Conference turris::womannotes-v3

    Best advice that I can offer is to make sure that you know the material
    *cold*.  Give yourself plenty of time to prepare.  If you possibly
    can, find a group of friendly folks and a conference room and do
    a dress rehearsel!  At the rehearsel, ask someone to sit in the
    back of the room and make sure you can be heard.
    
    And remember that whatever happens, the sun will still rise in the
    morning, and your pets will still love you.
    
    Alison

    Having been a public speaker for several years now, might I suggest
    recording what you want to say on a tape?  You can use this method
    to listen to your presentation and iron out the kinks as well as
    use it for timing.  If you listen to it as you do other things (such
    as ironing or housework) or while you fall asleep, it can also be an 
    excellent form of "sleep teaching"--a method I've used extensively for 
    getting through college.  Another idea is to do your entire
    presentation in "mind map" format (if you have ever taken the
    "Becoming an Everyday Genius" class you will be familiar with this 
    technique).  I do all my presentations from mind maps and can easily 
    get a 2 - 3 hour talk on one sheet of paper.  If you want to discuss
    this more, please send mail.
    
    Best Wishes for a Successful Presentation!
    Hugs,
    Barb

    Just a few comments from someone shy in front of a crowd:    ;^)
         
       1. Know your material cold.
       2. Make sure your slides are readable - don't cram so much info
          on a slide that it is overwhelming - but have lines that summarize
          the salient information that you want to share.
       3. Look at your audience.  You should know the information on
          the slide, so face your audience and point to your slides.
          How many times have you seen people talking to the slides
          instead of the audience?
       4. When you start to elaborate on a point turn off the projector.
          This way your audience will listen/look at you instead of
          listening to the hum of the projector.
       5. Anticipate questions.
       6. Wear a comfortable outfit - this is not the time to worry
          about whether or not your stockings are sagging to your 
          knees.   ;^)
       7. Relax, relax, relax and have confidence in yourself!!!    
       
    
        Good Luck!!
    

    1) If you have handouts of slides, don't pass them out until the end.
       That's distracting.
    
    2) There are some excellent graphics software packages out there. Be
       creative.
    
    3) Pretend everyone inthe audience is nude. Only kidding. This would
       probably make you laugh unless Mel G was in the front row, right?
    
    4) Take a deep breath before you start.
    
    5) If you don't know the answer take out a little notebook and say,
       "Good Question". "I don't know the answer to that but I'll find out
       for you tomorrow". You don't really have to find out the answer but
       you would have saved yourself from looking a tad silly.
    
     
    Kate (Who's given plenty of presentations and loves creating her own
          color presentations using 35mm and Lotus Freelance+.)
    
    Kate
    

    The advice to go over your material beforehand is good.  But do it a
    few time in the mirror.
    
    Yes, wear comfortable clothing - but make sure that you feel smashing
    in the outfit.
    
    Keep in mind that it is your presentation.  You're making it because
    others need to know this information.  That means that you probably
    know more about it than thay do!!!
    
    When you practice in the mirror, check out what you do with your hands. 
    Decide how to best use them.
    
    When you make eye contact with the audience, give equal time to front,
    back, and sides of room.
    
    Never be apologetic.  Don't say "I hope you can hear me.  I know my
    voice doesn't carry".  Instead say "Can every one hear me?".
    
    Make sure that you speak clearly.  This means not too fast, not to
    softly.  Leave your "ahs" and "ums" at home.
    
    When you practice in the mirror, make sure that you have a pleasant
    face.
    
    Usually people are pulling for the speaker.  Don't make them sweat
    blood for you or struggle to hear you or understand you.  They will
    then concentrate on what you are saying and not so much on you.
    
    If someone tries to get into a discussion with you during your talk and
    you see that the rest of the people aren't interested, ask them to see
    you after the talk.
    
    Eventually, everyone has to give a talk - and everyone survives.  Take
    a deep breath, smile, and dive in.

    Periodically make eye contact with members of the audience. It helps
    keep their attention. Smile if it's appropriate in the context of the
    talk.

    I always start out nervous but after a few minutes I'm gung-ho. It's
    normal to feel nervous so don't think it's some special cross only you
    have to bear. Don't try jokes unless you are comfortable with them.
    Nothing is worse than a bad joke or one that is poorly done. I know, I
    work for a manager that does this all the time. People dread having him
    come up to speak. liesl

    Kim, you mentioned that your talk is to present a review document.
    Then, I assume the talk is purely informational, correct?
    
    It makes a difference, and it's important to know in your mind
    precisely what you are hoping to achieve with your presentation.
    Sharing information is fine, but if you're hoping to walk out of the
    room having won the support of some or all of the audience, then
    structure your talk to that.  Make sure to "ask for the order".  If the
    support that you're seeking translates to specific resources being
    allocated to the project, then don't leave the room until you have
    agreement.  If the "wrong people", non decision-makers, show up for the
    talk, then make sure their representative gets the word to them, and
    let them know you'll follow up by a specific date.
    
    Too often, someone will say, "But I thought they liked my idea!"
    The anonymous they probably did like the idea, but the presenter simply
    neglected to get closure on their request for support.
    
    rambling on,
    Marge

    When I first came to DEC, I was extremely disappointed that every
    course and presentation I attended was built around *slides!*  "Couldn't
    folks at a big company like DEC be more vaied and creative?" I thought,
    having come from a non-business training profession.
    
    Well, now that I've gotten *used* to slides being the focus of
    everything we do around here, I strongly disagree with .5 about not
    passing them out till the end!  I learn (and also keep myself awake) by
    taking notes, and if you have slides that outline your presentation, I
    much prefer to take notes directly *on* those slides.
    
