tnewdita.info

For the last several years YPO (Young President’s Organization) has held a “Raising Capital Conference” to teach entrepreneurs and CEOs who want to raise venture capital how to make successful pitches to investors. They firmly believe that if you improve your presentation skills, you will increase your chances of getting investors to say ‘yes.’ Your pitch can be a powerful force in securing the investment you need. And while your business plan is a component, your presentation can be the deciding factor. Typically, venture capitalists invest in only 1 out of 100 companies that request funding. What do you need to do to improve your presentation skills? Time, patience and practice are essential. Take the time to fine-tune your presentation so you can articulate what matters most, and keep it short. It takes time to learn about your audience. It takes time to have the facts and figures they want to hear. It takes patience to learn the elements of a successful presentation – energy, eye contact, pace, clarity of the message, etc. – and how to incorporate them into your pitch. And it takes practice, and more practice. Practice ensures that you know what you want to say and allows ‘you’ to come through.

Instead of thinking What am I supposed to say next?, you know what to say, allowing you to be engaging, passionate and even bold. If you want to raise capital, you have to impress the venture capitalists. In order to impress them, your pitch has to stand out above your competitors’. Take the time to improve your presentation skills so you will be the 1 out of 100 that receives funding.

In Hamlet there are three key families which are the main focus in the play. The families are Hamlet’s family, Polonius’s family and Fortinbras’s family. There are many similarities and differences between all three separate families. One similarity that all three families have is that at least one member of their family seem to have a hidden agenda. Hamlet wants revenge against Claudius and the reason Claudius did so was to become the new king of Denmark. Laertes wants revenge for his father Polonius who was killed by Hamlet. Lastly Fortinbras has a hidden agenda when he initially says that he wants to pass through Denmark to invade Poland but there are suspicions that he has a secret agenda to overthrow Denmark and reclaim the land that was lost when the old king of Denmark defeated his father and became king.

There is also spying in Hamlet between families and this shows that there is an absence of trust. An example would be when Polonius sends the spy Reynaldo to go and spy on Laertes as he suspects that his son is up to no good. He says “your bait of falsehood take this carp of truth”, this is a metaphor and means simply use a subtle lie and catch the truth. Polonius is telling use the bait of lies to find out more information and more specifically the truth. This idea of telling a lie and finding out the truth can also be backed up when Polonius says “with windlasses and with assays of bias” which again can be interpreted as indirect attempts so by telling a lie so the truth comes out. “Windlasses” metaphorically means to decoy so for example decoy an animal by making an indirect approach, and so by Reynaldo is to tell a small lie as a decoy and as an indirect attempt to find out the truth.

This absence of Trust can also be seen in the family relationship of Hamlet and Claudius as Hamlet knows his uncle killed his brother to become the king and Claudius sees Hamlet as a threat his throne and at one point even attempts to send him to England and have him killed there. The reason for Claudius to send Hamlet to England is explained when Claudius says “since yet thy cicatrice looks raw and red…thou mayst not coldly set.” Cicatrice is a scar or wound and the assumption is that England has recently been wounded by the Danish sword and therefore is more likely to carry out the king’s command of killing Hamlet. Also coldly set could mean that they are unlikely to set aside and ignore the fact that Hamlet who is from Denmark is coming to England and with orders to kill him they are not willing to just set this aside and let him live.

Shakespeare also presents Hamlets family to be incestuous especially his mother and uncle who are now married after the death of the old kind. Hamlet seems disgusted that his mother is able to move on so quickly and warm the bed of the old kings with his brother. In Hamlets first soliloquy he says that the time since his father died and his mother remarried is “two months”. Ophelia on the other hand said that it has been “twice two months” since the death of the old king and so it could be said that Hamlet shows his disgust over what his mother and uncle have done by marrying by over exaggerating how quickly his father has been forgotten.

