Make Your Presentations Shine

     Success in business today is determined by more than the quality of our content or the caliber of our product, but also by how that content or product is presented. Countless hours of hard work are only given a few moments to shine in a boardroom, at a conference, during a presentation or at customer pitch. Too many great ideas have fallen victim to a simple lack of appeal -- not of the idea itself, but rather of the person presenting it.

     Wednesday and today Promotional Consultant Today is looking at seven tips to help you break down your communication wall and become more effective in meetings and presentations. Yesterday we reviewed the first two, today we'll examine five more.

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STAHLS' ID DIRECT

TOP SHELF TIP NO. 137

"Logic teaches rules for presentation, not thinking."

Mason Cooley, American writer

Move With Purpose

     Every motion has a beginning and an end.When you walk during a presentation, do it consciously as well. Take a few steps to approach a designated point while avoiding unconscious and mindless movements and gestures. Let your body speak, but in a relaxed manner. Every gesture should come from your center and then return there or be replaced by an appropriate, natural movement. Allow each gesture a moment to have an impact, your body language is more confident and you appear more knowledgeable and convincing. Avoid quick, hectic, and agitated movements.

Breathe And Relax

     Breathe from your core. During inhalation your abdominals, lower back, and sides are extended. Relax them completely during exhalation. Nervousness or stage fright as well as stress and excitement can be easily managed when you use abdominal breathing.

Speak With Passion

     Only those who burn themselves can spark others. Inspire your audience with your presence and intensity. Speak from the power of your own passion. Enjoy every second of your presentation or the meeting so your passion touches others. Make sure that everyone present in the room feels addressed and involved. Spread your attention and energy out into every corner of the room to ensure that no one feels left out.

Your Message

     Develop a sense of mission. Know and believe that you have something important to say. Remember: what goes around comes around. Everything that you give and send out, will come from your audience back around to you.

Make A Connection

     Smile. Not only will it relax you, but it will create a real, open, and honest connection with others.

     Source: Adele Landauer is an expert on success, achievement, and self-leadership. As a coach, she teaches effective presentation skills to business leaders, politicians and sports teams. She also works with to help improve productivity and results. She is the author of Experience Total Freedom: 6 Steps to Tearing Down Your Walls and Living Your Life with Happiness, Balance, and Success. Inspired by the Fall of the Berlin Wall.