Effective Speaking/Presentation Skills

With Mike Frank's speaking experience (over 3,000 speeches/workshops) and his involvement in several thousand other meetings, he has seen most everything there is to see when it comes to effective and ineffective speaking and presentation skills. Whether he is speaking to executives who want to improve their skills in addressing company or local functions, speaking to salespeople to help them in making sales presentations or speaking to anyone wanting to improve their skills, he can include any or all of the following items, based on the length of time allowed for his presentation and the specific audience:

• The importance of preparation and practice
• The options available when it comes to notes, outlines, scripted presentations
• Some do's and don'ts regarding visual aids (PowerPoint, overheads, flip charts, etc.)
• Getting relaxed before a presentation - avoiding stage fright
• Getting the audience's attention..strong opening, regardless of situation
• Tips on effective eye contact
• Effective use of handouts
• Effective use of humor
• Audience involvement/participation
• Effective introductions (when applicable) - making them and getting them
• Asking questions before sessions, during sessions and after sessions
• Dressing properly for the situation
• Effective use of microphones - clip-on, hand-held, lectern
• Being prepared for contingencies and emergencies
• Use of animations and gestures
• The power of the pause
• Avoiding filler words and phrases