Keep It Simple, Stupid
For Guarantee of Success, Stick with "Low-Tech" Presentations
Apologies for this month's title, folks. My high school calculus teacher always reminded me when solving differential equations to "use the KISS method: Keep It Simple, Stupid." And it's stuck with me ever since.
And I've learned through my own experiences (and that of many others) that the KISS method is best for effectively communicating your points in a presentation. Many of us toil with our computers over the slides we need. We sleep well the night before his presentation. We dress appropriately and meticulously. We mingle with the audience for a few minutes before we begin, just to warm up the crowd.
But when the lights go out and the screen comes into view, the power doesn't work. Or the input/output cable wasn't supplied. Or the LCD projector bulb blows. How many of us are able to deliver an effective presentation when something like this happens? If you have an organized, written outline and you're not rattled by the lack of technology, you can probably do just fine. But why take chances?
"Don't think that lots of slides and audio visual equipment are going to do the work for you," says Ruth Sherman, a communications authority and speech consultant with many major corporate clients. "Most of the time, tech-high jinks create a barrier between you and the audience." According to Sherman, many of today's executives rely too heavily on props without developing a charismatic style. "Props can fail," she says. "In fact, the more props you have, the greater the potential for disaster."
Her advice? "Learn to love low-tech. Compelling communication keeps the focus on the speaker, while the tech part supports the message." Other experts agree that an attention span for dry information is only 20 to 30 minutes. "An audience cannot absorb 60 slides in 30 minutes. Twelve slides in thirty minutes is the optimal number," she says.
While content is essential, image is crucial. How do you sound? What do you look like standing up in front of other people? With training, many business speakers have learned to keep it simple. Sherman says that you must create a bond of trust your audience. "We've gotten carried away with flip charts, white boards, overheads. Be judicious. Learn to use your best equipment –– your knowledge, your voice, and your body language. You're the only one in charge of persuasion. And don't worry if you're nervous. Like acting, the adrenaline can give your performance an edge."
Here are some great tips for strengthening your presentations:
• Videotape yourself. Find an honest critic to evaluate your performance. Don't ask a subordinate who may be afraid to tell you the truth.
• Practice modulating your voice. Slow down! Nothing makes a presentation sound less important than a rushed delivery, and when you slow down your audience can give you non-verbal feedback.
• Build rapport with your audience. In America, making eye contact with one or two members of the audience is important. In Asia it's taboo. Do research into cultural differences like this one and use the information properly.
• Cut your support props. Twelve focused slides can say more than 30.
• Use effective expressionism. Be a star, but don't be histrionic. While "natural" works when you're speaking personally, look at Al Gore, who has had to be coached to be expressive.
• If possible, stand in front, or to the side, of podiums. They were built for very tall people and can be off-putting. If you do use the lectern, don't lean or hunch over.
• Use your hands and body carefully. Watch how good communicators emphasize their message with careful hand gestures. Try them out on your videotape. Watch out for "fig leafing" (putting your hands in front of your groin).
• Smile. Use your enthusiasm, then find your own style and stick with it.
• Check equipment thoroughly in advance.
For more information, contact John Crosby (john-c@sla.org).
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