Which movie are your presentations like?

 

Are you delivering a blockbuster, flop or walkout?

 
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Where would you expect a movie about Alexander the Great, with Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie, Antony Hopkins, Jared Leto, Val Kilmer and Rosario Dawson, and directed by Oliver Stone, to appear on the list of best movies of all time. At the top? Near the top? Would you believe it appears at the top … of the list of worst performed movies of all time? (https://www.listchallenges.com/films-with-the-worst-acting)

How is that possible? How could a presentation with all that going for it end up with such a horrible result?

The same way that many presentations do. The performers looked unprepared – like they just showed up and started talking.

The person considered the greatest method actor of all time – Daniel Day-Lewis – can take years to prepare for a performance (3 in the case of “Lincoln”).

Now, by no means am I suggesting you take years to prepare for your presentation. However, if your presentations are not inspiring people to action, perhaps you could do with a bit more.

There is a formula for preparing for delivering presentations, and it’s probably different than the one you’re currently using. Having delivered more than 1,000 presentations to tens of thousands of people, I’ve unpacked the process into the following model:

Everyone delivers model 4 venn s.png

I call it the “10% YOU MODEL”

When most people think about delivering presentations, 90% of their thinking is about themselves – what are people going to think about ME? Will I wreck my reputation if I give a poor presentation? Will I be as good as the TED videos I’ve watched?. No wonder they get nervous. I would be too (and was when I got started).

When I start working with clients, I suggest they imagine that it is not actually them that is going to deliver the presentation. That they are preparing the presentation for someone else, and they want that person to be awesome. What would they do?

Your presentation is not about you.

90% of the thinking now goes into the presentation. I suggest a breakdown of:

·        40% into Preparation (understanding why the presentation is happening/necessary; the outcome you want from people attending; what would make it successful; etc.)

·        20% into People: (who caused the presentation to be needed; who is attending; who will be impacted by it even if they are not attending; who may hear about it; how do all these affect the delivery)

·        30% on Program (what materials will be useful; do I really need Powerpoint/Keynote, and if so, how do I best use it (hint: not with the text from your presentation); what activities and conversations will I facilitate (another hint: you do NOT want your presentation to be a lecture (even if you’re delivering a lecture))

When you think about it this way, you make up only 10% of the value of your presentation. It’s going to be awesome, however you deliver it.

Have your presentation skills kept up with your career? Here’s 3 ways I can help you with that:

  1.      Work with me – Get in touch here, call 1300 684 669 or email davidw@davidwayne.com.au to discuss options for coaching, workshops or training programs or

  2.      Download a free copy of the “Inspire to Action” whitepaper

  3.      Subscribe for weekly “Inspire to Action” tips, tricks and techniques

 
David Wayne