. Personal presentation 138

Here I stand 138; You've got to hand it to him 139;

Just one look 141; Four keys to success 142; Style

of speaking 143; Taking care of your voice 143;

Rehearsals 144; Can you hear me at the back? 145;

Night and day, you are the one 146; Don't take

it personally 146; Limbering up 148;

Desert mouth syndrome 149; A 'mighty, rushing

wind' 149

Edition details

• Publisher: Kogan Page
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0749445602
• ISBN 13: 9780749445607
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 160