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The Reason Why Your Workplace Presentation Skills Are So Important

Discover the true value of workplace presentation skills, and how they can help you lead and influence!

Discover Why Workplace Presentation Skills Are so Important

When you’re a manager, you need to have good presentation skills so you can lead your team, influence strategy, and even improve results.

Overall, your workplace presentation skills can highly impact your leadership skills. And once you master public speaking and messaging and storytelling becomes your second nature, you’ll be able to motivate others and drive impactful decisions.

Of course, you won’t be able to become a presentation expert overnight – and that’s why we’re here.

Our guide will help you understand why presentation skills in the workplace are so important and what you can do in your next presentation to put the wheels in motion.

Enhancing Leadership through Presentation

Building credibility and respect.

For managers seeking to establish credibility and respect as leaders, mediocre workplace presentation skills simply will not suffice anymore. To earn the trust and buy-in of your team and peers, you must be able to articulate ideas with polish, structure, and command of the subject matter.

Even the most brilliant strategic thinking means little if you cannot convey your vision persuasively. To reach presentation excellence , try the following techniques:

• Carefully modulating vocal tone for gravitas
• Using clear and authoritative language
• Maintaining eye contact
• Integrating narratives and data into speech flow

Sharpening skills in areas like these signals preparation and mastery to audiences. But make no mistake – excelling as a confident speaker requires dedication. With programs like our One-to-One skils training , you can learn how to refine your style and stage presence further.

Motivating and Inspiring Teams

Rallying the troops is not easy – canned corporate speak falls flat fast these days. People need authentic inspiration that sparks passion and purpose from within. The most effective motivators tap into that emotional spark by painting tangible visions folks can envision themselves executing.

Strategic plans remain just words unless infused with meaning. Relatable stories breathe life into dry data and directives. Asking real questions, and fully incorporating feedback makes teams feel truly heard, valued, and invested.

Great leaders convey conviction by speaking from their hearts. They motivate by sharing why the work matters to them personally. When teams see the mission through their leader’s eyes, that purpose becomes personal for them too. Then real commitment flows.

Unlocking these abilities takes time – the principles are straightforward but nuance is everything. With dedication to enhance their narrative skills though, managers discover they can rally teams to astonishing new heights.

Developing workplace presentation skills takes guidance and practice which things like our Storytelling for Business Course can provide in spades. Through hands-on learning, managers discover how to craft inspiring narratives and deliver them masterfully. They emerge as influential motivators ready to ignite real change.

The principles are straightforward but the nuance is immense. With a dedication to enhancing their strategic narrative abilities, managers discover they can rally their teams to astonishing new heights.

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Influencing Decision-Making and Strategy

Steering organisational decisions.

When it comes to swaying major strategic decisions , having a seat at the table is just the beginning. To truly influence executive conversations and achieve your desired outcomes, you must command the room with conviction.

Powerful presentation skills allow you to shape discussions by controlling the narrative. 

Wielding true influence over pivotal decisions requires commanding the room. Adopting this level of authority means mastering specific techniques:

• Address likely objections head-on: Anticipate concerns decision-makers may have and dispel them strategically. Displaying a full grasp of the landscape builds confidence in your ideas.
• Lead with compelling data: Back claims with ample evidence so leaders feel assured by your command of the facts. Data-driven arguments hold sway.
• Speak with flexible vocal emphasis: Modulate tone, pace and volume to focus minds on key goals. This verbal dynamism keeps narratives compelling over long meetings.
• Structure seamless storyline flow: Deftly transition between narrative elements to guide discussions to intended conclusions. Crescendos and details should cinch, not confuse.

Refining such advanced skills demands commitment but unlocks influence. With preparation and practice, managers gain the tools to spearhead strategy by steering pivotal conversations with authority and acumen. Let’s discuss how our customised coaching can accelerate your journey.

Aligning Team with Organisational Goals

Savvy navigators take time to decipher why pronounced goals matter, translating numbers and jargon into stories that evoke emotional investment . Compelling visuals help reinforce key concepts too. Inviting input helps uncover disconnects, doubts, or insights to inform updated guidelines. Ongoing forum sustains impulse to execute.

Re-examining goals through field teams’ eyes illuminates aspects previously opaque back at headquarters. People want to advance ideas they helped shape and comprehend. Respecting experience glues collective purpose tighter than relying on demands alone. Harnessing their interests and expertise fuels creativity that propels division over the finish line amid tight margins and clockwork.

Instilling esprit de corps around any sizable undertaking demands recognising each member’s contributions. Dynamic managers embrace the challenge because they understand that sustained achievements on an ambitious scale only emerge when people feel dialled into the values and humanity driving that journey, not just the roles assigned.

If you are looking for In-House Presentation Skills Training for a group or teams, please see our

Advancing Career through Masterful Presentations

Gaining visibility and networking.

If visibility and exposure are critical to your career growth, workplace presentation skills offer the perfect networking opportunity to get yourself noticed. 

Simply taking the stage is insufficient to drive career growth nowadays. To truly showcase leadership abilities, managers must deliver confident , compelling presentations that capture attention .

Want to accelerate your leadership journey? Polished presentations showcase potential. But simply claiming the stage won’t cut it. To truly make an impact, bring your A-game – a confident tone and compelling narrative that clarifies complex ideas.

Weave in stories and data that provide relatable context. Deploy effective questioning to spur meaningful dialogue. Exude quiet authority through verbal fluidity, crisp articulation and open body language. Slides should visually reinforce key points, not dominate.

Mastering such niche workplace presentation skills elevates you above the rest. But Make no mistake – excellence requires commitment. Customised training blends frameworks, coaching and practice for internalising the nuances. Lean into the rigours with dedication and realise the differentiation possible during high-stakes visibility moments. That’s how careers leap.

Refining such niche presentation capabilities accelerates professional advancement but requires commitment. Customised training solutions like Impact Factory’s one and two day presentation skills courses combine robust frameworks, expert coaching, and hands-on practice for mastering key areas. With dedication, managers gain skills to distinguish themselves during high-stakes moments.