In the first soliloquy he also says “so excellent a king, that was to this Hyperion to a satyr”. This first part here shows how Hamlet is unfavourable towards his uncle the new king and his father the old king by saying look at what the king once was and look at him now. He compares the two both as family and as the role of king. In both circumstances it seems that Hamlet seems to dislike his uncle and not trust him. “Hyperion to satyr” this again shows how he compares both his uncle the new king and his father the old king by saying that his father is a “hyperion” which is the Greek god of the sun which also uses elemental imagery on how he views his father as the sun which is needed for all life to exist. He then goes on to say that his uncle is a “satyr” which is a grotesque creature, half human and half goat. They were also associated with drunkenness and lechery. This again can be linked back to the fact of Hamlets hate and disgust over what his uncle and mother have done by marrying and sharing the bed that was shared by the mother and the old king at one point.

This dysfunctional family of Hamlets could be argues to be one of the reasons if not them ain reason for Hamlet going downwards in a spiral and eventually resulting in him becoming obsessed with revenge and becoming a fragile state. This can also be backed up by the fact that the whole reason Hamlet even considers revenge in the first place is that his uncle had killed which is also a biblical reference to the story of Cain and Abel. In this story one brother killed the other due to jealousy, greed and to then later on marry the dead brother’s wife. This biblical reference seems to go well with what Hamlets uncle has done because he killed his brother due to his own greed for power and the throne of Denmark and he then goes on to marry his brother’s wife. Hamlet refers to this as the “greatest sin”.

Hamlets obsession to get revenge on his uncle could also been seen as the Oedipus complex which was developed by a man called Freud after watching Hamlet. If his theory was to be used to describe Hamlets actions and his interaction with his mother and his uncle then it would be that Hamlet wishes to get rid of his uncle due to his sexual desire for his mother.
In conclusion Shakespeare’s presentation of Hamlets complex family relations is done very well and is intertwined with the overall plot very nicely.

You have made it on stage. All that public speaking groundwork and practice… you in all probability did not sleep the evening prior to. You could have the cold sweats, as well as shakes, or both. It doesn’t matter, though. Its time to give your presentation.

Even all of the training and practice in the world can not make up for the scary experience of delivering your very first Public Speaking presentation. It is a rush of emotion, and it aids to be familiar with the distinct feelings and reactions which can come upon you, and how you can handle them.

1. Take Your Time

It really is really typical to speak particularly quickly for the duration of your presentation. Its been explained that you ought to try to speak twice as slow as standard while giving a public speech. Even though it may well appear absurd on stage, you are going to possibly be speaking at a regular pace. We’ve got a tendency of talking exceptionally rapid when we are uncomfortable, and there is certainly no more relevant moment than your initial public speaking topic! You need to be coherent of this predisposition, and understand that you’ll need to overpower it.

2. Cut Out the “Ums”

Mentally, anytime you look for a word, phrase, or statement when up on stage, your normal inclination is going to be to say “um” or “uh” to pass the time. Stop. Here’s the key – just don’t say anything. Even though it can feel extremely unnatural on stage, to the listeners, pauses are quite helpful. Pauses help the listener to soak in what you just stated. Pauses are offered for dramatic emphasis, and help the crowd comprehend whenever you’re emphasizing something. Breaks afford the audience a natural breaking point, and clearly delineate breaks in subject material.

Moreover, the group will by no means realize that you were searching for the future statement or remark. As an alternative to saying “um”, just temporary stop.

3. Smile

Even if it might actually feel like you’re presenting to a group of random faces, creating a connection is often an important element of their view of the public speech. In order to master the art of public speaking, you will need to produce a bond with the audience. The best and quickest step to take in doing so should be to smile. Smile even more than you consider is necessary. Smile to soften a point you just made, or perhaps to create a delicate and intelligent aspect to you. If you smile, you will be showing the viewer’s that you are human. You’re connecting with them, and taking what was previously a public speaking presentation and making it into far more of a discussion.

These three points can certainly make all of the difference in your first public speech. Take these to heart, and you will be well on your way to applying the art of public speaking!

This article will look at present economic strategies influenced or enforced by IMF on European countries as a result of the recent bank crisis suggesting that such tactics represent economic dogma and will cause serious problems to the respective economies. It will propose that:

1) such measures are traditionally employed to combat inflation,
2) such methods will stagnate economies,
3) economies require stimulation not repression,
4) public spending has a wealth creation agenda that has been overlooked,
5) governments, influenced by IMF and America, are ignoring this fact,
6) the lessons of the Chinese economy are not being learned,
7) the importance of local government direct wealth stimulation to British economic environment.

