Top Ten Tips For Better Business Presentations To Asian Audiences

Audiences around the world are all different. Cultural, social and religious differences impact on how people learn, take in information and interact with presenters.

After delivering three presentations to managers and franchisees from the largest fast food company in the Philippines, these are my thoughts on how to make an impact.

This is the result of extensive feedback and practical knowledge of what works and what doesn't after delivering business presentations throughout Asia.

Here are 10 Tips on Delivering Better Business Presentations to Asian Audiences.

1. Do Your Research.

Find out as much as you can about the country and organisation you are working with. Read guide books, travel magazines, search the Internet and use the local media to gain as much knowledge as you can about the cultural background and history of the people you are working with.

2. Use local language and key phrases as an icebreaker, welcome address or to highlight important points.

Modify the content of your presentation to account for local differences. For example, in my work in the Philippines I used a range of local 'Tagalog' (one of the two official languages) words in both my welcome and presentation to make points and this was very effective. Former US President JFK used "Ich bin ein Berliner" to great effect in Germany during one of his speeches.

3. Use local examples.

Nothing goes down better when trying to explain a new concept than using a local example. This will make your presentation more relevant. Be sure to research your examples so they are relevant and understand the cultural context of your examples.

4. Get to know the audience.

It is most likely you will be a foreigner and many in the audience may not know you very well at all. Meet as many people personally before the presentation as possible. When presenting, let the audience warm up to you before throwing questions at them. I've noticed light-hearted bantering with the audience at the beginning of a presentation works well.

5. Speak slowly and clearly.

For many Asians, English is not their first language. Speak with less of an accent and present more slowly than you would with an Australian audience. Remember it is more important for each person to hear you accurately then it is to put more information in your speech, use your time effectively.

6. Use of Visual Aids.

Again, because of language barriers back-up your verbal message with clear and easy to understand visual aids.

7. Use Humour.

This tried and true method works across cultural boundaries. Use universal humour and avoid material that is country specific and not relevant. Never ever use inappropriate humour in any situation.

8. Physically involve the audience.

Most audiences, no matter what cultural background, tend to switch off after 20 minutes of information from the presenter. Use a physical activity or interaction to keep the audience awake and alert. One word of warning though, don't try this at the beginning when they haven't got to know you.

9. Cut out some content.

You will be speaking more slowly and spending time getting to know the audience and interacting with them. This will take time and you will need to cut out some content. Otherwise the presentation will be rushed. I find with most presenters put too much content in their presentations.

10. Evaluate, review and continually improve.

I never stop learning. Every time I speak in front of an audience, I always learn something new. Presenting to audiences outside of your comfort zone is always a challenge. Be prepared to learn, improve and be a better presenter.

Thomas Murrell MBA CSP is an international business speaker, consultant and award-winning broadcaster. Media Motivators is his regular electronic magazine read by 7,000 professionals in 15 different countries. You can subscribe by visiting http://www.8mmedia.com Thomas can be contacted directly at +6189388 6888 and is available to speak to your conference, seminar or event. Visit Tom's blog at http://www.8mmedia.blogspot.com

---

Keeping Meetings Productive

KEEPING MEETINGS PRODUCTIVE: Whether participants approve or disapprove of an... Read More

Top 6 Reasons Why You Need a Remote for PowerPoint Presentations

A top complaint from audience members is that many presenters... Read More

Preparation for Your Presentations

(Excerpted From the Jim Rohn Millennium Weekend Event)Persistence in your... Read More

Tips to Temper Speaking Anxiety

People take it for granted that leaders have achieved some... Read More

Story Telling As a Business Tool

Long long ago, it was the time when time itself... Read More

The Secret Language of Money

At a number of business seminars and presentations, I passed... Read More

The Crucial Components of a Lesson Plan

MAKING INFORMATIVE LESSON PLANS: --The performance objectives should answer this... Read More

Choosing the Right Work Shirts for Your Small Business

Company attire says a lot about your business philosophy to... Read More

Audience Respect

One of the biggest mistakes most presenters make is in... Read More

What Every Manager Should Know About How to Sharpen His Presentation Skills

Regardless of the nature of our job or social standing,... Read More

1,000,001 Reasons To Connect With Your Audience

Eye contact is mandatory when giving a public presentation.The goal... Read More

How to Convert PowerPoint to Flash Manually

Converting PowerPoint to Flash would be absolutely a good choice... Read More

Group Meetings: Being Prepared Makes a Difference

MANAGING MEETINGS--BEING PREPARED MAKES A DIFFERENCE: You can schedule all... Read More

35 Surefire Ways to Kill a Meeting

1. Play "find the meeting" by changing the location and... Read More

Ten Fun Ways to Liven up Any Presentation

Most of us would agree that having humor in our... Read More

Being Real From the Platform

"Let it be known, no person, thing, or situation... Read More

Chairing A Meeting The Most Effective Way

How many times have you attended a meeting where the... Read More

Cross Cultural Presentations

The international flavour of many people's jobs naturally means that... Read More

How to Attract New Business Like George W. Bush Wins Elections

THE LITTLE-KNOWN SPEECHWRITING SECRETS THAT WON GEORGE W. BUSH THE... Read More

Using Your Audience to Your Advantage

Regardless of what response technique may be convenient in a... Read More

The Seven Deadly Sins of Presentations

Every day, so many tens of thousands of innocent clients... Read More

PowerPoint Presentations: How to Use This Tool More Effectively

Many of us use PowerPoint to convey a message to... Read More

Ten Tips on Using Flip Charts and Whiteboards

Flip charts are so common that we all think we... Read More

Present Statistics In Context

"I didn't have 3000 pairs of shoes. I had only... Read More

Develop The Winners Edge Through Conversational Hypnosis

Communication is vital for survival in an age of information... Read More

A Discussion about Facilitation Skills

Interview with Julia Apple-Smith, Manager of Employee Development at Sauer-Danfoss... Read More

How To Make Your Best Ever Presentation

The most important tip...EVER!Make sure that you always think of... Read More

A Powerful Presentation Technique-Story Telling

Appealing to emotions is the most powerful way to transfer... Read More

Media Training Tips: Maximising Your Media Moment

Media training is a 'must do' professional development program for... Read More

The End is the Beginning

People remember best what you say last. In a presentation,... Read More

The Presentation After the Presentation

Allowing the audience to ask questions after your presentation is... Read More

How to Make Good Use of Your Web Conference Session

Preperation is vital when conducting a successful videoconference session. Thus... Read More

Choosing a Company Shirt vendor

Where can you choose a company shirt vendor? There are... Read More