How to Avoid Presentation Hazards

by James Canada

Visual information can be very powerful. A majority of what an audience absorbs from a presentation is what they see. In fact, the audience remembers 55% of what it sees and only 38% of what it hears.

But visuals are so powerful that at times they can create hazards for presenters. When the speaker or the audience gets pulled into the information haphazardly, confusion can result. As presenters, we can avoid misunderstandings by learning a couple of techniques to control how we reveal information and visuals.

The first technique, called Clearing the Visual, has two steps. In the first step, tell the audience members what they are looking at and explain it in detail. In the second step, explain the meaning and why the information is important.

Next, in combination with Clearing the Visual, is the second technique, called Ready Aim Fire. This helps keep a check on our behavior as presenters. Many times, instead of addressing the audience, we begin by talking directly to our visual. Ironically, we tend to do this when we know the information either extremely well or not at all. You can prevent this habit by practicing.
Remember the phrase Ready Aim Fire and follow these three steps:

- Ready. Reference the information with your arm outstretched and the palm of your hand open, gesturing to where you want the audience to look. Then, silently read the information to yourself and gather your thoughts.
- Aim. Look to the audience and find one pair of eyes.
- Fire. Deliver the information (what and why from Clearing the Visual) to that pair of eyes.

Try these techniques next time you speak. There is no better feeling than audience acknowledgment for a powerful and meaningful presentation.

James H. Canada is managing partner/CEO for Alliance Technologies LLC, ITEN mentor and author of “Corporate to Entrepreneur: Strategies for Success.” Contact Jim at james.canada@alliancetechnologiesllc.com, 636-734-2337 or www.alliancetechnologiesllc.com.