Background – Our research has shown that :
- Exposure leads to awareness, and perhaps to understanding.
- Experience leads to internalisation.
- Practice leads to confidence and desired performance.
By reading a book or listening to a speech you become aware of what it takes to drive a car, but you have not yet acquired the skills to drive. By getting behind the steering wheel and driving – once, twice or three times, you get to experience what it’s like to drive, and you then gradually internalise what needs to be learned and perfected until you can drive with the required skill. By repeatedly driving, the critical skills are eventually acquired. With increasing experience, you become so adept that you may even have the confidence to attempt an advanced driving course.
This analogy explains our approach to teaching our delegates how to present in a results orientated manner.
Our Approach – the programme
Presentation Skills training is conducted by experienced experts in the field of presenting. The introductory course comprises 2 or 3 full days in which delegates absorb the required theory pertaining to preparation, practice and perform a presentation. The programme ideally runs on consecutive days, but it is possible to split them up. During this initial phase, delegates learn to present in small teams, enjoying a supportive environment. Two to three presentations are prepared and conducted on course and each delegate participates in preparing and delivering. Presenters are required to give feedback on their own presentations with facilitator guidance. At this stage participants do not evaluate one another.
Follow up (formally called Assessment)
Follow up is scheduled 6-12 weeks after the initial course. Pre-work documentation is available here and is also printed in section 4 of the course manuals. It may also be emailed upon request. Delegates prepare an eight minute solo presentation in advance. Accompanying slides, if applicable should be brought on computer or a flash drive. A preliminary “warm up” presentation is delivered that morning, and later the pre-prepared presentation is delivered. Delegates in the audience are actively involved in the critique and feedback of other delegates making it an interesting, rewarding and informative day. A significant benefit of this phase is that delegates can prepare and practice their presentations at their own leisure.
Outcomes
Our methodology creates tangible results because delegates not only hear, they also do. Delegates graduate with the knowledge, skills and attitude to deliver results orientated presentations. They are also given the resources to continue their learning journey, resulting in ongoing improvement and an increase in presentation ability and confidence.
