Will you answer my other question? I need more answers please! T_T?

Question

My other question is called "Public Speaking?" I could really use more input from more of you all. Thanks a bunch!

Can you all give me some advice for some public speaking? I will be doing a presentation before a vice president and other important figures of this corporate business, and I get extremely nervous when I begin speaking. Also, the information I'll be presenting is really new (even foreign) to me. And words of advice? I could use it! Thanks. ^_^

What if I'm asked a question and I don't have the answer?

My speech is about Business Warehouse, specifically SAP's NetWeaver's Visual Composer, BEx Web Analyzer, and BEx Web Application Designer. Tricky stuff...

Answer 1

It’s all about confidence. If you know your stuff, you’ll be fine. I remember you saying(sorry didn’t answer the first time) that the information is very new to you and even foreign. This can be difficult, especially during the Q&A portion of the presentation. The best advice I can give you regarding this situation is that, if you don’t already know how to, learn how to ad-lib. If you can BS on your feet you’ll be fine. Keep an open mind and stay creative. Don’t lean on anything, slouch, or talk to fast. Read the visual cues that their body language gives you and respond to it. If they look like they may be confused, stop for a moment to ask if they have any questions. Eye contact is essential for this, so remember to make the occasional eye to eye throughout the room without starring. Motion creates emotion, so move around a bit, but don’t pace…you’ll look nervous. You are there giving this presentation because you deserve to be, remember that. The people listening are no better then you are in any way so don’t be intimidated.
Oh yes! Practice, practice, practice!

Answer 2

Study, study and study your materials. You said your topic is foreign to you - then research on it as much as you can. Learn everything you can about the topic

Ask yourself what are the possible questions these executives will ask. If you have had a chance to see these executives in action during presentations of your colleagues - what are their styles? What types of questions do they commonly ask? What type of information do they want to know? If you can anticipate their questions, then you can be better prepared for your presentation.

Talk with a boss or another coworker who has given presentations and ask them what types of questions are often asked. There are executives who want to cut to the chase and ask immediately - "What does that mean for the company?"

Will you be using presentation tools such as Powerpoint? If you have numbers or charts, Powerpoint can be a great tool. Just make sure you don't read off your presentation - that is excruciatingly boring. Polish your powerpoint making sure that it is not too long.

If you have the time, find the book "Presentation S.O.S.: From Perspiration to Persuasion in 9 Easy Steps" by Mark Wiskup.http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0446695548/powerhomebizguid/104-3829973-9823133?creative=327641&camp=14573&adid=0FT8KXB2N7W47G942SC4&link_code=as1 It's a very good easy to read book. Among his suggestions are in terms of what not to do when you start your presentation:

- Do not thank the audience - build connection with the audience fast and thanking them is just a waste of time ("Prince, Madonna, Garth, Beyonce -- all perform first and thank later...Speakers should learn from this lesson).
- Do not tell the audience how glad you are to be with them - again, rapport building is the first thing a speaker must do
- Starting with a joke is harder than it looks - do it only when you know you can be really funny, not cringe-inducing
- Don't say "I've been asked to speak about" - it sounds like you want to speak about something else
- No apologies!
- Shouting good morning is trouble

One of the author's suggestion -- that really works -- is the importance of stories. Wiskup said that to be an effective speaker, you need to "create a specific story person who will help you define your presentation agenda." Give concrete examples, such as specific cases where it affects your company. Execs love that.

Relax, and enjoy the moment. If you are well prepared, then you can be more confident. If they ask you something that you don't know, don't invent because they can smell it and your credibility will just go down the drain. Tell them that you will look up the answer and will get back to them. This approach shows them that you can be relied upon to give more thoughtful and correct answer, rather than pretend to know everything but it's so obvious that you don't know anything.

Good luck

Answer 3

I assume what you will be speaking about has already been determined. I suggest to study up on what you will be speaking about. I also assume that there will be other experts in the field you will be deliberating about that will be present. You could always count on them in helping you answer if anyone ask a question you can not answer.

I personally hate public speaking, but I done it before in my current and previous jobs. What works for me and in order to control myself I start taking slow deep breaths in and out. I say a prayer and ask God to give me the will to carry out this situation that I truly makes me uncomfortable.

During the presentation I tend to look at one certain place or thing. It could be the bold head of some guy, or the nice picture in the back of the room. I kind of avoid eye contact, looking at everyone gets me nervous and I get distracted.

Some people say that if you make yourself think that everyone in the room is naked (except you) that will relieve your nervous and make your speaking easier. Good luck.

Answer 4

Speak in a clear voice. Add Humor to your speech..Speak from the Heart. Don't go on for more than 30-40 minutes. Organize your thoughts. Know your Subject well. Involve the audience in feedback. Speak with confidence even although you may be folding up inside: that feeling will pass. Keep water handy as you will get cotton mouth. Don't bore people

Answer 5

The key to public speaking is to have confidence in yourself. To review your material to the best you can. You can't be expected to know everything. If you handle a question you don't know well it won't come across as if you don't know it. If you know people are going to ask questions, come up with three recognizing, lighthearted responses to diffuse them and keep your cool so you don't look all deer in the headlights. If you have a response you will still sound professional. One I have used is "Hmm, good question" and write it down on a pad. " I will get back to you on that in an hour"

The other thing you can do is have someone you know listen to you and ask you questions, since they don't know anything accept what you just said to them in your presentation they should have plenty of questions. Another thing is to approach a coworker that you can trust to give you an honest oppinion and not stab you in the back if you can buy him lunch and go over your presentation.... while he is eating give him the schpeal and see what he says...

The biggest key is to relax...and be confident in your preparation. you could also try Emotional Freedom Technique http://www.emofree.com/ and just search for stress reduction and you will see others situations that have used it. It is simple, can be done anywhere and is based on Accupuncture....

Good luck

Answer 6

Your sense of confidence will eventually come from FAMILIARITY with your material gained from a speaking out loud in public places type of PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE AND MORE PRACTICE !!!!! ...and IF you are asked a quesiton you dont have an answer for... address it with your PRACTICED REPLY of
1st a compliment like: HMN, THAT'S AN EXCELLENT QUESION!
2nd a shield deflection like: I'LL BE SURE TO LOOK INTO THAT IN THE FUTURE !
...also get out your library card and visit the AUDIO BOOK section of your library, and ask the librarian if they have the cd or cassette for the book: "Public Speaking for Dummies" excellent book. i just read it last month for a similar project. oh yeah, there's also a FUN audio book called "How to get your point across in 30 seconds or less" by Milo Frank.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK ...and you will be fine. no problem.
that's how even the professionals do it.
no biggie once youve internalized these principles.
=D
=HulkSmaash!

[i'm posting this in both places in answer to your quesion.]

Answer 7

i'd answer it, but i don't knw what the question is. you stated that i was about public speaking, but what about it? in general public speaking is:
public speaking:
n. The act, art, or process of making effective speeches before an audience.
n:delivering an address to a public audience; "people came to see the candidates and hear the speechmaking"

Answer 8

Sure and you are welcome,I am not sure what you are asking but you said something about public speaking,is just being honest and truthful in what you say,and pay attention clearly.

Answer 9

I went back and read your other question, you got some GREAT advise!!! I couldn't possibly add anything else except for--- YOU CAN DO IT!! Don't be scared!!! Good Luck

Answer 10

sure. What about public speaking?