Demonstrating Leadership for Promotion

Career advancement hinges on visibility – standing out requires a commanding presence. Mediocre presentations only go so far before hitting ceilings. To seize those coveted promotions, substance and polish must align. Savvy speakers demonstrate gravitas through smooth delivery, strategic narrative , and memorable messaging. They guide audiences fluidly through data visualisations toward intended takeaways. Stories get woven with facts to reinforce recall. Messaging stays crisp but conversational.

Executives refine such niche skills through tailored coaching. Impact Factory’s Personalised Executive Presentation Coaching helps managers master the techniques crucial for career acceleration. Their experts assess strengths, identify growth areas, and provide frameworks and hands-on practice. 

Managers gain confidence in delivering high-stakes presentations with clarity and conviction.

But realisation takes proactivity. Leaders seeking elevation must first acknowledge their next frontier for development. Schedule an initial consultation to evaluate readiness. Whether seeking executive presence, compelling storytelling, or another area of growth, Impact Factory develops customised plans for realising one’s full leadership potential.

Mastering Crisis Management with Presentation Skills

Effective problem-solving communication.

When unprecedented challenges emerge, stakeholders inevitably look to leaders for direction and resolution. These high-pressure moments call for composed, solution-oriented communication.

Experienced presenters acknowledge concerns head-on while succinctly conveying viable solutions and clear next steps. They provide straightforward explanations of the process and address uncertainties. But what can you do in your next presentation?

• Stick to factual information
• Use a clear organisational structure
• Watch your tone and pace for maximum reassurance

If you’re looking to take your skills another step further, our one day media skills course will equip you to steer your team through chaos with calm, focused communication .

Leading in Crisis through Communication

In times of turbulence, employees understandably look to leaders for a steady hand at the wheel. In such situations, the ability to communicate with clarity, confidence , and compassion is critical.

Successful leaders ground their teams by presenting vision, direction and contingency plans with poise. They use a slow narrative pace, crisp articulation, and composed delivery to provide maximum reassurance. To make your message stronger, try:

• Reiterating core values and organisational priorities
• Presenting contingency plans and scenarios
• Inviting audience perspectives and concerns
• Using storytelling to reinforce shared identity and purpose

Truly mastering crisis communication takes rigorous preparation. And with comprehensive programs like the Five-day Intensive Presentation with Impact course, you can gain the needed skills to shine when the stakes are highest.

Elevate Your Presentation Skills With Impact Factory

Mastering leadership communication is a winding journey, not a single summiting. But persevering promises dividends in influence. Progress flows from self-honesty – regularly soliciting blunt feedback exposes one’s gaps. Perhaps nervous tics emerge when conversations turn. Or complex data lacks translation for certain audiences. Once developmental areas come into focus, improvement follows consistent, concentrated effort.

While dedication furthers skills, targeted coaching accelerates them. Wise managers seek external expertise to tackle niche challenges singularly. Impact Factory , for example, offers personalised workshops and one-on-one sessions addressing common leadership pitfalls. From rallying teams around new initiatives to steering crises, our communication training tackles both universal and unique pain points through framework building and repeated practice.

True expertise requires commitment but unlocks otherwise elusive potential. As goals evolve over one’s leadership journey, how can external support further your vision? Please, let us know – an initial consultation may reveal growth possibilities not yet on your radar, unveiling your next positive disruption. The first step starts with asking.

FAQs on Workplace Presentation Skills

What are the five key presentation skills to develop.

In our experience, the fundamentals are clear articulation, polished body language, strong audience engagement, logical structure, and effective visual aid usage. Master these core abilities first.

How can I improve the flow of my presentation?

Creating a clear narrative arc is crucial – outline key points and transitions in advance. Use stories, questions, and eye contact to maintain engagement. Keep slides simple to avoid losing their attention . And be sure to summarise those key takeaways at the end.

What makes for a poor presentation?

Lack of preparation is a big one. A monotone voice and stiff body language won’t help either. Overly text-heavy slides just make people tune out. Failing to actively engage the audience is also a killer. Information overload without clear messaging is another major pitfall.

Why do many people fear public speaking?

Some anxiety is natural, but here’s the thing: focus on mastering your material rather than nerves. With practice delivering to small groups first, it gets much easier. Preparation and experience are key to gaining confidence .

Related Articles:

Are you ready to take the next step? Here are resources to help you take the right direction:

• Presentation Skills Training – Find out how we can tailor the training to the needs of your team and business.
• Benefits Of Presentation Courses – Sharp presentation skills bring benefits to your employees and business at the same time. While your employees gain more confidence, your business can drive higher sales. Explore the benefits in more detail.
• How To Use Body Language To Enhance Your Presentation Skills – Presentations aren’t only about the message. You also need to focus on the way you deliver it and the impression you make on the audience. Here are a few quick tips on how to build a strong stage presence.

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How Personal Presentation plays an important role in the workplace?

What is personal presentation in the workplace and why is personal presentation important?

What is personal presentation in the workplace?

Personal presentation is how you portray yourself to other people. Your personal presentation includes everything from the way you look , to the way you speak and move . Personal presentation is part of the communication skills, and communication is one of the five important life and work skills you need to build as a professional. Personal presentation means the way you present yourself in everyday situations, including the most stressful ones like job interviews.

Your personal presentation is made of several elements including (but not limited to) the following:

Physical appearance

Your physical appearance is a major part of your personal presentation. It includes everything we can see about you from wearing clean clothes, having clean and brushed hair and being well-groomed to the colour and style of your clothes and accessories.

Body language

Your body language plays an essential part in your personal presentation. From the way you smile to the way you shake hands and your ability to make eye contact, your non-verbal communication significantly impacts your personal presentation.

Attitudes and behaviours

We can consider that your attitudes and behaviours towards situations and people are part of your personal presentation (and your personal branding ) . The way you speak to and get along with others definitely impacts your personal presentation and what people think about you. Are you being friendly, kind and polite every time you can?

