“Developing excellent communication skills is absolutely essential to effective leadership. The leader must be able to share knowledge and ideas to transmit a sense of urgency and enthusiasm to others. If a leader can’t get a message across clearly and motivate others to act on it, then having a message doesn’t even matter.” -Gilbert Amelio, Former President and CEO of National Semiconductor Corp.
“You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can’t get them across, your ideas won’t get you anywhere.” -Lee Iacocca
What’s the common thread between these two quotes? CONNECTION! We find, in both quotes, the necessity of being able to get your message and ideas across to others in a clear, concise, and understandable way.
Many times, I find my clients are experts in their field but are unable to get their expertise across to their audiences.
15% of your success is from your knowledge.
85% comes from your ability to effectively communicate your knowledge.
Taken from the Audience Analysis Audit in my book Loud and Clear: How to Prepare and Deliver Effective Business and Technical Presentations, here are a few questions for you to consider about your audience before your next presentation to make sure you CONNECT!
- What are the benefits of your information to your audience? Every audience member is hooked up to the radio station WIIFM. What’s In It For Me.
- What is their level of understanding of the types of information you will be sharing? This will shape the way you present your information to make your connection.
- What is their knowledge of the subject? Too much or too little information= no connection.
- What are their opinions about your subject? Dispel resistance, if any, upfront. Let them know you’ve done your homework!
- How willing are the members of your audience to accept the ideas you will present? Get them on board as quickly as possible.
- What are the desired emotional effects you want your audience to feel both during and immediately following your presentation? People “buy” on emotion.
- How are you going to involve your audience during your presentation? If you tell me, I’ll listen; If you show me, I’ll pay attention; If you involve me I’ll learn!
By answering these questions, you’ll be on track with key information to help you design a presentation that connects with your audience. These questions may be applied to an audience of any size…even one. Take good care of your audience and you will get the results you want!
Here’s to presentations that connect!
