Polished Professionals
  • Work & Style
  • Health & Beauty
  • Shop Social Media Posts
  • SHOP THE BOUTIQUE
  • CONTACT US
  • About M.E.L.




Polished Professionals 

Conquer The Workaday World With Style & Poise
Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Work Presentations with Poise

8/17/2017

2 Comments

 
Picture
Jacket | Tank | Pants | Bag (Dupe here) | Shoes | Necklace | Sunnies
Do you ever get nervous in front of crowd? I certainly do when I have to stand and speak to audience of my peers or even more so my superiors.  So what are some easy ways to calm your nerves before a big presentation? And how can you seem prepared even when you are not? Here are our quick tips to be polished and poised at your next work presentation.

1) Preparation  - There is nothing as important as solid preparation. If you cram the night before it will usually show  So know your material. Practice the presentation a lot in front of my mirror or even better in front of people you trust who can give you pointers.  Anticipate questions and have answers prepared, even for things you may not know. If you don't have the answer right away you know where to go to find it and can confidently tell someone you will follow up for them.  This kind of preparation will show in your poise and subject matter command.  I also always have some short version of my presentation prepared for reference - not the same things as on your power point slides our high level outline but the details you need to make sure you highlight.

2) Dress the Part - Dress in something that makes you feel strong and confident It should not be too tight or need fidgeting or tugging. Those kinds of things make you seem nervous.  It should fit impeccably and give you room to move. I like an open front jacket because it moves with me when I walk or raise my arms to gesture.  These pics show my go to presentation look.

3) Breathe  - I firmly believe in taking 3-5 slow, deep breaths before going "on," It calms my mood and helps slow my nerves before I step under the lights of a presentation. Oxygen helps your recollection too so fill your body with good, deep breaths.

4) When You Did Not Plan The Way You Wanted - So we all know the reality is sometimes you don't get to do all the preparation you like or you are put on the spot to have a presentation ready in an hour.  So how do you come off professional and polished under these circumstances? Nervous people tend to talk too long and usually do not make sense. Audiences only retain so much so rambling has a negative effect. Plan the pithy parts that you need and keep it under your allotted time so you can allow time for questions. If you are unsure you can fill your time, your audience can be your friend.  Stop every once in awhile to see if anyone has questions or comments on what you have said.  I always ask if people in the crowd have had similar experience or different experience and usually people will pipe up because they like to hear themselves talk.

5) When All Else Fails - The most important thing is to convey comfort not fear - smile, laugh (even at yourself) - you will own the room.

Would love to hear your presentation tips in the comments!
Picture
Picture
Picture
2 Comments
Crystal link
8/21/2017 08:37:26 pm

Great article Mel! These are all really really good tips. People underestimate the power of practice. I've been working with my team at work to do more dry runs and the presentations are now getting rave reviews. Practice, practice, practice. 👍

Reply
Jennifer
9/28/2017 06:51:58 am

Great article with on-point recommendations. I had the fortune to work with a speech coach recently, and she had some additional tips, particularly for women. She suggested I wear my hair back, away from my face. For one reason so I wouldn't touch my hair, which many people have a hard time not doing. She also suggested I wear sleeves and avoid a sleeveless dress. She didn't elaborate on that point, but thinking it through, makes sense to me.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    About MEL

    M.E.L. is an attorney and small business entrepreneur whose mission is to help professionals conquer the workaday world with style and poise.

    Amazon Shop CLICK HERE
    POPULAR BLOG POSTS
    4 Tips to Make Networking Easier
    WORK PRESENTATIONS WITH POISE
    Interview Like A Pro

    POPULAR YOUTUBE PLAYLISTS

    Law School Series
    Business Skills To Hone Now
    Polished Professional's Handbag Edit
    FOLLOW POLISHED PROFESSIONALS AT
    Last Minute Gift Guide

    RSS Feed


    ​Archives

    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016

    This website uses marketing and tracking technologies. Opting out of this will opt you out of all cookies, except for those needed to run the website. Note that some products may not work as well without tracking cookies.

    Opt Out of Cookies
Website by ITSourcePro
  • Work & Style
  • Health & Beauty
  • Shop Social Media Posts
  • SHOP THE BOUTIQUE
  • CONTACT US
  • About M.E.L.