Company "pre-developed" Presentations
I find giving a presentation is toughest when the audience is mixed. Although they may all be in the presentation with a common goal, their backgrounds and experiences vary greatly, thus, I find the need to make significant changes in the presentation while in action. Yes, understanding the audience is key, but when you are giving a pre-developed company presentation that is required to be given to each and every group at a prescribed time in their process, the task becomes more difficult. Being able to offer personal experiences with examples is usually my back up for success. This offers participants with no knowledge on the topic useful incite while allowing the experienced to relate directly.
I loved this module and gained some very useful information, guidance and direction. The skills tools will be invaluable as a template in developing, designing and executing my future presentations.
B,
yes, the prepackaged are difficult to work with, but as you've pointed out, the personal experiences are a great way to engage the audience at their many different levels.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have a similar issue. All of our presentations are dictated from the corporate level and not from those of us who work on campus every day. We are also observed and graded as presenters for how well we do and say exactly what we're supposed to.
While most of the information is helpful, I agree that it is best to use personal examples or success stories to really demonstrate how the information in the presentation will be the most helpful for current students.
Also, giving the same presentation to classes every 6 weeks, which we do, can get a little tired. I try to change up my examples so it stays fresh to me and I stay fresh for the students.
Jennifer,
this is a challenging situation & I'm glad to see you are working with it. Another problem with this type of arrangement is that if you don't try to keep it fresh, you can sometimes forget what you've said to a class & what you haven't.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Jennifer,
I have worked with corporate influenced presentations. As you stated, personal examples or success stories can be helpful. I have also asked for feedback from the audience after the presentations during observations. This can be useful in getting more flexibility with the material or getting updates to those presentations especially when having to present multiple times using the same content.
Maurice,
yes, while we may be handed the specific content, the presentation can still be my own.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
