| There are hundreds of different presentation | | | | In a business presentation, you are invariably |
| training courses available, all of which promise to | | | | trying to influence your audience in some way. |
| banish your nervousness and make you an | | | | Either trying to get them to buy a product or a |
| accomplished public speaker. How do you choose | | | | service or to think about something in a particular |
| the right course for you? | | | | way. This adds an extra dimension to the public |
| Googling "Presentation Training" will at first sight | | | | speaking skills you need to learn. A good business |
| generate a very long list of different vendors | | | | presentation skills course will address the subject |
| who offer the same "Presentation Training". But | | | | of how to influence people and how to get them |
| as you look closer you will find some trainers | | | | to think the way you want them to do. |
| approach the topic from a theatrical perspective, | | | | The price of presentation skills training courses |
| some from a business background, and a few | | | | vary tremendously but in my experience price is |
| from an educational viewpoint. While most courses | | | | not always representative of value. Just because |
| cover the core elements of public speaking, they | | | | a course is comparatively cheap it does not mean |
| are all biased towards their own area of specialty: | | | | it may be of lower quality then a far more |
| - Theatrical Presentations - Breathing, Vocal | | | | expensive course. But do consider the average |
| Exercises, Posturing | | | | number of participants and the length of the |
| - Educational Presentations - How to be a trainer, | | | | course. Often cheaper courses have higher |
| learning styles, slide design | | | | delegate numbers. |
| - Business Presentations - Influencing people, | | | | Training companies themselves vary in size and |
| motivational, instigating change | | | | structure. Some are huge organizations, with lots |
| Firstly, consider the type of presentation you are | | | | of employees that train in a wide variety of |
| likely to be giving. Is it for a best man's speech, is | | | | different subjects. The lecturers in these |
| it for business or is it about the technology of | | | | companies tend to be career trainers. Then there |
| presentations. If it is for business or sales you | | | | are the other apparently large training concerns |
| need to choose a business presentation training | | | | which actually subcontract all the work out to |
| course. There are many aspects of giving a | | | | smaller companies. Then there are the specialists |
| business presentation that may not be covered | | | | and one man bands. Almost every training |
| by a one-size-fits-all public speaking course. | | | | company offers some form of public speaking |
| Does the course give you the opportunity to give | | | | training, on the basis that their trainers are always |
| at least two presentations? You need to practice | | | | standing up talking to people, so they should be |
| and get feedback on your presentations, if it is all | | | | able to teach other people how to do it. I would |
| talk from the lecturer you won't learn nearly as | | | | suggest that in the case of giving a business |
| much. However, beware of courses that are | | | | presentation this is not always true. |
| almost all practical. You need to have some | | | | No matter how good the agenda would appear to |
| tutorial time to ensure that you are practicing the | | | | be, the success of any training course depends on |
| right skills. | | | | the lecturer. Who will be running the course you |
| How many people are allowed on the course, I | | | | are attending? If the training company can't or |
| recommend a maximum of 6. Any more and you | | | | won't commit to who will be running a particular |
| will spend too long listening to other people giving | | | | course, be very wary. Does the company provide |
| presentations. The larger the class the less | | | | feedback and client testimonials for individual |
| opportunity there is for the lecturer to take on | | | | lecturers? Don't rely on general company wide |
| board individual concerns you might have or to | | | | testimonials, they may not relate to the individual |
| focus on the particular type of presentation you | | | | who will be running your course. Ask for specific |
| are most likely to be giving. | | | | testimonials for your specific lecturer. Ask if you |
| How long is the course? Most courses are either | | | | could talk to someone, in a similar position as |
| one or two days. If time and cost are not an | | | | yourself, who has been on the same course with |
| issue then a 2 day course usually provides more | | | | that lecturer in the past. Good training companies |
| time for practicing but can you afford to take 2 | | | | should be able to arrange this without any |
| days away from your desk? A competent trainer | | | | problem. |
| should be able to cover all the main points about | | | | Look for trainers who have been there and done |
| how to structure and give a presentation, plus | | | | it, not just the ones who talk about it. If you are |
| allow enough time for practicals on a one day | | | | looking for a business presentation training course |
| course. | | | | look for one run by a business person, who has |
| Do they use video feedback? It is really useful to | | | | given lots of business presentations not an out of |
| see and hear yourself giving a presentation. It is | | | | work actor, who knows about appearing on stage |
| only with video feedback that you can appreciate | | | | but little or nothing about business. |
| what you really look and sound like. Don't shy | | | | Finally, check what you will get in terms of course |
| away from courses that use video, they are | | | | materials. If is just a copy of the lecturer's sides |
| usually well worth it. | | | | than this is fairly useless as a source of additional |
| How are the practical presentations reviewed? Is | | | | learning. Look for courses which provide a source |
| it just the lecturer's comments or are the other | | | | of ongoing reference material, check lists and the |
| participants encouraged to comment on your | | | | support to ensure your succeed in the future. |
| presentation. Everyone is different and different | | | | I wish you every success in your choice ot |
| people will pick up on different things so a wider | | | | presentation trainer and your future presentations. |
| review panel is usually better. | | | | |