Since 2009 the British economy has been failing. Although economic recovery recently looked possible, it has continued to falter. At present with the prospect of high energy prices, there is the possibility of inflation, although some commentators still hold that this is unlikely. Nevertheless, there has been a considerable fall in productivity.

Stringent Economic Strategies:

The present economic strategies, forcefully encouraged by the IMF, are liable to cause long term stagnation. The strategies I suggest are the result of the influence of lumbering economic dogma disdainful of government directed economies. Willfully pursued by the British government, and imposed on the economies of Greece, Ireland, and Portugal these measures rather than the effects of the Bank crisis will ensure Europe’s economic demise. What we have is the last trumpet call of Puritanism. Greedy, overspending, fat populations (not irresponsible bankers and incompetent governments) brought to heel, and made to face their shiftless ways. How they must now be made to suffer. The use of words such as ‘endure’ and ‘punishment’, seen in many dailies reporting on the issues, suggests the pronouncement of moralists.

Such policies misunderstand the nature of public spending, focused perhaps on a largely American belief in the importance of entrepreneurial wealth-creation.

Public Spending and Wealth:

Money spent by a government on a public service is not, as appears to be believed by many economists at the government’s beck and call, economic waste but a method of creating the means of wealth. It’s what separates wealthy countries from poor countries. Britain was the originator of continuance government wealth creation. Successive early governments initiated the building of Liverpool and London docks, causing wealth from the Americas and Far East to be directed towards Britain, thereby fashioning national wealth based upon trade. Government encouraged the building of railways, ensuring Britain continued to economically compete beyond its size for a further hundred years.

Importance of Locally Directed Economic Initiatives:

The maintenance of the urban environment by council officers creates the enabling environment that allows for prosperity, transversible roads, able communications, the free and rapid movement of cash and paper money, credit and electronic money (the use of cards which carry the same contracted promise as cash). Council officers spend, often locally, pay taxes, acquire property. They are bound to strengthen, not weaken, the local economy. In China, local initiatives are fuelling economic growth. Active, participatory local government directed economic growth is essential for healthy national economic growth.

In poor countries, little attempt is made at upkeep. Road repairs or road building is not considered essential as often money-making is located within individuals. In Nigeria for example, a big man generates wealth, often pocketing much of it himself. The money is not spread around, vitalizing both local and national economies. A road built or repaired constitutes wealth-creation through the facilitation of community development and easy travel and communication. A good, well built road connects one group with another, causing them to work together, trade and develop trade. The direct use of money, to encourage building, buying a number of commodities and employing labour, aids the control of money flow but also allows money to be active.

Economists dogmatically assume that money used in such a fashion is passive, and therefore unhelpful to wealth production. If the money flow is active, it produces wealth creation. Buying and selling is one means of circulating money (and of course goods) but not the only means of creating wealth. Currency which circulates through government run agencies stimulates beyond procurement, supply, and private savings and spending. It involves controlled wealth stimulation.

Greece:

The present economic state of Greece, where immense numbers worked for the government creating an artificial economic environment, is used as a means of justifying economic policy. Greece is an exceptional case. The problem there appears to lie with the Greek government’s unwillingness or ineptitude in the collection of taxes from influential sections of Greek society, especially the middle class. Clearly, a system based upon government jobs requires the efficient collection of taxes.

Effective public expenditure:

Money spent on benefits means that money continues to circulate, which governments can control. People on benefits, sickness or unemployed, act as a brake on inflation. The problem of benefits lies in an excessive number of people on benefits creating local downturns. A depressed local population has a knock on affect. Companies, even national companies, struggling in such an environment suffer. Cuts are made, projects shelved, the business suffering elsewhere to keep alive an unproductive shop, pub, or garage in a failing local economy.

American advantages:

Where the American system has an advantage over the British, and many European, systems is to allow government bodies to engage in the market place. A prime example is the American military. Allowing the NHS to engage with the market place, not necessarily brokering health but through training for example, would offset the over-burdoning costs of the service. Selling expertise is an acknowledged element of modern economies. In fact, GPs already act in the above fashion, acting as middle-men for drug companies. If British hospitals engaged in research, pondering health issues beyond the triad of drugs-present technology-materialism, they could develop expertise for marketing. This was done in the past.

