The Speaker's Playbook: Winning Strategies for Unforgettable Presentations

One of the most beautiful things would be to speak one’s heart out. However, the perusal of a synopsis of what it takes to really put your message across appropriately and accurately might be next to impossible for many people. Additionally, if you haven't had opportunities to expand your understanding beyond your own cultural and national contexts, the chances of effective communication become even slimmer.

To facilitate the development of communication and presentation skills among people, I have conducted many learning sessions in the past. One of the most recent ones was the session I conducted for the students at the educational institution named "Kniahynynok Lyceum" in Ukraine. I first observed their presentations, which took place over two consecutive days. Based on what they already knew and what needed improvement, I put together a session for them, aimed at helping them design and deliver better presentation skills. I would like to share some of the guidelines here that I shared. (There were more details in the workshop that I conducted, as the content was aligned with the specific group of students and their needs regarding the topic.) If you are planning for and delivering a presentation virtually or in person, this set of tips can help you.

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Grappling with timekeeping

As time could be a constraint in any communication setting, being thoughtful of what you say can be important from the zeroth second of your speaking window. In addition to that, how you say it is quintessential as well. People asked me why it mattered. Well, if you say something right in a wrong way, you will have to undo it by reiterating it, killing valuable time that you could utilize to strengthen your message otherwise. Of course, managing time well will be challenging if you haven't rehearsed enough before the presentation. Try mock presentations in front of friends or family members and get feedback on what they thought was right and what could be improved.

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Say something other than what you have on your slide deck

The audience can already see and read what you have included on the slides. So rather than reading them out verbatim, say things that are not written on the slides. This would mean that you can reduce the amount of text on the slides, giving the audience a break between listening and reading. If you feel that there is valuable information and that the audience might miss some of it, it is always good to hand out a detailed description of the presentation topic and its components. Do not underestimate the impact of pictures or designs on your slides. With your texts complemented by images or designs, you can fulfill your message.

Cultural Awareness

Not only should we consider the differences in language between the presentation and the audience, but you should also consider the cultural aspects, if you present certain things in your culture. While delving into the components of your presentation that have cultural aspects, you will learn to appreciate your own culture more. The result is a better appreciation of your own culture and your ability to communicate better with your audience by dissolving the cultural barrier. The Ukrainian culture being super rich, is worthy to be understood and appreciated by foreigners.

Make Eye Contact or Lose Your Communication Contract

Not making enough eye contact with the audience can cause you to lose their attention of your audience. Everyone in the room must feel that they are being “talked to”. So, sweep through the room at least occasionally if you are a beginner to establish trust and connection with every member of your audience. If you are doing a presentation online, remember that it can be tempting to look at your own video at the corner of your screen or the presentation slide deck that is being shown through screen sharing. Learn to detach yourself from these ‘familiar’ parts of your computer screen and look at your webcam. ?

While the specific approach may vary according to one's personal style, the context, and the target audience, keeping the aforementioned points in mind can serve as a solid framework for an impactful presentation. The guidelines on time management, effective use of visuals, cultural awareness, and audience engagement through eye contact should be adapted and applied judiciously to suit the unique situation. These principles act as guideposts to avoid potential pitfalls and increase the likelihood of delivering a resonant and impactful message. By thoughtfully tailoring these broad best practices to your strengths and the needs of your audience, you significantly enhance your chances of a successful and memorable presentation.

Testimonials that I received from the students after the virtual session:

Hi Imran! Thank you very much for yesterday's session. The information you presented yesterday is very useful and interesting. I made a presentation for a history class last night and I used your advice. I noticed that my presentation skills have improved a lot. Thank you very much for the useful information.?? - Myroslava Sadik

Hi Imran! I really enjoyed yesterday's lesson! I learned a lot of information on how to improve my skills in making presentations. I realized what mistakes I made in the last presentation! You clearly explained how to fix these mistakes. Thank you very much for that! Your presentation was excellent and informative! You explained perfectly with the vocabulary available to us. Almost 100% of the outgrowths of your vocabulary was clear to me!??I look forward to our next meeting??? - Milana Sadik