How to Make Presentations that are Seen, Heard and Felt

This week, I have been preparing for back-to-back presentations that are being given 3753 kilometers apart; Calgary in the west and Halifax in the east. 

After hours of writing I noticed that my design process hasn't changed much since the early 90s when I was a full-time trainer. I wrote and facilitated many custom-designed sessions in industries as diverse as steel making, cosmetics, book publishing, non-destructive testing, farming and retail. It was a fascinating time.

Like many trainers, my biggest challenge is to not create talks or workshops based solely on my own learning preferences. For example, I am a visual learner who loves pictures and I prefer to work in small groups solving problems. But the best presentations appeal equally to all learning styles.

Here is how I make presentations that can be seen, heard and felt:

• Write objectives based on needs and session length
• List key learning points
• Arrange points in a logical order
• Add exercises (validate with peers if required. Will it work?)
• Create slides (text only)
• Test  design to see if it delivers objectives
• Add visuals for interest and emotional appeal (my favourite step)
• Write the script including stories and examples
• Dry run the slides with the script to test flow, pacing and interest level
• Read the script out loud as I cycle through the slides the night before and morning of the presentation
• Present with no notes, amplifying points through passion, gestures and humour 

There are a lot of steps but like all patterns, it has become a seamless routine. I jot down notes after presenting based on what worked and what could be improved. There are always things that could have been better seen, heard or felt.

Phil