1. Powerful Presentation Skills
Training Outline
August 2011
Time Agenda Item Process (How)
12:00 – Welcome 1. Welcome comments (5 min)
12:30 Overview
2. My Story: (5 min)
Introductions
3. Road Map (5 min)
 This training is part of the monthly Brown Bag Lunch series I coordinate for First 5 Santa
Cruz County’s service integration efforts; build shared language/skills/approaches across
agencies that serve children & families
 Review desired outcomes, agenda and Group Agreements
4. Participant Introductions: name, organization, your #1 fear/worry/concern/difficulty related
to speaking in public (presentations, meetings, groups, etc) (15 min)
12:30 – 1:45 Putting the “P” in 1. How do people typically react when they’re fearful, nervous, unprepared? (bad presentation
Powerful styles) (5 min)
Presentations 2. Best defense = putting the “P” in Powerful Presentations
 Adaptation of 6 Ps of Facilitation
 Go through the Ps to varying degrees for all types of “presentations” – 1:1 meetings, group
meetings, trainings, presentations, phone meetings
3. Plan: Develop the outline or agenda for the presentation (15 min)
 Ask/answer these questions
o Who is my audience?
o What do they want to hear, learn, feel or do?
o What do I hope the audience will hear, learn, feel or do?
o What will I cover or convey to accomplish this?
o How long will I need to do this? (or How much can I do with the amount of time I
have?)
 End result: Outline or agenda that states purpose, desired outcomes, topics, key talking
points (or script), timeframes
o Outline/agenda can be as brief or detailed as you need
o Working version vs public version
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2. Time Agenda Item Process (How)
 Worksheet (10 min)
o Identify a presentation/meeting/group you will be leading in the near future
o Answer the questions: Who is my audience? What do they want? What is 1 key
point I need to cover or convey?
o Ask for 1‐2 examples
4. Prepare: Get ready to deliver a presentation that is informative, relevant and engaging to a
diverse audience in the amount of time you have (30 min)
 How does the audience want to receive (learn) information? “Something for everyone”
o Visual: images/graphics/symbols to represent concepts (instead of words) 
charts, graphs, maps, diagrams, icons
o Auditory: info that is heard or spoken  present, group discussion
o Read/Write: text, write notes  Power Point, handouts, books, web, lists
o Kinesthetic: experience or practice  demonstrations, role plays, videos
o How to combine: Twitter icon, verbal, written, tweet
 What will capture their interest and keep them engaged?
o Type of information to present: Big ideas (visionary); Facts/Logic (analytical);
Concrete steps (process‐oriented); Stories/Emotions (feeling‐oriented)
o Types of interactions: Large‐group discussion (some people feel comfortable
speaking up); Small‐group discussion (interact with more people but feels “safer”);
Pairs (interact with fewer people but quicker to share); Write on worksheet, post‐
its, round‐robin on flip chart pages (individual reflection, group participation w/o
verbal interaction); Experiential exercise (kinesthetic)
o Types of questions: open‐ended, closed‐ended, raise hands/polls
 End results: Further detail in agenda (process = how to present content, exercises,
discussion questions); Handouts; Power Point slides; content for flip charts
 Group exercise about how to combine:
o Ask for 1 example of a key point to make in presentation (from worksheet)
o What question(s) could you use to initiate interaction?
5. Practice: Get to know your content, handouts, slides so you can speak naturally and connect
with the audience (10 min)
 How to do this:
o Run through whole presentation the way you would say it in front of a group, with
handouts and Power Point slides (not “I would say…then I’ll do…”)
o In front of mirror, video camera, other people
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3. Time Agenda Item Process (How)
o Check your body language, tone of voice, pace, volume, choice of words
o Time yourself – does it take shorter/longer than you anticipated?
o Figure out how you’ll juggle note cards, handouts, agenda, etc so you’re not
shuffling papers
o Think through tough questions/situations you might encounter and practice
responding to them
 End result: “Tight” presentation, natural speaking style, awareness of where there is
flexibility in the agenda and when/how to encourage interaction, confidence in your ability
to handle “curve balls”
 Ask for volunteer to practice asking questions from previous exercise, be videotaped?
6. Present: Go live – perform! (5 min)
 Before:
o Arrive early to set up, get situated in the room (scheduling cushion)
o Test audio/visual equipment
o Greet/chat with people as they arrive (gets you talking, establishes friendly faces)
o Take deep breaths
o Be your own cheerleader/coach (I can do this. I will get through this. I know what
I’m talking about. I don’t have to be the expert.)
o Review your notes, slides one more time
 During:
o Talk slower than you think you should
o Talk louder than you think you should
o Enunciate (speak clearly)
o Remember that pauses and silence are ok
o Make eye contact, smile, keep your body language open
o Walk around room (if feasible)
o Check your agenda/slides to keep yourself on track, but avoid putting your head
down or turning your back to the audience (don’t talk to your notes or the screen)
1:40 – 1:55 More Tips & 1. What else do you do lower your anxiety/nervousness about presenting in front of groups?
Techniques 2. What turns a “good” presentation into an “outstanding” presentation?
1:55 – 2:00 Closing 1. Q&A
Evaluation 2. Social networks: share comments, follow‐up questions, successes
3. Evaluation
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4. Road Map: Powerful Presentation Skills
Desired Outcomes
1. Learn how to plan presentations that are informative and interesting.
2. Understand how to find the right balance between presenting information, engaging
the audience and managing the time.
3. Discuss ways to use handouts, Power Points, flip charts and other visual aids to enhance
presentations.
4. Gain tips and ideas for managing anxiety about public speaking.
Agenda
I. Welcome/Overview/Introductions
II. Putting the “P” in Powerful Presentations
III. More Tips & Techniques
IV. Closing & Evaluation
Group Agreements
1. Listen before responding.
2. Take turns speaking.
3. Stretch your comfort zone.
4. Start and end on time.
5. Keep an open mind.
6. Value different opinions and ideas.
7. “Say your piece” in the room.
8. Turn phones/pagers to silent or vibrate.
© Optimal Solutions Consulting, 2011 www.opti‐solutions.com