Showcase your expertise, win over hostile audiences
YOU can easily put across your ideas to an encouraging and understanding audience. Presenting to a hostile audience or selling your ideas to a stringent supervisor, is indeed an arduous task. Here's how you can win the hearts of even a hostile audience.
Use humour to establish rapport. This is a time-tested technique but do not indulge in humour when the presentation is to begin on a serious note. Instead, consider a popular quote relevant to the situation. You can always strike off with stories that touch emotions. On the contrary, if it is a marketing presentation, you need not start with such stories. Identify and concentrate on areas of agreement.
Jot down the areas that might be of common agreement to you and the audience. Facts and figures can be of great help to begin as areas of agreement. Most people tend to agree when you discuss current market trends, as everyone is aware of them. Take adequate care in collecting facts and quotes. They should be authentic and you must be sure of the credibility of the source. Quote sources wherever possible. Speak from the listener's point of view.
Look at things from the listener's point of view. Get into the listeners' shoes. This can help you establish a connection and show how your ideas can help solve their problems. You must gather substantial information about the audience. If you are unable to get sufficient information prepare a commonly acceptable base and perspective to which none can object.
Cite experts wherever necessary. Let them appreciate your efforts and expertise that helped you arrive at your current ideas. You win half the battle when a hostile audience becomes appreciative of your expertise and smiles appear. This is easier said than done! You can quote experts who have great experience and expertise in the subject to avoid doubts that could lead to dissatisfaction, if necessary.
Illustrate facts that support your statements and opinions. A picture is worth a thousand words. Graphs, charts, and illustrations convey a message more vividly than words. Even if your audience is hostile to your oral presentation, let your digital presentation be attractive enough to combat the hostility and put across your thoughts. Enhance your presentation with a theme that suits the mode, setting, and inclinations of your audience.
Clarify that you aim for a win-win outcome.
Your audience should understand your efforts to achieve a win-win outcome. They will then be ready to pay more attention to what you say. Your presentation should be tailored with this in mind.
Identify benefits that help your audience and clarify with regard to expectations.
Most presenters specify that they aim for a win-win outcome. Yet, they fail to clarify how the expectations of the audience are met.
You can show some benefits to your audience, but the best way is to identify their expectations and clarify that your idea is the best option. Chart a route to satisfaction with a destination that satisfies both the parties and meets the expectations of both the parties.
Finally, specify the negative consequences of not accepting your proposal. You can do this only once you have outdone the negativity of hostility. Provide your audience with ample reasons to accept your ideas. Begin with a smile and infuse a flow of positive energy in your presentation from the word go.
CHAKRAVARTHY TENNETI
faqs@cnkonline.com
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