Limiting Outlay:

Limiting the scope of the NHS is essential, restricting certain surgeries, encouraging more realistic forms of health insurance through discussion with stakeholders should and in fact must happen. In the recent and distant past, governments have attempted to impose plans rather than opening the debate. Doing so has often met with resistance. While insisting that everyone involved with the NHS is a stakeholder, governments have tended to ignore that fact when it comes to overall decision making. The NHS exists as a government fiefdom curtailing its development.

Unemployment benefits are given as a way of punishment, restricting choice and individual flexibility, rather than used positively. If for example an unemployed person seeks re-education they can lose benefit or part of it, unless the re-education is done according to government regulations. Such re-education, based upon basic skills, tends to be unimaginative and limits individual choice and flexibility. The integration of benefits into the economy would work wonders.

Correct Policies: China shows way.

Although such strident, severe economic measures are necessary to offset inflation, the present problems have little to do with such matters. Artificial stimulation of economies requires government intervention, in one form or another, to, after a short period of severity, re-stimulate the economy. In 2008, during the crisis when the Chinese economy showed signs of slump, the Chinese government authorised a 374 billion stimulous plan. While British governments normally seek to encourage economic growth within a national scope, although rarely through direct activity, such stimulation would best be accomplished incrementally. The lesser risks involved in local government intervention, unable historically and financially to act like the Chinese government, would bear swift fruit.

Government departments, tied to the Prime Minister through the PM’s control of both the Civil Service and Treasury, should be freed to engage in wealth creation as an essential part of their overall remit. German economic policy has, since the period of economic stagnation in the 1990s, emphasised a flexible labour market, entrepreneurial use of knowledge and high tech, and deregulation. Universities have been encouraged to engage with the market. British governments and civil managers have long taken the view that the public and private sections operate in different, contradictory fashions and must never integrate.

Conclusion:

Direct government stimulus has been shown to work, but here in Britain such an approach is rejected through dogma. That dogma, American economic ideas brought into Britain via the Thatcher government and IMF, which came to prominence during periods of inflation, are connected to equally potent dogmas concerning the fixed, separate roles of public and private sectors. Here, I have advocated, government direct stimulus is vital, that stringent economic policies are at best ineffective, at worst dangerous, and, to lessen risk, stimulus should be attempted incrementally, through local government.

China is the present economic success story, and, although its methods may prove to be valuable locally and not applicable elsewhere, the Chinese central bank is committed to stimulating the economy whenever it is deemed necessary. Part of China’s current wealth is based upon the stimulus gained from creating a modern, efficient infrastructure. In Europe, we now seem to disdain such methods. We believe it is better to punish ourselves, pull in our belts and brave a coming storm which continues to be of our own making. We must take risks to compete.

People from all walks of life frequently find themselves in situations where they have to speak to other people in public. It may be because they have been invited to present a speech at a conference or a convention of some sort, or because they have to present a proposal in a business situation. Or it may simply be because they are in a position of authority where they have to give guidelines to other people.

Whatever the reason for needing to talk to groups of people, public speaking presentations will affect the way others perceive you. You do need to recognize and accept this. But do not be intimidated by it. Planning a speech thoroughly, and presenting it in a creative way, will gain you huge respect.

Sometimes you may have to speak spontaneously or off-the-cuff, but if you have the opportunity to plan your speech (or talk) beforehand, this is what you should do. Plan, and then prepare and practice. You will probably be surprised to learn that the best public speakers spend an enormous amount of time beforehand researching and then preparing what they are going to say.

While you obviously need to research whatever topic you’re going to cover in your speech, you also need to know a bit about your audience. For example, you may be asked to talk to your department about some new type of product your company has just launched. In that case, your speech will be rather different to one you would give to potential buyers. If you are asked to talk about the same product at a conference, you will need to link the product to the theme of the conference, to make it valid and authentic within this context. All three speeches will differ from each other.

