You are in a meeting, a product is being pitched. You have heard the product is great, but now you are having second thoughts after seeing the presenter reading from a PowerPoint slide, instead of talking about it.
Nothing annoys me more than having to sit through a seminar or sales pitch and strain my already poor eyesight with a congested PowerPoint slideshow.
Over the years, I sat through countless presentations that made me wish I was anywhere but there. I have also seen presentations, so inspiring, they changed my life.
But all too often watching slideshows, I would be forced to try to comprehend what is written against an over-vibrant slide background, and miss out on what the presenter has to say.
And I know I am not alone. A quick glance over my shoulder and I spot numerous other bored people in the audience.
There is no way that people will listen to your presentation, as well as read the detailed, heavy text you have projected onto a screen.
What bothers me is that some businesses invest so much time and energy into the engineering and design of their products, but then overlook the important details of a slideshow design - which is often their main selling points to potential investors or clients.
That is why I came to realise that connecting with an audience, communicating your passion for a project or product, can present a great opportunity - one that can positively impact your professional future in many different ways.
Also, given the increasing number of entrepreneurs in the UAE, it is important for them to be equipped with some basic tips on how to give successful presentations.
As for me, I am lucky to have undertaken presentation training, and have learnt that the following are key to delivering a killer presentation:
First and foremost, rehearse, rehearse, and rehearse.
Do so in front of the mirror, in the shower, and even while driving. If you have the time, videotape yourself presenting. Practice varying your tone of voice and pace of reading, and look out for your hand gestures.
Next, break the tension at the beginning by welcoming your audience. You can do this by telling an engaging anecdote or showing a video.
Then, start with your main point or argument, and build a story around it.
Keep your slides simple. There is much research that shows that people learn more effectively when a slide presentation is uncomplicated and free from overuse of animation and sound that distract.
When adding elements to your slide show, have a good reason for doing so. Does the audience need to see your company's logo on every slide to remember who you work for? And do you really need that extra slide?
Don't cram too much in one go, leave some white space surrounding your item of interest in a slide. Do not be tempted to invade that space. Including a healthy amount of white space helps your audience to stay focused.
Also, when presenting, try not to stand behind a podium. Instead, use a wireless microphone and move from place to place while keeping eye contact with your audience to maintain their attention.
It is vital to engage people in your presentation. Ask them for questions, opinions or a show of hands. This is one of my favourite techniques. I love it when a presenter asks for a show of hands at the beginning of a presentation to break the ice, and engage the audience from the start.
Finally, do not read what is written on the slide to your audience. Your slides should contain a maximum of five bullet points, with no more than five words per line. Make your font size as large as possible so people at the back can read it. Avoid the use of fancy fonts in flamboyant colours set on artistic backgrounds.
Although some people are gifted public speakers, you can be a great presenter by practising your main points as well as by following these guidelines. Nothing can boost a career or a business like being able to give an engaging presentation.
Manar Al Hinai is an award winning Emirati fashion designer and writer based in Abu Dhabi
