Which presentation skills course is right for you?
Complete the quiz below to assess which presentation skills course is right for you. For each question write down the letter that most accurately reflects your experience of presenting.
1
(a) I generally feel anxious before presenting and continue to feel nervous when I speak
(b) I sometimes feel a little nervous when presenting but am able to channel my nervous energy
(c) I am generally relaxed about the idea of presenting and occasionally experience nerves in certain situations such as big occasions, large or hostile audiences
2
(a) I have limited or no experience of presenting
(b) I have some experience of presenting
(c) I have wide experience of presenting in a variety of situations
3
(a) I understand the importance of preparation and am not sure of the best method
(b) I know preparation is important and sometimes prefer to ‘wing it’
(c) I always put time aside to work on and rehearse presentations
4
(a) I include lots of detail to make sure I don’t miss anything important out
(b) I pick out the key points I want to convey and use specific evidence to support the facts
(c) I only use information that supports my key messages and put details in supporting documents
5
(a) I put my presentation together in the order important ideas occur to me
(b) I structure my presentation in an orderly sequence with one thing following after another
(c) I structure my presentation in a logical way using clear transitions that make it easy for the audience to follow
6
(a) I use visual aids as a prompt in case I forget what I want to say
(b) I sometimes use visual aids to act as a reminder of what comes next
(c) I only use visual aids to help the audience understand a key point using a graph or diagram or where it will make my presentation more engaging. I sometimes choose to present without them
7
(a) I stick to the facts I need to get across
(b) I use examples and case studies to bring ideas to life
(c) I tell stories and anecdotes as well as use case studies to make my presentation engaging
8
(a) I don’t know what a rhetorical technique is
(b) I’ve heard of rhetorical techniques but never attempted to use one
(c) I incorporate rhetorical techniques into my presentation to add impact
9
(a) I’m not sure how to stand or what to do with my arms
(b) I know posture is important and use some gestures when I present
(c) I move and stand well using gestures appropriately to add emphasis
10
(a) People say my voice is soft, quiet or monotone
(b) When people comment on my voice they suggest ways to improve it such as projection, pitch or pace
(c) I’m able to vary the way I use my voice to add emphasis and engage the audience
11
(a) I know I use a lot of ‘fillers’ such as ‘um’, ‘er’, ‘okay’, ‘you know’, ‘kind of’, ‘actually’, or ‘basically’, when I present
(b) I’m aware of using some ‘fillers’ when I’m not well prepared or talk too fast
(c) I use pauses for impact and rarely use ‘fillers’
12
(a) I’m afraid the audience will catch me out by asking something I can’t answer
(b) I prepare for questions and know how to manage the question and answer session effectively
(c) I take questions in my stride and am able to handle interruptions and challenges easily
Award yourself one point for every (a), two for every (b) and three for every (c). Add up your points and then find out where you need to focus attention to develop your skills as a presenter.
If you scored between 12 and 18 you’re probably new to presenting or have learned to present without formal training. It’s likely you feel uncomfortable or downright nervous when you present. Confident Presenter will help you to control your nerves, present with confidence and get your message across with clarity and impact.
A score of 19 to 24 suggests you’ve presented a few times and may have received some training in how to present or learnt what to do by watching others. Advance Your Presentations will help you to take your skills to the next level. By participating in the course you will really hone your body language, learn to your make your message as engaging as possible and deal effectively with the most challenging questions.
A score of 25 to 30 suggests you’re likely to have notched up quite a few presentations and have learnt how to present effectively. To go to the next level you may need to become more accomplished at telling stories, using humour, or incorporating rhetorical techniques. The Presentations Masterclass will take you through all of this and give you really personalised training, practise and advice.
If you scored between 30 and 36, frankly you sound like you’re a very good presenter. Maybe like most top presenters you recognise the need to keep your skills sharp and up-to-date, or maybe you have a specific presentation to make which is creating some challenges. Some individual presentation skills coaching with an expert can help you smooth out any issues and ensure you perform to the best of your ability.
|