Business Presentations: For greater clarity use child''s play

When presenting data or analysis to senior executives or committees it''s obvious that if they don''t understand your message then they won''t your concept. But something equally important is the issue of actually understanding the presenter e.g. the speed at which you talk, the way you pronounce words, or a strong regional accent can all influence the clarity of your message. One easy way to fix this problem is to articulate every word.

I''ve just been presenting at a small conference - 90 people - the presenter before me was a Doctor. She was presenting some very important research about the need to use sustainable materials in the construction of public sector housing. A very important message; Al Gore, after-all, got a Nobel Prize for work on a similar theme.

But she mumbled her way through the presentation, mostly with her back to the audience reading her slides. Despite having a microphone the audience struggled to hear or understand what she was saying. Among st her worst faults were dropping the ends of her words, especially when the letters, T or D, or ING were involved. This had the effect of making her mumble even more difficult to understand. And then when she noticed that the audience were losing interest she started to rush, which made comprehension even worse.

If she''d asked here''s the advice I would have given her: ARTICULATE! Specifically, pronounce every word properly. The effect it has is to:

1. Slow you down so that you are better understood by your audience

2. Breath properly because you have slowed down, hence you don''t swallow your words

3. Allow you to think, so you can go off-script and really react to your audience

4. Make your facial muscles congruent with what you are saying.

Don''t underestimate the power of proper pronunciation it can have a dramatic effect on your presentation. Here''s how you do it.

The minute you close this article go to yo ur nearest bookshop and buy "The Cat in the Hat" by Dr Zeuss. Read it out loud for at least three consecutive nights before a presentation. Re-read it again just before your presentation. Then marvel at how much more time you seem to have and how much better your audience rates to what you say.

Remember if they can''t understand you, they won''t buy your ideas.

Want to structure a powerful business presentation, that grabs the attention of any CEO, by tomorrow? Get the first four steps of my system free here:

Business Presentations

Seeking Perfection in Public Speaking? Stop Reaching for the Impossible!

What do you consider to be a perfect presentation? A dynamic delivery and great material? Or possibly the fact that you didn''t make a mistake? Or maybe you believe that a perfect presentation is one that flows smoothly without flaw?

Perfection in any live venue is subjective and striving to attain it is a total waste of your time. What I may consider to be perfect may not be what you consider to be perfect. Unfortunately, perfection is something that the Type A personality is always trying to achieve. In the field of public speaking, however, it unfortunately depletes your energy as well as your ability to be yourself at the lectern.

Public speaking is difficult enough without adding to your nervousness. Why seek a goal that you cannot reach? Why not, instead, strive for excellence?

The difficulty with perfection is that it does not allow for the occasional mistake. Excellence, on the other hand, does. This is something that the Type A personality would b e well served to understand and to accept. In doing so, you can then deal with the reality of the situation and not an unrealistic attempt to achieve the impossible.

Do you know how many times TV and radio broadcasters make mistakes? How about professional musicians, singers, and actors? Are you aware that seasoned professional public speakers make mistakes as well? In most cases, it probably doesn''t register with you, the listener. But, it happens. The secret is that they don''t let it fluster them. They fix it, if need be, and move on.

Another one of the secrets for professional public speakers is that they don''t memorize their script. They know their material inside and out but when they speak, their delivery is slightly different each and every time the give the same presentation because they are speaking from their heart and not just from their head. In doing so, they can express themselves with passion, with enthusiasm and with emotion. A memorized performance does not allow for the same colorful delivery because it is exactly what it is called. A memorized performance.

Good public speakers communicate with their audiences; those delivering a memorized script do not. In truth, delivering a memorized presentation is more akin to acting.

Stop trying to achieve that which is not possible. Instead, create an excellent presentation; deliver an excellent presentation and don''t fret if you make an occasional mistake. Without a doubt, the best in the business are excellent but they are not perfect!

Discover the Secret That Vin Diesel Knows About Captivating His Audience When He Speaks

How is it that many of those on the radio, TV, in the movies or on stage capture our attention when they speak? What are they doing that the majority of the population is not? And, if you knew their secret, would you be interested in discovering just how dynamic your voice could be?

You have 5 chambers or cavities, also called resonators, which are responsible for the production of your speaking voice. And, it is more than likely that you can name 4 of them. They would include the voice box (larynx), throat (pharynx), mouth and nose. Not to be confused with the articulators (your jaw, teeth, tongue and lips), the resonators are vibrating cavities. Without these cavities, there is no sound.

However, what you probably don''t know is that there is a 5th resonator and it is your chest cavity. The reason this may come as a surprise is because you are probably not using it when you speak, along with the majority of the population.

