- Email: [email protected]
Conference presentations with confidence
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Perhaps the marketing case study was especially
ence presentanon mat wm enngnten your colleagues and help you grow professionally at the same time.
~arllng from krakh
interesting. Or perhaps you wondered whether you could use the organizational tools the speaker described in your own work. Finally, you might have wondered, "Could I offer a conference presentation at some point?" The answer: yes? TCM 68
September/October1999
Focus. Decide in advance what broad
subject, area you want to include in your presentation. Look for something that distinguishes you from your competition or that mixes divergent ideas. Say your industry has relied heavily on part-time employees, but you've built a highly skilled full-time staff. That's an example of a great presentation subject. Brainstorm. Next, narrow your focus to a specific topic. Build this topic around a slant that makes your presentation absolutely unique, such as "Technology Tools for a Small Case Management Company" or 'An Unconventional Approach to Training Case Managers."
Tips FOR PP, ESENUIN(; NATIONAL C()NFEREN(;ES li \~n~ <~ru inl,,r,:-,tcd in m<~l, in 4 <~ pru'~c'nL~tion at <~ n a l i ( u h l J Jilc'u in~. ~ , u l mtJq ruqLU.'.tn (%11hu Ihu~,,vn{ali~u>-,tl~un thv.p~u>,~nil%~,, v , i l d / licu-t I v p k , l l l } IhN lc, t rn rid.', h u lhv tolhm'ine, inf,~um,~tMn:
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confirming your ideas, answering questions that come up, or developing audio/visual (AV) material. Examples of supporting data include market staffstics, cost comparisons, product data, industry trends, etc. View. Imagine how y o u r presentation might be illustrated a n d set out to develop simple AV aids that can e m p h a size, enhance, or clearly illustrate y o u r key points. The aids y o u select will d e p e n d on the technology available at the conference, but most conventions offer at least the use of o v e r h e a d projectors. You can develop your o w n graphs and charts and take t h e m to a copy shop or office service center for conversion to overhead transparencies. Several computer programs are on the market that allow you to p r o d u c e transparencies on y o u r laser printen C o m m o n 6verhead projector aids include charts, graphs, cost comparisons, one-line summaries of key points or statistics, or p o i n t e d questions.
er your presentation from notes alone), you're better off drafting the presentation w o r d for word. You always can adlib during your talk if you wish, b u t your printed draft is like a security blanket: it will help you ensure quality and consistency during the presentation itself, and it's a great crutch should you become nervous. Hints: prepare y o u r presentation in large serif type a n d triple-space it.
part of a p l a n n e d question-and-answer forum or after your session concludes. If you are asked a general question, quickly assess its value to the larger group. If the question is more specific or company-focused, answer briefly or offer to visit with the inquirer at the e n d of the session. Be concise to get to as m a n y questions as possible. Do not allow one question to dominate after two or three questions a n d repeated follow up.
Rehearse. Practice in front of a mirror. Watch your words and your physical movements and gestures. Always rehearse the evening before y o u r presentation. Hints: p a y special attention to your gestures and facial expressions as you rehearse. Your aim is to appear poised but relaxed. Also ask if the conference you are attending has a "speaker ready room" for last-minute rehearsals.
Be honest. If you do not k n o w the answer, say so! However, offer to help find the answer or open the question to the audience for group problem-solving.
Register. Don't forget to register for the conference.
