Smart Skills: Presentations, Paperback

Book 2 of the Smart Skills series: practical guides to mastering vital business skills and techniques. Using proven strategies from business experts, these essential smart skills can empower anyone with the tools to get ahead.

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Despite being one of the most dreaded professional tasks, public speaking is an increasingly important skill to master: the ability to engage and connect can truly set you apart from the crowd in a competitive market. This easy-to-follow, succinct guide will provide you with effective tips and resources to help you with both the practical task of putting together a presentation and proven strategies for building up your confidence. This handy guide includes:

• Detailed advice on strategy, structure and format
• How to pinpoint and communicate your core message
• Expert strategies for staying calm and collected
• Understanding your audience's needs
• How to show your passion and create a rapport with your audience
• Best practice for using visual aids and speaker notes

Kay splits up the presenting process into three key stages: before the presentation, during the event, and afterwards. This easy method makes this Smart Skills guide a useful tool for anyone who has to present to an audience, even a complete beginner.

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Contents

Preface

Foreword

Notes from the author

Introduction: The opportunities - and the difficulties - of getting to your feet

BEFORE THE PRESENTATION

Chapter One

Focusing on the task

Ideas and objectives

Strategy, structure and format

Chapter Two

Getting organised

Calming the nerves

Harnessing your secret weapons

Spacial awareness

Chapter Three

Putting your message together

Speaker's notes

With a little help from your friends

DURING THE PRESENTATION

Chapter Four

Confronting the audience

Gaining attention

Creating rapport

Chapter Five

Communicating your message

Gaining acceptance

In conclusion

Can you hear me at the back?

Chapter Six

Involving your listeners

Use of visual aids

Signs of revolt

Anything and everything

AFTER THE PRESENTATION

Chapter Seven

Question time and feedback

Handling questions and objections

In the chair

Presentation performance checklist

Frances Kay is an author, researcher, coach and consultant. She has been the editor of The Good Retirement Guide since 2008.