What is interesting is that were yo u to use your chest cavity, like Kathleen Turner or Vin Diesel, you would discover a voice that you didn''t recognize because it would be richer, warmer, deeper in pitch, and resonant - a voice that vibrates in your chest when you speak.

Currently you are speaking with your habitual voice which probably sounds similar to your same-sex parent. Unless you are copying a parent who happens to have a resonant, dynamic voice, the chances are likely that you are not using your ''real'' voice. We all learn to speak from imitating our loved ones who, in general, are not good role models in this respect.

If you look at the size of the chest cavity compared to that of the other 4 resonators combined, you can begin to understand that, minus the chest cavity, the resulting sound will be thinner, weaker, higher in pitch and possibly nasal. What is missing is a resonance that can only be achieved when the voice is vibrating in the chest. Good resonance results in a richness, a depth , and a warmth that we hear in all great voices.

James Earl Jones has it and so does Cher; Sean Connery has it along with Diane Sawyer. You may have a great instrument as well. Unfortunately, you will never know how good it is until you add your chest cavity to the picture.

One of the best voice changes I have ever heard is Craig. Did I know when I met this young man that he had a tremendous voice inside? No. It was truly astounding for all of us in his group when he made the change. And the good news for Craig is that it will only improve as he ages.

Having a dynamic, resonant speaking voice is a marvelous asset and builds your confidence in ways you cannot imagine. Being able to captivate others when you speak and control your nervousness in any form of public speaking are just two of the many benefits you will discover when you allow your chest cavity to become your most important resonator in speaking.

Top 10 Ways to Butcher Your Presentation

1. Getting there late.

Walking frantically into a room full of people who have been waiting for you to arrive can be an embarrassing situation. Unless you are a magician, you might as well turn around and leave. It would take a miracle to get this audience to forget the inconvenience you have caused them. They probably have already passed judgment on you, deciding you''re an inconsiderate speaker rather than a viable expert in your field. Make the extra effort to arrive at least

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What to Look for in a Trade Show Rental Service

Many business owners rely on trade shows to introduce their products, expand their markets and increase their contacts. But trade shows can sometimes require a considerable amount of money to initiate, which is why people rely on trade show rental service to offset some of the expense. Here are things you need to consider when looking for a trade show rental service:

Look for a trade show rental service that can match your needs. Trade show rental services are quite familiar with the needs of their clients. However, there are some that have more experience in certain industries such as IT, manufacturing and production. When considering a rental service, ask about their experience in the industry you belong to.

This is especially important if your product or service belongs to an emerging or specialized industry. If the trade show rental has worked with others like you before, it''s likely that you''ll get better support if they have more background in your field. That way, they know exactly what to expect and can anticipate your needs.

Look for a trade show rental service that offers you solid support. The last thing you need is a rental service that abandons you when you need it most. Ask about the types of services they offer, along with the features you can expect for the price you''re willing to pay. Do not be shy to ask about extras. Although you might have to pay for additional services, there''s no harm in trying to find out if there are some you could get for a small cost or even for free.

Consider transport and mobility. Transport can be an obstacle to an otherwise problem-free trade show. Look for a trade show rental service that offers you solutions to this challenge. Ask about transportable solutions, such as displays that are easy to install and dismantle.

Find out to what degree you can introduce customization. If you choose a trade show rental service, chances are you''ll have pre-set packages of products and feat ures. While these often suffice in meeting your most basic needs, you might want more creative freedom in terms of display, for example. Ask the service if this is allowed and if it is, what types of modifications you can do.

Find out if you can afford the solutions. Some trade show rental services do charge more. However, just because a company doesn''t ask you to pay a lot of money doesn''t automatically mean they don''t offer good quality service. Always strive to find a good balance between good quality service and cost.

The Importance of Presentation Training

Presentation training can improve your sales team''s methods of providing information to potential clients. A well planned and delivered presentation will help increase your company sales.

Key tools gained through Presentation Training include:

* creating the right impression to potential clients

* the power of belief and attitude when presenting

* structured approach to presenting

* setting realistic presentation objectives

* advanced communication techniques

* increase impact and customer buy-in

* using visual aids to maximise key messages

* maintaining the attention of the audience and delivering a memorable presentation

* question handling

* increased confidence

Training your staff in the best ways to deliver sales presentations, the right tools to use and how to effectively engage and manage the attention of audiences, from small groups to larger cor porate presentations, will help you to build business and increase sales.

Presentation training will not only teach employees the best way to deliver presentations to impact your sales, it will also benefit their personal development by increasing confidence and skill set.

After undergoing presentation training, your employees should be fully equipped to face the corporate world and provide high impact presentations that will impress clients and ensure customer buy-in.