Speaker NameTitleDate

Make a Presentation They’ll Remember

Presentation Outline

I. Basic Best Practices

II. Performance Excellence

III. The Importance of Practice

IV. Perform for Your Audience

V. Making a Good Presentation Great

VI. Scoring and Final Tips

I. Basic Best Practices

Basic Best Practices

• One slide: 30 seconds. Thus, 10 slides as a general guideline.

• Memorize key points you must make.

• Energy and enthusiasm can go a long way

• Look like you are in control AND enjoying yourself: SMILE!

• Rehearse your answers beforehand to avoid rambling and confusion.

• You can introduce new material, including slides, as part of the Q & A as long as it is relevant.

• Prepare clear, logical thoughts and answers to anticipated questions

• TAKE YOUR TIME!

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II. Performance Excellence:

Look The Part

Look the Part Not Appropriate:

T-shirtsBaggy JeansTorn Jeans

Sneakers, BootsHats, Caps, etc

Short SkirtsNot Matching =

UNCOORDINATED

Appropriate Men:

Collared shirts

Slacks Nice Jeans

Sweater Jacket

Women: Skirts Pants Dress Jacket Blouse Sweater

All clothing should be appropriate size and fit: not too big, not too

small. Although not required, men can benefit from wearing jackets.

Look the Part

III. The Importance of Practice

Importance of Practice

“The best way to conquer stage fright

is to know what you’re talking

about.” -Michael H. Mescon

Practice Tips:• Review your notes multiple times before you

present.

• Keep your chin up (literally!)

• Each team member should understand every aspect of the apparatus, not just the part they

are presenting.

• Have clear elocution of what you are saying.

• Videotape yourself and ask non-team members for critiques

• Practice hand-offs and transitions

Know Your Audience

Judges will be a mix of engineers and marketers. Therefore you must plan language and graphics accordingly:

• Engineers want to see:» Process Outline – plan before you build» The Iterative Process- how trials led to changes in your design» Creativity in engineering thought

• Marketers want to see:» Marketers - intimidated by engineering » Interested in the group dynamics» Simple explanation of what a law is used to determine» Model Demonstrations- intuitive designs/graphics to illustrate key points

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IV. Perform for Your Audience

Presentation Suggestions

-Smile at the audience and look relaxed. Establish and maintain eye contact while speaking.

-Team members should be engaged at all times. When not speaking:

1. Look at the presenter, even nod in agreement from time to time.

2. No hands in pockets

-Have a captain for the Q&A session who will handle the distribution of questions. It is okay to actually call on someone for each question.

-Get everyone involved in answering questions. Answer without slang (“yes” not “yeah”)

-Do not answer questions that were not asked. If your teammate has adequately answered, don’t feel compelled to “add one more thing” unless it improves the original answer.

No Eye Contactvs

Eye Contact

DELIVERY KEYS: Pace, Gestures, Tone, Expression

Pace: Know when to stop, pause, and go. Do not fear dead air - gains attention. Build to something.

Gestures: Be in sync with what you are saying. A gesture can be planned and practiced.

Examples:

Open and wide arms = accessible and authentic

Nod and wag at a question = “Good one, and I have an answer. Listen up….”

“Beauty without expression is

boring” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Delivery Keys

Tone: Modulate your voice to gain attention and to energize. Quiet =

listener leans in. Loud = listener feels the heat.

Facial Expression: Smile = confidence.

Smile = “We’ve got that one figured out.”

Squinting, lip biting, little nod = thinking about it.

Bill Clinton Speaks at the 2012 Democratic National Convention

Delivery Keys

V. Making a Good Presentation Great

Presentation Tips

• “Show and Tell” of robot is okay as long as you stay within the presentation time frame.

-This may require moving a desk to provide access to judges. Do this in the set-up time.

-Choreograph any movement of the robot during rehearsals.• Pacing is CRITICAL for success: Ensure timing is properly planned

(do not rush final slides to finish on time)

• Use a wireless mouse to prevent crossing in front of each other or the projector while talking. Use a laser pointer to point things out on your slides.

• Do not be wedded to PowerPoint -- Prezi has been very effectively used in the past to illustrate a team’s process and engineering principles.

Presentation Tips

Good Execution Ideas: -Introduction of Team Members & Coach (Names, Graduating Year, etc.) -Agenda/Outline- the basic project elements you will cover (Project

Overview, Process of Development, Engineering Principles, Challenges, Lessons Learned, etc). -Explicit presentation of Engineering Principles including how each was

applied. >For the marketing judges each principle should be explained

briefly. -Anticipate some frequently asked questions and who will respond—e.g.,

What was your biggest challenge? How did you decide your roles?

Things To Avoid:-Running out of time-Rushing your speech

-Reading slides word for word-Being coached

-Unequal distribution of speaking time (including Q & A)

VI. Scoring and Final Tips

Scoring(1) Project overview:

• What was the PROCESS used to come up with your design?• How did the concept EVOLVE and WHY?• How did you go about your DECISION MAKING PROCESS?• How did you RUN your project (manage time, meeting location,

biggest challenges?)

Tell your audience:• How you divided up your duties. • How you made critical decisions and what the decision path looked

like (chart…).• Time line your project followed.• How you worked together and specific roadblocks that occurred in

project management.

(2) Engineering Principles:Present what engineering principles were used in your design(s). Not just the

principle, but some data or chart that shows how the principle was applied.Explain both principle and application and learning. A layman must

understand what the principle helped solve.(3) Presentation: 5 polished minutes will score well. No more than 10 slides as a guideline. No

small writing on slides (must be easily visible from 15 feet) No white letters on white background or black letters on black backgrounds. Logical, professional, pleasant, confident. No hiding behind each other. No stepping on each other’s answers. Visually attractive as a team and as a presentation. Imbed pictures and videos in your presentation. Use of visual aids during presentation or Q & A. This is a PERFORMANCE that needs to be PRACTICED.

Scoring

Final Tips

• Be mindful to pace yourself.

• Remember your oral presentation is 5 minutes with a 10 minute Q&A.

• Be remembered for something.

• Watch your time.

Preparation = Relaxation = Success • An oral presentation is a performance – a group effort.

• Share the spotlight

Thank You!Questions?