50 Million!

Out of the 50 million presentations being given every week, unfortunately, most will fail to make a lasting impact due to fear and anxiety experienced by the presenters. Most presentation are made to less than 25 people!

Public speaking can be an intimidating and scary for many individuals, and these fears can hinder their ability to effectively convey their message. After all the Fear of Public Speaking is the #1 fear in North America.

The internal anxiety may prevent them from delivering their presentation with confidence and clarity, leading to a less engaging experience for the audience.

Some presentations fall short because the presenter has not adequately prepared or researched the client or audience's needs. Understanding your audience and tailoring the presentation to their specific requirements is crucial for capturing their attention and interest. Including them in the presentation shows your focus and care about them as potential client.

If you overlook this step you may struggle to connect with their audience, resulting in a lack of engagement and ultimately, a failed presentation and lost sale.

Another common pitfall is the repetition of the same presentation multiple times within a short span. When you deliver the same content repeatedly, it can become monotonous and uninteresting because you have heard so many times. Your audience find it as boring and disengaging as you do. Your energy or the lack diminishes the impact and effectiveness of the presentation. To avoid this, strive to add freshness and uniqueness to each delivery, adapting your approach and content to interest this audience at hand.

Amongst all these potential failures, there will still be a few presentations that manage to create a profound connection between the presenter and the audience. In these exceptional instances, both parties understand each other perfectly, and their thoughts and ideas are in sync. The presenter has taken the time to thoroughly research the possible needs and desires of the audience before crafting the presentation. They have also consulted their contact, who gave them the green light, ensuring that the presentation aligns with the audience's expectations.

When a presentation successfully achieves this level of connection, it becomes a powerful tool for positive change. It has the ability to inspire action, foster collaboration, and incite meaningful discussions. These rare presentations go beyond simply delivering information; they evoke emotions, encourage critical thinking, and motivate individuals to take decisive steps forward.

While a vast number of presentations may fail due to fear, lack of preparation, or monotony, a few have the potential to connect deeply with the audience and drive positive change. By understanding the audience's needs, conducting thorough research, and delivering a unique and engaging presentation, presenters can increase their chances of creating a meaningful impact and leaving a lasting impression.

As always, I really appreciate that you are reading my post. Here, at LinkedIn I regularly write about leadership, public speaking and communication issues and trends. If you would like to watch my regular posts then please click 'Follow' and send me an invite. And, of course, feel free to also connect via Geoffrey X Lane.

Geoffrey X Lane

Geoffrey has over 25 years B2B experience. He has led teams for 2010 Winter Olympic Bid, Rocky Mountaineer, Wavefront, Sandwell Engineering, FKP Architects, Telus and Stantec.

Geoffrey wrote and taught “Presentation Power” a public speaking course for business at the Sauder School of Business, Executive Education, and University of British Columbia.

Meeting Fear

Once there was a young warrior. Her teacher told her that she had to do battle with fear. She did not want to do that. It seemed too aggressive; it was scary; it seemed unfriendly. But the teacher said she had to do it and gave her the instructions for the battle. The day arrived.

The student warrior stood on one side, and fear stood on the other. The warrior was feeling very small, and fear was looking big and wrathful. They both had their weapons.

The young warrior roused herself and went toward fear, prostrated three times, and asked, “May I have permission to go into battle with you?” Fear said, “Thank you for showing me so much respect that you ask permission.” Then the young warrior said, “How can I defeat you?” Fear replied, “My weapons are that I talk fast, and I get very close to your face. Then you get completely unnerved, and you do whatever I say. If you don’t do what I tell you, I have no power. You can listen to me, and you can have respect for me. You can even be convinced by me. But if you don’t do what I say, I have no power.” In that way, the student warrior learned how to defeat fear.

From Pema Ch?dr?n, When Things Fall Apart

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