Why is personal presentation important?

With the above definition of personal presentation, it seems essential to learn how to give the right impression through how we look, what we say, and what we do .

We know that within the first few seconds, we are judged based on our appearance and body language. No matter how relevant and interesting our message is, if our personal presentation is not appropriate, people will hardly listen to our message. Working on our personal presentation is the first step to develop effective presentation skills .

Our personal presentation is helping us to fit in by following certain codes of conduct and corporate styling principles. When getting ready to facilitate a workshop, I always adapt my personal presentation to the company I visit with a focus on the company’s industry. No matter how comfortable and fashionable my workout outfit looks, it is not relevant or appropriate to my activity.

A few years back, I was helping a client getting back to the workplace as a chef. She was having a multiple of interviews, she had amazing cooking skills but still couldn't find a job. She decided to use my personal branding and image consulting services to boost her success. The first (and last) coaching session was enough to understand what was going wrong and to adjust the situation. My talented coachee came to our session dressed for interviews and I could immediately spot that her issue was based on her personal presentation. She looked beautiful but she was overdressed for the occasion. She was wearing high heels, a lot of make-up, a complicated hairstyle and fake nails. I looked at her from a recruiter’s point of view and understood why nobody would hire her! The only thing a recruiter can think is that she will be late in the morning to get ready, she will then spend hours in the bathroom to stay stunning, she will never be able to stand on those heels all day, and she might lose a nail or two in the cooking pots and plates. My client dressed like that with the best intentions, to give a positive first impression; it was just not appropriate and relevant to the situation. Together, we selected a few appropriate outfits making her look like a chef at work instead of a fashion icon. Immediately after our session, she dared to reapply to her favourite opportunity and successfully got the job. I guess the lesson here is to dress for the occasion .

How to make the most from your personal presentation?

As mentioned above, the best thing to do is to dress for the occasion. Dressing for the occasion doesn’t mean that you need to change your entire style and feel like wearing a Halloween costume every time you get out. Dressing for the occasion is about adapting your own style to the situation . It might mean being more classy, trying to look more serious or professional, or if you are evolving in a creative environment it might mean showing off your creativity.

When feeling lost about the dress code, simply observe people around you; how do people dress on such occasions, what do they wear when working in this company? It will give you some guidance to pick and choose your outfit and accessories.

Because your personal presentation isn’t only about your appearance, you will pay attention to your body language and non-verbal signals as well as your behaviours.

Maud Vanhoutte

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The Importance of Presentation Skills: That You Must Know About

Presentation Skills are essential for effectively conveying ideas and engaging an audience. This blog explores the Importance of Presentation Skills, highlighting how they boost confidence, enhance communication, and improve professional success. Master these skills to leave a lasting impression and achieve your goals.

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Table of Contents  

1) A Brief Introduction to Presentation Skills 

2) Importance of Presentation Skills in Personal Life 

3) Importance of Presentation Skills in Professional Life 

4) Tips to Improve Your Presentation Skills 

5) Conclusion 

A Brief Introduction to Presentation Skills  

Presentation Skills can be defined as the ability to deliver information confidently and persuasively to engage and influence the audience. Be it in personal or professional settings; mastering Presentation Skills empowers individuals to convey their ideas with clarity, build confidence, and leave a lasting impression. From public speaking to business pitches, honing these skills can lead to greater success in diverse spheres of life.  You can also refer to various presentation skills interview questions and Answers  to build you confidence! 

Importance of Presentation Skills in Personal Life  

Effective Presentation Skills are not limited to professional settings alone; they play a significant role in personal life as well. Let us now explore  the Importance of Presentation Skills in one’s personal life:    

Expressing Ideas Clearly   

In day-to-day conversations with family, friends, or acquaintances, having good Presentation Skills enables you to articulate your thoughts and ideas clearly. Whether you're discussing plans for the weekend or sharing your opinions on a particular topic, being an effective communicator encourages better understanding and engagement. 

Enhancing Social Confidence  

Many individuals struggle with social anxiety or nervousness in social gatherings. Mastering Presentation Skills helps boost self-confidence, making it easier to navigate social situations with ease. The ability to present yourself confidently and engage others in conversation enhances your social life and opens doors to new relationships. 

Creating Memories on Special Occasions  

There are moments in life that call for public speaking, such as proposing a toast at a wedding, delivering a speech at a family gathering, or giving a presentation during special events. Having polished Presentation Skills enables you to leave a positive impression on the audience, making these occasions even more memorable. 

Handling Challenging Conversations  

Life often presents challenging situations that require delicate communication, such as expressing condolences or resolving conflicts. Strong Presentation Skills help you convey your feelings and thoughts sensitively, encouraging effective and empathetic communication during difficult times. 

Building Stronger Relationships  

Being a skilled presenter means being a good listener as well. Active listening is a fundamental aspect of effective Presentations, and when applied in personal relationships, it strengthens bonds and builds trust. Empathising with others and showing genuine interest in their stories and opinions enhances the quality of your relationships. 

Advocating for Personal Goals  

Whether you're pursuing personal projects or seeking support for a cause you're passionate about, the ability to present your ideas persuasively helps garner support and enthusiasm from others. This can be beneficial in achieving personal goals and making a positive impact on your community. 

Inspiring and Motivating Others  

In one’s personal life, Presentation Skills are not just about delivering formal speeches; they also involve inspiring and motivating others through your actions and words. Whether you're sharing your experiences, mentoring someone, or encouraging loved ones during tough times, your Presentation skills can be a source of inspiration for others. 

Exuding leadership traits  

Effective Presentation Skills go hand in hand with leadership qualities. Being able to communicate clearly and influence others' perspectives positions you as a leader within your family, social circles, or community. Leadership in personal life involves guiding and supporting others towards positive outcomes. 

Unlock your full potential as a presenter with our Presentation Skills Training Course. Join now!  

