How to Prepare, Stage & Deliver Winning Presentations.

• Author: Skillman, Juanita M.
• Position: Review

"You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can't get them across, your brains won't get you anywhere."

This quotation from Lee Iacocca, former chief executive of Chrysler Corp., sums up the main premise of How to Prepare, Stage, & Deliver Winning Presentations by Thomas Leech. This excellent "how to" publication concentrates on using the systems approach to prepare and deliver effective presentations, and how to take advantage of the various technologies available to presenters today.

The book, published by AMACOM, a division of the American Management Association, has three parts:

* Part One - Presentations: An Overview

* Part Two- The Systems Approach to Presentations

* Part Three- Special Presentations Situations

Each of the 16 chapters follows the basic speaker's premise of "tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you told them." An introduction lists the key points to be covered, the body of the chapter is amply illustrated with charts and graphics, and then a summary puts it all together.

Part One presents compelling arguments on the role of presentations in the business world today. While effective presentations can boost your career, the inability to present (or sell) your ideas, recommendations and needs can relegate you and your department to the bottom of the corporate ladder. The author's 15 keys to successful presentations left me thinking, "of course, why didn't I think of that?" and, more importantly, "I can do that."

The last chapter in Part One reiterates that while most of us work hard to master the skills and knowledge needed by our profession, very few hone the skills needed to present in the best light what we do. Acknowledging that stage fright is the biggest deterrent to being an effective presenter, the author offers 12 tips on how to overcome the hold of fear and apprehension, such as "focus on the message, not what they might be thinking about you." In other words, leave your ego behind and concentrate on how to communicate your ideas and information effectively.

Part Two is an in-depth look at a systems approach to winning presentations that even the novice can present effectively. The section on audience analysis suggests not only asking to whom you are presenting, but also asking what they already know about your subject. What are their particular needs and...