Monday, July 16, 2012

Unspoken Communication in Presentation

Presentation ( making ppt) is one of key in almost all companies for communicating an important piece of information to stakeholders at all level. Presenting a concept , may it be a strategy, solution, plan or anything in form of power point presentation provides ease of building creditability and engaging all users to participate with their thoughts. Would you like to listen to a speaker who is standing with an angry look on his face? Mostly (baring few exceptions) not. Right from children to old people, we want to befriend a person who is cheerful, playful, approachable, smiling. Although we communicate with words, but our non-verbal signals communicate a lot in participants mind. Here are few points which would help present you point in a better way

1. Never show you displeasure: Even if something has not gone in your favour, do not look displeased. Wear a warm smile. Remember no one cares if your displeased, how ever people look forward to you if you are pleasing personality.

2. Don't Look away: While presenting make sure your eyes communicate ( where you look) to every side where the participants are sitting. Especially towards end (last slide) many people just look at the last slide as reinforcement or may look aside as to communicate (non-verbally) "thanks god it is over".Never speak with your back towards the audience.

3. Ease at start and End: Engage people in some general topic before  the start so that participant opens up the bond building with the presenter. Good example may be one of the recent topics of news (which generally all are interested in) or a quick story or joke. Although many people follow this but their are very few who does this at the end. Do not rush to pick your things and go back to your seat. Say thanks and wait for people to respond to you. Slowly pick up your things before you leave the presenter seat. Keep looking at participants while you are wrapping up to leave.

4. Hand Gestures: Use slow hand gestures that move in harmony with your words like your are directing a group of people performing musical night. Hold your hands out and palms down while presenting facts.Prospects that rub, pull or scratches their ear while you’re presenting to them means they 
have either; heard enough or they want to speak.

5. Visual Aids: While presenting you may use visual aids like some picture on ppt, or using some note card to participants. It is obvious that while you present using visual aids, you may loose eye contact. Hence keep note pad in your palms right in front of you or stand near the visual aid side of ppt. This will make people to keep eye contact with you

These are very small but very high impact communication for a presenter. Initial users ( who has not given much presentation ) can practice this and see the impact.