Importance of Presentation Skills in Professional Life  

Effective Presentation skills are a vital asset for career growth and success in professional life. Let us now explore the Importance of Presentation skills for students and workers:  

Impressing Employers and Clients  

During job interviews or business meetings, a well-delivered Presentation showcases your knowledge, confidence, and ability to communicate ideas effectively. It impresses employers, clients, and potential investors, leaving a positive and memorable impression that can tilt the scales in your favour. 

Advancing in Your Career  

In the corporate world, promotions and career advancements often involve presenting your achievements, ideas, and future plans to decision-makers. Strong Presentation Skills demonstrate your leadership potential and readiness for higher responsibilities, opening doors to new opportunities. 

Effective Team Collaboration  

As a professional, you often need to present projects, strategies, or updates to your team or colleagues. A compelling Presentation facilitates better understanding and association among team members, leading to more productive and successful projects. 

Persuasive Selling Techniques  

For sales and marketing professionals, Presentation skills are instrumental in persuading potential customers to choose your products or services. An engaging sales pitch can sway buying decisions, leading to increased revenue and business growth. 

Creating Impactful Proposals  

In the corporate world, proposals are crucial for securing new partnerships or business deals. A well-structured and compelling Presentation can make your proposal stand out and increase the chances of successful negotiations. 

Gaining and Retaining Clients  

Whether you are a freelancer, consultant, or business owner, Presentation Skills play a key role in winning and retaining clients. A captivating Presentation not only convinces clients of your capabilities but also builds trust and promotes long-term relationships. 

Enhancing Public Speaking Engagements  

Professional life often involves speaking at conferences, seminars, or industry events. Being a confident and engaging speaker allows you to deliver your message effectively, position yourself as an expert, and expand your professional network. 

Influencing Stakeholders and Decision-makers  

As you climb the corporate ladder, you may find yourself presenting to senior management or board members. Effective Presentations are essential for gaining support for your ideas, projects, or initiatives from key stakeholders. 

Handling Meetings and Discussions  

In meetings, being able to present your thoughts clearly and concisely contributes to productive discussions and efficient decision-making . It ensures that your ideas are understood and considered by colleagues and superiors. 

Professional Development  

Investing time in honing Presentation Skills is a form of professional development. As you become a more effective presenter, you become a more valuable asset to your organisation and industry. 

Building a Personal Brand  

A strong personal brand is vital for professional success. Impressive Presentations contribute to building a positive reputation and positioning yourself as a thought leader or industry expert. 

Career Transitions and Interviews  

When seeking new opportunities or transitioning to a different industry, Presentation Skills are essential for communicating your transferable skills and showcasing your adaptability to potential employers. 

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Tips to Improve Your Presentation Skills 

Now that you know about the Importance of Presentation Skills in your personal and professional life, we will provide you with tips on how to  Improve Your Presentation Skills .

1) Know Your Audience: Understand the demographics and interests of your audience to tailor your Presentation accordingly. 

2) Practice Regularly: Rehearse your speech multiple times to refine content and delivery. 

3) Seek Feedback: Gather feedback from peers or mentors to identify areas for improvement. 

4) Manage Nervousness: Use relaxation techniques to overcome nervousness before presenting. 

5) Engage with Eye Contact: Maintain eye contact with the audience to establish a connection. 

6) Use Clear Visuals: Utilise impactful visuals to complement your spoken words. 

7) Emphasise Key Points: Highlight important information to enhance audience retention. 

8) Employ body language: Use confident and purposeful gestures to convey your message. 

9) Handle Q&A Confidently: Prepare for potential questions and answer them with clarity. 

10) Add Personal Stories: Include relevant anecdotes to make your Presentation more relatable. 

Learn different methods of delivering presentations with our Presenting with Impact Training – Join today!

Presentation Skills are a valuable asset, impacting both personal and professional realms of life. By mastering these skills, you can become a more effective communicator, a confident professional, and a persuasive influencer. Continuous improvement and adaptation to technological advancements will ensure you stay ahead in this competitive world. 

Learn about presentation styles with our Presentation Skills Training   – Join today! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Visual aids can make your presentation engaging and easier to understand. They help illustrate key points and keep the audience’s attention. Using visuals like charts, images, and videos can make your message clearer and more memorable.

Common mistakes include reading directly from slides, overloading slides with text, and not practising enough. To avoid them, practice thoroughly, use bullet points, and keep your slides simple.

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The Knowledge Academy’s Knowledge Pass , a prepaid voucher, adds another layer of flexibility, allowing course bookings over a 12-month period. Join us on a journey where education knows no bounds.

The Knowledge Academy offers various Presentation Skills Courses , including Presentation Skills Training, Presenting with Impact Training, and Data Analysis Skills Course. These courses cater to different skill levels, providing comprehensive insights into Types of Communication .  

Our Business Skills Blogs cover a range of topics related to Presentation Skills, offering valuable resources, best practices, and industry insights. Whether you are a beginner or looking to advance your Presentation Skills, The Knowledge Academy's diverse courses and informative blogs have got you covered.  

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The Importance of Presentation Skills in the Workplace

Good presentation skills require organisation and confidence. If these two essential items are not ticked off, then it’s time you looked at developing presentation skills. This type of personal development work will really assist you to develop first more confidence, which is the key. Then, by you getting organised, well presented and ultimately building self-esteem, those dream jobs will appear and your ambitions will be realised!

Being well presented in the workplace – in a presentation, in a meeting, during a discussion with a colleague or client is essential. If your career matters to you – develop your presentation skills!

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A presenter or staff member is given an added advantage over someone who is less than polished in public speaking (i.e. someone who actually avoids it like the plague), when he or she can get up and deliver a well-constructed, confident presentation in front of a group of colleagues.

Superiors notice the confident approach, which translates into other parts of their role. Staff who are highly skilled in their area of expertise, but hate public speaking, will still be appreciated, but they may just get more kudos and more accolades if they can articulate their approaches and knowledge in a more confident manner.

“Being well presented in the workplace – in a presentation, in a meeting, during a discussion with a colleague or client is essential. If your career matters to you – develop your presentation skills!”

