transcript written by Wayne Brown
“Highly effective presentations for every leader”
- Video 1 – Preparing to present like a Pro
- Video 2 – What leaders need, to achieve initial buy-in
- Video 3 – Leaders that chunk, link, recall and review, win
- Video 4 – Leaders need to learn how to close
Welcome back to “Highly effective presentations for every leader” – you have reached the final episode of this series. And before moving onto our new material from episode #1.04, it’s important to recap what we’ve covered so far.
In episode # 1.01 – Preparing to present like a pro, we started by looking at the necessary preparations to enable professional presentations.
Episode # 1.02 – What leaders need to achieve initial buy-in, we reviewed the critical considerations for that opening stanza of the presentation.
And the previous episode #1.03, called “Leaders that chunk, link, recall, and review, win,” we looked closely at the essentials for presenters during the body of the delivery – and we’ll now summarize this in more detail.
OK, so lets at the consolidation of the 5 key considerations from episode #1.03.
If you recall, this episode is related to the “body of the presentation,” We touch on the 4 of the 7 concepts for memory retention.
# 1 The art of chunking & linking – adults digest information best when it is broken into small parcels
# 2 Using body language to enhance the message – focusing on your facial expression, hand gestures, and body movement
# 3 Using voice to enhance the message – just as body language conveys a visual message, your voice conveys the verbal & vocal message
# 4 Recall through activities – active learning is a powerful mechanism for assisting adults in locking in the message
# 5 Revisit and review – will deepen learning retention and create the potential for behavior change
As we have covered all 7 concepts of memory, let’s review them again here first and in order of importance
- Primacy,
- Recency,
- Chunking,
- Linking,
- Record & recall,
- review & revisit
- and outstandingness.
Do you recall this topic from episode 2, where we said Primacy was the most important concept for memory?
Well, now we look at the second most important “Recency,”meaning the last things we do before finishing our presentation – our close.
This is your final opportunity to ensure that all of the key points the audience has received and discussed are taken away with them in their minds and perhaps their hands.
Let us now move into today’s topic.
During the next few minutes, we will explore the final 3 considerations in this 4th and final episode of the series – “Leaders need to learn how to close.”
- Starting with “Summarizing topics & key take-aways.”
- Followed by “Concluding the presentation.”
And finishing off with a Call to action
Are you ready, then let’s start!
Consideration # 1: Summarizing the topics and key take-aways
- this is where you bring it all together that one last time.
Do you remember we spoke about the importance of reviewing a minimum of 6 times in the previous episode?
- State the topics you have covered and those key points from each – recall something specific that was discussed with these points, so participants can recall.
- Make the points visual so that there is a final chance to digest and retain – show graphically the link between all the topics which lead to the conclusion.
- Take final questions and try to seek the audience’s involvement to review if your forum allows.
Consideration #2: Concluding the presentation
this is your chance to finish on a high!
It is a great opportunity to practice your outstandingness – put on your dancing shoes (figuratively speaking) and make it special.
Leave the audience with something to remember the subject by – such as a closing statement quoted by someone famous or a dire prediction if no change follows.
During your preparations, you would have identified this, and now it’s time to live it and illustrate the lasting image you want the group to leave with – make it big and bold on and off the screen.
Consideration # 3: Calling to action
- all great presentations have a follow-up request or requirement
Try using the “challenge” or “call back” close – pose something which will require the audience to act immediately or commit to a post-workshop event.
Providing handouts, notes, or information on future events for the audience to take if interested is a good idea – but again create a reason why people would want to open it after they leave.
I’ve been to way too many events where I have been given material that sits on my desk for a while when I get back to the office but eventually ends up on my shelf or in the bin.
Don’t drag the ending on too long – bring the presentation to a close.
If possible, stay for the remainder of proceeding to field questions outside of the event.
To summarize episode # 1.04 and consolidate the 3 key considerations – we’ve just learned how to effectively close a presentation.
Start by Summarizing the topics and key take-aways – this is where you bring it all together.
Then conclude the presentation – your chance to finish on a high – Leave the audience with something to remember the subject by – such as a closing statement quoted by someone famous.
And finally, and very importantly, create a Call to action – all great presentations have a follow-up request for some form of immediate action or commit to a post-workshop event.
So that’s it for this episode. Thank you for listening to this series, “Highly effective presentations for every leader.”
We’ve enjoyed making this short series 12 months back and are happy now that we have them available as a podcast series. We hope you can get value from the discussion and strengthen your presentation ability.
It’s truly a key skill for all executives. During the series, we have covered 4 topics;
– Preparing to present like a Pro
– What leaders need to achieve initial buy-in
– Leaders that chunk, link, recall, and review, win
– Leaders need to learn how to close
Please visit our site @ A Mentors Couch.com and subscribe to this channel called couchTALK, on Stitcher and Apple. Plus, if you haven’t already done so, you can watch this series as a video through our YouTube channel Mentors Rant.
We’re presently working on a series of meditation tracks for use during my coaching sessions. After that, we’ll be ready to start moving onto the Leaders Advance series available through our 3 pack approach – video, podcast, and blog.
So until the next release, bye for now, and enjoy presenting!
