Presentation tips: Three steps for your next talk

I had the enormous pleasure of returning to Nice on the stunning Côte d’Azur last week.

Our mission? Help a group of travel experts explain their complex roles simply, persuasively and confidently.

Over the course of the last two years, there have been growing signs of the comeback of corporate training.

The first green shoots broke through in July 2020 when Glasgow’s Radisson Hotel reopened its meeting rooms for 1-1 sessions.

This blossoming desire for face-to-face coaching has only grown stronger this year, with group trainings in Edinburgh, Clydebank, Paisley and Newtonmore.

And the final sign arrived in the palm-tree surroundings of the French Riviera.

A place so beautiful it’s hard to imagine a better place to work.

Interestingly, the core issue remains the same from St Andrews to St Laurent du Var.

Whether one-on-one, in a group, at home or abroad, many of us dislike presenting.

If given the choice, some would happily avoid speaking in front of others ever again.

Regardless of how you feel about it, our trip reminded me of three universal principles.

Each of which ensure you’re presenting to the best of your ability.

Every time, anywhere in the world.

1. Command the room

What does it mean to have ‘stage presence’?

Simply that you embrace everyone looking at you.

Rather than having to enjoy it, you need to feel comfortable.

That takes time, experience and a good attitude.

In Nice, we set the camera up in the position offering the presenter the most space.

It only occurred to me during the first presentations that it was a poor position to present from.

Some of the audience started and finished with their back to the presenter.

You, on the other hand, want to command attention.

So first decide where you stand.

Often you’re restricted by technology or audience setup, but otherwise it’s up to you.

I remember being part of a networking breakfast where the organisers asked the 25 attendees to stand in a semi-circle, then introduce themselves one by one.

Everyone stood their ground and spoke as the baton passed from accountant to consultant to life coach.

On my turn, I walked 20 paces forward, turned round and faced everyone before making the pitch.

It was an uncomfortable walk and the silence felt like forever.

But I knew I’d only be able to properly command the room from that position.

So find the power position.

It’s where you can see everyone and demonstrate that you’re in control.

2. Open with clarity

Speak simply, early.

The best speakers know what’s motivating the audience to listen.

Then, they explain that motivation so clearly that a child would understand it.

For Julien, it was the desire to make booking travel simpler.

For Gilles, it was for his organisation to become the Amazon of travel.

Consider the last time you spoke to a group in-person.

Did you clearly articulate your message in the first 10 seconds?

Or in the first 26 words of your last email?

Or in the first sentence when you contributed to a group discussion?

To be memorable, you must have a simple, repeatable message.

And do so in words even a child would understand.

For more on this, here’s a blog exploring campaign slogans.

3. Connect emotionally

The most memorable of our seven presenters was Anne-Albena.

Stage presence? Tick. Smiling, enthusiastic, speaking from the middle of the room.

Simple premise? Tick. A business relationship is like any other relationship; it needs nurturing.

But the best part was how she connected emotionally.

“Our partnerships in business are like marriages.

“They’re built on trust and understanding. They can be incredibly exciting.

“And you need to work hard to keep each other happy.”

Anne-Albena revealed she’d counted the number of wedding rings around the table before making her choice of subject.

She’d noticed there was a roughly equivalent split of men and women.

And when she mentioned the word ‘marriage’, everyone took notice.

I began reflecting on my marriage, as did others. We felt involved and engaged. We were part of the story.

And we all have the ability to emote and connect.

So consider what’s going to connect with your audience.

And be comfortable getting personal.

Be excited, delighted, really pleased to speak to the audience.

Ask them warmly to approach you afterwards for a coffee.

Remind them of how their life will improve by following your advice.

Will they be happier, healthier, more empowered?

Presentation tips

A huge thanks to Laurent, Pilar and the team at Amadeus for a fabulous trip to the south of France.

Another sign we’re getting back to where we were.

It was a terrific reminder of the barriers we face as presenters around the world in being seen, heard and understood.

And a perfect example of how to knock each of them down through simple changes in approach.

If you’re interested in running an in-person training session with your team, email us today.

And we’ll share dozens more of these presentation tips with you.

Andrew McFarlan is Managing Director of Pink Elephant Communications.

You can read more about him here.

Photos in Presentation tips blog by Pink Elephant Communications.
Presentation tips blog edited by Colin Stone.