Now we are going to take the planning and preparation process one step further. Many people employ others to write speeches for them–you probably are aware of this. The problem with this approach is that the presentation will never really be your own. In fact most people who have speeches written for them end up either learning them by heart or reading them, politicians included. But a really good presentation will appear as if it comes from your heart. For this reason you need to know your topic forwards and backwards. This doesn’t mean you have to share everything you know, but rather that you have some knowledge in reserve – what speaking guru Dale Carnegie used to call “reserve power.”

Once you know what you are going to talk about and have decided what to say, you need to plan very carefully how you are going to present your speech. It always helps to write an outline first, just as you would if you were writing a book. Formulate an introduction and a conclusion and list your main thoughts in an order that makes sense. If you are going to quote anyone or tell stories, decide where they will best fit in.

Then practice giving the speech, if possible to some sort of audience or to someone who can give you constructive criticism. Practice breathing while you speak. Practice relaxing and feeling at ease. Also be conscious of body language and unnatural pauses where you add ums and ahs that really do not belong. A moment of silence is much better than an um! Never forget this.

When it finally comes to the moment that you have to stand in front your audience, remember everyone is there to listen to a good presentation. They want to be engaged and informed, which means they want you to succeed as much as you do. If you have prepared well and practiced, you will be sure to do this.

Choosing a good present for a child is not always easy. A good present is something that the child will play with or use over and over again. Whether it is for the bedroom, for school, for pure entertainment or to share with friends and family, there are a few things to consider when buying a present for a kid.

1) Age

The age of the child is important when considering a gift. Especially if you are buying for a kid under the age of 3. Some toys contains little parts that babies and infants could swallow, and it is therefore highly recommended to check the manufacturer’s recommendation. Also, by choosing a present that is not suitable for the child’s age, you can quickly lose their attention and interest to the new game, toy or book, and are risking finding the present lost in the bottom of the closet for many years to come.

2) Gender

Girls and boys have different tastes and interests, this is a known fact. Boys tend to be more active and physical, while girls… well girls are girls. Girls often like to play pretend and prefer more relax and crafty games and activities, while boys often like to run and jump around and build stuff.

3) Interests

Also choose the present based on the interest of the child. If the birthday boy or girl is a hardcore Harry Potter fan, why not get them a Harry Potter bed set. Similarly, if he or she likes animals, maybe an animal book or even an encyclopedia could be more suitab

le to their tastes.

4) Price

The last thing to consider is of course the price. A book and a Wii are certainly not in the same budget range.

Past

Should you really focus on the past? Hasn’t the thought always been to look forward and not at all the negativity behind you? The past is where pain, grudges and anger dwell. However, the past also holds successes and failures, both of which constitute as learning lessons for the present.

If you were just handed a project at work, and are not sure how to tackle it, look at the past. Reflect on times when you succeeded or failed on projects, and figure out why. Play off your strengths and avoid barriers that you might have encountered in the past to help you in the now. The goal here is to use the past as a tool for helping you be more productive and successful in the present and future.

In your personal life, if you are dating, look at past partners and some of the red flags that may have caused a relationship to go sour. While selecting partners in the present, be sure to avoid those red flags to help make the new relationship more beneficial.

Future

Focusing on the future is a good thing. When you have a vision, you have a strong outlook on life for both the future and the present. A vision will motivate you and your family or business forward. I agree, you should plan for the fact that you might be here tomorrow, next month, next year, and hopefully decades to come.

But, thinking too much about the future can also lead to burnout. When you focus too much in the future, you forget to celebrate your achievements today. You might begin to notice that you are skipping out on opportunities with friends and family in the present. Life is a lot of work, but it is also a lot of enjoyment.

By living primarily in the future, you will find that you are always working and not living. Be sure to watch your children grow, feel your partner’s touch and enjoy the warm heat on your skin. Although you should plan for tomorrow, you can’t forget that you are here today. What you do in the present impacts the years ahead. Yesterday, you planned for today, so enjoy it.

Present

Focusing on the here and now comes from your ability to balance work and life and also to stop and center to give your attention to the moment. Whether you are on a date with your partner, watching a movie with your child, or at the office working, make sure that you are actually there- at that moment.

The more focus you give to your tasks at hand the quicker they will be done or the more you will enjoy them. If you are working on a project at work, work on it. Don’t work on social media or check emails. Rather, give your attention to the project at hand so that you complete it right the first time, and so that you complete it more quickly than if you were distracted 20 times over.

