Presentation Zen, Chapters 7-10

High quality graphics are a must to have in your presentation and make sure they are clear visions of the message you are trying to convey.  Something that is not an easy task but must be achieved is the “art of mindfulness” (Reynolds). This means that you need to put yourself in the here and now and only focus on what you are doing at this minute. 

Audiences can tell when your heart and soul are not in your presentation.  If you are preoccupied, you will lose them.  “Just telling someone to yell doesn’t solve the problem of projection. Similarly, just speaking louder doesn’t create a powerful voice” (Six minutes). 

You cannot worry about your presentation and how it is coming along, only about how you are making a contribution to the audience.  “Every presentation needs two major components -- life and energy”  (About.com). 

A great line in Reynolds book, Presentation Zen, is “Only through mistakes can you see where you’re lacking…”  If you make a mistake, keep on moving forward and worry about it later!  “Don't sweat minor mishaps” (BusinessWeek).  A good presentation is about the message, not about you.  Practice your presentation until you’ve got it as good as you can possibly get it before presenting.

Ending before the time set for your closing has never been a bad thing. According to The Presentation Coaching Institute, “The final words you say will be the most remembered”.

"Deliver a Business Presentation - 12 Tips for Delivering an Knockout Business Presentation." How to Use PowerPoint - Business Presentations - Free PowerPoint Tutorials - Use Presentation Software. Web. 17 Nov. 2011. <http://presentationsoft.about.com/od/powerpointinbusiness/p/bus_delivery.htm>.

"Deliver a Presentation like Steve Jobs - BusinessWeek." Businessweek - Business News, Stock Market & Financial Advice. Web. 17 Nov. 2011. <http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jan2008/sb20080125_269732_page_2.htm>.

"Delivery Techniques | Public Speaking and Presentation Skills Articles." Six Minutes: Public Speaking and Presentation Skills Blog. Web. 17 Nov. 2011. <http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/category/delivery-techniques/>.

Reynolds, Garr. Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery. Berkeley, CA: New Riders, 2008. Print.