OUTLINE OF SESSION 1: Virtual ‘How To’ on Structure and Handling Nerves – 2.5 hrs
This quote is critical in understanding why we would use a presentation rather than a video or a document or a phone call. As human beings we create an emotional reaction when we walk in the room and when we start to talk. This session will make sure you start in a great mindset and that your audience goes with you and acts on what you say – it is essential to have attended this session before you attend the main skill build session.
Welcome to Presenting with Confidence (10 mins)
A fun connection / intro to the course and each other to lower stress / fear – exchanging what they need from this session to get the most from the skill build session.
Why Present Anything? (20 mins)
The big why (one thing you want the audience to take away – think, feel, believe, call to action etc) – if you want to share detail write them a document, draw them a picture instead, make sure your presentation invite is clear what they will gain and what they should come prepared with!
The emotional / practical reasons for presenting
The story you are telling (and the context you are showing by how you are landing)
Fears, Nerves & amp; Mindset (30 mins)
The huge effect your emotional state, breathing, mindset etc has on the audience (mirror neurons mae them copy you – either hugely useful or complete disaster!)
Lively interactive session on what people are scared of with presenting with mindsets, toolsets and skillsets to reduce the fear so you can.
Mindfulness, breathing, visualising and power poses to name a few.
Including fascinating new research that shows you live longer by doing hard things that you don’t want to do!
Realising adrenaline is present in both fear and excitement, just the story we are running in our head is different – which creates different chemicals and different feelings (some basic neuroscience to buy in the sceptics!)
Break (10 mins)
Structure for Your Audience (40 mins)
Know your audience and what they expect / want / need. Also consider venue, timings, setup of the room.
Pyramid thinking for data heavy contexts, storytelling ‘plots’, how to create something that is easy to listen to and impactful enough to remember (remember emotions make memories stick.)
Picking an idea to use to get to a keyline that you can present in the skill building session.
Gaining & Keeping Attention (40 min)
How to start and end with impact – bookending – the hook (data and question or startling insight / picture etc.)
Introducing yourself memorably (not at the start!) Go around the room getting everyone to say their full name – why this is important to hear (assume people want to contact you and need to look you up internally or on LinkedIn.)
Tools, tricks and tips to keep audience attention (remembering without structure it will just be entertaining)
Wrap Up: BENCHMARK PRESENTATION – PERSONAL WORK (10 min)
Check everyone has got what they wanted from this session and is clear on what they need to do / how to get ready for the next skill building session
OUTLINE OF SESSION 2: Face to Face Skill Build – 1 day (9.30 – 4.30)
Welcome Intro from Liz – to create energy and set scene (10 min)
Benchmark Pitch:
Everyone is recorded on their own phones doing their benchmark presentation (they can delete after the course – just great to see before and after!) We want intro, to key line and ending at least but as much as they can fit into the ‘slot’ (see bottom table.) (10 min per person)
Feedback – including how they introduced themselves, the ‘hook’ from the start, audience engagement, understanding of what they were going to hear, what they think they are going to take away, how they feel… (5 min per person)
Break – 15 min
Powerful Starts:
Quick fire coaching on the starts after the feedback to dial in the maximum impact and increase the emotional impact they are calling for. (10 min per person)
Key Line Impact
Detailed look at the key line – does it convince / do the job they intend – how could they improve it, make it simpler / more impactful / add human interest (stories) etc Look at howthey are doing the ‘middle’ of the presentation.
Coaching per person (15 mins)
Lunch – 45 min
Action Oriented Endings (5 min per person)
Coaching on the ending of the presentation – making it sharp, high energy and clear what the audience is taking away / doing / thinking as a result – group feedback.
Handling Questions with Credibility (10 min pp)
Quick fire, off the cuff questions from the group, designed to create pressure - this will undoubtedly be the most pressure in the day. The reason is it then insulates them from the normal level of pressure in a presentation because they know they can cope (I will adjust to each person’s readiness and comfort with this!)
Break – 15 min
Uplevelled Presentation (Recorded)
Each person re-does their presentation – start, keyline and ending on video and can then notice the differences!
Wrap Up and Takeaways (15 mins)
Each person says what they are taking away to work on from the session and Liz can signpost TED talks and YouTube sites that may be of interest.