15 minutes may seem like very little time to organize an effective presentation of any kind, especially about management skills.  Yet it can be done with good organization.  Being extremely apparent about what you want to talk about helps to make a presentation to flow better and helps to make you look better.  It is an efficient kind of ethos.  For instance, listing a couple, but certainly no more than 3 things you would want to delineate in your presentation aids in narrowing down the elements you want to cover.  Doing this kind of organizational tactic also has the added benefit of making you less worried about what you will be talking about and also making your audience less confused: confidence is a huge part of a engaging presentation.

However, you do not need to inform your audience of what you will be demonstrating with your presentation.  In fact, when making a list of goals of what you want to accomplish, you should deliberate about the audience initially.  Often this will provide you with a completely different perspective that helps you to regard their needs over yours.  After all, a presentation is about the audience.  Though a straightforward thing to remember, businessmen and businesswomen organizing and making a presentation often accidentally discard it among the numerous things to include in their thought processes.  It is a simple part of good presentation skills.

Another facet of your presentation you ought to consider is if you go through all the thing you want to cover: will you have accomplished the goal/s you set for yourself in the beginning stages of your presentation while also successfully and simultaneously communicating clearly to your audience: will the audience understand you?  Further, you should also think about the atmosphere of a presentation.  It may sound a little strange to consider it this way—more akin to making a mood for a dinner party.  However, you should if you want to have a helpful and logical presentation.  It may be to create a strong bond between employees, or more informational—a presentation about presenting—but again, it is another way of making your presentation more lucid for your audience.  Insure that your presentation is totally clear by allowing a short allotment for any questions the audience has.  Though difficult to do with a 15 minute presentation, it can be done.  And the more cogent your presentation is, the more effective it is.

Human beings see things differently.  Some may gain wisdom or knowledge through verbal means, while others are more successful through visual means.  When one is in any field wherein communicating an idea or a project with others, their success rate will soar if they employ both the verbal and the visuals when leading meetings and making presentations.  Once one grasps the concepts of effective public speaking, and combines that with graphics that ‘paint a picture’, one will become a better educator and/or leader, and they will become a stronger and more viable communicator.  One of the keys to conducting any business meeting, is to keep it short and keep it direct.

This is true for visual props as well.  Each written line should contain at most, six words.  And there should never be more than six lines to any one visual aid.  Should the visual combine the use of drawings or images, along with written text, much of the space should remain blank on the page, at least sixty percent.  Larger font size is key as well, as it becomes frustrating for people to read when they can not sufficiently or accurately see that which they are supposed to be looking.

This goes the same for the size of a projection screen as well.  It is wise for one themselves, to stand in the back row of seating before the presentation begins, just to make certain that everyone participating will have a clear view.  When the text is written in all capital letters, it becomes very hard for people to read.  One should always use a mix of lowercase and capital letters when creating visuals using written text.  Visuals should always be created professionally.

It is best to have someone look over the work before one is to present it, as unbiased opinions come from those who are seeing the work with fresh eyes.  As with all works in the visual word, aesthetic appeal is a must.  There are many options in the computer graphics world, and experimenting with those to create various borders, shapes and lines will serve to give one many options in the creative process, to be able to see just what looks best.  It is a simple idea, but composition is employed in the world of visual arts, and considering the layout of the work will make a huge difference in the way that one’s presentation is perceived, and in the effectiveness of the communication that will be disseminated throughout the presentation.

Find out more about Dale Carnegie’s Presentation Skills and Public Speaking Training

Public speaking is one of the scariest things in the world.  It takes guts and it takes confidence. Luckily these are things that we can teach ourselves.  Here are a few important steps you need to take before you ever deliver a speech:

The first and most important step is to know your topic. Even if you are giving a speech on snails and don’t know anything about them, do your research! You need to become an expert on any and every topic that comes your way. Use your research skills.

Use the Internet or your local library. Knowing your topic will give you confidence. Cheat a little. No don’t cheat by going online and typing your speech topic into Google. After you have done your research you should have a list of points you want to talk about. Do your best to memorize your key talking points, but it does not hurt to make yourself a cheat sheet. You are going to be a little bit nervous, so having note cards or a PowerPoint presentation to look on or follow along with will do wonders for your speech and preparedness.

Imitate great speakers. In your research you should look up a speech of someone you admire. Perhaps Winston Churchill or think back to a wedding toast you liked that your friend gave. What made them come across as confident public speakers? If you can try to find video of someone you admire speaking and do your best imitation. Of course, make it your own; you don’t want to be obviously doing an impression.

Look the part. You may have the next “I Have a Dream” in your hands, but who is going to take you seriously if you are wearing a Hawaiian shirt? Try to look your best on the day of your speech. If you don’t have to worry about what you look like, well that’s one less thing to worry about.

Dale Carnegie Training offers 2 day training course titled ”Getting Rid of the Fear and Horror of Public Speaking“

Dear Carnegie Coach,

I have just started working on a project where it is necessary for me to communicate with members of a company outside my industry. The information that I am providing seems to be going over the heads of the individuals I’m working with. These individuals are not as familiar with how I’m expressing my ideas as someone would be who is working in my industry. The problem seems to deal with how clearly I express myself. Are there any tips you can give me that will enhance my ability to clearly express my ideas.

David

Dear David,

In day to day communication there are countless opportunities for miscommunication and misunderstandings. Thus, regardless of what we do we must clearly inform others. Here are some tips that will allow you to express your ideas clearly.

1) Language easily understood- Remember that the language you use every day may be confusing to others. Simplify anything you can in order to find a comfort level for your listener

2) Illustrations- Research has proven that over 60% of those listening to us are visual learners. An illustration may engage your audience, and help stimulate learning.

3) Organize Thoughts-This will allow those listening to you to remain on the same level because people enjoy order and clarity.

4) Narrow subject to key points-Discuss what you feel is most important, don’t overload your listener with unnecessary information.

5) Summarize- You will further clarify your point, and your listeners will have another chance to retain the information you have provided them.

The effective speaker should have a clearly organized and purposeful presentation. Here is the basic structure of a successful presentation:

• Opening – Favorably attract immediate interest from the audience
• Message – Clearly state your message or theme
• Evidence – Establish credibility and inspire respect and confidence by using convincing evidence
• Closing – Leave the audience with a favorable, memorable impression

Before presenting, make sure that you are familiar with your topic and are comfortable with the information you are about to present. You should also know the purpose of your presentation. Some of the most common purposes of presentations are:

• Convince/Persuade to get action
• Inform
• Motivate
• Entertain

Keep this in mind as you prepare your presentation.

Working to enhance your communication skills will add impact to your presentations.

• Develop increased flexibility through the use of expression, gestures, and voice modulation
• Demonstrate ownership of unfamiliar material
• Present written material in a captivating manner
• Improve your delivery of written material
• Overcome barriers that restrict your flexibility
• Use evidence to prove points (i.e. statistics)

The end result of giving a powerful presentation should be that your audience comes away with useful information. Here are some guidelines on communicating with greater impact:

• Have energetic body language and an upbeat tone of voice
• Maintain eye contact with your audience
• Avoid being tied to a script or lectern
• Get your audience involved by using examples and holding a Q&A session