How to impress colleagues, clients and the boss with your communication skills
Many of us have experienced sitting through presentations that are dull and severely lacking in star quality. What should be a time to shine in front of colleagues, clients and the boss is often an unpleasant experience that many find hard to thrive in, whether in a one-on-one situation or in front of a whole lecture theatre. So, when trying to give a presentation, what can you do to make sure you impress?
Do's
• Use positive body language "Making eye contact shows that you are confident and gives people confidence in you," says Richard Israel, co-author of Mind Chi. "Keep your hands out of your pockets and keep both feet on the ground. Fidgeting is a giveaway sign that you are not happy."
• Rehearse your presentation "People die on stage because they think they can wing it," says Paul McGee, author of Self-Confidence. "They think they know it because their PowerPoint is done, and don't realise that rehearsing is time well spent. I use the phrase, 'Avoid the hearse, go and rehearse'."
• Think about the audience Remember who you are giving the presentation to and what their needs are. McGee says: "The pitfall most people fall into is forgetting who the audience is and why they are giving the presentation."
• Use stories "The messages that stick are those told with stories," says McGee. "Tell stories from your own experiences, ideally. It's a tactic used by a lot of politicians."
To Be Continued .....
