Develop your presentation and communication skills to inspire your team during tough times.

You read the headlines and you can’t help but think: ‘Whoa! Is this a challenging market!’ You can let it grind you down or you can step up and stand out by developing presentation and communication skills that build strong client/customer relationships, lead motivated and inspiring teams and offer value at all levels of the business.
 
Stress and pressure comes through in your voice, your body language and your energy and can affect the way you connect to others and build rapport. Awareness of how pressure affects the way you present yourself and the techniques to turn this around will help you overcome the current challenges.

Manage your personal state
Make sure you are always in the right state to lead, present, pitch or sell. This takes preparation.

• First impressions count. Dress well and appropriately for your position.
• Stay centred and grounded. This helps you stay in control and make appropriate responses to whatever arises.
• Learn to breathe deeply and well.

A good deep breath:
• Helps you to relax and be more in control.
• Adds warmth to the tone of your voice so you sound friendly and approachable.
• Helps you think quickly and clearly.
• Can completely change your body language so that you appear more relaxed and open.

Be energetic and enthusiastic  

Be energetic, enthusiastic and do something physical.

Enthusiasm is infectious. If you are genuinely enthusiastic about your products and services then you can make others excited as well. If you force enthusiasm, you may appear stressed or inauthentic to others. Develop ways to quickly ‘up’ your energy.

• Do something physical. Walk briskly, jump up and down, and at the same time actively focus your attention on feeling positive.
• Laugh (if circumstances allow). A good laugh changes things immediately.
• Help each other – a positive team is a successful team.
• Visualise or remember personal positive experiences.
• Breathe deeply and enjoy the sense of control it gives you, then smile.

It’s not about you  
It doesn’t matter whether you are selling, running a meeting, or presenting it is not about you, it is always about the client, team or colleague. Focus on their need.

• Know the features of your products and services and how they will benefit each client.
• Choose language that they will connect to. Listen for key words to help them understand.
• Use stories, case histories, and create pictures with your words. Facts do not immediately get through to many people.
• Use gestures to describe how things operate, or give them a hands on experience.
• Don’t work to convince them, get them involved and excited about the benefits of your product.

This tough market is perfect for you to rise to the challenge. Use this time to develop your presentation and communication skills so you can be the one to step up and stand out.

A dynamic speaker, Mariette Rups-Donnelly will inspire your team to present and perform with skill and energy. She will improve sales-effectiveness by building confidence, positive energy, and high level team and client connection. This is delivered through customised in-house workshops and one-on-one coaching, using broad ranging communication, presentation and performance techniques. For more information visit www.powerhousepresentation.com.au or call 0414521813.