Regardless of what response technique may be convenient in a given situation, one thing is certain for the aware trainer: different techniques will drive you deeper and deeper into the realm of subtlety, which is precisely where the art of using response points belongs. For most trainers, these direct questions will be the best method to determine how well the idea presentation is progressing.
If possible, have a friend or associate sit in on the presentation for the express purpose of serving as a critic. They should divorce themselves as completely as possible from what would be the normal interaction of a regular audience member. Their job is to evaluate the feedback techniques clinically and objectively. They should observe both you and your audience, and note your effectiveness and their attention and reactions. In certain cases it might also be advisable to have prearranged signals similar to those used in broadcasting studios to tell speakers and performers to speed up, slow down, and how much time is left. The main aim is to get an objective evaluation of yourself for future reference and improvement.
After back-burnering your own feelings, you must observe the feelings of your audience. Observation is a very direct way of obtaining feedback, but your evaluation of the feedback must be objective and realistic. When trainers allow an audience member to disturb them through heckling or insults, they lose the ability to objectively analyze and control their group. Understand that it is by instinct that we take such affronts personally, but in training it is necessary to overcome this reaction. A look of disbelief or disapproval from a member in the front row should be duly registered, but don't take it to heart. If you ask a rhetorical question and get an unexpected reaction, contain it and continue. Having fully analyzed your audience, the chances of your being thrown by such situations are reduced to a minimum.
In the final analysis, audience feedback will help you to walk away from your presentation with a much greater chance of knowing not only how good it was, but whether or not you've actually accomplished your stated objective. Above all else, you should remember that you always must be just as much an audience analyst as a trainer of ideas. In conversing with individual members of the audience, bear in mind that you owe them just as much attention and respect as you want from them.
Copyright AE Schwartz & Associates All rights reserved. For additional presentation materials and resources: ReadySetPresent and for a Free listing as a Trainer, Consultant, Speaker, Vendor/Organization: TrainingConsortium
CEO, A.E. Schwartz & Associates, Boston, MA., a comprehensive organization which offers over 40 skills based management training programs. Mr. Schwartz conducts over 150 programs annually for clients in industry, research, technology, government, Fortune 100/500 companies, and nonprofit organizations worldwide. He is often found at conferences as a key note presenter and/or facilitator. His style is fast-paced, participatory, practical, and humorous. He has authored over 65 books and products, and taught/lectured at over a dozen colleges and universities throughout the United States.
The CEO of a worldwide business asked me to help... Read More
Interview with Julia Apple-Smith, Manager of Employee Development at Sauer-Danfoss... Read More
Usually the emphasis on making an effective speech is what... Read More
What is it about overhead projectors that causes us to... Read More
Myth 1: Executives belong in meetings.Although the demands of business... Read More
A client recently called to say she was going to... Read More
Webster's Dictionary defines communication as "a giving or exchanging of... Read More
There is an old saying: "The first thing to do... Read More
Preperation is vital when conducting a successful videoconference session. Thus... Read More
There are many definitions for presentations. When you present there... Read More
Super Preparation ?Keys to Getting a Great Start to Every... Read More
You've spent a lot of time preparing your PowerPoint presentations... Read More
Long long ago, it was the time when time itself... Read More
Appealing to emotions is the most powerful way to transfer... Read More
Once upon a time????."Yeah right, don't tell us a story,... Read More
1. Play "find the meeting" by changing the location and... Read More
SUCCESSFUL DEMONSTRATIONS: All of us have seen demonstrations in one... Read More
People remember best what you say last. In a presentation,... Read More
"Let it be known, no person, thing, or situation... Read More
"I'm not an expert on this topic, but . .... Read More
Whether you are training preschoolers in the classroom or executives... Read More
One of the biggest mistakes most presenters make is in... Read More
THE LITTLE-KNOWN SPEECHWRITING SECRETS THAT WON GEORGE W. BUSH THE... Read More
The quality of your sales presentation will often determine whether... Read More
Many of us use PowerPoint to convey a message to... Read More
According to the Lamalle Report on Top Executives of the... Read More
Remember back when the ability to create a slide show... Read More
Conventional wisdom is that the more choices customers have, the... Read More
Calling a projector hire company will often get you confused... Read More
Communication is vital for survival in an age of information... Read More
Yes, there are ancient PowerPoint secrets...secrets your grandmother knows and... Read More
You speak before a group. You present your message. You... Read More
You're in a conference room. You're giving a PowerPoint presentation... Read More
So you're not a professional speaker. That's no excuse for... Read More
If the mere thought of standing up in front of... Read More
Converting PowerPoint to Flash would be absolutely a good choice... Read More
8 Ways to Improve Your Presentation Skills 1. Join Toastmasters.... Read More
(Excerpted From the Jim Rohn Millennium Weekend Event)Persistence in your... Read More
As I travel around the world I always enjoy sampling... Read More
What is it about overhead projectors that causes us to... Read More
We all fear that moment. You look out on a... Read More
A trade show is an ideal way of showcasing your... Read More
Last week my husband and I attended an awesome 4... Read More
Company attire says a lot about your business philosophy to... Read More
As the meeting began, the project manager of the buying... Read More
Do you ever get frustrated with your marketing? Are you... Read More
If you deliver electronic presentations using PowerPoint or other programs,... Read More
The query letter is simply a business letter that serves... Read More
So you're going to have a booth at a trade... Read More
WHEN ONLY A LECTURE WILL DO: Under certain circumstances, of... Read More
Tomorrow's the day and you're dreading it. You're scheduled to... Read More
LESSON PLAN DEVELOPMENT: Lesson plans, believe it or not, are... Read More
Communication is a complex and often difficult process for both... Read More
Most people love to hide behind the lectern.. It makes... Read More
People love stories. We love to hear about other people,... Read More
Presenters often tell me that they fear losing their train... Read More
What would we do without our cell phones? Wow, there's... Read More
Interview with Julia Apple-Smith, Manager of Employee Development at Sauer-Danfoss... Read More
The quality of your sales presentation will often determine whether... Read More
Like most good achievements, a magnificent meeting depends on planning... Read More
I had been working on a logo idea for several... Read More
The CEO of a worldwide business asked me to help... Read More
1. Play "find the meeting" by changing the location and... Read More
Once upon a time????."Yeah right, don't tell us a story,... Read More
Yes, there are ancient PowerPoint secrets...secrets your grandmother knows and... Read More
Flash chart, flash map, flash graph may be mistaken for... Read More
Presentation |