Why making good presentations is important
Simply because it is the single most influential activity in your career.
My conclusion after twenty years in business is that the individuals who rise to the top are, without exception, excellent presenters.
I’ve seen highly competent workers doing a great job every day, yet never receiving the recognition they deserve because of poor presentation skills. I’ve also watched average employees scale dizzying corporate heights because they have learned to present their content and (very important) themselves with impressive effect.
The same goes for entrepreneurs. Getting start-up investment comes from showing you not only have a great idea, but are also the person to make it happen. Present yourself and your idea poorly and you won’t get the cash.
Is this imbalanced importance of presentation fair? Debatable. Is it true? Undoubtedly.
The obvious question to ask is this: surely a daily contribution is what matters, not shining on infrequent occasions? Why should this one skill override all others?
The answer is simple too. Whether we like it or not, we live in an age where the image is often more valuable than the true content. Each time you present, your audience is forming their own opinion about you based on what they see and hear.
Monotone delivery, reading from the screen, over-running your time and appearing unsure of your story leave the listeners feeling uncertain of your ability to carry out daily tasks. Creating memorable content, sharing the message clearly, keeping to the time schedule and delivering an inspiring talk with confidence convinces them you can do your hour-by-hour work at a high level too.
You should also be aware that if you present the work of a team, the audience invariably assumes that you are the leader and key person behind that work – regardless of whether you are the manager or not.