Impromptu Talk

Presentation and Impromptu Talk

Presentation or impromptu talk is a verbal promotion of an idea, concept, or philosophy. It can be a promotional, motivational, or training activity.

Presentation will be used when you are:

In University informal / formal seminars final year project activities

In Workplace?

• colleagues
• boss
• clients
• conferences / meetings
• training seminars

Bomber style

• Opening Bang - Attention-getting "hook"
• Opening - Welcome, self-identification, objectives
• Message - Main body - 4-5 key messages
• Bridge - Bridge between each key message and the participant's experience and needs
• Examples - Help audience visualise what you mean
• Recap - Summarise what you mean
• Final Bang - Closing "hook", thank the audience, invite questions

Pervasive Presentation

• Present Situation
• Problems
• Possibilities
• Proposal

Informational

• Background
• Overview
• Topic 1, 2, 3, 4…

Opening Bang
Audience members are more attentive and more receptive at the beginning == > hit them with the strongest / most important point first!

• A dramatic statement
• A survey of views / questions
• Audio-visual gimmick
• A demonstration

The Final Bang

• A statement that dramatically sums up your key message
• A visual or verbal link back to your opening bang
• An unexpected action

So much to memorise!

• Don't memorise, use keywords
• Have notes, but don't read them out
• Rehearsal
• Mental rehearsal
• Rehearsing aloud with notes
• Use a tape recorder and a mirror
• Do not give too much details

Relate to your own experience

I am

• Reduce the uncertainties. Ask "What if..?"
• Arrive early to meet a few people one-to-one
• Say to yourself "I am the expert in this area!"
• Don't worry about the language

Humour

• Just the right amount
• Test the "acceptability" of your humour beforehand
• Use it to build rapport with your audience and keep your audience interested and attentive

Delivering Techniques

Eye Communication

• Maintain a confident eye pattern
• Lighthouse effect 3-4 secs
• Don't look like a scared rabbit
• Don't close your eyelids for up to 2 or 3 seconds
• Don't blink real hard and continuously

Posture and Movement

• Upper and lower body posture
• Ready position - leaning slightly across, stand erect
• Move - don't just stand behind the lectern
• Use your own style

Gestures / Facial Expressions

• Find out your nervous gestures
• Do I "look" sincere, open, and friendly?
• Don't over exaggerate
• Use your own style
• Smile - exercise your muscles

Dress and Grooming

• Avoid strange clothing
• Avoid strongly contrasting colours
• Cool colours
• Your appearance forms the First Impression

Voice and Vocal Variety

• Transmits energy
• Don’t drop your voice
• Avoid mumbling or gabbling, um and uh.
• Vocal variety - be a roller coaster

Language

• Eliminate jargons
• Pause - 3-4 seconds
• It is fine to have a moment of silence
• Avoid umm, ahh, er, well, ok, you know

Power of Language

• Avoid using the same word over and over again
• Use "power" and "command" words to get your audience’s attention and to give the impression of confidence and competence, e.g.
• I think you will agree vs I am certain you will agree
• I hope you will consider vs I recommend you to consider

Mannerisms

• Don't be tempted by your pens, pointers, spectacles etc.
• Don't keep loose change (and your hand!) in your pocket
• Don't point your finger, gesture with open palms
• Check your hair / tie / trousers / dress BEFORE standing up

Audio Visual Support

• Must be simple and easy to read and understand
• Every "slide" deserves at least 10 seconds
• Title each visual
• Use a picture or a graph, if appropriate
• Use colour, number, and bullet
• Use only 2/3 of the space
• Concentrate message in centre
• Include only relevant information
• Have back-up ready
• Don't be too fancy!

Q & A session

• Group - “How do the rest of the group feel?”
• To one participant - "Bill, you're an expert on this?”
• Reverse - “You've obviously done some thinking on this, what's our view?”
• Offer a partial answer to the audience and hope this will create a discussion, or you can admit that you don't know.

Always PLAN AHEAD!

Delivery Techniques Summary

• Make notes, but don't read a written presentation
• Voice - speak with tones. Avoid mumbling, gabbling, um and uh
• Language to use: Simple words, short sentences. Active verbs. Avoid jargon
• Body language - way of dressing, posture, gesture, facial expression, eye-contact, reflect enthusiasm and sincerity
• Paragraphing - summarise to round off one section, and then introduce the next
• Use visual aids - charts, graphs, videos, etc. Relegate details to supporting documents
• Add interesting factors
• Ask feedback questions
• Stay on track

Mistakes that presenters often make

• Overrun / poor time management
• Materials not suited to the audience
• Information overload
• Materials too technical
• Poor preparation / over-rehearsed
• Distracting visual / verbal / vocal
• Inappropriate pace
• Lack of eye contact
• Lack of enthusiasm