How to give Exceptional Presentation?

Presentation guide based on the International Best Seller Book 'The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs' by Carmine Gallo

Have you ever had the opportunity to witness a presentation by Steve Jobs during an Apple Event? Have you ever try to find or analyze the secret behind Steve Jobs mesmerizing presentation style? And why we fail to give some simple presentation in front of our colleague seated in small room?

In this article, we will explore and learn the secrets behind the seemingly ordinary presentations delivered by an extraordinary person on Earth.

Steve Jobs delivering Presentation

First of all, Structure your presentation in three-act Play. A dramatic play—a meticulously crafted and well-rehearsed performance that informs, entertains, and inspires.

Lets delve into each Act and fine the conclusive action:

Act 1: Create the Story.

A compelling story with strong narrative will give you the confidence and ability to captivate your audience.

“Plan in Analog.”

Visualize, plan, and create ideas.

“Answer the One Question That Matters Most.”

• Listeners always ask for “Why should I care?”

“Develop a Messianic Sense of Purpose.”

• Dig deep to identify your true passion. Ask yourself, “What am I really sharing?”

“Create Twitter-Like Headlines.”

• Developing headlines that fit into limited character sentences will enhance your ability to persuasively communicate your ideas.

“Draw a Road Map.”

• Follow or adopt one of the most powerful principles of persuasion: The Rule of Three.
• Only three major message points. These three points will serve as a verbal road map for your pitch or presentation.

Act 2: Deliver the Experience.

To turn your presentations into visually appealing and “must-have” or indispensable experiences.

“Channel Their Inner Zen.”

• Every slide must be designed to look simple, visual appealing and captivating.
• Avoid bullet points. Always only with few exception. Use pictures.
• Focus on conveying one theme per slide, and complement that theme with a photograph or image.

“Dress Up Your Numbers.”

• Utilize data to support the key theme of your presentation, while carefully selecting the figures you wish to present. Avoid overwhelming your audience with excessive amount of numbers.
• Make your data specific, relevant, and contextual. In other words, present the numbers into a context that is relevant to the lives of your listeners.

“Use ‘Amazingly Zippy’ Words.”

• Simplify your text by removing redundant language, buzzwords, or any complex jargon.
• Have fun with words. Feel free to use enthusiastic language to express your confidence in your product.

Remember, the words you use in your presentation must be:

• Simple, Concrete, Emotional

Rehearse the big moment. Do not make the mistake because you failed to practice. It must come off crisp, polished and effortless. Make sure demos work and slides appear when they’re supposed to. The demo and slides should be tested to avoid any technical glitches.

Act 3: Refine and Rehearse.

Pay attention to your body language, verbal delivery and even your choice of attire. Strive to make your “scripted” presentations sound natural and conversational.

“Master Stage Presence.”

• How you say something is as important as what you say. Body language and verbal delivery account for 63 to 90 percent of the impression you leave on your audience.
• Pay attention to your body language. Maintain eye contact, have an open posture, and use hand gestures when appropriate. Don’t be afraid of using your hands.
• Vary your vocal delivery by adding inflection to your voice, raising or lowering your volume, as well as speeding up and slowing down. Also, let your content breathe. Pause.
• Record yourself. Watch your body language, and listen to your vocal delivery. Watching yourself on video is the best way to improve your presentation skills.

“Make It Look Effortless.”

• There are no “naturals.” Steve Jobs is an extraordinary presenter because he put in the efforts.
• The emerging picture of such studies is that ten thousand hours of practice is required to achieve the level of mastery associated with being a world-class expert—in anything . . .
• Practice, practice, and practice some more. Don’t take anything for granted. Thoroughly Review every slide, every demo, and every key message. You should know exactly what you’re going to say, when you’re going to say it, and how you’re going to say it.

Record your presentation. You don’t need to record the entire presentation. The first five minutes should give you plenty of information. Look for distracting body language and verbal tics, or fillers. When possible, review the video with someone else.

As you watch the video, pay close attention to these five areas:

• Eye contact, Body language, Filler words, Vocal delivery, Energy

Filler words such as “ah,” “um,” and “you know” should not disqualify someone from public office, nor should they limit a person’s effectiveness as a business leader. Even it will not detract from your ability to persuade an audience, all too often, though, fillers will diminish your influence in the eyes of others and can damage your efforts.

Here are three ways to eliminate fillers from your remarks:

Ask for feedback

Tap the glass method

Record yourself, and play it back in the presence of others

Leave your comfort zone. Most people underestimate how little energy they actually have during a presentation. When they are asked to go “over the top” and to leave their comfort zone, they hit the right note.

“Wear the Appropriate Costume.”

• Dress like the leader you want to become, not for the position you currently have. Great leaders dress a little better than everyone else in the room.
• Wear clothes that are appropriate for the culture.

“Toss the Script.”

• Don’t read from notes except in special circumstances in which you must follow a step-by-step process, such as a demonstration.
• When you must read from notes, create no more than three or four large-font bullet points on one note card or sheet of paper.
• Use the visuals on your slide to prompt you to deliver just one key theme—one main message—per slide. Think “one theme per slide.”

Five Steps to Tossing the Script

Write your script in full sentences in the “notes” section of PowerPoint.

Highlight or underline the key word from each sentence, and practice your presentation.

Delete extraneous words from your scripted sentences, leaving only the key words.

Memorize the one key idea per slide.

Practice the entire presentation without notes, simply using the slides as your prompter.

“Have Fun.”

• Despite the extensive preparations that go into a presentation, things don’t always go according to plan.
• Treat presentations as “infotainment.” Your audience wants to be educated and entertained. Have fun.
• Never apologize. You have little to gain from calling attention to a problem. If your presentation hits a glitch, acknowledge it, smile, and move on. If it was not obvious to anyone but you, do not call attention to it.

Change your frame of reference. When something does not go exactly as planned, it did not “go wrong” unless you allow it to derail the rest of your presentation. Keep the big picture in mind, have fun, and let the small stuff roll off your back. 

By following these guidelines, you can elevate your presentation skills and deliver a mind-blowing performance, just like Steve Jobs.

Each of this act must be separated by short intermissions. It will help you take your presentations to an entirely new level.

 

Extra bite:

Finally, it is important to keep in mind the ten-minute rule and give your listeners’ brains a break.

TechCrunch organizers believe that eight minutes is the ideal amount of time in which to communicate an idea. If you cannot express your idea in eight minutes, you need to refine your idea. That will ensure that our message is clear and concise.

I have provided you with all the necessary materials for any type of presentation. Utilize them as per your requirements. Please note that while you may reduce the number of steps required for your presentation, it is imperative that all three acts are covered in order to make your presentation truly exceptional.

Resources:
'The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs - How to Be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience' - Carmine Gallo, Columnist, Businessweek.com

Also Read:

Essential Workplace Communication Skills