Presentations are the bridge between dreams and fulfillment. You walk in hoping for something; you walk out having achieved it or not. Since one of the most critical aspects of any presentation is clearly establishing the objectives, what it is, exactly, that you’re hoping to accomplish in 15, 20, or 45 minutes, it makes sense that goal setting is an essential component of effective presenting.
One obvious reason is that you have to decide what you want out of your presentation effort before you can determine your angle and theme. For an overly simplistic illustration, imagine that you want a distribution deal for a product your company manufactures. Wouldn’t your presentation script vary depending on whether you were positioning it as a landmark product for New Yorkers, Americans, or people everywhere? And what about the type of distributors? Wholesalers and end-use consumers have different motivations, so you need to clarify your aspirations before you can effectively reach the audience.
If you’re not developing your presentations based on your goals, you need to change your approach. This is the principle cause of presentations that seem directionless, irrelevant, or uninspiring to an audience. Plenty of motivational authors and speakers have outlined the intangible effects of goals in your relationships; the effects are no different on stage.
So before you begin outlining your presentation, before you determine your theme and key points, and before you say ‘yes’ to the opportunity in the first place, ask yourself: are my goals clear and defined? What do I want to get out of this presentation, and what do I want the audience to get out of the presentation? Few people feel comfortable working with individuals that aren’t on a straight path to success. Establish your trajectory, then go out and make it happen!
Question for the day: How can you apply your personal goals to the development of your presentations?
