Help! I Need to Connect Better During Presentations

Ahhh, presentations. Love ’em or loathe ’em, they're a staple in the corporate smorgasbord. Mastering the art of presenting is a bit like becoming a gourmet chef; it requires a dollop of skill, a dash of agility, a sharp knife to cut all the waffle and a big pinch of creativity.

We know that applied improvisation is the perfect kitchen in which to create a memorable presentation. But how, specifically, can it turn you into a Michelin-starred master of the boardroom? Let’s cook…

The Swedish Chef: charisma and indecipherability in equal measure

What to Consider

1. Audience: The alchemy of a great presentation lies in captivating your audience. Who are they? What do they care about? Are they craving a witty three-course meal or a protein-rich snack? Understand their appetites and expectations; set the stage for dishing up a tailored, engaging presentation.

TIP: check registration beforehand; get used to the names; even do a bit of ‘who’s who’ research. It’ll lower your stress to know who’s in the room.

“All human behaviour has a reason - all

behaviour is solving a problem” Michael Crichton, author and screenwriter

2. Content: You might have the most groundbreaking ideas, but if they’re murky as pea soup, you’ve lost your audience. Clarity and precision in your message are paramount - serve your content as you would a fine-dining experience: elegantly and purposefully.

TIP: Simplify, simplify simplify. As we like to say in improv, your audience never leaves a show saying: “That was great but I wish it’d been more complicated.” Choose just a few key ingredients: they’ll hit the palette much cleaner.

3. Delivery: Delivery is the seasoning that elevates a presentation. A monotone voice is the plain over-boiled potato of speeches - sleep-inducing and oh-so-bland. We call it sploop! Dynamics in tone, pace, and energy keep your audience on their toes (or at least awake).

TIP: Run your speech beforehand in a variety of ways: like a spy, as a king, in a squeaky voice, in a deliberate sing-song. Shake up your style!

What to Avoid

1. Death by PowerPoint: Slides are helpful, but a deck shouldn’t be a substitute for personality. Each slide must support your narrative: don’t let it distract.

2. The Script Trap: While using notes is fine, when you sound like you’re reading from an encyclopaedia you put the ‘ick’ in ‘dictionary’. Keep it lively and like a great sommelier, have it memorised in your personal style.

3. Tech Failures: Technology can be as unpredictable and discombobulating as a plot twist in a telenovela. Have 👏 a 👏 backup 👏 plan 👏. Channel your inner Bear Grylls, visualise the end dish message and make sure you can cook it no matter what.

Congrats! You’ve made it to the end - and there’s absolutely no charge! Fancy continuing with the tasty? Come to Breakfast! We’ll even run an activity for you to get your teeth into.

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