Presentation and public speaking skills are “learnt” skills – by working on these skills, the quiet and shy person can learn to present with confidence and evidentially “Find their voice”.

Where do Presentation Skills have an impact in the Workplace?

Presentation skills will help in the following workplace or professional circumstances:

• At interviews, as the interviewer or interviewee
• At meetings, face to face or in a conference call
• At networking functions, meeting new people or getting to know ones you already know.
• Speaking to colleagues and staff
• Delivering a presentation to clients detailing a technical topic or selling a product
• Presenting at conferences
• Speaking at large internal meetings
• Speaking at Chamber of Commerce or Rotary promoting your business
• Speaking with suppliers
• Speaking with clients
• Presenting training
• Attending training

And so on …

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Presentations are part of the job.

Yes, it’s true. Professionals are expected to give presentations as part of their job. But surely with their education, whether at university or other colleges, delivering a presentation is straightforward? Well, no!

A Gallup poll found that 40% of the population have a fear of speaking in public. It doesn’t matter how big or small the group, there are some people who struggle to give presentations. Does this have an impact on their work? Potentially, yes.

So what are the areas that are important in the workplace, with respect to presentation skills?

“Presentation skills and public speaking are a “learnt” skill – by working on these skills, the quiet and shy person can learn to present with confidence and evidentially “Find their voice””

1. Know Your Audience

Understand what the audience wants to get out of the presentation. You need to be mindful of the people in the meeting or in the conference room. This is so your presentation will meet and exceed the audience’s expectations, and so your audience gets what they came for.

2. Plan your Presentation

Planning the structure of your presentation – and knowing what structure works for your audience – is very important. For your audience to absorb your information, it needs to be delivered in an easy-to-follow format.

3. Make it Interesting

Attention spans are not long, no matter how advanced the audience is. Make sure you’ve included some really interesting points, and vary the type of interest points, as this will help to keep the attention of the meeting.

“A Gallup Poll found that 40% of the population have a fear of speaking in public … Does this have an impact on their work? Potentially, yes”

4. Dress the Part

Your appearance in the workplace matters. Not only are you meant to be a thought leader in your chosen presentation topic, you are also in competition with others wanting to advance. If you are not well presented, with respect to clothes, hair, shoes, paperwork, etc., people will notice and it will have an impact.

5. Show you Care

Your enthusiasm for the topic is essential. If you seem disinterested in the topic you are talking about, your audience will pick up on this.

6. Be Organised

Your audience will appreciate you being organised for a meeting or a presentation. If there are little changes or hiccups, your audience will understand. If you are unorganised and you appear to have not put in an effort, the attendees will not sympathise, and they will get annoyed.

“Make sure you’ve included some really interesting points … this will help to keep the attention of the meeting”

7. Discuss the “Elephant in the Room”

If there is an issue, if something isn’t working, you are experiencing a problem, then make a mention of whatever it is and then move on. If we hold back from discussing something important (which may not have an impact on the meeting topic), then get this discussion done, and then move on. If you don’t, the attendees will be thinking about that rather than the actual topic at hand.

8. Get a Grip on your Nerves

Handling nervousness and building confidence is important – you will struggle to get your message across if you struggle here. Being mindful of how you present at work will really help with your interactions with colleagues and clients. This will ultimately impact on whether you get that important raise, or that desired new job.

Featured Photo Credit: citirecruitment via Compfight cc

Adrienne, with her experience of growing up in a family business, working in the corporate and small business sector plus building her own business, gives an enthusiastic and practical approach to the benefits of presentation skills development, learning to promote yourself and building a successful business. She is a regular presenter, blogger and a contributing author in four recent business publications.

Follow her via Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter and Google+

2 replies on “ The Importance of Presentation Skills in the Workplace ”

Loved this post, some great points. Some areas where you might think are second nature but its a great reminder to people especially at times that they might be stressed. Its good to have a check list to keep organised and above it all.

Adrienne McLean

Thanks Julia for your feedback, Much appreciated.

Comments are closed.

9 Reasons to have Good Presentation Skills in the Workplace

1. Interviews

 2. meetings,  3. sales pitches  ,  4. conferences and events.

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 5. Networking and establishing connections

 6. reputation,  7. training,  8. relationships with customers,  9. online or telephone communication.

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• Presentation Skills
• Skills & Tools

Presentation skills can be defined as a set of abilities that enable an individual to: interact with the audience; transmit the messages with clarity; engage the audience in the presentation; and interpret and understand the mindsets of the listeners. These skills refine the way you put forward your messages and enhance your persuasive powers.

The present era places great emphasis on good presentation skills. This is because they play an important role in convincing the clients and customers. Internally, management with good presentation skills is better able to communicate the mission and vision of the organization to the employees.

Importance of Presentation Skills

Interaction with others is a routine job of businesses in today’s world. The importance of good presentation skills is established on the basis of following points:

• They help an individual in enhancing his own growth opportunities. In addition, it also grooms the personality of the presenter and elevates his levels of confidence.
• In case of striking deals and gaining clients, it is essential for the business professionals to understand the audience. Good presentation skills enable an individual to mold his message according to the traits of the audience. This increases the probability of successful transmission of messages.
• Lastly, business professionals have to arrange seminars and give presentations almost every day. Having good presentation skills not only increases an individual’s chances of success, but also enable him to add greatly to the organization.

How to Improve Presentation Skills

Development of good presentation skills requires efforts and hard work. To improve your presentation skills, you must:

• Research the Audience before Presenting: This will enable you to better understand the traits of the audience. You can then develop messages that can be better understood by your target audience. For instance, in case of an analytical audience, you can add more facts and figures in your presentation.
• Structure your Presentation Effectively: The best way to do this is to start with telling the audience, in the introduction, what you are going to present. Follow this by presenting the idea, and finish off the presentation by repeating the main points.
• Do a lot of Practice: Rehearse but do not go for memorizing the presentation. Rehearsals reduce your anxiety and enable you to look confident on the presentation day. Make sure you practice out loud, as it enables you to identify and eliminate errors more efficiently. Do not memorize anything as it will make your presentation look mechanical. This can reduce the degree of audience engagement.
• Take a Workshop: Most medium and large businesses allow their employees to take employee development courses and workshops, as well-trained employees are essential to the success of any company. You can use that opportunity to take a workshop on professional presentation skills such as those offered by Langevin Learning Services , which are useful for all business professionals, from employees to business trainers and managers.

