Presentation Skills
WPI Department of Corporate and Professional Education One-Day Workshop
One of the most important skills in business today is the ability to communicate effectively. In order to be successful and productive you need to be able to stand up and command attention. You need to present your ideas clearly and directly while also maintaining the interest of your audience. In this workshop you will have the opportunity to practice and critique yourself on both message development and delivery style. We will analyze how to best organize and present material given a well defined purpose. You will have the opportunity to practice delivering your message in an interesting and in-charge manner while still remaining in your comfort zone. You will leave the workshop with a clearer understanding of how to assess the situation, how to present your ideas, and how to gain the acceptance/support of the audience.
Topics
- Preparing for Presentations: Analyzing the audience and the situation. Organizing and developing the topic. Providing sufficient support – explanation, data authority. Preparing visual aids that enhance the message. Anticipating questions and challenges.
- Giving Presentations: Establishing connection and credibility with the audience. Maintaining a comfortable and confident approach. Delivering the presentation – eye contact, gestures, movement, voice and pace. Using visual aids that focus and maintain attention. Answering questions clearly and directly.
- Communication Skill Assessment: Self assessment, peer assessment and action planning for continued improvement.
Who Should Attend
All professionals who wish to improve their communication skills. Enrollment is limited to 15.
You Will Learn
- Assessment Skills: Audience analysis, clarifying purpose and next steps
- Organizing and Developing the Topic
- How to Start, How to Keep Going, and How to End
- Building Confidence and Rapport with Your Audience
- Key Delivery Skills
- Choosing and Creatively Using Visual Aids
- Being Effective in the Question and Answer Session
About the Workshop Instructor
Sandy Nickel is the President of Nashoba Associates, Inc. She has worked with a wide array of industries including manufacturing, high technology, education, financial services, mass media and telecommunications.
Sandy has over 20 years of consulting experience in the areas of communication, teambuilding, leadership and experiential learning. Currently her work is focusing on helping organizations in such areas as team development, facilitation, coaching, leadership skills development, change management, supervisory training and executive coaching.
Sandy has a doctorate in Communication Studies and has been on the faculty and/or an administrator at the University of Iowa, the University of Missouri, Sloan School of Management at MIT, Boston University and Northeastern University. In addition to her consulting and training work in the business sector, she also offers workshops for Boston University, The Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, The University of Connecticut and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
To sign up for the Presentation Skills Workshop click on Workshop Calendar.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: June 13, 2007 14:55:28