Managers from companies in India, Pakistan, Missouri, North Carolina and other United States locations gave their input. Consultants from New Zealand, Venezuela, the United Kingdom, and New York City joined in the conversation about the biggest challenges for effective business presentations.

Here are the top five challenges from my respondents.

1. The Unclear or Undetermined Objective
The presenter doesn't communicate a clear objective of why they are giving the presentation and what they want from the participants i.e., buy-in, decision, or input. This is seen as a huge time waster!

2. Interruptions and Distractions
Cell phones, Blackberries and other meeting interruptions.

3. Scheduling and Logistics

• Getting the right people to the meeting
• Schedule conflicts
• Competing meetings
• Too many meetings
• Dealing with technology equipment

4. The Presenter-Focused Message
This message focuses solely on what the presenter wants to communicate and does not take into consideration the perspective, needs, and interests of the intended audience.

5. Ineffective PowerPoint Design and Use
The most common complaints are slides with too much text and not enough graphic images that tell a story.

I invite you to join the conversation.

• What other presenting challenges do you see inside of your organization?
• What creative ways have you used or seen other's use to beat these challenges?
• What recommendations do you have to share?

Reply to this email to respond, or visit my Speak for Success Blog to post your comment.

Let's work together to help presenters everywhere!

Since PowerPoint came up as one of the Top Five Presenting Challenges, I'd like to introduce you to PowerPoint expert, Ellen Finkelstein from Iowa. Ellen has been consulting and teaching PowerPoint and other computer programs, including Microsoft Word and Excel, since 1993. Now she writes computer books and articles, adds tips to her Web site and blog, offers seminars, and teaches Management courses.

I invite you to read Ellen's PowerPoint Tips articles:

Tell 'n' Show Slide Design
Quickly Get Rid of Bullets

To receive her great tips regularly, you'll want to sign up for her Ezine here.

Ellen is offering a 15% discount to Speak for Success readers for her e-book 101 Tips Every PowerPoint User Should Know. This e-book will help you to create presentations more easily, finish them faster, and get better results.

The discount code is speak4success and gives you 15% off the book, which usually costs $15. The special offer is good until 9/15/2008.

Is everyone who interacts with your customers a polished presenter?

This fall we will be launching The Polished Presenter 3-Step Program a brand new program designed to help business and sales professionals:

• know how to look their best to give the most favorable impression
• give business presentations with confidence and credibility
• continue refining and polishing presentation skills with monthly coaching sessions

Step 1. The Professional Appearance workshop delivered by a certified image consultant.
Step 2. Powerful Presentations workshop.
Step 3. Speakers Success Forum monthly Lunch 'n' Learn programs for six months or one year.

The Results
Your people will look and sound their best in front of your customers!