| Whether you are an investor, entrepreneur, | | | | be safe, carry an extension cable, a power strip, |
| employee, self-employed or unemployed the | | | | adaptors, and backup batteries.PROTECTThe day |
| ability to present yourself and your ideas | | | | before and the day of an important presentation, |
| powerfully has never been more important than in | | | | avoid alcohol, smoke, caffeine, chocolate, and |
| today's dynamic information age. Speaking well | | | | antihistamines because of their drying effects. If |
| can influence other's views, close a deal, motivate | | | | flying, recycled air in planes is dehydrating and |
| your team, enhance your business, and elevate | | | | speaking above engine noise can put a strain on |
| your reputation.Many people get jitters speaking in | | | | your voice so talk as little as possible in-flight. A |
| public. Lilly Walters author of "Secrets of | | | | moist vocal tract will give you the best sound |
| Successful Speakers" says 75% of stage fright | | | | with the least amount of physical exertion. To |
| can be reduced by rehearsal and preparation, 15% | | | | stay hydrated, consume eight to ten glasses of |
| by deep breathing, and 10% by mental | | | | water daily.To prevent excess mucus, avoid dairy |
| preparation. Thorough preparation alleviates | | | | products and sugar. Grain alcohol, vodka, beer, |
| anxiety and ultimately provides a consistent | | | | and red wine can also increase mucus. If you |
| structure for achieving extraordinary | | | | cannot avoid alcohol, choose white wine before a |
| results.PREPARECreate template presentations | | | | presentation.Sufficient sleep is absolutely essential |
| before you need them. If you use power point, | | | | to maximum performance.PRIME1. In the morning, |
| keep text to a minimum with only one idea, no | | | | do a good physical workout to give you energy |
| more than six lines per slide, large, readable, and | | | | and focus for the day.2. Do some self-massage |
| consistent fonts. Most business people prefer little | | | | and vocal warm ups in the shower. Massage the |
| to no slide animation. Summarize often. Never | | | | base of your tongue, the temporomandibular joint |
| read from your slides/flipcharts and always face | | | | (just by your ears between your cheeks and |
| your audience. Remember, you are the star not | | | | jaw) and neck and shoulders. Make funny faces |
| your visual aids.Customize for your audience. Go | | | | to exercise facial muscles, do your favorite |
| to websites and printed materials to gather | | | | tongue twisters, and sing an uplifting song.3. |
| information like vision, mission and values first. | | | | Before and during your presentation, drinks should |
| Then interview relevant people to find out where | | | | be without carbonation and not too hot or too |
| the "pain" is in relation to your product, service, or | | | | cold. Avoid combining protein and starch in the |
| topic. Ask questions like, what are the internal | | | | same meal and only eat fruit on an empty |
| external challenges/changes your organization is | | | | stomach.4. Run through your presentation |
| currently facing? What is the objective/purpose | | | | physically if you have the time.5. Arrive early. Set |
| for the meeting? What result would you like to | | | | up well in advance. Test and double-check all |
| see achieved? Are there others presenting? If so, | | | | equipment.6. Own the room imagining your energy |
| who are they and where are they on the | | | | fills the entire space extending to all walls and |
| schedule? How much time will I have? How much | | | | corners. State your intention aloud four times |
| Q&A should be included in my total presentation | | | | facing a different wall or direction each time. (i.e. |
| time? Is there anything else you could add to help | | | | "to win the business")7. Close your eyes. In your |
| me do an even better job?Get details like the | | | | mind's eye, imagine a person, place, or thing that |
| date, directions to venue, meeting start/end | | | | you love. If you are religious or spiritual, you may |
| times, presentation start/end times, dress code, | | | | want to connect with your higher power. Allow |
| attendees, VIP's, agenda, equipment availability, | | | | six or more deep breaths. Breathe in love on the |
| etc. If you're flying in, ask about the closest | | | | inhale and on the exhale, let go of any tension, |
| airport and number of miles/kilometers to venue, | | | | anxiety, or stress.8. With your eyes still closed, |
| recommended transport from airport to meeting | | | | mentally run through your presentation. Visualize |
| site or hotel and all contact phone numbers. If you | | | | success seeing your desired outcome.9. Play a |
| are meeting overseas, inquire about business and | | | | fast piece of music you love, dance, or walk |
| cultural etiquette.Organize memorable openings | | | | briskly around the presentation room to pump |
| and closings by asking a question, mentioning | | | | yourself up and burn excess adrenaline. If it's not |
| something relevant in the news, using a quotation | | | | possible for you to do this, run in place or jump |
| or audio/video clip. Most adults are visual so be | | | | up and down for 20-30 seconds somewhere |
| creative. Weave humor throughout your talk. If | | | | private. If neither is possible, do simple isometric |
| you don't consider yourself to be funny, use | | | | exercises, tensing and releasing muscles while |
| humorous photos, drawings, unusual clip art, | | | | sitting or standing.10. Acknowledge yourself for |
| quotes or media clips. Never tell a story or joke | | | | the time and energy you have invested to do |
| that would remotely offend anyone. Relate your | | | | your best. Trust and BE yourself.PRESENTStart |
| closing to your opening coming full circle. Answer | | | | and stop on time. Address audience comfort |
| questions. End with a strong summary and a | | | | before you begin. Be flexible and able to cut your |
| compelling call to action.PRACTICEWhen your | | | | presentation short, if necessary. Make direct eye |
| content is ready, start practicing aloud. Pay special | | | | contact and speak to your audience as if you |
| attention to or memorize your beginning, key | | | | were having a conversation with a friend. Move |
| points, and ending. If you need insurance, use note | | | | around and gesture freely. Smile, have fun, and |
| cards or visual cues. During this process, you will | | | | be enthusiastic about what you are saying. Focus |
| inevitably make revisions and improvements. | | | | on delivering maximum value to your listeners. |
| After rehearsing aloud several times, record | | | | Now, it is all about them.PLAYBACKIf you can, |
| yourself on video. Time yourself. Watch your | | | | record all of your presentations on video for |
| practice session and make adjustments until you | | | | playback and feedback. A discreet alternative is a |
| are comfortable with your content and | | | | pocket-sized audio recorder. Recordings are |
| delivery.PLANPlan what to wear in advance | | | | especially useful for capturing questions, |
| choosing clothes that make you look and feel | | | | objections, comments, and action items. Always |
| great. Dress appropriately. To gain instant respect | | | | leave a handout, flyer, brochure, or business card |
| and boost your confidence, dress a bit better | | | | making it easy for people to contact you.The |
| than your audience does.Reconfirm date, time, | | | | path to mastery is practice. Confucius said, "A |
| venue, and agenda. If you are traveling for your | | | | journey of a thousand miles begins with a single |
| meeting, pack early including a checklist for last | | | | step." Enjoy the journey.Copyright 2006 Deborah |
| minute items. Always have a multimedia CD | | | | Torres PatelDeborah Torres Patel helps people |
| backup, wireless remote and carry everything | | | | express themselves with ease and confidence. |
| you will need for your presentation with you. To | | | | |