dos and donts of training

Do’s and Don'ts of Training!!

Objectives•All of us are required to facilitate a workshop back in our countries – what to do!!!!

•We pitch to cause an action or reaction

•The skill set is simple; but we have all suffered through bad presentations

•Training and practice can improve your skills

•Strong presentation skills can help you deliver

Presentation skills improve with use

Think about your presentation experiences • What did you do well?

• What should you have done differently?

How important is it to do better?

“There are two types of speakers: those who are nervous and those who

are liars”

-- Mark Twain

What we’ll cover today

Developing your presentation• Content – focus on key messages

• Look

• Delivery

Do’s and don’ts

Taking questions

Problem solving

First, decide why you are presenting

Establish the purpose of your presentation• Issue a “call to action” • Share information

Ask yourself• Who is my audience?• How much do they know?• What are their concerns?• What are their key metrics/issues?

• Build a bridge between you and your audience

Planning

•Who are you talking to?

•Why are you talking to them?

•How long have you got?

•What story are you going to tell?

Then, structure your presentation

Introduction • Who you are and why you are there• Key messages

Body • Reinforce key messages • Break information into sub-sections • Make one point at a time

Conclusion • Summarize key messages• “Ask for the order”

Conclusion

Body

Intro

“Boil down” your key messages

Key Messages: • 2 or 3 things you want audience to know or take action

• “Sound bites” that will be remembered

Key messages are• Clear

• Memorable

• Simple

Intro

Make your case in the body

Reinforce your key messages with supporting material

• Research or data

• Examples and personal anecdotes

• Supporting text and graphics

Body

Intro

Reinforce your case in the conclusion

Conclusion

Body

Intro

• Summarize key messages

• Be specific about what you want

• Ask for the order

• Make quick ties back to supporting data

• Highlight next steps

Supporting text & graphics should do just that

Less is more

Limit bold, italics and CAPITALIZATION

Use easy-to-read colors and fonts

Stick to one font

You are also part of the message

The following Do’s and Don’ts are simple – but how many times do you see others – or yourself – on the “Don’t” side?

Performance• Don’t Apologise

• Speak loudly and clearly

• Use short simple sentences

• Avoid jargon and abbreviations

• Vary pitch, tone, volume, speed and pauses

• Avoid distracting mannerisms

• Keep an eye on the remaining time

How you say it is as important as whatyou say

Verbal Do’s • Deliver key messages

• Use plain language

• Engage audience

• Use delivery techniques - Flags– “The most important thing I want to

say is...”– “There are three things I want you to

remember…”

Verbal Don’ts• Rush your delivery

• Drag out your delivery

• Use jargon or acronyms

• Read script/slides

• Speak in monotone voice

• Apologize for your charts, your content

• Use fillers such as “um,” “ah,” “er,” “like”

Your body also “talks” to your audience

Body Language Do’s• Hold yourself confidently

• Use eye contact

• Use natural gestures

• Engage your audience

• Smile

Body Language Don’ts• Stand slumped over

• Look at the ground

• Use distracting, nervous movements

• Jiggle change or keys

• Turn your back to the audience

How not to get tripped by questions

Consider questions in advance and prepare responses

Take time to formulate a response

Deliver key messages in your responses

Even irrelevant questions are opportunity to reinforce messages

Don’t get defensive in tone or body language

If you don’t know the answer, say so

You can manage your nerves

Practice makes perfect (and more confident!)

Visit workshop venue in advance • Become familiar with layout

• Secure and test all equipment

• Have glass of water nearby

Remember that you are the expert

Realize the audience wants you to succeed

Tackling other issues

What do you do if…You have 15 minutes instead of the planned hour• Talking fast won’t work• Limit yourself to the key concepts of each section• Or, skip the visualsYou lose your train of thought• Pause, collect yourself and start againThe decision maker doesn’t show up• Go on with the show• Make your appeal to delegates

Tackling other issues

What do you do if…

The projector breaks• Bring hard copies of your pitch

People are holding a distracting side conversation• Pause and ask if there are any questions

• Move closer to them to get their attention

• In some cases, ask if they would prefer to reschedule

There are three key aspects to effective presentations

Content (focus on key messages)

Look

Delivery

Conclusion

Body

Intro

Choose your delivery vehicleGeneral considerations• Audience size

• Content

• Location

Use Power Point if your presentation is• Data and information-heavy

• Contains detailed or complicated material

• Requires graphic support to help make the case

Whatever vehicle you choose, keep time parameters in mind when developing your presentation

Getting Started• Introduce yourself

• Tell participants what will be covered and what they will gain

• Explain the timetable and the activities

• Point out the location of facilities (food, bathrooms, etc.)

• Find out what people already know and what they are interested in learning

• Make them feel at ease

THANK YOU

Questions

SOURCE

This presentation was adapted from:

membership.acs.org/y/ycc/download/Effectivepresentations.ppt