Presentation Skills Training Gets You Ahead in Your Workplace

In today’s economy, most professionals are aware of the need to perform well on the job. It’s a tough market and in times of trouble you want to be noticed for your ability, not only to do your job, but to shine in all situations.

What can you do to improve your retainability? How about setting a bold new direction?

Participating in Presentation Skills Training is a surefire strategy to improve your impact at work. Here are three reasons why it pays to invest in your ability to present to groups – both large and small:

1. Increase Your Confidence

Presentation Skills Training takes you through a learning process which includes videotaping your performance and reviewing specific feedback on how to improve. Look for a program that allows you to get digitally recorded several times so that you can see your progress over time. By giving presentations to a small audience and being recorded, you gain the experience of “just doing it” which automatically increases your confidence. And we all know that a confident presenter speaks volumes over someone who is tentative or uncomfortable at the podium.

2. Increase Your Impact

Once you’re comfortable in front of a group you can work on your impact by playing with several dynamics including vocals, visuals, and verbal content. A polished presenter knows the importance of using their voice to engage the audience. They do this by varying their pitch, their volume and even their pace. Moreover, a seasoned presenter knows how to use visual aids and structure their remarks in a way that maximizes audience involvement. Ultimately, these skills show up in formal presentations as well as day to day discussions and meetings. Making the investment in presentation skills training enhances your ability to make an impact in the boardroom, the client meeting, and in everyday discussions.

3. Stand Out from the Pack

When it comes right down to it, management notices those who stand out from the pack. In today’s hectic environment, the professional who is comfortable giving an impromptu presentation distinguishes him or herself from others. Increased comfort and confidence in presentation skills allows one to display leadership in meetings….without worrying about words, gestures, or nervousness. Stand out from your peers by demonstrating that you are an accomplished presenter who is comfortable in front of a crowd. You’ll be glad you did when you get that next promotion!

Learn more about how to hone your skills by reading this free report on How To Overcome Nerves and Master Presentation Skills at http://boldnewdirections.com/home/section/92/free_presentation_skills_report

Business Presentation Folders

Presentation folders are one of the most popular means of transferring documents among the world’s business communities.

Whether promoting a product, a company or an individual, the presentation folder is the foremost visual connector at the beginning of the transaction, and the opportunities to impress are countless.

The introduction of ‘oversize’ digital presses has further enhanced the benefit and impact of the presentation folder by allowing personalisation of information as well as catering for multiple page presentations when including a gusset in the product.

As well as personalisation, digital presses also offer the option of a unique design for every folder produced – and it costs no more at the print stage.

Digital of course also implies, quite correctly, print runs as required – one copy and upwards. This is a far cry from as little as three or four years ago when the only method of producing a folder was using offset technologies which frequently necessitated larger than necessary print runs to obtain a perceived scale of economy.

Presentation folders are traditionally manufactured to accommodate A4-sized documents in countries using international paper standards. These folders are generally within the limits of what is achievable on a digital press, but smaller folders such as A5, or square shapes (cd case size for example) can have equal or even greater impact on their intended markets.

The well-designed folder may also cater for additional materials such as a business card inserted in a pre-cut location. If you think your unique folder may have subsequent applications, it is worth taking this option into consideration before designing the product, as the cost of manufacturing a die for cutting the folder’s shape following printing is substantial.

Folders manufactured using recycled paper stocks are extremely popular and help to promote and reinforce good green practices. The range of recycled materials available to digital printers is substantial and growing rapidly, while contemporary digital printing itself is the most environmentally friendly method of ink/toner transfer yet devised.

A further benefit of the presentation folder may well be its re-use by the client to whom it was originally given. Folders are handy items for storing any amount of printed matter that is of interest to that person. Hence its shelf life (along with your name, message or idea) may be extended indefinitely.

Presentation folders are offered by a variety of print firms, many of them on line. The better companies offer a template for downloading so that you or your graphic designer may generate the personalised item you require. The completed design is simply uploaded back to the printing firm where the file will be proofed and printed to your specifications.

Be bold in your folder designs for they remain your invisible handshake when you are no longer in the presence of the person to whom the folder was given. Primary colours can make an outstanding statement, so remember, bold is beautiful and colour has never been more affordable.

Why Writing Out the Objectives For Your Presentation Is Important

So you have a big presentation to give to impress your boss or to new prospects and you want to make a huge impact. Well, there a lot of strategies out there for delivering a great presentation but you might as well forget them all if you fail to set out your objectives clearly first.

The reason for this is simple; if you don’t have a clear idea of exactly what you want your presentation to achieve then, despite your best efforts, at the end of your presentation your audience won’t have a clear idea of your objectives either.  Without a set of clear objectives you might make a few points effectively but you are leaving a lot to chance. A presentation not created with a strong focus will often leave only a vague impression of the real message you wish to convey.

Begin with the end in mind. If you take time to set your objectives out then you have begun to build a blueprint for the content and structure of your presentation. If you have a clear set of objectives they will inform all your decisions about what to say, when to say it and what to emphasise the most.

So what should your objectives include? Start with the ultimate end in mind, whether it’s a sale, increased web traffic, a chance of promotion, getting a job or even an abstract concept like building credibility. Having this objective in mind then leads to the next level of objectives such as, the key messages that you want to convey, what direct action you want the audience to take at the end or how many new clients you want to sign up.

Once you have these goals in mind then every word, every slide and every image should be evaluated against its ability to help you achieve the goal. Does that long introduction about the company history really help? Does that animation make the message clearer or is it a distraction to your purpose?

Use these goals to inform the narrative structure for your whole presentation as well as the order and emphasis for each point that you wish to make.

Having the end in mind gives you a clear and strong focus on exactly what it is that you need to do to achieve your goals.