Dana: Hi Amy, thanks for sharing your
views on the importance of Presentation
Skills. Why are presentation skills important
in your industry and company?
Amy: Presentation skills are critical
to winning business with new and existing
clients. Also, once we secure the business
presentation skills are critical to
presenting a candidate to our client
effectively. If the presenter's style gets
in the way it reflects poorly not only on us
as a company but also on the candidates we
are trying to place.
Dana: What are the top challenges that
people in your organization have when it
comes to giving an effective business
presentation?
Amy: Not understanding the audience
and what they need, focusing more on the
"sell" than on cues from the company as to
what they want or need, and dancing in the
moment based on what comes up during a
presentation. I see a lot of people stick
strictly to their notes and miss an
opportunity to engage the audience in
something valuable that has emerged.
Dana: What advice do you have for
people who give business presentations?
Amy:
Be authentic! It is important to identify and
cultivate your strengths as a public speaker
rather than trying to imitate someone else
you admire only to have it come across as
fake. Also, practice, practice, practice!
The best of us practice what we are going to
say to ensure we are comfortable and have our
key points outlined.
Dana: Thanks very much for sharing
some great advice.
