The motto of The Boy Scout movement is, “Be prepared.” In its simplicity it covers so much. Perhaps, if there ever was a Guild of Presenters, that should be our motto. Be prepared. Be prepared for the presentation. Be prepared for issues of presenting. Be prepared for issues during the presentation. It’s not that we can predict all of the problems but, experience teaches us, that the best way to handle these eventualities is to “be prepared.“
To be prepared for the presentation is about the work of preparation of the piece, its message, then supportive media and the practice that has lead the presenter to be ready for the delivery. When coaching, I encourage presenters to divide their preparation time into equal thirds; one third for constructing the message (p1), one third for maximising the supportive media (p2) and one third for practice of the delivery (p3). Dedicating this amount of time equally to all parts will allow the presenter to be prepared to deliver effectively. Anything less, for any reason, fails the motto of be prepared.
To be prepared for issue of actually presenting revolves around the precise setting, timing and space of the presentation. A scientific presentation amongst thirty other presentations being delivered in the same conference setting is different to being a Keynote speaker and different again to delivering online. The blogs that support these are highlighted. The majority of “on the day issues” can be effectively dealt with by utilising the approach of “be prepared.“
During a presentation that are numerous issues that can arise that may derail the presenter who has failed to be prepared. One might stumble over the message, the media may fail or the audience may react in an unexpected manner. Prior consideration of these possibilities will allow a presenter to have strategies that will allow for continuation of the presentation. That is the best way to “be prepared” but hold the overarching fact that the audience want you to do well and will support you in whatever actually happens.
Be prepared sounds almost too simplistic. Sadly, few presenters even think far enough ahead and as such, simple thoughts about preparation of the presentation, preparation prior to delivering the presentation will allow the presenter confidence that if anything happens during the presentation, they were right to be prepared.