Advice in Giving Presentation

[Chris R]

Just wondered if I could ask if anyone has some interesting ways of giving a presentation in the workplace on massage therapy. I am due to give a presentation to a local firm where I carry out treatments for the staff in their lunch hours once a week. I wasnt feeling too freaked out until I was shown the conference room I am to use - raised platform, lectern, large screen - seats for 50 people, although I am told it will probably be a max. of 30 people attending.

I am allowed to use Power Point, although I have no idea how to (a quick crash course with hubby is needed). Just thinking about possible images to use, fun facts, etc. to add interest. I have just found out that the human head weighs around 4-5 kg so am thinking of comparing it to a 5kg bag of potatoes just to get folks thinking about how they sit at their computer and the stress their necks are under with their heads misaligned.

I feel quite bog-eyed having been searching the net for a while so will have a break, but if anyone has any snippets, no matter how small, I would be very grateful.

Thanks.

Vivien xxx

 

[jqeonuqvixaixlelh]

Hi Vivien,
The bag of potatoes sounds like a great idea. It's always good to start with a joke and the potatoes would serve a double purpose: they would provide a laugh and if you allow them to pass the bag round from hand to hand it will break the ice (no doubt leading to your audience making their own "potato head" jokes) AND create a natural pause at the beginning of your presentation, preventing you from rushing on too quickly if you're feeling a little nervous.
Do try Powerpoint if you can, but practise first so you're confident of using it. Again, build in a little humour if you can.
But MOST IMPORTANT: remember that they are on your side. Assuming that none of them have been press-ganged into attending, they want to be there and want to hear what you have to say, so it's not like speaking to an indifferent/hostile audience. And if some of them are already your clients, then they love you already!
Good luck! Take your time, and enjoy it...

 

[Hot Mess]

Quite an old thread, but one which you may find useful.

http://www.healthypages.net/forum/tm.asp?m=2968&mpage=1&key=public%2Cspeaking&#2968

Lesley

 

[Jumping Sun]

At the risk of offering contradictory advice - Do not touch technology unless you are totally familiar with it - and what do when the software or hardware pulls a wobbly on you. Its good when its is good, and its user is on top of it but can be disastrous if it lets the non techie user down.

I have even seen techie hot shots in trouble trying to set up their hardware with incompatable bits provided by the hosts.

I do regular staff workplace meetings and usually use a flipchart. (OK I am not a Techie but the old fashioned ways are often just as good)

If you get your own you can do all the pages well in advance at home, and if you want to do live bits on site you can use the blank pages.

Page 1 blank
2 your name and occupation or business
3 onwards your presentation.

You can have copies of each page in your own kit or just work from the flip chart.

Make sure they have a stand for the flip chart, and provide your own - that way you can do all the preparation atyour leisure. And get two or three different coloured felt tipped pens - be artisitic rather than techie.

 

[aRachpaync76]

Just wanted to say thank you to all your replies. I am still working on my format, but beginning to feel a little more confident now. I still have a week to go so I shall get fine tuning. If I come up with anything else useful I will feedback.

Vivien xx

 

[Gouki Mayne]

I have a sheet on how to give a presentation that was passed on to me a few years ago. I can email it to you if you want.

 

[Eric Gees]

This is an excellent site for those giving presentations.

[link=http://www.health-concern.com/Free_Training/presentation_skills.htm]http://www.health-concern.com/Free_Training/presentation_skills.htm[/link]

Lesley

 

[Nigel Skrat]

I have just logged on to find your replies. Rose, yes, I would be very interested to receive the notes you have, and Lesley I will visit the site you mentioned as I shall need to keep fine tuning what I do in the future. Thank you both very much indeed.

I did my presentation last Wednesday (sipping Rescue Remedy as I went) and everything went reasonably well. I had some very good feedback from the attendees and several bookings before I left the premises so it cant have been that bad I guess. I managed to use the Power Point for the very first time without hitches, took a few props i.e. bag of potatoes, a piece of rope and a bungee clip as examples of flexible and inflexible muscle fibres, and did a short demo of chair massage. The talk took about 30 mins. and then I answered questions for 10 mins. or so. I have to say I was extremely relieved when it was over, but when I do another presentation I imagine it wont feel quite as daunting.

Vivien x

 

[Bubbly Brit!]

Hi Piglet - can't remember did I send you the guide to givingpresentatin?