Presentation Skills

Has this ever happened to you? A great idea pops into your head during a meeting. You’re just about ready to share it with the group, but then you stop yourself because your brain starts playing the doubting game – I’m not important enough to contribute; people might laugh or think I’m stupid; I’m probably wrong.

Why do guests keep returning to Disney theme parks and resorts? Survey data reveals that “friendliness” is the top factor customers value in their experience. While you may initially think that maintaining a cheery demeanor is easier at a vacation spot than in your cubicle, the issues faced are often the same. (Try answering questions such as “What time is the 3:00 parade?” and “Where is my car parked?” multiple times and see how sunny you feel.)

Ever have a great idea get nixed by your boss? Before labeling him a curmudgeon who is out to squash employee innovation and morale, realize that managers have a variety of reasons for saying no. Possibilities include:

While what you say certainly influences the perceptions others have of you, so does how you say it. Develop a more professional demeanor by paying attention to these ways you might be sabotaging your speech:

Talking Too Softly

Others should not have to strain to hear you. Likewise, speaking too quietly gives off a vibe that you are unsure of what you are saying or don’t think your opinions are worth being heard.

Talking Too Fast

If you think creating presentations is a difficult and time-consuming chore, maybe you need a simple-to-use tool that can help you get through the process more quickly and easily. If you haven’t already tried Prezi, it may change your life (or at least make presentations much less terrifying). Prezi is a presentation tool that helps you organize and share your ideas. You can create a presentation (called a “prezi”) and share them with an audience anywhere.

• A Note About Introverts and Teams [LinkedIn]
• The Most Important Word in Any Presentation [Dr. Michelle Mazur]
• Medical Assistants Can Look Forward to a Brighter Future [Jobacle]
• Tips for Getting a Job in a New City [Glass Door]
• How to Be More Hirable Post-Recession [US News]

Nervous about an important meeting or making a presentation in front of others? While jitters are common, learning how to release tension before entering the situation can prepare you to perform your best. Body language and stress expert Sharon Jakubecy shares these tips that have been successful during her 10 years of working with speakers, business professionals, lawyers, and performers:

How much thought do you out into what you wear to work? If you don’t give it much thought—or you dress mainly with comfort in mind—you may want to pay a little more attention to your workplace attire. According to some experts, your work clothing choices are much more than a fashion statement. Whether it’s fair or not, appearances often count—and this includes your wardrobe choices.

At the end of my workshops, presentations and speeches, people often tell me what a natural public speaker I am. I internally laugh when I hear this because while I may make it look easy now, nobody was around to see me when I used to feel so sick before every speech that I couldn’t eat for fear of throwing up on the front row. I also used to shake so badly that my voice and body could barely get any words out, and I turned bright red when I got up in front of a group to speak. It was not fun, and it has been a long journey for me.

• Women are More Likely to Ditch Dream Jobs [CBS News]
• Make Presentations That Don’t Put People to Sleep [Lifehack]
• The Effects of Being Happy at Work [Jobacle]
• Tips for an Effective Thank You Note [Glass Door]
• How to Handle a Blemish on Your Resume [US News]