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• Career Planning
• Skills Development

Important Presentation Skills for Workplace Success

• What Are Presentation Skills?

Steps To Create a Presentation

Skills that help make an effective presentation, how to make your skills stand out.

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Whether you’re a high-level executive or an administrative assistant, developing your presentation skills is one key way to climb in an office-based job. Leaders make decisions based on information shared in presentation format, and hardly any business changes its mind without first seeing a persuasive presentation.

It is important for any office employee to know what steps go into creating an effective presentation and what presentation skills are most important to employers. Highlighting these skills will also help you stand out during your job search.

Key Takeaways

• Presentation skills are what you need to know to be able to give an engaging, effective presentation.
• The steps to creating a successful presentation are preparation, delivery, and follow-up.
• Employers want to know you have the necessary skills to research, analyze, and create a presentation, plus the communication skills needed to deliver it and field questions afterward.
• You can highlight your skills to employers through your resume, cover letter, and interview.

What Are Presentation Skills? 

Presentation skills refer to all the qualities you need to create and deliver a clear and effective presentation. While what you say during a presentation matters, employers also value the ability to create supporting materials, such as slides.

Your prospective employer may want you to deliver briefings and reports to colleagues, conduct training sessions, present information to clients, or perform any number of other tasks that involve speaking before an audience.

Giving engaging and easy-to-understand talks is a major component of the strong  oral communication skills  that are a  job requirement  for many positions. Not all presentations take place in a formal meeting. Many presentation skills are relevant to one-on-one consults or sales calls.

Any presentation has three phases: preparation, delivery, and follow-up. All presentation skills fit into one of these three phases.

Preparation 

Preparation involves research and building the presentation. Consider the audience you'll be presenting to and what most interests them. This may mean crafting the entire text (or at least writing notes) and creating any slides and other supporting audio/visual materials.

You will also have to make sure that the appropriate venue is available, properly set up beforehand, and ensure the projector (if you'll need one) works and connects with your laptop.

You'll also want to practice your presentation as many times as you need to to feel comfortable delivering it with ease and confidence within the time allotted for the presentation.

Skills related to preparation include conducting research related to your presentation topic, devising charts and graphs depicting your research findings, and learning about your audience to better tailor your presentation to their needs. You'll also need to create digital slides, using statistics, examples, and stories to illustrate your points and effectively to persuade the audience.

Preparing handouts or digital references is an added courtesy that will help the audience pay attention because they won't be preoccupied with note-taking.

Your delivery is the part of the presentation that the audience sees. A good delivery depends on careful preparation and confident presentation and requires its own distinctive  skill set . 

Skills related to delivery include giving an attention-grabbing opening for a talk, providing a summary of what will be covered to introduce the presentation and provide context, and using  body language  and eye contact to convey energy and confidence.

Make sure you pause to emphasize key points, modulate your vocal tone for emphasis, and articulate your speech clearly and smoothly.

Don't be afraid of injecting humor or speaking with enthusiasm and animation—these techniques can help you in projecting confidence to your audience.

Summarize key points at the conclusion of the presentation, and be sure to have a plan for how you'll field any audience questions.

Presentation follow-up includes properly breaking down and storing any equipment, contacting any audience members with whom you agreed to communicate further, and soliciting, collecting, and analyzing feedback.

In some presentations, you may collect information from audience members—such as names and contact information or completed surveys—that you also must organize and store.

Skills related to follow-up include creating an evaluation form to solicit feedback from attendees, interpreting feedback from evaluations, and modifying the content and/or delivery for future presentations. Other follow-up skills include organizing a database of attendees for future presentations, interviewing key attendees to gain additional feedback, and emailing presentation slides to attendees.

To create and deliver the most effective presentation takes a variety of skills, which you can always work to improve.

You must be able to look honestly at your performance, assess the feedback you get, and figure out what you need to do to get better. That takes  analytical thinking .

More importantly, you need to have a firm grasp of the information you are about to communicate to others. You need to analyze your audience and be prepared to think quickly if asked questions that force you to demonstrate that you are fully aware of the material and its implications.

The kind of analytical skills you need to be an effective presenter include problem sensitivity, problem-solving , reporting and surveying, optimization, and predictive modeling. It also helps to be adept at strategic planning, integration, process management, and diagnostics. With these skills, you'll be better able to objectively analyze, evaluate, and act on your findings.

Organization

You do not want to be the person who spends half of their presentation time trying to find a cable to connect their laptop to the projector. Many things can and do go wrong just before a presentation unless you are  organized .

Presentation preparation also means keeping track of notes, information, and start/stop times. You will want to proofread and fine-tune all the materials you plan to use for the presentation to catch any mistakes. Make sure you time yourself when you rehearse so you know how long it will take to deliver the presentation.

A presentation that's finished in half the time allotted is as problematic as one that's too long-winded.

Some key organizational skills to work on include event planning, auditing, benchmarking, prioritization, and recordkeeping. Make sure your scheduling is on point and pay close attention to detail. Quick thinking is an important skill to have for when things inevitably go wrong.

Nonverbal Communication

When speaking to an audience, the way you present yourself can be just as important as how you present your information. You want to appear confident and engaging. You can do this through good posture, the use of hand gestures, and making eye contact with the audience.

Practice your  nonverbal communication  by filming yourself doing a practice presentation and observing your body language carefully. Your physical bearing and poise should convey a degree of comfort and confidence in front of an audience, while active listening , respect, and emotional intelligence will help you in facilitating group discussions.

