The imposter phenomenon affects virtually every presenter. The belief, that as you wait for your moment in the spotlight, that you don’t deserve this opportunity, that others are more qualified or that everyone knows more about the topic than you…
“Without further ado, I would like to introduce our next speaker.” It’s just a phrase, but the introduction defines the presentation to follow. As a presenter, one can(and should) influence this introduction to ensure both brevity (the ado) and appropriate…
Pictures of slides are intended by the photographer to be used for later data retrieval. Few actually review the images, even fewer retrieve any data. Constructing a slide for this purpose is further false logic. It defeats the purpose of…
As a conference organiser, you are responsible for what happens on your stage. Your stage, your rules. This starts with the backdrop, the IT system and the lighting. You are also responsible if a speaker puts up unacceptable images, expresses…
Roadmaps are for roads, not presentations. Setting out the plan of the presentation does not engage the audience, it may in fact disengage them. It simply wastes time. Keep roadmaps for roads. This is the second paragraph of the blog…
A presentation is an opportunity to change the world. A presentation is an honour, hugely valuable and life changing. The experience of the world though is that a presentation is one of life’s trials, something to be endured. Audiences expect…
One of my father’s dear friends, John used to say, “in actual fact,” a lot. In actual fact, he would say, in actual fact, probably every other sentence, more in actual fact. He confessed that he felt unable, in actual…
Effective delivery (p3) is essential to an excellent presentation (p cubed). The good presenter will have practised, arrived early and ensured that both slides and the presentation area are ready, before stepping onto the stage. “Mumble, mumble essential to mumble…
It is a privilege to travel the world sharing ideas on improving presentation skills. An encouragement is that many people know and understand that their presentations could be better and they recognise easy steps to improve. Yet they are resistant…
Ideas, music and memes are time-specific in popular culture or presentations. Their use in a presentation may not convey the desired impact to the whole audience. Be aware of such limitations in the construction and delivery of presentations. American President…