Course Outcomes

This presentation skills seminar will:

  • Prepare participants to present prepared remarks and information on the fly.
  • Provide participants with concrete tactics for appearing calm and in control when they stand at the podium.
  • Suggest strategies for anticipating questions.
  • Offer ideas for maintaining credibility when questions are tough, an audience is skeptical, or the “answer” is not readily available.

Course Overview

Speaking under pressure and thinking on one’s feet describe someone’s ability to quickly organize thoughts and convey them with credibility, poise, and passion. Designed for anyone who finds themselves regularly in the spotlight, this presentation skills training program provides participants with techniques that will give them confidence on stage when they are “presenting on the fly,” communicating controversial information, or thrust into the spotlight when they’re not subject-matter experts.

Program Objectives

At this program’s conclusion, participants should be able to:

  • Build rapport with an audience.
  • Quickly structure a presentation.
  • Deliver messages with poise and ease.
  • Anticipate and prepare for questions.
  • Buy time when answers are not readily available.

The following outline highlights some of the course’s key learning points. As part of your training program, we will modify content as needed to meet your business objectives. Upon request, we will provide you with a copy of the participant materials prior to the session(s).

Workshop Outline

Arming Battle Stations: Getting Started

To begin, we will explore what speaking under pressure is. Participants will then learn an easy way to structure any presentation and seven ways to prepare even if they don’t know the time, date, or specifics of what they will discuss.

Exploring the Map: Understanding the Audience

During this segment, we will explore a three-phase needs approach and craft an audience profile and discuss the importance of providing varying levels of detail to different groups.

Navigating Successfully: Key Themes, Structure, and Ideas

In this part of the course, we will look at key themes, how to create them, and how to communicate them in a single sentence. Then we will focus on a three-part plan (aim, concentrate, and adapt) to structure the body of any presentation.

Getting Ready for Lift Off: Commanding the Stage

This portion of the program addresses the nervousness that even the most seasoned presenter encounters from time to time.  Participants will learn how to make the most of stage fright and use it to their advantage. 

Keeping Cool Under Attack: Body Language

During this segment, participants will discuss ways to use body language to build credibility and emphasize portions of their messages.

Coming in for a Landing: On the Spot Presentations

In the final hour of the course, participants will demonstrate what they’ve learned.  Each class member will have an opportunity to give a presentation and receive feedback from the instructor and other class participants.