Effective Communication Principles – Group Presentation Skills
Posted on December 10th, 2018
Group Presentation Skills
- Prepare and Practice
For many people, speaking to a group is the greatest fear in their lives. Just the thought of facing strangers in the audience makes them nervous and even lose some sleep over it. But this fear is often exaggerated in their minds. To ease this common fear, begin preparing ideas and concept for the presentation in your mind. Conduct proper research that may be required. Once you are comfortable with the thoughts and the information gathered, put it all on paper and create a rough draft. Read several times to edit or make changes where needed. Once the presentation is finalized, practice perfectly several times, either by yourself and/or in front of a few colleagues. At some point during the practice stage, you will surprise yourself with the confidence that you are ready. And yes, you are!
Key points:
- Prepare, not fear the presentation
- Develop ideas and concept in your mind
- Do the research, build a rough draft, edit and finalize
- Practice perfectly in front of a mirror or a few colleagues for confidence
- Know you Audience
To make an effective presentation, you must be the subject matter expert. You must prepare the presentation with knowing who the people in the audience are. How will they receive the content and what delivery style they will enjoy the most? Do some basic research on the audience, prior to the event to be fully confident in your content and delivery style. The quality and veracity of your presentation must equal to their interest and intellect. It is always a good idea to meet and mingle with the audience before the formal presentation begins. It will put you at ease, alleviate nervousness and make the audience more accepting of your presentation.
Key points:
- Select a subject that you an expert in
- Learn the audience and their veracity of knowledge
- Practice your delivery style, appropriate to the audience
- Meet and mingle with audience ahead of the presentation
- Speak with Conviction
You have created an exciting presentation, practiced many times and built up the confidence to share your expertise with the audience! Now is the time to show your conviction about what you have to say. People will not only listen to the words but also enjoy your enthusiasm and feel your emotions. Deliver your words clearly and with high and low pitch or volume as appropriate. Monotone voice, low energy and lack of enthusiasm in your sound of voice will be a turn off for the audience. On the other hand, people will enjoy and embrace the conviction in your style, confidence in your words, enthusiasm and emotions in your tone of voice!
Key points:
- Be confident of your expertise
- Speak with conviction and confidence
- Show your emotions and enthusiasm in your tone of voice
- Connect with audience by coming close to them and by walking around
- Follow the Basics
There are a lot of self-help programs and books for those preparing to give a presentation. Here are a few that we think that will separate you from the “speaking pack”.
- Be sincere in your words
- Be genuine in your emotions
- Be enthusiastic in your style
- Speak plainly and clearly
- Keep good eye contact with entire group
- If on stage avoid being behind the lectern
- When near the audience, walk around and engage
- Get to point often and use high or low pitch
- Be aware of your body language and facial expressions
- If Power Point is being used, write no more than 5 to 7 lines per page
- Offer to take questions at the end of presentation
- Do not take risk of opening with a joke, it may not work
- You may share a brief personal story at the beginning to get audience’s attention
- Close Powerfully
People in the audience are very likely to retain your message during the last two minutes of your presentation than at any other time. Wrapping up with all your key points at the close is the best way to make some memorable moments for the audience. Like the bow on a present, make sure to tie all the ideas, messages and take-aways together so the audience has one package to carry out of your presentation. Be very emphatic, use powerful words and engage with genuine emotions to close your presentation. Thank the people in the audience, the organization who invited you and the team of people who had put the event together. Everyone likes to clap for them and your presentation will end with the loud sound of clapping!
Key points:
- The last two minutes are very important
- People will remember most of what they heard towards the end
- People want some memorable moments from your presentation
- Close enthusiastically with powerful emphasis on key points and the key message
Wrap Up
Communication is an art of sharing thoughts and ideas among people. It is also a medium to send a message to another person or a group of people. Effective interpersonal communication requires certain skills. Some people have this ability naturally and others learn it formally or through life experiences. The basic principles are the same. One must be an active, empathetic, respectful and engaged listener when interacting with others. You must be sincere, authentic and respectful of others. When making a group presentation, one must articulate the message appropriately and sincerely and share with enthusiasm and conviction. The basic and simple principles noted above can help anyone be an effective communicator! They will enjoy the respect, trust and attention of others when practicing these principles!
Khalid Shiekh
Consultant – Food and Nutrition Services