    My 2 cents,
    Nancy

    If you can't deal with the image of your audience nude, pretend they
    are all heads of cabbage:-)  My sister suggested this years ago and it
    works for me.
    
    And what really works is to remember that you know more about your
    subject than they do.....
    

    
    Actually instead of cabbage or nudes keep in mind the following...
    	
    	They are all terrified that they might have to get up and speak,
    	or worse that have done it before and enjoyed it less.
    	
    Most people are normally upset by the idea of public speaking, try
    to put them at ease and you will be more at ease.
    
    

A pen or pencil in your hands can be just as useful as a pointer (and lots 
easier to find, usually) if you want or need to point out things on your slides.
It also gives you something to do with your hands.

It's often easier to point to an item on the slide than on the screen.  If your
hands are shaking, you can then just put the pen or pencil down onto the 
(overhead) projector/slide and continue talking.... :-)

Construct your talk so you aren't just reading from your slides, but you can 
still use the slides as an outline/prompt.  I also found it handy to make notes
on my hardcopy about emphasis, subtopics, or details I might otherwise forget
due to being nervous.  It's also easier to read from a hardcopy than it is to
read from the screen - less glare, and you're still facing your audience.

Good luck!
		Helen

    
    1.  Talk slowly...slower than you think is normal :^)  Most
    people giving presentations talk at regular speed or faster
    because they're nervous.  Slowing down gives the impression
    you're relaxed, and it gives you time to think.
    
    2.  Keep answering the question "why should you care?" with each
    major point you're making.  Your audience will pay attention if
    you tell them *why* the information is useful for them.  You
    might start the talk out by stating what the audience should be
    getting out of it.
    
    I've given lots of presentations, and these two things were
    always the keys to success for me.
    
    good luck!
    Kathy

 Someone else said it here, but I must emphasize it:

		DON'T JUST READ THE DAMN SLIDES!!!!!

 Make notes on your hard copy of the slide, so that you can speak around the 
items on the slide; bring out points, facts, examples which emphasizie the 
points on your slides, but don't just simply read the slide out loud to your
audience!  

			"Break a leg"
			   Nigel

    
    My main pointers (largely gleaned from Sales Training)....
    
    1) I generally structure the presentation around:-
    _   Tell them what you're going to tell them
    _	Tell them
    _ 	Tell them what you told them
   .....including those "what this means to you" points all through
    
    2) I use cue cards - a few words on each (I can't read when I'm
    presenting!). Also if they're of stiff card they are something to
    hold on to that stops my hands shaking
    
    3) I never use a pointer - if pointed at the slide it magnifies
    shaking hands, and pointed at the screen it does much the same.
    Also the telescopic sorts are impossible to resist fiddling with!
    
    4) Put yourself in your audience's shoes when you're preparing the
       presentation.....
    
    5) Get into the room the day before or, at least, before the meeting
       so you know what it looks like and which way up your slides go
       on the projector - helps elimiate stage fright!
    
    6) Relax!
       Your audience are only human, and whatever goes wrong they've
    doubtless seen much more boring/unprofessional/uninformed presentations
    than yours! If something unexpected happens, try and respond with
    humour and good grace - you're only human too, and they know that!
    
    Good luck,
    
    And let us know how it went!
    
    'gail
                        
    
    
    

.
   The best way to be comfortable with your talk is to have given it three 
or four times.  

       1.  Write the ideas and the organization of the talk. Make the slides.  

       2.  Practice the words in your head while driving or showering.  

       3.  Trial Run.  I use (abuse?) my husband as an audience for the first
few times -- he doesn't know the material, but he'll tell me if I'm
doing something stupid or if I sound unsure.

       4.  Dress Rehearsal with timing.  After I've passed the husband 
test, I'll try to practice in the room (with no one there) -- I've 
received some strange looks for talking out loud to no one, but it 
helps me feel more comfortable.


 I always MEMORIZE the first paragraph of the talk --  once you get into the
material, it goes more easily.  

DON'T GO OVER YOUR ALLOTTED TIME PERIOD.  If you have too much material,
cut some out. 


Good Luck!
Barbi 

    I am hung up for time here so please forgive me if I repeat what
    someone else suggested in another note. I am a member of Toastmasters
    which is geared to help people who are nervous and want to improve
    their speaking skills.  There are chapters of clubs all around DEC.
    and all over the U.S. outside of DEC for that matter.  I belong to
    the club at APO, Andover, Mass. Why not check out a Toastmasters
    Club.  They will work with you on many of the hints others have
    suggested in this note.  More questions, please E. Mail me.  Jeff

    I just spent the past two days learning how to present some material. 
    It was terrifying and exhilarating.  The best phrase I took away with
    me was:
    
    "Everybody gets butterflies.  The key is getting them to fly in
    formation...."
    
    I think if I can do this, I can do anything.  THAT'S how scary it is.
    
    -Jody
    

    Thanks to everyone for the very helpful information. I just got back
    from the meeting, and the presentation went very well.  I envisioned
    the room filled with members of my women's support group, as well as
    located several familiar faces around the room to direct my glance at.
    Kept notes key to each slide.  Practiced on micro-cassette 5 times last
    night.  My roommate who works for OPAL took my bullets of information
    and transformed it into fantastic slides! I had to remind myself to
    *slow down* a few times, but I actually enjoyed it  after the first
    few minutes! 
    
    This file is an EXCELLENT source of information.
    
    Thanks
    
    Kim