Do you have problems conveying what you know about technology to others? Do you use technology to make presentations to sales prospects, clients, or colleagues? Would you like to learn how to be a more effective presenter? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, this technical presentations skills training course is for you. People who make technology-related information presentations and use modern technology in their presentations need this course. Gain the tools and self-confidence to become a stronger, polished, and more successful presenter.
This technical presentation skills class can also be offered as two-day or three-day class. In a one-day class, participants are able to go on-camera for roughly 5 minutes to receive a critique from the instructor and their colleagues on their presentation. In a two-day class, participants are able to go on-camera for roughly 10-15 minutes and receive a critique from the instructor and their colleagues on both their presentation and their PowerPoint slides. In a three-day class, participants are able to go on-camera twice for 10-15 minutes and receive a critique from the instructor and their colleagues on both their presentation and their PowerPoint slides.
Topics covered include:
- Learn the benefits and challenges of high-tech presenting: how to present to different personality types, sexes, and age groups; how to build rapport with audiences; how to handle questions and answers
- Discover how to deal with stage fright; create, practice, and deliver better presentations; improve your current presentations
- Learn how to deliver different types of presentations: present as a team, present to senior management, and give impromptu presentations
- Improve your voice and body language, dress, and use of humor
- Discover how to properly create and use audio-visual supports, including PowerPoint
- Engage in participant presentations and receive peer and instructor analysis of your presentation
Seminar Tips:
Rules for using audio-visual supports
- Do not consider audio-visual supports a replacement for verbal communication
- Display the audio-visual support only while you address the pertinent topic
- Look at your audience, not at the visual
- Display the most important element in the center of the visual
Communication and Presentation Internet Resources
www.stutteringhelp.org/
The fear of speaking keeps many people who stutter from being heard. If you stutter or know someone who does, visit this Web site for The Stuttering Foundation of America. This site contains free online resources, services, and support to those who stutter and their families. This organization also has free informative brochures on prevention and treatment of stuttering.
Frequently Asked Questions about our Presentation Skills for Techies Training
Answers provided by our technical presentation skills trainer, Randall P. Whatley
Q: What makes this technical presentation skills training different from a regular presentation skills training class?
A: Some aspects of this training are the same as you would find in a typical presentation skills class because the same information applies to all presenters. However, this class is designed for those who present technical information. Past recipients of this training have worked in engineering, healthcare, technology, and scientific research. Typically, technical presenters need to understand how to present material to highly analytical and often critical audiences. I cover that type of audience analysis in this seminar. Often those who present technical information need to determine how to present complex information quickly. We review techniques to accomplish this. It is also typical for some technical presenters to be subject matter experts who are inexperienced with verbal delivery of their ideas. I provide the practical advice needed to understand what is expected of them in this seminar.
Q: Our engineers and scientists are very intelligent, but we can't seem to get to the point in our presentations. What can you advise us to do to get to the point?
A: Perhaps the points you're trying to make aren't clear in your minds. If you don't clearly understand what you're trying to say, it's unlikely you will be able to say it in a manner that is clear to others. First, you have to determine your points. I recommend that you make no more than three major points in a presentation or components of a large presentation. For each point, develop a story to either prove, clarify, or add interest to your point. In doing so, answer the "why" questions the audience would ask, if they could ask questions, while you are speaking.
Also, try to use the three techniques I mention in my article called How to Make your Point and Create Sound Bites and Quotable Statements to bring clarity and focus to your points.
Instructor
Randall P. Whatley
Randall P. Whatley is a media veteran with diverse business experience. He is president of Cypress Media Group, an advertising, public relations, and training firm. He has extensive experience advising government officials, political candidates, public officials, and corporate executives.
Whatley teaches the practical, real-world skills that he has acquired and refined over three decades as an advertising and public relations practitioner. His presentation and media relations skills were honed as a lobbyist and political consultant on over 50 campaigns in five states. He has written two books, two syndicated newspaper columns, and many magazine and Internet articles. He has also hosted his own television and radio program and appeared often as a TV and radio program guest, including a CNN appearedance. Whatley has also produced TV and radio ads.
