(This is Part Two. Part One is here.)
Because sitting, when presenting, negatively impacts so much of one's presentation skills, there are some discrete skills to consider to ensure your effectiveness isn't negatively affected as well. At the same time, here's some additional 'sitting tips' when part or all of your meeting attendees are on the other end of a conference call.
BodyCommand attention by leaning forward into the table. Your back should never touch the back of the chair. Likewise, your colleagues should sit back, 'giving' you the table. Sit at the table where everyone can see you. At the head of the table is far more dominant than sitting at the side. Which is appropriate for your topic or the environment?
GesturesForget what your Grandmother taught you. Your elbows should be on the table, and gestures should be high, preferably near the face. Don't gesture at table height so your hands look like flopping fish. More so, do NOT gesture with your hands on your lap, under the table. (Trust me, it happens.)
When seated, the most important element of eye contact is keeping your eyes up. Most presenters are reading something - a report, a board paper. So, their heads tend to bounce: they read a bit, lift their head and say it aloud, dip their head and read a bit more, lift their head and say more. If they could see themselves, they'd look like bobbing-head dolls on a car dashboard. Instead, rehearse by reading the entire sentence, message or thought. Then, lift the head and say the entire statement. It'll also force you to consider what you're actually saying.
Tips for Presenting over the Phone
Perhaps the best way to consider these points is to remember what it's like to be on the other end of line of a bad conference call.
- Use a landline if at all possible. You don't want to risk fluctuating mobile or cell service. As for the squawk box itself, test it in advance.
- Manage your materials. If you have multiple documents, clearly label them "A", "B" and so on so you can help the people who can't see what you're looking at. All pages should be numbered. If your materials are particularly complex, sometimes it helps to use numbers instead of bullet points so you can say, "Please turn to page 6, point 8."
- Use a technique known as 'sliding.' Don't staple your materials. When you finish a page, you simply slide it left or right. When you're finished, your presentation should be in backwards order. Also, consider highlighting the key messages on each page so you don't have to search through dense text to actually see what you're trying to say. Most of all, there won't be paper flapping on the other end of the line to distract your listeners who only hear ... well, paper flapping.
- Speak clearly and slowly. You must enunciate. At the same time, only one person speaks at a time. This is as vital for you as the speaker, but also when you're the listener.
- Minimise all distractions. Usually, that means other people in the room, but also noise from any place inside or outside the conference room. If there's construction nearby, try to move or find a quieter place. It's better to have beverages and food outside the room as well.
- Don't mask your mouth. No eating, especially chewing gum or lozenges. Also, avoid covering your mouth with your hands. Many people do this subconsciously, so ask a colleague to keep an eye out, just in case you don't realise you do it.
Above all else, remember you cannot be seen by the other party. They can't see your facial expressions, which is one of the primary things people use to understand the context of what you say. The inability to read your expressions also means that most jokes, sarcastic or ironic remarks will fly over their heads.
Finally, judiciously keep asking if the other end can hear you, and whether or not they understand. And at the end of any presentation, always encourage the listeners to contact you separately as follow-up.
Questions about Presentation Skills workshops? Email me at andy@aqus.com.au.
Thanks to Kevin Cormac for the conference call thought starters.
