Presentation skills exceed just being able to “navigate a slideshow” and directly impact the perception of your competency, potential for leadership, and ability to take on larger opportunities. Those who have strong skills in presenting tend to be very trusted to pitch to clients, lead teams, and represent the organisation; hence, employers rank communication and presentation highly as soft skills in demand.
Why Presentation Skills Matter So Much
Today’s professions have as much of a reliance on effective communication skills as they do on knowledge. Communication and public speaking skills were identified as two of the three highest-ranked professional skills in an employer’s eyes across all fields. In every profession, from accounting to technology to operations to sales, there will come a time when you will be called upon to deliver a presentation of your ideas to your supervisor, a client, a member of upper management, or a colleague.
Good presentation skills allow others to understand your knowledge base. Without the ability to clearly communicate your thoughts and ideas to your audience, it is unlikely that your ideas will receive financial support, be put into action, or be remembered.
Communication: The Foundation of Great Presentations
A powerful presentation is fundamentally composed of effective communication with an organised structure. To do this, you will need to structure your presentation with the following:
- Use clear and simple language rather than technical jargon that confuses those who are listening.
- Use active listening skills and encourage two-way interaction with the audience by asking questions, interpreting audience cues, and adjusting as necessary throughout the presentation.
- Communicate confidence through non-verbal cues such as maintaining eye contact, using open body language, and having a steady and controlled speaking voice.
When you communicate effectively, those people with whom you work will understand your message quickly, need less follow-up clarification, and have greater confidence in their actions based on your recommendations.
Building Confidence and Overcoming Fear
Many people are afraid to speak in public, even high performers at the beginning of their careers. What sets effective presenters apart, however, is the following:
- They prepare extensively by doing their homework on the subject they are presenting, as well as gathering information about both the audience and the main point they wish to convey.
- They practise how they will begin a speech and move between ideas (also known as transitions) so that they can make a strong start and recover from any mistakes they may make while speaking.
- They use breathing exercises and a positive mental image of themselves successfully delivering their speech to overcome their anxiety, rather than allowing it to control them.
Each successful presentation serves as a reminder that you can successfully have other people see you. This self-assurance will carry over to meetings, interviews, negotiations, and everyday interactions.
Structuring Your Message for Impact
Any good piece of content will not perform as intended without an appropriate plan to present it in a structured manner. A plan will guide an audience from the time they realise they have a problem until they are told how to fix it, which will prevent them from becoming lost in the process. An example of a simple plan may include the following:
- A hook and a purpose statement that identifies why this material is of concern.
- Provide a short, concise background of the item being discussed.
- Identify 2-4 main points and provide examples or data to support each point.
- Provide visual aids to enhance your story, rather than clutter it.
- Summarise what the audience should learn and do after your presentation.
Having a plan will demonstrate that a person can think clearly and orderly, and respect the time of an audience member, two characteristics that managers and clients highly value.
Captivating Your Audience
Career-engaging presentations not only communicate content, but they also capture an audience’s attention. A few of the many ways in which effective presenters capture and hold an audience’s attention include:
- Effective presenters tell stories and use analogies or real-life examples that are relevant to the content, helping the audience remember what was presented.
- To eliminate the “lecture” aspect of presentations, effective presenters encourage audience participation by using questions and engaging them through brief interactive exercises.
- Presenters should adapt their voice, cadence, and tone to suit the specific audience or setting.
When individuals enjoy listening to your presentation or participating in the activity, they are typically more likely to remember who you are and seek out your guidance, leadership, or representation in the future.
How Presentation Skills Boost Your Career
There are multiple unique and tangible ways to use your presentation skills to advance your career.
- Improved Professional Image – When you give well-organised, confident presentations, you communicate that you have put a lot of thought into your presentation and that you are preparing yourself to be an asset to the company, regardless of what stage of your career you’re at.
- Increased Visibility & Recognition – When colleagues can present information to the executive level or to clients in a way that is concise and easily understood, they are viewed as an asset by their peers, and this leads to additional assignments or opportunities for growth (usually in the form of additional training and projects).
- Improved Leadership Profile – As a leader of a team or project, it will be your responsibility to communicate a clear and concise vision to team members, while also influencing others, managing expectations, etc.
- More Business Opportunities – When you hold a client or commercial position, your ability to communicate your ideas through pitches, demonstrations, and negotiations will have a significant impact on revenue and partnerships.
- Better Interview & Internal Pitch Opportunities – When pursuing a promotion, a new job, or funding for a project, you’re likely going to need to present yourself, either formally or informally.
Overall, developing presentation skills will exponentially increase the impact of your knowledge by making it visible and valuable to others.
How 6 Pence Can Support Your Growth
Presentational expertise can be honed through various means; however, it can be greatly enhanced if you’re supported by a company that provides an environment conducive to your development. A regional staffing solutions company, 6 Pence, consistently facilitates the placement of professionals into positions that require communication and interaction with the client base.
Through 6 Pence, professionals are able to connect with companies that recognise the importance of soft skills, gain access to numerous job opportunities, and gain exposure to a wide variety of teams and stakeholders.
All of this creates the right environment to hone your presentation skills and get noticed for those abilities. If you are just starting or are considering moving into a more prominent position, working with 6 Pence can help you obtain a place where your communication skills will be an essential component for success.
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