Be Prepared, But Be Flexible
Have you ever heard the guideline that every minute spent presenting requires twenty minutes of preparation? Based on that standard we need three hours of preparation for a ten-minute presentation.
After making the investment in preparation, it is easy to understand why some presenters don’t welcome interruptions, holding questions while covering every fine detail from beginning to end.
When you think about it, no matter how much time is invested, preparation is really about being ready to serve the audience’s needs. Therefore, flexibility is a critical personal ingredient. Sometimes audiences want the entire presentation, other times their interest is only on a particular issue.
Your listeners will provide clues, sometimes bluntly, about what is important to them. Stay focused on those signals. Our job is about serving and satisfying.
Think back. Didn’t some of the best presentations feel like congenial conversations? The audience was totally engaged. The presenter was focused on what was most important. Now there’s definition for a “win-win” situation.
Sunday, January 24th, 2010 | 9:46 am
Filed under Communication.
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