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