Presentation Software

Microsoft PowerPoint is the dominant software used to create visual aids for presentations. Learn to use it well, including the special features outside of basic templates that can really bring a presentation to life. Even if someone else is preparing your slideshow for you, it will help to know how to use the software in case of last-minute changes.

Other software that is good to learn includes Microsoft Office, Apple Keynote, Google Slides, and Adobe Presenter.

Public Speaking

You need to appear comfortable and engaging when speaking before a live audience, even if you're not. This can take years of practice, and sometimes  public speaking  just isn't for certain people. An uncomfortable presenter is a challenge for everyone. Fortunately, public speaking skills can improve with practice . Some skills to work on include articulation, engagement, and memorization. You should be able to assess the needs of the audience and handle difficult questions. Controlling your performance anxiety will help you communicate more effectively.

Research is the first step in preparing most presentations and could range from a multi-year process to spending 20 minutes online, depending on context and subject matter. At the very least, you must be able to clearly frame research questions, identify appropriate information sources, and organize your results. Other useful skills include brainstorming, collaboration , comparative analysis, data interpretation, and deductive and inductive reasoning. Business intelligence is a skill that will help you evaluate what information you need to support the bottom line, while case analysis and causal relationships will help you parse and evaluate meaning.

Verbal Communication

Public speaking is one form of  verbal communication , but you will need other forms to give a good presentation. Specifically, you must know how to answer questions. You should be able to understand questions asked by your audience (even if they're strange or poorly worded) and provide respectful, honest, and accurate answers without getting off-topic. Use active listening, focus, and empathy to understand your audience. Skills such as assertiveness, affirmation, and enunciation will help you restate and clarify your key points as it relates to their questions or concerns.

You may or may not need a written script, but you do need to pre-plan what you are going to say, in what order you will say it, and at what level of detail. If you can write a cohesive essay, you can plan a presentation.

Typical writing skills apply to your presentation just as they do to other forms of writing, including grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and proofreading. The ability to build outlines, take notes, and mark up documents will also be useful.

More Presentation Skills

In addition to the skills previously mentioned, there are other important skills that can apply to your presentation. The other skills you need will depend on what your presentation is about, your audience, and your intended results. Some of these additional skills include:

• Summarizing
• Providing anecdotes to illustrate a point
• Designing handouts
• Recognizing and countering objections
• Posing probing questions to elicit more detail about specific issues
• Awareness of ethnic, political, and religious diversity
• Receiving criticism without defensiveness
• Refraining from speaking too often or interrupting others
• Anticipating the concerns of others
• Product knowledge
• SWOT analysis format
• Supporting statements with evidence
• Multilingual
• Working with reviewers
• Consistency
• Developing and maintaining standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Developing a proposition statement
• Creating and managing expectations

Include skills on your resume. If applicable, you might mention these words in your  resume summary  or  headline .

Highlight skills in your cover letter. Mention one or two specific presentation skills and give examples of instances when you demonstrated these traits in the workplace.

Show your presentation skills in job interviews. During the interview process, you may be asked to give a sample presentation. In this case, you will want to embody these skills during the presentation. For example, you will want to demonstrate your oral communication skills by speaking clearly and concisely throughout the presentation.

PennState. " Steps in Preparing a Presentation ."

Harvard Division of Continuing Education. " 10 Tips for Improving Your Public Speaking Skills ."

Northern Illinois University. " Delivering the Presentation ."

• Presentation Skills

Effective Ways to Present Yourself Well

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• Top Tips for Effective Presentations
• General Presentation Skills
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• Preparing for a Presentation
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• Writing Your Presentation
• Deciding the Presentation Method
• Managing your Presentation Notes
• Working with Visual Aids
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• Managing the Event
• Coping with Presentation Nerves
• Dealing with Questions
• How to Build Presentations Like a Consultant
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Have you ever noticed how leaders are the ones who are great at talking?

People flock to those with strong charisma and great story-telling skills. At the heart of it, human beings love to find connections and feel connected. Knowing how to talk is the key to lowering another person’s imaginary walls because communication is the best way to connect to another human being.

Anyone would imagine that the only time you need to have any kind of public speaking skills is if you work in the business industry, where presentations are part and parcel of the job when proposing a new business plan. It might also be a common skill to have if you were in the entertainment industry. Hosting events and knowing how to present yourself while interviewing your guests rely heavily on your public speaking skills.

However, the truth is that everyone can benefit from knowing how to speak to anything from a large crowd of people, down to just one individual because it is ultimately a communication skill. If you think that by working in the service industry, you will be able to by-pass all this need for communicating, you are wrong.

Working in the service industry means that you have to interact with your clients on a daily basis. This is not restricted to just servers in restaurants or a phone operator. Roles including mechanics, whether you’re in the automobile sector or if you’re a certified HVAC technician, you will need to deal with customers on a regular basis.

Being able to convey your ideas efficiently is a skill that can help you avoid unhappy scenarios or dissatisfied customers. Sometimes, your service might be top notch, but one passing well-intended comment might come off as rude and ruin the entire experience for your customer.

There are no black and whites when it comes to communication, some people enjoy candour to a fault, whereby there are those who might prefer polite professionals over friendly service, however, there are certain things to keep in mind when speaking to another human being (or a group of them) that might help you in your personal life or career.

Confidence will only get you so far

Confidence is a key tool in achieving an authoritative persona and it also fosters trust in your business. Confidence is convincing and is a basis for trust. When you’re discussing options or explaining your services, it’s that surety that will help you lock your clients down, especially if you are able to directly address their doubts. For instance, you are closing on a real estate deal but your client is unsure about whether they should make the commitment due to logistics or location. By offering them solutions and helping them weigh up the pros and cons, you will be able to gain their trust and in turn, boost your own reputation.

Unfortunately, too many self-help books seem to tout confidence as a cure-all, as if by having confidence you will be able to take the world and everything that’s in it. But the truth is far from that. Too much confidence might come across as arrogance. While it makes sense for customers to want the services of someone who is an expert in their field, you could lose their trust by offering them the wrong solution in a fit of arrogance.

