(Un)confident
The typical lecture contains lots of
words, lots of information and a lack of contact with the listeners. The
speaker even thinks about his listeners in an abstract way that creates
distance by calling them 'the audience', 'the public' or even 'the room'.
No contact. And when contact is missing, the speaker has to find in himself
the source of his sense of security or confidence. This source is not
always so easy to tap from especially with the heightened levels of adrenalin
that accompany this style of 'public speaking'.
To make this point even clearer: the
true 'presentation' takes places with a collection of individuals who
have come together in one place for their own purposes (not the
speaker's!), and who together form this group of 'listeners'. The presenter
makes contact with them, talks with them and experiences in this
essential human contact the true source of safety and security in the
presentation. It's what happens when you get in touch with the support
that emanates from so many people who want to benefit from what they can
learn from you.
The screen and what you project on it
are a sort of external memory bank. The slides full of text serve as a
'visual notepad' for the speaker who is afraid of forgetting something.
Maybe you are already beginning to see that there's a difference in focus:
the speaker's focus is the content, his information. The presenter's focus is the quality of the relationship which he builds
with his listeners. He creates a 'bridge' which he uses as a vehicle to
carry across a simple, clear message which the listener can take away
with him and use to his benefit.
What to project
When you show everything all at once
on the screen, you lose the attention for longer than when you show a
little at a time and gradually build up the complete verbal picture. With
the 'everything all at once' method, there are no longer any surprises,
no tension to sustain the listener's attention.
The fundamental rule is: only show what
you can discuss at that moment.
You'll appreciate that when you project
a complicated diagram or ten lines of text in one go, and begin with your
accompanying explanation, that it's impossible for you to keep pace with
what's on the screen. That's when the listener (= reader!) experiences
the difficulty of trying to hear and understand what you're saying while
he's still busy reading. Research indicates that more than 80% of the
audience will give their attention to the screen rather than listen to
you. When designing your visual aids you might want to ask yourself if
you want listeners or readers! Besides, text is not a visual aid! Illustrations, photos, symbols, tables, charts, cartoons
are visual aids to your presentation.
Static … or dynamic
Too many speakers use the combination
of presentation software and beamer as a sort of electronic overhead projector.
They're used to the overhead projector, but consider it too old-fashioned,
so switch to the beamer. But in fact, as far as the audience is concerned,
nothing has changed! So many speakers ignore the advantages of even the
simplest benefits of the software so as to build up their slide line by
line, or section by section. This is a pity, because it's precisely one
of the most positive reasons for presenting electronically!
Few speakers have ever learned the correct
techniques for covering up and gradually displaying their overhead sheets
(commonly called the 'striptease' method!), while it's such a simple way
of directly linking what is shown to what is being said. By coming back
to the projector more often you create a functional dynamism in the presentation.
This is especially useful for speakers who know they tend to stand
in one place for too long and need to move more.
Very few speakers know the techniques
of – for example – using a marker pen to add a line, circle or figure
to their overhead sheet. No, what could be a dynamic and interesting addition
in a striking colour at a strategic moment is already included in the
sheet. Realise that writing on the sheet 'activates' the visual aid and
peps up the presentation. The same applies to beamer presentations. With
some additional clicks you can add a choice of underlining, circles, arrows
and different colours to emphasise your point at the right moment. It
works wonders for grabbing the attention!
A suitable degree of dynamic movement
and action supports your credibility as a speaker. It should be added
that too much is unfavourable, but just as dangerous as too
little! Such additional sources of activity work wonders in loosening
up some speakers, in getting the voice going, and in stimulating spontaneity
during the presentation.
Where to put the computer …
When you work with a laptop – let alone
a desktop computer! – place it where you can see the screen while at the
same time giving the impression that you are looking at your listeners.
This means you no longer have to look at the projection screen, a habit
many insecure speakers adopt. At part of your standard equipment, ensure
you have an extension cord with you (6 m is an absolute minimum) and an
extra long connecting cable for between the computer and your projector.
Another vital piece of equipment: two small folding platforms or tables
(about the size of a bar stool) with telescopic, removable legs. These
enable you to set up the computer and the beamer at the best possible
place, independently of any tables which may or may not be available or
suitable.
Place the mouse where you can reach
it easily at the moment you need it. If necessary, use a piece of tape
to fix it in one spot, whether it's a regular or a cordless mouse. And
realise that there's a lot to be said for just using the keys on your
computer. Note that it is not advisable to keep the mouse in your hand
the whole time, even if you are using one of the excellent radio-controlled
versions. Holding it in your hand limits the variety and functionality
of your gestures and there's a good chance the cursor will go whizzing
across the screen from time to time.
Once witnessed at a seminar organised
by a software company: two large monitor screens had been placed at the
edge of the podium, displaying the same picture as was projected on both
the presenter's computer screen and the large projection screen behind
him. The monitors were covered with cloths and faced the presenter, who,
except for the frequent moments when he walked to his laptop to press
a key, managed to spend the rest of his time presenting to the nearest
monitor. He totally ignored his audience both in language and eye contact.
Where to put the overhead projector
…
You create more space to move around
in when you place your presentation table between the projector
and the screen. In this way you can also get to the projector more easily
without the barrier of the table between you and your listeners. There
are many more advantages, such as being able to glance at the sheet on
the projector instead of looking at the screen to find out what the next
point is.
Where to put yourself …
Imagine you want to show a diagram and
describe its features. You introduce the sheet or slide (there's nothing
on the screen at this moment): 'In a few moments you're going to look
at a diagram. It's a pretty complicated overview of the input variables
which affect production quality. Just spend a few moments looking at the
various categories … and then we'll go through it together item by item.'
Click.
Or: place the new sheet on the overhead
projector and turn the projector on. The listeners' attention goes straight
to the projection screen, you walk out of the way (right-handed speakers
move to the right as seen from the audience), you glance at the picture
and check if the focus is all right, if it's horizontal, if the colours
are clear … This functional silence gives you the opportunity to
check if everything's in order, and if not, you have the chance to change
what you can change. It's functional. The pause gives you the opportunity
to relax, breathe deeply and gather your thoughts.
While still to the right of your audience,
and so that they can see both you and the screen, you gesture with
your right arm towards the screen. Turn slightly to the right, look at
your listeners while you glance at the screen, and continue: 'You see
the large yellow circle left covering the input variables in abc category. You can also see the link with the def production features
in the green table. On the right are the ghi quality control conditions
which are essential for you and your department.'
And you proceed further with your presentation
in more detail. Now that everyone has seen what's on the screen, and understands
what the important details are, you can move around and take up more space.
But each time you want to refer to something specific on the screen, return
to the spot out of line of sight, and stand still while you gesture towards
the screen and describe the item in question. This is a great way to build
in functional dynamism while using the information on the screen to support
you, and still maintain contact with your listeners. Never enlarge
the distance with your audience by walking to the screen and indicating
on it directly.
In conclusion …
You do business with people,
not with machines or screens. You tell the story, with your dynamism
and enthusiasm. The screen is two-dimensional, you are three-dimensional.
The care which you invest in adding this vital dimension to your presentation
is very much up to you!
David
Bloch
PERFECT PRESENTATION
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