Butterflies, PowerPoint, and

the ‘Perfect’ Presentation

Jeff Pelletier

The Ohio State University

Presentation available online at http://www.slideshare.net/jeffbc94

Your Parting Gifts

Who are we – Why are we here

What is a presentation

Five rules for a better presentation

Dress and appearance

Some tricks to use; some to avoid

But first…your initial questions

A Little About Me

Boston College, BA Computer Science, 1994

The Ohio State University, MA Higher Education and

Student Affairs, 2004

8 years experience with US Navy

10 years, Ohio Union Staff

7 years, Delta Tau Delta

8 years, Toastmasters International

35+ conferences attended

A little More…

37 years, Red Sox fan

10 marathons completed

Proud Pug Parent!

What is a Presentation?

Four types of Presentations

– Informative

– Inspirational

– Entertaining

– Persuasive

The Military Model

Five Fundamental Principles

Stay focused

Keep it short, finish early

– “Finish speaking before your audience finishes

listening.”

Know the purpose and make it useful

Judicious use of media

Practice, practice, practice

Make it Useful

Collect information ahead of time

– What does the audience want to hear?

– What does the space look like?*

Use language the audience will understand

Avoid acronyms

PowerPoint Abuse

Just

Because

you can

Mean

PowerPoint

Do you need A/V?

4 bullets, 6 words

Reading from slides or notes – pause*

Dark background and light fonts

Adjust lighting if possible

Have a backup plan

Some Tricks to Practice

Greet audience members

Eye contact*

Speak slowly, clearly, accurately

Look for a friendly face, look for head nods

Move around the podium or stand up

Use of nonverbals

Important Elements of Communication

Your Guess Actual

Visual ???

Words ???

Tone ???

7%

38%

55%

Some Pitfalls to Watch For

IN your control:

“Crutch” words - um, ah, like, you know…

Swallowing your words

Humor – use and misuse

Don’t confuse your listeners*

Don’t sell yourself short

Relax and harness nervous energy

Some Pitfalls to Watch For

NOT in your control:

Sleepers!

Co-presenters

Room abuse

THAT audience member

Dress and Appearance

Always ask about appropriate dress for the

occasion

Always dress one notch better

The rule of 12…

Watch out for accessories

Connect with the Audience

Ask open ended questions

Six degrees of separation…connect

Give them reasons to like you

But first…any initial questions?

I don't know – Can I get back to you?

Be honest and be yourself

Connect with the Audience

Use “people words”

Personalize statistics

Body references

Conversational phrases

Name games

Written Presentations

Jeff’s Top Ten List of Written Crazymakers

1. CAPS LOCK

2. Excessive punctuation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3. Emoticons ;-) 8-)

4. Grammar and capitalization in e-mail

5. Don’t forget subject line, attachments

Written Presentations

Jeff’s Top Ten List of Written Crazymakers

6. Make signature line appropriate

7. Double check pertinent information (date,

time, location)

8. Practical font and background

9. Avoid vernacular, jargon, abbreviation

10. “Webster’s defines…”

Tell 'em what you told 'em

We established the speakers credentials

We discussed what is a presentation

5 Rules

Military Briefing

Dress and appearance

Some tips you can use

How to choose and present your topic

Good Luck With Future Presentations!

Special thanks to:- Keith Steiner (Delta Tau Delta)- Michael Hevel (Association of Fraternity Advisors)- Corbin Smyth (Association of College Unions

International)- Kevin Johnston, Tennille-Lynn Milo (Toastmasters

International)- George Brymer (author, Vital Integrities)

Jeff PelletierPelletier.12@osu.edu614-688-INFO (4636)

Presentation available at: http://osudelts.org.ohio-state.edu/about.php

Panels and Roundtables

Introduce the topic at hand, and have some guiding

thoughts/questions to get things started

Allow time for processing questions (to ask or to

answer)

Okay to wander from a set agenda, provided:

– The group is being productive

– Not too much time on one particular issue

Watch for dominant/quiet participants

Consider a recorder/minute-keeper

Leading/Serving on A Panel

Select panelists with varied experience, knowledge,

generation, or location

Repeat questions from audience for all to hear

Not every question needs to be answered by all

Time limit on presentation, and answers

Summarize to close the session

Roundtables

Quick introduction of participants

Five types of questions:– Overhead

– Direct

– Relay

– Open-ended

– Closed-ended/Show of Hands

Watch for side-conversations after group has moved on

End early to encourage direct follow-up

Connect IN the Audience

It’s okay to smile

Nodding off vs. nodding in assent

It’s okay to laugh!

Resist the temptation to be “that audience

member”

Follow-up after the session

Written Presentations

Michael’s Top Ten List of Written Crazymakers

11.Take time to write

12.Proofread

13.Citation style

14. Inclusive language

15.Adverbs, contractions, passive voice

Being a Good Listener

Four types of listening

– Engaged

– Thoughtful

– Combative

– Absent

Hear – Understand – Interpret – Respond

Don’t think about your response while listening

Turning Experience into a Presentation

Practice into Theory

What does your audience want to hear?

Why are they listening?

What are your own abilities?

National Conferences – “The Big Show”

No prerequisites – just desire and material

Start early to finish

Regional as Rehearsal

Offer to present on campus (HR Departments)

Find your local Toastmasters club