Whether you want to continue to perfect your ability to give a great presentation before open enrollment season — or you need support from upper management to begin a new initiative, here are two techniques that’ll help:
1. Invade their personal space
Get within 12 feet of every audience member as often as possible.
Reason: If you’re more than 12 feet away from someone, that person isn’t likely to pay attention.
Whenever possible, try to step out from behind the microphone and walk around your audience.
This can be especially effective if you notice one individual or group is starting to lose focus. Continue your presentation close to them and get them back on track.
2. Help everyone plan and remember
The most successful meetings are those that start with an agenda and stick to it. And when attendees know what’s on the agenda ahead of time, and know what’s going to be discussed, they arrive better prepared to contribute and stay focused.
If you plan to go over any documents, distribute those materials to attendees before the meeting. Tell attendees to bring the materials to the meeting, and encourage them to review the info before they arrive.
Another smart idea: A day or two after the meeting, supply each attendee with a summary of what was discussed at the meeting. That’ll keep people from having to ask “What did we decide?” a week or two down the road.
One useful tool: Ketchup — not the condiment, but an online tool. It can help you outline what you’ll cover in an upcoming meeting, share your plans and notes, and summarize what was discussed. It’ll also help you track who attended and meeting dates. And it’s free — for now (as its popularity grows it may start to charge users).
What’s your secret to successful meetings? Let us know in the Comments Box below.
