We've been making presentations since our fourth-grade science projects, but we still dread them. From every viewpoint, the term "presentation" is fraught with fear!
You must be having a great business idea, a beautifully made deck but what breaks or makes is how you deliver!
When you begin a presentation, the first 30 seconds are critical in capturing your audience's attention and keeping them hooked to your every word for the duration of the presentation. If you don't get their focus in those 30 seconds, you're likely to lose their attention to their laptop, daydreams, phone, or other distractions. And this is the reason why “delivery” can make or break your entire week/month of effort!
From my personal and peer experience (during my MBA life), try to incorporate these 5 hacks in the next case study competition round and you will see the magic there!
Hack #1 - Use fewer slides and fewer words
There is a saying that we should make the solution deck heavy and it is true from a case study competitions' point of view! But what you can make sure of is not to add anything extra which is of no use to back your solution
Hack #2 - Never use bullet points
Bullet points are the least effective way to get your point across! Use the "Steve Jobs" strategy - Use images, charts, infographics, process flow, etc
Presentation go far beyond words. They connect you with people mentally and emotionally
Hack #3 - Enhance your vocal delivery
Raise and lower the volume of your voice, and alternate between a high pitch and low pitch while delivering key messages, your presentation will be more influential, persuasive, and commanding! Trust me, this is something you will not achieve in a day or two and this my friend requires practice
Hack #4 - Create "WOW" moments!
People don’t remember every slide and every word of a presentation. They remember moments! Use some real-life stories, data points, your experience, etc
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates released a swarm of mosquitoes on an unsuspecting audience at a TED conference in 2009. With this memorable demonstration, Gates won over his listeners by using a number of effective presentation tactics, including a visual aid, direct interaction with the audience and even humour.
Hack #5 - Reharse! Reharse! Reharse!
Review the slides ahead of time, rehearse as many times as possible to deliver the best presentation and that too within the time limit! "Put in the time to make yourself great"
Don’t Forget to Add a Closing Statement
Losing the audience’s attention is the most painful moment for any presenter. You can prevent your presentation from being boring and make it engrossing by understanding the audience well, structuring your slides appropriately, and delivering the information efficiently. The above-mentioned hacks will definitely help you master any case study presentation. Follow them!
You can access the short version by clicking on this link - Short version | Instagram
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