What you want is to strike a balance between believing in yourself and knowing where to draw the line. If there is a fact that you are 100% sure of, you should stand your ground. However, if you come across some comment that makes you doubt what you know, answer truthfully that you will need to get back to them on that. Honesty is immensely valued in every industry.

Be appropriately honest

Another thing that people don’t seem to understand is how honest they should be . There’s a fine line between being real and being brutal. When it comes to dealing with customers, there should be a line of defense to the whole truth. The first answer should be one that you’re comfortable repeating to your boss, or a reporter, whereas the second answer would be one that offers more insight into the issue. This is because most people just want to be reassured. They don’t want the entire story. However, when pressed, you should make sure to give them exactly what they want. Some people want nothing more than the uncensored truth.

Now, there are certain things where you might want to embellish or even hide, depending on the situation. If you have made a mistake that can be fixed without having to call attention to the fact that you were the one who made the mistake, wouldn’t we all want to fix the problem without admitting that we caused it? And when you’re in a job interview, sometimes you would choose certain words to make you seem much more admirable or important than you really were, wouldn’t you? It is human nature to want to look good and avoid blame. If you are caught in a bad place where you aren’t comfortable disclosing the truth, you can mention that the situation is being investigated, and you’re not at liberty to discuss it further. This offers the person asking with the reassurance that something is being done and that whatever the problem was, it is being taken seriously instead of being brushed off.

When addressing a larger crowd, the same thing applies. You want to give the most politically correct and neutral response in order to pacify and reassure. If the crowd gets restless, it’s then you should address the root of the problem which is often their unease.

Talk to yourself

This is something that many public speakers practice. Find a mirror or record yourself talking. Over time, you will be able to pick up on the nuances that make you look and sound more approachable and trustworthy. Talking is not just opening your mouth and making words come out, but it is paired with intonation and body language is just as important as choosing the words to speak. As you talk to yourself or to a camera, you’ll soon lose the self-consciousness that haunt many that have not had the opportunity to address a crowd before. Being able to be self-aware can help overcome any awkwardness that we might have when interacting with an audience or customer.

Further Reading from Skills You Need

The Skills You Need Guide to Personal Development

Learn how to set yourself effective personal goals and find the motivation you need to achieve them. This is the essence of personal development, a set of skills designed to help you reach your full potential, at work, in study and in your personal life.

The second edition of or bestselling eBook is ideal for anyone who wants to improve their skills and learning potential, and it is full of easy-to-follow, practical information.

About the Author

Craig Lebrau is the CMO of Media Insider, a Wyoming-based PR company that aims to disrupt the way companies communicate their brand in the digital era.

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   Home » Articles & News » Personal Presentation – an Overview

Personal Presentation – an Overview

• Young Professional

What is Personal Presentation and Why is It Important?

Personal presentation is a communication skill , and communication is one of five important life and work skills you can build as a Young Professional .

Personal presentation means the way you present yourself in everyday situations, and more stressful ones like job interviews. How you appear to the world can have a major impact on your ability to get a job. It’s said that an employer will make a judgement about you in the first 30 seconds after meeting you, which is then quite hard to change during the interview (though not impossible!). So it’s important to make a good impression.

You are your own brand, and what you do and say, as well as your appearance, is all part of that. This means dressing smartly, being clean and having good personal hygiene, and carrying yourself well. Presentation means making a strong first impression and appearing professional.

Whilst employers shouldn’t judge you on how you look, appearing neat and confident is important to show that you’ve made an effort. To be a professional you need to dress the part, which means appropriate clothing for your industry. It could be a suit and tie, or for some jobs particularly in the creative industries there’s more of a relaxed vibe. Whatever the dress code presenting yourself well means you’ve done your research and taken the time to fit in. Standing out can be good but you don’t want to be the only person in the office wearing trainers.

Developing and Demonstrating Good Self Presentation.

It’s fairly easy to improve your personal presentation. Start by looking into the sort of clothes people wear in your chosen industry. For an interview it’s good to wear a slightly smarter version of this. If in doubt it’s a safe bet to wear a suit or trousers/skirt and a blouse or smart top for an interview. Even in a casual role you want to show you take the job seriously at the interview. Make sure everything is clean, dry, and not wrinkled. Laying your outfit out the night before is a good idea, especially if you work in an office environment this will help you ensure you look the part every day.

Another part of personal presentation which isn’t as obvious is confidence. If you are confident people will be able to tell when you walk into a room, and will view you as well presented. If you don’t feel confident you can use the ‘fake it ’til you make it’ trick – stand tall, pull your shoulders back, make eye contact and smile. Tell yourself you are confident and you might find that soon you are.

You are a whole person, and as such everything you say or do in public counts towards the impression of you that others create. This includes social media, so make sure your accounts are presenting you in the best possible way. If you’ve got things on there you don’t think are particularly professional change your security settings, or remove them. It’s really important to make sure you’re aware of what you put out there!

Showing you have good personal presentation is as simple as turning up on time, dressed professionally and appropriately, and appearing confident and enthusiastic about the role. If you get that right you’ll make a great first impression, and can go on to talk about your excellent communication , teamwork and people skills – which all go towards presenting you in a positive way. If you use the STARRS method as well you’ll certainly impress.

Further reading:

• How Interviewers Know When To Hire You in 90 Seconds
• What really happens in the opening moments of a job interview
• Self-Presentation in Presentations

Getting life/work ready

Have you thought about boosting your life and work skills .

Developing the 5 most important skills for life and work is something you can do for free, in your own time. You can start building those skills with Youth Employment UK wherever you are on life’s journey. It can be a big help when you don’t know what to do next.

Boosting your Young Professional life and work skills means you can:

• Boost your confidence
• Feel like you’re taking charge of your life
• Find out more about yourself and what you genuinely want/need in life
• Give yourself more options – both now and later down the line

The 5 top life and work skills are:

• Communication
• Problem solving
• Self-management
• Self-belief

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