Today's the Big Day! Don't overlook the possibility of bringing in actual products or "show and tell" items that can be passed a m o n g audience members. Review. By this time, your t h e s i s - - k e y m e s s a g e - - s h o u l d be clear but double check just in case. Is your presentation based on one cogent idea? For example, such simple, precise themes as 'A consistent public relations p r o g r a m will maintain your c o m p a n y ' s visibility," "Personal computer training is a win/ win c o m p a n y benefit," or "Consistent outcomes reporting secures customer loyalty" are excellent. Create. N o w is the time to create handouts or conference manual materials. Such materials are not essential, but if you w o u l d like to give audience members background information or details that are too complex to include in the verbal presentation, handouts are the w a y to do it. Examples of common, helpful handouts include your presentation outline, statistical support, a bibliography, a glossary of terminology, and copies of the AV material. Draft. Unless you're a very experienced speaker (in which case, you might delivTCM 70
Scp~cmb~,IO~ob~r1999
IntToduce yourself. Offer your n a m e (and perhaps the spelling) on a nearby blackboard or overhead projector. Briefly summarize your b a c k g r o u n d a n d say a few w o r d s about y o u r business or occupation. Begin. A brief anecdote quickly will capture your listeners' attention. If your story illustrates your thesis or key message, you'll set the stage for a meaningful presentation. Converse. Your listeners are not critics, judges, or students. T h e y ' r e your peers. They have come to hear y o u speak in the h o p e of gleaning an idea or two that they can use in their e v e r y d a y practice. Your objective is to talk with t h e m in a natural, relaxed tone of voice. Their attentive feedback should p u t you at ease. Simplify. Watch your language. If you are using terminology unfamiliar to your audience, be sure to define complex terms before you use them. If y o u use m a n y such terms, consider placing them in a handout. Follow up. You probably will be asked questions after the presentation either as
If you believe your audience might be looking for other in-depth resources, invite members to give y o u their business cards after the presentation. Alternatively, pass around a sign-up sheet so that you can call interested listeners later for longer, one-on-one discussions. Publicize. Remember that your presentation helps establish y o u as an authority in your field and builds credibility for your enterprise. Let your local peers k n o w w h a t you've done at a conference, and don't hesitate to send a news release to your local media and the national trade media. The result will be more speaking invitations and more business opportunities in the months ahead.
Tom Strickland is editor in chief of The Case Manager. Reprint orders: Mosby, Inc., 11830 Westline Industrial Dr., St. Louis, MO 63146-3318; phone (314) 453-4350; reprint no. 68/1/102024
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,,]
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.
.
Perhaps the marketing case study was especially
ence presentanon mat wm enngnten your colleagues and help you grow professionally at the same time.
~arllng from krakh
interesting. Or perhaps you wondered whether you could use the organizational tools the speaker described in your own work. Finally, you might have wondered, "Could I offer a conference presentation at some point?" The answer: yes? TCM 68
September/October1999
Focus. Decide in advance what broad
subject, area you want to include in your presentation. Look for something that distinguishes you from your competition or that mixes divergent ideas. Say your industry has relied heavily on part-time employees, but you've built a highly skilled full-time staff. That's an example of a great presentation subject. Brainstorm. Next, narrow your focus to a specific topic. Build this topic around a slant that makes your presentation absolutely unique, such as "Technology Tools for a Small Case Management Company" or 'An Unconventional Approach to Training Case Managers."
Tips FOR PP, ESENUIN(; NATIONAL C()NFEREN(;ES li \~n~ <~ru inl,,r,:-,tcd in m<~l, in 4 <~ pru'~c'nL~tion at <~ n a l i ( u h l J Jilc'u in~. ~ , u l mtJq ruqLU.'.tn (%11hu Ihu~,,vn{ali~u>-,tl~un thv.p~u>,~nil%~,, v , i l d / licu-t I v p k , l l l } IhN lc, t rn rid.', h u lhv tolhm'ine, inf,~um,~tMn:
".
?
9 ] i t l c ni ~ u r
pru~'nLllin,i
* ~llbit't
(I~s
J ,IIt',I
dc Lllu ,Z
iIo1111' t ~Ii(')
9 ]qu-,c,lllc'r(~) il'thu-n/dli~ll (%,.,, il4nR', clX'dt'l/|i<)J'-,, c CllliJt [ i l l h l l l / h l t i O I I ) !l c
~t
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.r
,I ,1
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9 Ihh'l t,it+~.'.l,G',hi~ ,fl il~hum,/li~m ~+n ,.pv, l k c r ( q . l h i c i ,/l+,qlac t ch>c rihi.:4 th,.' c~ttlttUlt i+l tile.' t+rc..cltlalhul 9 ( Nriit
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l h u dc'..,c riplic, ii h u \'~u.u" |,lc,~,c, n t l L i t m ~c>.-.iolr. in a l h , n d . illJt'lld
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t>l i l l ',, (1111' }-ll't'~.t'll1[~1~JOll.
