What to prepare for your business presentation?

Depending on the job you have, the number of times you will be asked to prepare a presentation varies. However, it will most likely happen at least once in your career. Whether it’s pitching an idea to the marketing team, revealing a product to customers and clients, or even an assessment for your new dream job, you will need to polish your presentation skills in order to succeed at your endeavor. Leaving all preparations to the last minute will usually leads to a drop in the presentation’s quality, which defies what every individual or business aims for. An excellent presentation requires excellent preparation. So next time you have a presentation, whether for a new job or your current one, make sure to tick off the checklist below, prepared by the career experts at Bayt.com.

1. Prevent technical issues

Many presentation are aided by visuals, objects, or demonstrations - all of which should be readily available when you’re in the spotlight. This is why you need to make sure everything is working beforehand. Spend some time practicing and resolving all technical matters prior to the presentation. Also, try to avoid gimmicks. Even though they work well at grabbing attention, they are also highly distracting; which is the last thing you want to do.

2. Follow the timeline

Before you delve into to the content of your presentation, your audience should have an overview. This gives them a sense of time and a sense of where they stand throughout the session. A confused audience will not pay attention and will lose their focus easily. For your own sake, consider having a more detailed outline of your points. Some speakers have that outline memorized, but you can also have it on paper to refer to during the presentation. It helps you stay on the right track but don’t use it as reading material.

Let your body, eyes, and gestures all do the talking. In other words, do not be a robot! Monotonous voices and standing still will bore the audience, leaving them uninterested in what you are talking about. But also remember that too much movement can be distracting as well. If you find public speaking intimidating and you think it affects your performance, take some courses to help you with your soft skills!

4. Use numbers

People respond better when there is research and numbers to back up what you say. Use numbers that your audience can understand and relate to. An example would be showing how much revenue you expect your new marketing strategy to generate. Sharing such data is both appealing, relevant, and makes your presentation memorable as well.

5. Dress for the occasion

Presentations rely on visuals. Even with the lack of visual aids, the speaker becomes the focus. This is why you need to put as much thought into your looks as your presentation. Dress according to occasion and the audience you are presenting to. You can always opt for smart wear and simple colors as not to give any excuse for distractions.

6. Be yourself

At the end of the day, you are what makes your presentation memorable and impactful. Don’t be scared to be yourself. Make a joke here and there. Implement your talents into the presentation when suitable. Share anecdotes that people can relate to. You are the reason for the success of your presentation! Bayt.com is the #1 job site in the Middle East with more than 40,000 employers and over 26,750,000 registered job seekers from across the Middle East, North Africa and the globe, representing all industries, nationalities and career levels. Post a job or find jobs on www.bayt.com today and access the leading resource for job seekers and employers in the region.