It's been reported that the most common human fear involves
public speaking. In the business world, the day will come
when most of us will be called upon to give a training
presentation. The result is a flock butterflies the size of
pigeons in the pit of your stomach.
Sometimes, the best way to learn how to do something well is
to know how to poorly. With that in mind, here are some ways
to give a simply horrible training presentation.
1. START OR END LATE
Starting and ending your presentation late sends the message
to participants that you do not feel their time is valuable.
2. APPEAR UNPREPARED
Fumbling through your notes, or searching for out of order
visual aids makes you look unprepared and you are less
effective. Rehearse your presentation. Thirty minutes before
your presentation is scheduled to begin, check your teaching
aids to ensure that everything is in order.
3. DON'T INVOLVE THE PARTICIPANTS
The quickest way to lose your audience is to simply stand in
the front of the room and talk at them. It was as true for
Confucius in 451 B.C., and it's true today What I hear, I
forget; What I see, I remember; What I do, I understand.
4. USE INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE OR HUMOR
There is never an "on" reason to be off color. Inappropriate
language and humor lessens your both your image as a
professional and your effectiveness as a trainer.
5. BE A KNOW-IT-ALL
As the trainer, you really are the expert. Just don't remind
the class of it. Remember that every chance you have to
raise yourself up will almost always mean lowering someone
else by the same margin.
About the Author
Mike Delaney is a shoplifting prevention trainer with
over 20 years experience as an expert shoplifter, and
almost 10 years stopping them.
He is the author of "How to Beat Shoplifters and Increase
Profits", offered by Bison Creek Desktop Publishing,
http://www.zianet.com/bisoncreek