Making a Technical Presentation – Handle the Questions Professionally

You delivered your presentation to thunderous applause. You smiled in acknowledgement and with that smile still in place, you invite questions. Up shoots a hand followed by a booming voice, which asks: As wind turbines go, er, aah, can you tell me how a stator-rotor turbine cascade design can be used to more effectively extract energy from the flow?

Your smile freezes in place and you ask yourself who is this (you choose the word)? That was the whole crux of my presentation!

Here are some tips to help you handle the questions professionally.

1. In the scenario above, release your smile which by now has turned quite plastic. Resist the urge to be sarcastic (this is usually sooo hard for me!) and remember that someone once said: there’re no stupid questions only stupid answers. Now check out the tips below.

2. Anticipate questions and prepare for them. Rehearse your presentation before colleagues or friends and ask them for questions. This has the added benefit of allowing you to fill any pertinent gaps.

3. Clarify the question before you attempt to answer, repeating it in your own words if necessary. If you don’t know the answer, admit it, promise to find out and get back to the questioner and then find out and get back to the questioner.

4. Don’t be defensive. Have an attitude that communicates that you welcome questions and appreciate the opportunity to answer them. On your way home, in the car, with the windows rolled up and the doors locked…that’s another answer altogether!

5. Disarm loaded questions.They’re out there. Members of audiences whose sole purpose is to try to trip you up with a question based on false premises or baseless assumptions. Politely maintain your position. You may also ask the person to explain the question and share their information.

6. Divert irrelevant questions.These questions come from the sister of the brother at # 5 above. They are questions that are out of place and even if you know the answer, politely ask the person to explain how the question is relevant to the subject at hand.

7. Divide complex questions.These are the questions that may have three or more parts. Divide them up and answer each part individually. This helps you as well as the audience.

8. End the session by summarizing and thanking those who posed question.

So the next time you share some technical information with your audience, complete it by handling the Q & A session expertly. After all, you are the expert. Aren’t you?

Unique Mother’s Day Presents With Personalized Gifts

Mother’s Day is coming and with it, the anxiety of coming up with something meaningful and original to give. It is certainly confusing, because advertising all around us try to catch our attention suggesting the “best present for a mother” and claiming to know “what every mother wants”. I have found that in times like these is better to give a personalized gift.

Why personalized gifts? Well, as a son and also a father I know that the “cool things” and “latest gadgets” are nothing compared to those gifts coming form the heart and also that are unique. Remember when you drew mother’s day cards? Now, you can still do that! Though, I know most of you out there doesn’t feel confident making crafts anymore, but don’t worry, there are other options.

The web is filled with offers on personalized gifts. These sites offer products already done, ready for you to personalize. They come in all forms for every type of occasion. For instance in mother’s day you could choose to give a photo purse. A photo purse is a purse with a personalized picture, composition, collage or artwork in the front panel you could give it to her printed with the pictures of her children and you can be sure she’ll love it because of what it represents, and the time you took in giving something unique. Other options for mother’s day are personalized blankets, pillows, displays, and even jewelry.

Personalized gifts are a great way to give her back great memories in an easy way, leaving all the creative part to you. The right combination of present and picture or message can evoke many emotions. Whether you make it yourself or have it printed in a hop, custom gifts are the best way to impress her on this Mother’s Day.

Paolo Parodi is the owner of Photo Gifts [http://photo-gifts.toppayingideas.com/photo-purses.html] at photo-gifts.toppayingideas.com where you will find more information about personalized gifts, and photo gifts for this mother’s day.

Who Says – A Simple Technique to Give Your Business Presentations More Impact

If you’re telling stories in a business setting, add more impact to your presentation by telling some stories in first person (“I”), some stories in second person (“You”), and some stories in third person (“He, She, or They”).

Knowing which voice to use in what setting is the key to being successful with this technique. How do you decide? It all depends on what you’re trying to communicate.

o First-Person Storytelling

Telling “I” stories is a good way to build rapport with your audience. First-person stories, including personal experiences of failures and lessons learned as well as successes, are very powerful ways to communicate your message.

Use a story about yourself to demonstrate that you understand what your audience is feeling, what doubts or fears they may be wrestling with; what disappointments they’ve endured; what hopes they harbor; and what dreams they aspire to.

o Second-Person Storytelling

Use second-person language to communicate empathy, create a sense of urgency, and invite participation. Telling a story that addresses your audience directly is the verbal equivalent of walking with someone hand-in-hand.

“You” is the most powerful word in the English language for a storyteller, because the story immediately becomes the listener’s or reader’s story. And once they’ve claimed the story as their own, they aren’t likely to let go of it.

o Third-Person Storytelling

Third-person stories are great for establishing and building credibility.

Use of the third-person often conveys a sense of authority, which is one reason why good case studies — problem/solution stories — are so compelling.

Another reason to use the third person is to help make difficult or complex ideas easier to understand without diluting their importance. Imbuing an important but otherwise dry or technical explanation with some human interest makes it much more likely your audience will retain what you’ve said.

Clear communication is the only way to guarantee your good ideas are heard. Knowing the best way to present this communication helps ensure your ideas are not only heard but remembered.