If you are with your partner at dinner, be with your partner at dinner. This is not the time to create a list of “to-do’s” for the week, argue about what they did wrong, or check your phone over and over again. It doesn’t matter if you have nothing to talk about, sit in silence before you give your attention to something else making your partner take second place.

Rule of Thumb

Continuously observe what is going on in the now (present) to see if you can find an opportunity to grow (future). Once you have highlighted the opportunity for growth look at previous successes and failures (past) to help you begin to move forward.

This way of thinking helps you to be mindful of the present and what possibilities and opportunities surround you each minute of the day, but also keeps you learning from the past while simultaneously moving forward.

Today, enjoy your past, present and future.

Sometimes, when you stand in public for presentation, all things you have prepared can be lost instantly. To overcome this problem, there are three-step strategies that you can try.

First, be aware that your feet stand on the ground. This act can provide peace of securities for the presenter. Second, breathe and make sure that you are aware of breathing. When nervous, most people often hold breath, and this will make them feel worse than before.

Third, speak with your heart. When making presentation, it means that the presenter is building a relationship with listeners. Therefore, it is suggested that the participants hear what the presenter says and the presenter should be able to understand the participants. In this case, the presenter should look at them personally, not as a group. He can try to make conversation with one or more participants to a more relaxed atmosphere.

Another tip that can be done is to reduce the words that are not important like the murmurs or other words that are often repeated. Repeating the words will make the presenter look less preparation which will ultimately reduce the credibility of the presenter.

To reduce or eliminate the repeated words, try to record your presentation and count how many words are repeated. After that, train not to say the words anymore during the presentation.

Also, be careful with the postures and body language. Walk with a confident step. Consider also your body language. Stand with hands at your sides, not by crossing your arms or entering your hands into your pants pocket. Notice also the motion of your hand not to disturb the concentration of the listeners.

The things you should watch out for is if presentation is done by using a projector or other supporting technologies. The technology could be suddenly damage when you really need it. Therefore, prepare a plan B by using a substitute technology or anything that could make you resume the presentation.

Just remember to keep smiling and enjoy the times when doing presentation. So, stay confident and speak according to the insight of audiences.

Did you know corporate business presentations which are expressive are likely to receive more attention from clients than those which are overloaded with information? Well yes, it’s a fact. You probably must be wondering from where this expressive comes! Don’t worry we are here to help. Listed below are some easy to use tips to make your clients go head over heels for your service or product.

SHORT AND GOOD CONTENT

Let’s face it – Clients are not there to see how much content each of your slides hold. Rather they would be happy to know what is it that you offer them, how you work and how that work stand out from the rest of the presentation design companies. So, skip out the unnecessary information and focus on the services you offer.

APPROPRIATE TITLE

Supplement your content with an appropriate title. Keep the title short, usually between 1-3 words. Review it to see if it matches with your content. Remember within a few minutes you must explain everything the clients need to know. A good title, in that case could be of great help. It would help grab the attention and make them remember the point, that your slide makes.

MAKE YOUR FONT APPEALING

Proper use of fonts can make your presentation worth the attention of your client. Human mind tends to remember facts that are pleasing to the visual senses. So, choose your font wisely. Also, don’t forget that the size of the font in your laptop and the projector may vary slightly. Therefore, make sure that your font size is large enough so that the person at the other end of the room read it without any extra effort.

CONTRAST THE TEXT AND THE BACKGROUND

To make your slides easily readable, your text and the background should be highly contrasting. Sometimes the best presentation designs tend to lose client’s attention just because of the inappropriate contrast. So, choose the best contrast that is visually appealing, impressive as well as that makes the slides compelling to read for the clients.

USE RELEVANT IMAGES

Say goodbye to those in-stock images! Instead, use professional quality images. Remember not to use cheesy images that would fetch negative impression. Multiple images in a single slide might take away all the focus to themselves. Therefore, try using single and relevant images. Many corporate presentation firms lose clients despite their good content. So, research images well on Google, buy them and use them. Some websites even provide free images. Utilize them to your advantage and you are done with a more professional looking presentation.

