Tips for Making Business Presentations

 Remember the cardinal rules of public speaking:

1. Tell 'em what you're going to tell 'em
2. Tell 'em what you want them to know
3. Tell 'em what you told 'em

1. Tell 'Em What You're Going to Tell 'Em 

• Introduce yourself
• Grab their attention!
  • Ask a question
  • Use a quote
  • Use a visual aid
  • Appeal to your audience's interests
• Preview your presentation
  • What are you going to talk about and who's going to cover each section?
  • Overall, tell your audience what to expect

2. Tell 'Em What You Want Them to Know 

• Be organized
  • Use pointer words.  For example:  "I will discuss three of the financial statements that are most important to investors. The first is the cash flow statement. . .  Second is the balance sheet . . . And finally we'll discuss the income statement."
  • The more organized you are, the more professional you will appear
• Summarize each section and then move on
  • Example: "I have covered the three financial statements and now I will discuss the four aspects of our marketing plan."
  • This allows those people in your audience that have "day-dreamed" to catch-up with your presentation and allow them the opportunity to listen again as opposed to just giving-up.

3. Tell 'Em What You Told 'Em

• Have a summary slide/visual
• Conclusion
  • End with a BANG! - something memorable. Avoid, "That's it" or "I'm out of time"
  • Remember, 90% of your audience will remember the opening and the conclusion - if they are done professionally and creatively.

Other points that will improve your presentation

 Smooth Transitions  

• Create a smooth transition from speaker to speaker.
• Good: "I've covered the four major points of the marketing plan and now I'd like to introduce Mark, who will discuss the financial plan."
• Poor: "That's it for me" and then sit down.

Strong Conclusions

• End with a BANG!!
• Be creative and try to appeal to as many senses as possible.
• An incredible ending can absolutely save a bad or mediocre presentation -- it's proven!
• Use a motivational visual or slide to conclude -- and leave it up for your Q&A session.

Professional Question and Answer Sessions

• First, all members stand in front of the audience with hands by sides.
• Second, designate one person to direct the session.
• Third, if there is a large audience, repeat the question so that everyone can hear it.
• Fourth, the session leader designates who will answer the question.  For example: "Mary is our CPA and she will field this question."
• Fifth, answer the question (if you can) and conclude by asking the audience member "did I answer your question?"
• Sixth, turn negatives into positives:  "Yes our sales are down, but this presents an incredible opportunity..."
• Finally, take the next question.

 Energetic Attitude

• Create energy for your audience by being enthusiastic and passionate.
• RELAX!!! Have fun with your audience and the material you're presenting.

Prepared by Erick Mueller, CU MBA, 1999.