First impression, powerful impact: how to deliver presentations to be remembered
Andrzej Butra
The HR Trainers Team has completed several projects dedicated to public speaking or incorporating its elements. This included both speeches and presentations to larger and smaller audiences, such as at business meetings or project teams. Participants often asked the question, "What can I do to be remembered?"
The answer to this question is quite simple... A strong opening and closing of the speech are what count. Today, we'll look at a successful opening. And right away, I'll say... let's not start by introducing ourselves. Someone might say, "How so?". And the answer is: "there will be time for that."
What might participants want to know at the beginning of a speech? What the session or meeting will be about, what they will gain from it, who the presenter is, what will happen, how long the presentation will last, whether they can ask questions. If so, when. Whether they need to participate actively, or if they will receive any materials / handouts. There are also mundane things, like whether there will be breaks.
It's worth paying attention to the above to ensure participants' comfort, or even a sense of security. So, what should a good opening look like? I suggest using the "ABCD" scheme, which is as follows:
A – ATTENTION = grabbing attention
B – BUY-IN = what the listener will gain from listening to me (benefits)
C – CREDENTIALS = who I am
D – DIRECTIONS = navigation and information
What happens at each stage?
We start with A – ATTENTION, which is about grabbing the audience's ATTENTION, and this is done by making eye contact, pausing before we start speaking, introducing emotions or something that participants will think about. It's worth using a powerful photo or image. Or an anecdote or quote. You can also ask the audience a question and gather their answers. It's advisable to show that we are happy to be with the audience.
Now we can move on to B = BUY-IN, which is what the participant will gain or learn by listening to us. In short, what the listeners will gain as a result of the presentation / speech, what they will be able to do (something they couldn't do before). This is also the moment to show that we understand the participant's world, their problems, worries.
And only then do we proceed to introduce ourselves, our qualifications, and credibility. C = CREDENTIALS, this is credibility and qualifications, which can be shown directly (e.g., by listing them) or indirectly, for example, by showing your involvement in various undertakings or projects.
The last element of the scheme is D = DIRECTION, which is navigation through the speech or meeting. This includes what will happen, how long the meeting will last, when questions can be asked, the agenda).
Once we have prepared such an "intro" to the speech, it's worth practicing it. You can record it or film it on your phone. This way, we learn not only how the content of our speech sounds, but also how we behave in front of the camera. But that's a topic for an HR training or another article. ;)
Good luck with your speeches and presentations!
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