10 Tips that will Help them Make a Good Business Presentation
Recently we saw how to make a brief business presentation, to awaken the interest of the people. It was the elevator pitch. And, as mentioned in the article, its purpose is only to serve as appetizers. Now comes the next step: what to say when we already have people interested?
No matter how many times they have to make business presentations because, whether few or many, the fact is they do not want to waste them. Whether in front of investors, customers, partners, friends or family, it is important to develop the ability to present your business.
Here are 10 tips that will help them make a good business presentation.
1. A presenter.
Many companies leave their presentations by 2 or 3 people. The problem with this strategy is that it can be confusing to your audience because it generates a lot of distraction. Your audience can not follow so easily. And it is worse if the transitions between presenters are clumsy and uncoordinated.
Having a presenter can choose only the most skilled and maintain a pace in the presentation. This will prevent confusion and disorder.
2. Tell a story.
While the presentations have to be brief, there is always time to tell a story, and that will strengthen your message. Sure, it’s important to talk about market opportunity, competitive advantage, business model, etc, but what makes a good presentation is to show the business impact on our lives.
The best time to tell us the story will start, when explaining what they think problem solved. If they make that problem relevant to your audience, I assure you will pay more attention.
3. Do not use unnecessary expressions.
“We believe ….” Yes, we know they think.
“We believe ….” Also we know.
“What we’re trying to do ….” They are not trying, they are doing.
Do not use unnecessary expressions, go straight to the point. We know you’ve thought of what they say, but would not listen! Even if your business is not yet released, they are trying to do, is already underway.
4. Practice.
Few people have the innate ability to speak in front of others, so it is essential for any presentation to repeat what they will say. With a little practice can reduce fear and better manage their ideas.
Practice in the mirror (it seems ridiculous, but it serves), practice with their partners or at home. At first it will be like to repeat all that android, but once you master your speech and be able to change it and put your personal touch.
5. Beware of the time.
If you give them five minutes, please make your presentation in five minutes. No 5 minutes 10 seconds. No.
In many business presentations I’ve seen that try to use as long as possible to say as many things possible. Well, I think less is better. Do not try to make 10 minute presentations with time 5. Say too much just confuse your audience.
6. Presentation for dummies.
The expert in your business is not me. You are. So I may not know a damn about your industry and how it should operate your business. So, when submitting your business, keeping a simple, no skills training or strange things. And be more careful if you are trying to ‘teach’ something about your business, not have much time and your audience can not hold as much new information. Besides, who assured them that his audience is willing to learn everything you mean?
If I’m in the audience, what I see is a good business opportunity in what you do. And I need to convince me that you know what they are talking about. If you confuse me with issues that do not know or I get bored with details, just start to read my messages on the Blackberry.
7. Be careful with humor.
Teasing in a business presentation is very, very, risky. If nobody laughs, They stood up feeling like fools. Be very careful about considering making the joke. They need to know your audience beforehand.
Moreover, there is no guarantee that a joke is to focus the attention of others in his presentation. You may laugh, but not necessarily continue listening.
8. The tricks are worse.
Many believe good attention with sounds, polo shirts with slogans or magic tricks. It might work, but also can lead to the worst ridiculous.
If it is vital for your business, use it, but just enough to engage your audience and continue his presentation.
9. Prepare their responses.
There are issues that are universal to all businesses. Target, for example. Any business has a target audience. Have to know what it is and how it works if your audience did not understand.
The best thing is that during his presentation discuss these key issues, thus preventing others have to ask. The classics are the target market, business model, your competition, sales and marketing strategy, among others.
10. Be prepared. Something always fails.
It is a universal rule: the Powerpoint fail. When you need it most, will fail.
The same could happen with a live demonstration of their product.
When this happens we must be prepared to move forward with strength. It is very difficult not to be distracted by these events, but if they spend their crisis with a presentation “replacement” the public will continue to listen.
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