Recipe for Successful Presentations

Jan StephensMulti-County Specialist

Kansas State Research & Extension

Kansas Nutrition CouncilApril 16, 2009

Keys to a Good Demonstration Know what you want to accomplish Research Demonstrate to reinforce the objective Organize and practice

Keys to a Good Demonstration

Be sure everyone can see Introduce the topic Involve the audience Review objective(s) Make it your own

Know Your Goal

Educate◦ Awareness◦ Knowledge◦ Action

Teach nutrition and health

Promote your organization

Learn for yourself

Know Your Audience Education Level Experience, knowledge Age, gender How to get them there

◦ Promotion◦ Location◦ signage

Topic◦ Information accurate &

current◦ Usable by audience◦ Not already known◦ Builds on past meetings◦ Narrowed to fit audience &

time

Research: The Topic

Research: Location

Type of setting◦ Formal or relaxed

How far away◦ May impact food

safety Get directions Audience

◦ Hear and see presenter

Food

Demo

Today

Research: Help Available

Presentation help◦ Will they need

training Help to unload

◦ Before◦ After

What is available &/or usable on site◦ Water, refrigeration, electricity, gas, table, oven,

etc.◦ Audio Visual◦ Presentation

Easels Microphone Demonstration mirror

Research: The Equipment

Food Demonstration Reinforce key points

◦ Choose techniques & recipes to get point across(Ex: Don’t premeasure when teaching measuring is the goal)

Keep it simple

Demonstration Intro

Smile Catchy title & intro Put audience at ease No more than 2 – 3 minutes Give information about yourself and your organization

Demo - Body

Outline main ideas List steps in order. Expand and

explain Include information about

nutrition, costs, techniques

Demo - Body

Use visuals, posters and examples Offer ideas for additional options Add bits of trivia, personal information

for extra things to say

Demonstration Conclusion

Sum up the main ideas End with a cleared table and show

a finished product Remind audience why they should

try this Ask for questions Thank audience

The Food

Should smell great Should taste

wonderful Try to let

participants sample

Be colorful & garnished

Show finished product

Safe food handling behavior Good nutrition choices Good posture Speak clearly & slowly Use good grammar Avoid nervous twitches & habits How you eat

Be an Example

How to Dress Look professional Comfortable, neat, &

clean Finger nails clean &

natural Light makeup Little or no jewelry Gloves (Disposable) Aprons (pressed &

clean)

Organize Training Materials

Select recipes & techniques to demonstrate◦ Done ahead◦ In stages◦ All at once

Make lists of items needed◦ Equipment and supplies◦ Notes and handouts◦ Food

Organizing Food Items

Buy food day before the training Consider the food safety factors

Equipment

Know how to use it Use appropriate equipment Clean and in good repair Will audience have access to

same equipment at home?◦ Suggest substitutions

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Potholders Timer Spoons/knives Cutting board Serving equipment

Extension cord and adapters

Appliance cords Sampling utensils/plates/ cups

Tablecloth Trays Paper towels

Often Forgotten

Use correct equipment for each task Use clear bowls & pans when possible Use trays

◦ Notes on tray include: Recipes Talking points

Cover table

Demonstration Tips

Demonstration Tips

Scrape bowls & pans clean with rubber scrapper

Remove any extra pieces of equipment & food

Put dirty equipment on a tray

Keep table clean and clear

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Wooden spoons are quieter than metal A damp cloth under bowls holds them

steady & cuts noise Tip bowls & pans for viewing

◦ Hold bowls from bottom◦ Be careful not to spill

Don’t talk while using noisy equipment Spill it? Don’t use it

Demonstration Tips

Demonstration Tips

Tilt pan lids away from face

Place lids upside down on table

Have waste basket beneath demonstration table

End with finished product

Make eye contact

Smile Talk while working

Ask questions Answer questions

Use humor Ask for help:

◦With timing◦Following recipes

◦Distributing handouts

The Demonstration:Involve the Audience

Make a List – check and double check

During practice Before you leave Before the demonstration

Practice

Frees mind to do 2 things at once Posture Grammar Vocabulary Facial expressions

How much practice?

As often as you can:◦ With food & equipment◦ Before a mirror◦ Get critiqued

Tilted bowls & pans Small groups up close Posters Video camera connected to monitor Pictures on PowerPoint Other ideas?

Everyone Needs to See

Expect the Unexpected

Be prepared Be flexible Enjoy the

experience Learn from each

demonstration Let your personality

show through

Know your goals Know your topic, audience, location, equipment, techniques

Have a neat look and table Practice, practice, practice

Review

Any Questions??

References from:Kansas State University Research &

ExtensionUniversity of Arkansas Extension

Oklahoma State University ExtensionUniversity of Georgia ExtensionUniversity of Illinois Extension