Presentation Skills for Finance Professionals

Course Overview:

Presentation skills are possessed by everyone, no matter how challenging it seems. Everyone can present and present well, the secret is hard work, preparation, practice and more hard work. The so called “masters” make it look easy because they work very hard behind the scenes to plan the process and have practiced over and over again.

Ask yourself, am I comfortable addressing a group of colleagues in an informal gathering, members of a family group, many mates in a team, friends in a club, colleagues in a crowded canteen and the answer will be “yes, of course”. Ask you to stand in front of that very same group and address them formally and the answer suddenly changes. Why? No confidence, lack of preparation and the fear of making a fool of yourself. Everyone feels this way first time. This course will help you to overcome these unwarranted fears and turn you into the competent presenter that is within all of us – once we realise it.

Course Content:

The Essentials – The Presenter – You

• Carrying out the ‘essential checks’
• Presenting the ‘right’ image
• Using your words, tone and body language
• Working with the qualities of your voice
• Acknowledging and overcoming nerves
• Using relaxation techniques
• Using mannerisms and gestures to enhance impact
• The qualities of a successful presenter

Example/Exercise

The Essentials – The Material – What Are You Going to Say

• Performing a needs analysis
• Writing the basic outline
• Researching, writing and editing
• Establishing a clear purpose
• Using successful information gathering techniques
• Choosing the best route through your material
• Identifying the key points
• Creating strong openings and closings
• Knowing the pros and cons of different visual aids
• Making it big, bold and brilliant

Example/Exercise

The Essentials – The Audience – Who Will You be Saying it To

• Knowing your audience to develop presentations that appeal
• Building rapport
• Getting and keeping them on your side
• Working with questions
• Handling difficult people
• Understanding group dynamics

Example/Exercise

Next Step – Delivery Methods

• Basic methods
• Advanced methods
• Basic criteria to consider
• Choose from a range of communication styles depending upon the situation
• Listening and Hearing: They aren’t the same thing
• Asking questions
• Communicating with power

Example/Exercise

Next Step – Communication Skills

• What do we mean by Communication
• Preparing mentally
• Physical relaxation techniques
• Appearing confident in front of the crowd
• Non-Verbal Communication Skills
• Body language
• The signals you send to others
• It’s not WHAT you say, It’s HOW you say it
• Presenting your case with impact.

Example/Exercise

Perfecting your skills

• Make them laugh a little
• Ask them a question
• Encouraging discussion
• Dealing with questions
• Creating Fantastic Flip Charts
• Creating Compelling PowerPoint Presentations
• WOW your Audience
• Vibrant Videos and Amazing Audio

Example/Exercise