How to Give an Effective Business Presentation

This week you will learn how to make effective Business Presentations and to create a powerful business case. 
The video is a courtesy of Howcast as featured in YouTube, and the slideshow presentation at the bottom from DocStoc.  We recommend both sites to all our Business English students.
Note to our students: you will find the text of the video beneath the video frame; please read the text a few times and then watch the video for better retention. - Cheers and happy learning!



Text:

Keep your palms dry and your audience alert with these tips.

To complete this How-To you will need:

Visuals

Handouts

Practice

And a strong closing statement

Red visuals (optional) (optional)

And tongue twisters

Step 1: Focus

As you prepare, focus on your main points, and illustrate each one with a visual aid, which can be anything from PowerPoint slides to a flip chart to sample products. Studies show that people's minds begin to wander after 10 minutes of passive listening.

Step 2: Clean up your visuals

Go for a minimalist look in your visuals; educational psychologists have found that the fewer words and pictures you have on a visual, the more your audience will remember.

Tip: Use the color red; psychologists say it's the color most quickly noticed and easily remembered.

Step 3: Use handouts

Prepare handouts that list all your main points. This will make it easier for the audience to follow along, and people will pay better attention if they don't feel pressure to take notes.

Step 4: Practice

Practice your speech as much as you can -- in the mirror, with a friend or coworker, or in front of a video camera.

Step 5: Check your surroundings

Before your presentation, familiarize yourself with the room you'll be using. Make sure you have all the equipment you need, that it works properly, and that you know how to use it.

Step 6: Visualize success

Imagine your presentation going well. Research shows that visualizing success can help you make it happen.

Tip: Do some tongue twisters before you take the stage; it's a favorite trick of speech-givers to loosen up.

Step 7: Position yourself correctly

Stand to the left of the screen or your flip chart from the viewpoint of the audience, making it easier for them to see the material.

Tip: Take a step toward the audience when you want to emphasize something; it unconsciously signals them to pay special attention.

Step 8: Have a strong close

Save your most memorable lines for your close, because that is what your audience will remember most when the presentation is over.

Preparing and Presenting an Effective Business Case.

Preparing and Presenting an Effective Business Case Presentation ... -