What is the first thing you usually think about when you are going to give a presentation? Most of us try to gather as much information as we can about our subject and then figure out a way to communicate all of that to our audience.  I'd like to suggest a dramatic paradigm shift. When you are preparing a presentation, instead of asking yourself "What do I have to say?" ask yourself "What does this audience need to hear?" Some of you have probably heard of the term WIIFM, which stands for "What's in it for me?" This is the unspoken question people ask when attending a presentation. Studies show that, when an audience perceives that the information being presented is useful to THEM, they are much more likely to pay attention and to remember what was said. In our workshops on Presentation Skills, we teach our clients to write objectives that are Audience Focused so that, if someone comes in wondering "Why am I here?" they will quickly get the answer! Start your presentation with a clear statement of WHAT you will cover and WHY it will benefit the audience to hear what you have to say. You'll grab their attention and set the stage for a successful meeting.

 

 

Here are a few words of wisdom about success:

 

- William James

 

You cannot plough a field by turning it over in your mind.
- Author Unknown

 One of my favorite people recently sent me this quote which is a great Presentation Skills reminder: 

 
And, finally, it helps to keep your sense of humor: 
 Getting fired is nature's way of telling you that you had the wrong job in the first place.  - Hal Lancaster