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By Tendai Rukwava, Founder and CEO of Coral Communications

Presentations are an integral part of a professional’s life, serving as a medium to convey ideas, share knowledge and persuade audiences. Preparing for a presentation can be daunting, especially in business and corporate environments where expectations are high and audiences are discerning. With the right methodology, strategy and mindset, you can deliver a compelling and impactful presentation which may create a lasting impression post the boardroom.

Read the room

When preparing for a presentation,it’s important to do your research on your audience. Thanks to the digital age we live in today, this can be done at the click of a button by simply checking who has been invited to the presentation. Once you have your list of attendees, conduct research on each individual’s age, gender, professional background, and cultural nuances. Your presentation needs to be relevant to your audience and their function within their organisation. 

Know your end-goal

Assessing your objectives with a key focus on the purpose and the desired outcome of the presentation. Are you seeking to educate, inform, persuade, motivate or entertain your audience? Knowing your objectives helps stay on track, and make the most out of your interaction with your audience. A well-defined objective will also help to guide your content and ensure you stay focused on the goal.

Content development

When developing your content, ensure your content is clear and engaging. Use simple language and explain complex concepts in an understandable manner. Incorporate story-telling, anecdotes, and examples to make your content relatable, interesting, and memorable.

The visual aspect of your presentation matters. Visual aids can significantly enhance your presentation by making complex information more understandable and engaging. Your visuals should complement your speech, not overwhelm it or distract people from what you are saying. 

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Practice

The next step is to practise the delivery of your presentation. For effective practice, it’s important to structure your practice as if you were already presenting to your audience. Record yourself as you practise and make sure you time yourself to ensure that your presentation is not too lengthy.Familiarise yourself with all the technology you will be using during your presentation to avoid glitches. In addition, prepare yourself with responses to commonly asked questions. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will feel.

Manage your mindset

It’s common to feel anxious before a presentation. A good way to deal with this is to manage your mindset. Instead of focusing on everything that could go wrong, focus on your goal and everything that could go right. One of the techniques you can use is positive visualisations of a successful presentation. Shift your focus from yourself to the audience and think about how you can provide value to them through your presentation.

Presentation day

• Arrive early: Give yourself plenty of time to set up and get comfortable with the venue and set up for your presentation
• Body language: Use confident body language. Stand tall, make eye contact, and use gestures to emphasise points
• Voice modulation: Vary your tone, pace, and volume to keep the audience engaged
• Engage with the audience: Encourage interaction through questions and discussions
• Prepare for FAQs: Anticipate potential questions and prepare your answers
• Listen carefully: Listen to the question fully before responding

Post presentation 

What happens after the presentation also affects its success.  After your presentation, take the time to follow up with your audience by sending out a communication to thank them for their time and participation, to share any promised information or resources and to ask for feedback which you can use to improve on future presentations.

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