l<,_'cp in m i n d tic
('
confirming your ideas, answering questions that come up, or developing audio/visual (AV) material. Examples of supporting data include market staffstics, cost comparisons, product data, industry trends, etc. View. Imagine how y o u r presentation might be illustrated a n d set out to develop simple AV aids that can e m p h a size, enhance, or clearly illustrate y o u r key points. The aids y o u select will d e p e n d on the technology available at the conference, but most conventions offer at least the use of o v e r h e a d projectors. You can develop your o w n graphs and charts and take t h e m to a copy shop or office service center for conversion to overhead transparencies. Several computer programs are on the market that allow you to p r o d u c e transparencies on y o u r laser printen C o m m o n 6verhead projector aids include charts, graphs, cost comparisons, one-line summaries of key points or statistics, or p o i n t e d questions.
er your presentation from notes alone), you're better off drafting the presentation w o r d for word. You always can adlib during your talk if you wish, b u t your printed draft is like a security blanket: it will help you ensure quality and consistency during the presentation itself, and it's a great crutch should you become nervous. Hints: prepare y o u r presentation in large serif type a n d triple-space it.
part of a p l a n n e d question-and-answer forum or after your session concludes. If you are asked a general question, quickly assess its value to the larger group. If the question is more specific or company-focused, answer briefly or offer to visit with the inquirer at the e n d of the session. Be concise to get to as m a n y questions as possible. Do not allow one question to dominate after two or three questions a n d repeated follow up.
Rehearse. Practice in front of a mirror. Watch your words and your physical movements and gestures. Always rehearse the evening before y o u r presentation. Hints: p a y special attention to your gestures and facial expressions as you rehearse. Your aim is to appear poised but relaxed. Also ask if the conference you are attending has a "speaker ready room" for last-minute rehearsals.
Be honest. If you do not k n o w the answer, say so! However, offer to help find the answer or open the question to the audience for group problem-solving.
Register. Don't forget to register for the conference.
Today's the Big Day! Don't overlook the possibility of bringing in actual products or "show and tell" items that can be passed a m o n g audience members. Review. By this time, your t h e s i s - - k e y m e s s a g e - - s h o u l d be clear but double check just in case. Is your presentation based on one cogent idea? For example, such simple, precise themes as 'A consistent public relations p r o g r a m will maintain your c o m p a n y ' s visibility," "Personal computer training is a win/ win c o m p a n y benefit," or "Consistent outcomes reporting secures customer loyalty" are excellent. Create. N o w is the time to create handouts or conference manual materials. Such materials are not essential, but if you w o u l d like to give audience members background information or details that are too complex to include in the verbal presentation, handouts are the w a y to do it. Examples of common, helpful handouts include your presentation outline, statistical support, a bibliography, a glossary of terminology, and copies of the AV material. Draft. Unless you're a very experienced speaker (in which case, you might delivTCM 70
Scp~cmb~,IO~ob~r1999
IntToduce yourself. Offer your n a m e (and perhaps the spelling) on a nearby blackboard or overhead projector. Briefly summarize your b a c k g r o u n d a n d say a few w o r d s about y o u r business or occupation. Begin. A brief anecdote quickly will capture your listeners' attention. If your story illustrates your thesis or key message, you'll set the stage for a meaningful presentation. Converse. Your listeners are not critics, judges, or students. T h e y ' r e your peers. They have come to hear y o u speak in the h o p e of gleaning an idea or two that they can use in their e v e r y d a y practice. Your objective is to talk with t h e m in a natural, relaxed tone of voice. Their attentive feedback should p u t you at ease. Simplify. Watch your language. If you are using terminology unfamiliar to your audience, be sure to define complex terms before you use them. If y o u use m a n y such terms, consider placing them in a handout. Follow up. You probably will be asked questions after the presentation either as
If you believe your audience might be looking for other in-depth resources, invite members to give y o u their business cards after the presentation. Alternatively, pass around a sign-up sheet so that you can call interested listeners later for longer, one-on-one discussions. Publicize. Remember that your presentation helps establish y o u as an authority in your field and builds credibility for your enterprise. Let your local peers k n o w w h a t you've done at a conference, and don't hesitate to send a news release to your local media and the national trade media. The result will be more speaking invitations and more business opportunities in the months ahead.
Tom Strickland is editor in chief of The Case Manager. Reprint orders: Mosby, Inc., 11830 Westline Industrial Dr., St. Louis, MO 63146-3318; phone (314) 453-4350; reprint no. 68/1/102024