Perhaps you agree that presentation skills are important. Many others might say the same but ask them to explain "Why?" and they're stumped. These folks might mumble something unintelligible ".
First, let's clarify the statement "Presentation skills are important". What we really mean is, "Effective presentation skills are important". "Presentation skills" is not a black and white off/on It’s a spectrum of colours. Everybody has presentation skills. Some are better than others. A small percentage is much better than the masses. The primary goal is for your presentation skills to be better than your competition, whoever and whatever that is. The secondary goal is for your presentations to get better every time you speak.
So whenever you read "presentation skills are important" interpret that as "better presentations are critically important".
The primary goal is for your presentation skills to be better than your competition
Presentation Skills are Important for Individual Success
For many individuals, the first important presentation they deliver might be to the candidate selection committee. It might be labelled as a "job interview" but it's really a presentation. Success rides on their presentation outshining the competition. The results are black and white but the skills might be a spectrum of colours and shades.
In most organizations, day-to-day business entails teamwork. That means presenting to your team or on behalf of your team. Career growth necessitates presenting your ideas to others. If you want to be promoted you need to train others to handle your old job. If you want to fast track your career, volunteer to work on projects and deliver more presentations.
Career growth necessitates presenting your ideas to others
Presentation Skills are Important for Business Success
Having a superior product is never enough to guarantee business success. Apple is acknowledged as offering leading-edge technology and Steve Jobs is often modelled as a superior presenter. If you are not the Apple of your industry just imagine how much better your presentations need to be.
Business leaders are often expected to present their message with confidence and clarity to staff, clients, partners, investors and sometimes the public. Millions of dollars can ride on these presentations.
Presentation Skills are Important for Stress Reduction
The financial cost of stress to organizations can be devastating. Work-related stress can be demoralizing to staff, management and executives. Effective presentation skills reduce miscommunication, which is likely the biggest cause of work-related stress. Better presentation skills also the stress on presenters which means they will be more willing to present and more effective with their communication. The principles and techniques of presentations apply to other methods of communication. Become a better presenter and you will become a better communicator.
Presentation Skills are Important for Time Management
Many presentations take too long and thus waste time - because the presenter was trying to fill the time period. Better presenters get their message across in less time because they respect , focus on the message and use the most effective techniques to communicate. Better presenters can deliver their 30-minute presentation in 5 minutes or 90 seconds when needed. Better presenters also save time while preparing because they prepare their presentation more efficiently. They know where they are going and how to get there faster.
Presentation Skills are Important for Leadership
Winston Churchill was praised for his inspiring presentations which helped England fight back against Nazi Germany. Leadership in your community, association or organisation demands effective presentation skills.
Every cause needs a leader. Every leader needs to be able to stand up and deliver a clear and inspiring message. The team and followers will often judge the leader and the cause on the presentation skills of that spokesperson. Often the best presenter leads.
Every leader needs to be able to stand up and deliver a clear and inspiring message
Presentation skills are Important for Public Image & Opinion
It might seem unfair, but we will often judge you, your organization and your product on how you, your staff or executive delivered a presentation. We will tend to remember the extremes - really bad or really good. Remember that our perception is relative to how everyone else presented.
Better presentations don't guarantee you success but they give you a stronger fighting chance of success. Almost everything you want to accomplish is a battle. Why not gain a powerful edge in your favour? Improve the presentation skills for you and your team.
Author: George Torok
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How to Speak to a Large Audience
Communication Skills • Presentation Skills • Public Speaking • Soft Skill
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