My answer to this frequently asked question is simple. Attend a presentation skills training. Well, you can do multiple other things all by yourself like watching great presenters, presenting in front of your family and friends or the mirror. You can read about the dos and dont’s on the internet and a host of other things. But honestly, I would recommend attending a presentation skills training first.
For being able to present effectively, it is important that you get professional help. I’m not saying that by attending a presentation skills training for two days you will become an expert at presentations. Of course not. But a presentation skills training programme will have a subject matter expert who can specifically tell you what you are doing right, which areas you need to improve in and how you can improve. And then by practicing what you learned, in due course of time you can become an expert.
How a Presentation Skills Training can help
The first and foremost thing that one needs before giving a presentation is confidence. And that’s often an area where we need help. It’s also an area that a good presentation skills training can help with by working on the two major aspects that build confidence – calming our nerves and preparation. While a good presentation skills trainer teaches us techniques on how to tackle our nervousness, it’s also important that we learn how to prepare well before a preparation. While preparation increases our chances of success, it also reduces the ‘unknown element’ that causes us anxiety.
The other most important thing that a presentation skills training will give you is the platform to practice, make mistakes and also learn from them. Yes, you get the opportunity to actually present in front of the expert who can evaluate you and help you with the areas of improvement. You also feel more comfortable as you are surrounded by people who are there to learn just like you.
So, in my opinion; to improve your soft skills & presentation skills training is the thing to go for. You get the opportunity to receive expert advice which makes it easy to figure out which direction you need to work in. And then your individual practice will top that up to make you a great presenter.
