A common complaint I hear from technical presenters is that they have a dry topic.
“You don’t understand, Diane. I talk about tax.”
“I’m an actuary. I talk about spreadsheets.”
They’re resigned to being boring and losing audience interest. These presenters don’t realize that they can turn dry into dynamic and deliver technical presentations that the audience wants to hear.
The ability to engage the audience means you increase your influence and get your message heard.
Years ago, I was training a group of presenters at a corporation. The exercise was to talk for one minute about something that they were passionate about. The last person to speak was Elliot. Elliot’s job was inventory control, and he wanted to speak about his job. I asked him, “But what’s something you’re REALLY passionate about?
He replied, “Inventory control.” I wasn’t going to argue so I let him proceed. Well! Elliot was so excited and animated. He captured our attention as he taught us about inventory control. Who would have thought? Elliot taught us all an important lesson which I repeat to this day.
THERE ARE NO BORING PRESENTATIONS. ONLY BORING SPEAKERS.
How do you make a technical presentation sing? Follow these guidelines:
1. Start with WHY. Ask yourself Why should the audience care? That’s your hook.
Instead of saying, “Today I’m going to go over the changes in the security regulations”
Say, “Failure to implement one change in regulations could cost the company thousands and put your career at risk.”
2. Tell Stories. Bring the facts and numbers to life by wrapping them in a story. Share a short anecdote about someone who made a mistake or how someone saved the day by following a regulation.
When it comes to persuasion, Facts Tell, Stories Sell.
3. Use Specific Examples. There is no power in generalities. Don’t refer to vague limitations. Give real world numbers.
Say, “Imagine a loss of $150,000 on one transaction.”
4. Inject Surprise. The audience wants to learn something new. Create curiosity and anticipation.
For example,
“This one sentence in the rule book changes everything.”
“Most attorneys get this wrong.”
“Here is the one cybersecurity rule that most people don’t know.”
5. Don’t Do a Data Dump. Too much information is overwhelming and is like drinking from a firehose.
Reduce bullets
Present 3 takeaways
Use one slide
One example
6. Translate Technical Terms
Don’t assume people understand acronyms or technical words. Speak in everyday language.
For example,
“The ordinance states…”
Say, “What this means to you is…”
7. Create analogies. Analogies compare a technical concept to something familiar making it more memorable and simpler to understand.
“Tax planning is like a GPS it takes you in the right direction.”
8. Engage the Audience with Interaction. Nobody enjoys listening to a talking head.
Ask a question. “How many of you have experienced this?” “What would you do in this situation?” “What are your clients’ biggest challenges?”
Put people in small groups to develop solutions.
Launch a poll.
9. Vary Your Voice. It’s important to change things up. The brain perks up when there is a change.
Speak with passion and energy. Enthusiasm is contagious.
Get softer and then louder.
Insert strategic pauses. Don’t be afraid of silence.
Use purposeful movement by working the room. Walk to one side of the room and make a point. Then make another point as you walk to the other side of the room.
Gesture. Count off agenda items on your fingers. Use your hands to contrast and compare. Gesturing can help create energy in the voice.
10. Focus on Decisions Not Details. The audience doesn’t need to know every code or regulation. Give them the big picture.
Explain
What changed
Why it’s important
What they can do
What they should avoid
Technical presentations don’t have to be dull. Take a lesson from Elliott who made inventory control exciting. Remember: There are no boring topics, only boring speakers. Never be boring again!
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