KEEP THINGS SIMPLE

In anxiety to impress their clients many business presentation firms use too much of everything. It makes the presentation cluttered. For example, colors look good but too much usage might turn a well-organized presentation into a blunder. So, it’s best to keep things simple. A clear font, a visible font size, a contrasting background, less numbering and bullets, a suitable template and there you go!

A WISE CONCLUSION

Let’s dive into the realm of psychology! The way things end, gets engraved in the human mind in a better than how things start. Well, a wise conclusion can prove to be a boon for a corporate presentation. Carve out your conclusion such that the clients go home having imprinted your presentation concept in their minds. End it with a short summary of all your slides, give a positive outlook and the client is all yours!

These are some of the best presentation designs followed in corporate presentations. Use these to add glow to your presentation. And keep exploring more! The more you explore the better you learn. Be in tune with the clients. Be conversational and casual yet not so much that you lose the professional shell of your presentation. All the best!

As a presenter, seniors evaluate your ability to think and communicate effectively from the quality of your presentation. Customers equate the quality of the product or service to the quality of your sales presentation. Your team will evaluate your ability to lead from your presentation skills.

Presentation Skills are critical…

As you can see, excellent presentation skills are absolutely essential for career and business. If you are looking at honing your presentation skills, there are a number of trainers, books and training videos out there. How do you evaluate the one that is best for you?

Here are 5 parameters you should use to evaluate a Presentation Skills Training Program:

1. Does it have a structured approach?

Most presenters learn from experience in college and at their workplace. They modify their presentation skills based on self-evaluation and feedback from friends or seniors. If you are one such presenter, there could be gaps in skills that you are not aware of.

Learning a structured approach ensures that you get consistent results time after time.

What to check for:

Does the workshop you are evaluating teach a structured approach to presenting? Check if they have a trademark process (e.g. Minimal Process for presentations) or format (e.g. a storytelling format) that shows they teach a clear process.

2. Is it a comprehensive program?

A good presentation is a combination of thinking skills, design skills and speaking skills. Thinking skills help you put together your thoughts and create a strong story before getting into slides.

PowerPoint or Slide Design skills help you create engaging visual content using diagrams, images and a good layout.

Speaking skills help you open strongly, deal with questions, judge audience reaction and understand your own style of presenting. All 3 parts need to be equally addressed for your skills to be honed.

What to check for:

Most training programs focus on the only a part of these skills. From the training schedule, check the amount of time allocated for each of these components. A good program allocates roughly equal time to all 3 components.

3. Does it go beyond tips and hints?

The problem with many training programs I have seen is that they teach tips and tricks. Tips include advice like, “You should appear confident on stage. Stand straight and look at your audience in the eye to appear confident.”

While you may enjoy the program, you will remember nothing of the tricks a week after the training. There is no need to attend a program when you can pick up such tips even with reading free articles.

What to check for:

Watch out for programs schedules that talk about speaking tips, presentation hints, tricks to appear confident and so on. These programs are not intense enough to hone your skills.

4. Does it teach you anything creative?

To be interesting, every presentation needs to have a creative component. This could be in using an opening that grabs audience attention, using diagrams to represent ideas, using images in an unusual way.

What to check for:

No matter what it is, does the training program offer to teach you something unique and creative?

This also shows that the program will be teaching you something beyond the usual. Such creative aspects ensure that you can really sharpen your skills in the program, even if you are an experienced presenter.

5. Is the workshop practical?

This is the most important aspect that is applicable for any training program. If the program is not practical then it is a waste of time. A skill can only be learnt if it is practiced in a safe environment (not in front of the customer).

What to check for:

Check the trainer profile: Is the program being run by an experienced presenter who has experience in presenting as a manager or businessperson? If they have just been a trainer for a short while, it is possible that they do not understand the issues you face.

Check time allocated for practice in the program schedule: Does it provide ample time for practice during the course of the training? This indicates that everything that is being taught is being practiced step-by-step. If the workshop reserves a block of time at the end alone, then you can be sure that the program will not provide you enough practice.

Are there enough practice exercises and will they show you good and bad examples? All these indicate that the training will be far more effective than the run-of-the-mill training.

Once you find a program that matches these five criteria, you can be sure that it will help you hone your presentation skills.