Once you’ve defined your story, picked your assets, created your slides, written your presentation, pulled it off without a hitch, and knocked ’em dead in the Q&A, you’re all done, right?
Wrong!
Why go to all the trouble of putting together such an amazing PowerPoint presentation if you’re not going to get everything you can out of it? Every time you do a presentation, the final step should be an effective, educational evaluation. After all, if you don’t take the time to consider what you’re doing right – and what you’re totally screwing up – how will you ever become the PowerPoint Power Ranger you know you can be?
Here are a few tips on evaluating your presentations and incorporating your findings into your ongoing projects.
Evaluate, and Make it Great
Ask and Receive
Of course, the first sources you should tap for feedback are your co-workers and friends. Take the time to ask your closest colleagues to critique your presentation. Listen to what they have to say, paying special attention to points that repeat. It’s a great idea to email everyone who leaves you a card after attending your presentation. A simple follow up can serve as a thank you and an informal request for any feedback they may have to offer. Remember, these folks are networking themselves, and they want to be in touch with you. Many of them will be happy to offer their reactions.
Body Talk
Body language literally says more than words – if you know how to read it. Study up on body language and you’ll be able to tell how your presentation is going over moment to moment.
Talking to Yourself
Your own evaluation of your presentation can yield surprising insights. Did you get your point across? Was your intro catchy? Was your conclusion strong? As quickly as you can after a presentation, evaluate your own experience. Write down everything – good and bad – you can think of, and add your input to the rest of the info you’ve gathered.
Ruminate and Incorporate
Think it Over
Take some time to sort through all of the feedback you’ve been able to gather on your last presentation. This may seem boring or tiresome, but even 15 minutes of really focusing on what you’ve pulled together will reveal patterns – good and bad – that you can make use of in – or eliminate from – your next presentation.
One More Time
Don’t be shy about following up on feedback. Do you need more clarity? Has an observation raised more questions? People love to be asked their opinions! Good, clear feedback is the only kind that will help, so get what you need.
Incorporate
Take what you’ve learned and apply it to your next endeavor. Follow this plan every time and you’ll see vast improvements in your confidence and in the presentations themselves.
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