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

---

Choosing a Presentation Remote Control

If you deliver electronic presentations using PowerPoint or other programs,... Read More

Audience Respect

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

Media Training 101: Mastering the Television Interview

As I travel around the world I always enjoy sampling... Read More

The Crucial Components of a Lesson Plan

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

How to Convert PowerPoint to Flash Manually

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

Shamus Browns Top 5 Sales Presentation Tips

When its time to give your next sales presentation, here... Read More

Presentation Skill Mistakes

Last week my husband and I attended an awesome 4... Read More

Being Real From the Platform

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

Choosing a Company Shirt vendor

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

Clear Communication: The Benefits and How to Achieve Them

Communication is a complex and often difficult process for both... Read More

Preparation for Your Presentations

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

Tough Talk: Bad News Delivered the Right Way

Communicating Bad News The Right WayIt's the rare executive who... Read More

Transitions: Building Bridges to Your Points

Presenters often tell me that they fear losing their train... Read More

Grand Opening: The Key To Great Presentations

Whether you are speaking in front of a civic group... Read More

Chairing A Meeting The Most Effective Way

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

Is This Thing On?: Keeping Your Audiences Attention

First and foremost, you must deal effectively with your own... Read More

Close Deals in Record Time!

Remember back when the ability to create a slide show... Read More

Story Telling As a Business Tool

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

Painless Presentations

Did the "Painless" part of the title get your attention?Speaking... Read More

Rise Above Cattiness

Cattiness is something no one ever wants to be accused... Read More

Dump that Overhead Projector!

What is it about overhead projectors that causes us to... Read More

Quick and Easy Rehearsal Tips

Never rehearse at the last minute. This creates undue tension... Read More

Just Say No to PowerPoint: Enough is Enough!

Have you ever been slideswiped? You walk into a meeting... Read More

1,000,001 Reasons To Connect With Your Audience

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

Total Recall: How to Remember Your Speech Without Memorizing

We all fear that moment. You look out on a... Read More

How to Chair a Meeting

You don't have to be on a stage to be... Read More

5 Breakthrough Marketing Ideas

Do you ever get frustrated with your marketing? Are you... Read More

Trade Show Victory!

So you're going to have a booth at a trade... Read More

Powerful Presentations: How to Write and Deliver a Presentation to Remember

If the mere thought of standing up in front of... Read More

Let Me Tell You a Little Story

Once upon a time there was a businessperson who had... Read More

Cross Cultural Presentations

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

Kvetching Behavior and How it Hinders Success

Kvetching is the Yiddish word for complaining, hand to the... Read More