How did your presentation really go?

Five takeaways from a presentation that enchanted the audience

A couple months ago, I’d written a speech for an executive who needed to travel across the country to deliver it at a major industry conference attended by peers, partners and competitors.

Several days had passed, and I hadn’t heard anything.

I was wondering how it went since he’d been under the weather right before the conference. So I dashed off a quick email.

“Any feedback on your presentation last week?” I asked him.

In 15 minutes, I had my answer.

He wrote:

“I was more than a little concerned that my voice was not going to hold out … as it happened, I only had to take one sip of water during the 40-minute talk and really didn't have any nerves with regard to speaking to the group.?

“Yes, I did go over the time a bit, but they were fine with it.

“There were 500 people in the room – the largest group ever.

“I had a number of very positive comments. One of our competitors spoke right before me and basically gave the group a history of his company. My wife and I went to dinner with the convention chair and the association president, and our competitor who spoke. The whole experience was very nice.?

“Oh, you'll find this interesting: Our competitor said at dinner he really liked what I had to say about what we're doing at the company, and he planned on going back and talking with his team about doing the exact same thing.

“Thanks for all of your help. Couldn't have done it without you.”

Here's the big question for public speakers: After you deliver a speech or presentation, do you take time the next day to reflect on how it went?

As this executive's speechwriter, I noted five takeaways from his brief but very telling self-evaluation.

TAKEAWAY 1: This speech took him longer to deliver on stage than it took during his rehearsals.

Note to self: Next time, trim his final speech by at least 20 percent to ensure that he finishes within the allotted time period.

TAKEAWAY 2: A competitor in the audience admitted he intended to apply the ideas we’d shared in the speech.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. A competitor, no less, was now inspired to change his own behavior. (Speeches should change thinking or behavior – and the very best speeches change both.)

TAKEAWAY 3: The speaker right before this executive delivered an off-the-shelf history of his company.

The mediocrity of a “canned” presentation like a company history – a message not tailored to the unique audience at the conference – made my executive’s dramatic message shine even brighter.

TAKEAWAY 4: The executive received many “very positive comments.”

The innovative speech idea we’d landed on together – after a couple of sessions back and forth – was indeed the right one. Working with a speechwriter should always be a collaborative effort.

TAKEAWAY 5: The executive “really didn’t have any nerves” and thought “the whole experience was very nice.”

Translated: He was actually quite proud and truly enjoyed this unique opportunity to share a meaningful message to 500 of his peers, partners and competitors. (Gained: Reputational capital. ROI: Priceless.)

How to reflect effectively on your presentation

The next time you deliver a speech or presentation, take 15 minutes the next day to reflect on how it went:

• Write down your reflections, and review them before you start preparing your next talk.
• If things went well, you’ll know to repeat them!
• If things could have gone better, you’ll remember what you need to do differently the next time.

Public speakers should seek continuous improvement. Reflecting after every speech or presentation you deliver is always a smart thing to do.