KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE
KNOWLEDGE. What do they know already? A wide range of knowledge v ignorance of topic? Pitch the talk at their level of understanding. Some may need additional information in hand-outs.
ATTITUDES. What are their likely attitudes to our proposal? For? Against? Scepticism? Distrust? Enthusiasm? Caution? An audience of workers, distrusting a new management's scheme of briefing meetings will need to be convinced that it is a two-way tool, not only disseminating management 'propaganda' but a channel to communicate and remedy shop-floor matters that affected workers personally. Are there recent examples where it could have helped?
WHAT DO THEY REALLY WANT? If the Directors want to save money it's no good telling them that the new advertising scheme is going to cost zillions. First we must convince them of the cost of not advertising.
Fundamental questions to ask in researching our audience will include: How will what we want, achieve their wants too? Have they any previous bad experience that we will need to overcome, or at least be aware of?
You can't check every individual but you need some idea. Ask your contact-person or people who know them.
Finally, review your plan. Will the material interest them? Is it presented in terms relevant to them? Would some items be better in hand-outs?
DELIVERY
Feelings follow action. Even if you're feeling apprehensive /bored/tired put a spring in your step as you approach the speaking position. Enthusiasm is contagious. Enjoy what you're doing. Look around at all of your audience. Take your time. Take a deep breath.
Eye contact. Immediately after you begin look around at all of your audience again. Remind yourself that eye-contact is vital.
Audience identification. As early as you can try to associate with your audience. If you can, find some genuine, relevant common bond, mention it now. Voice. Speak louder than you feel you should. Speak clearly. Don't speak too quickly. (Often nervousness shows itself in this way). Try to vary the pace. Perhaps you have noted on your speaking-cards the places where you will deliver slowly and which sections (probably the odd story or anecdote or example) where you can speak more quickly.
Remember PACE PAUSE PITCH. Vary the pace. Don't be afraid of pauses. Give variety to pitch if you can do so, but even two out of three will aid good delivery. Gestures. Use gestures naturally. Avoid exaggeration which will distract. However do not worry now about how you look and feel, concentrate on getting your key points across.
Handling questions. Ensure that you've understand the question. If necessary rephrase it or (if you think some may not have heard) repeat it. Don't be afraid to say you don't know the answer. Try to give a time at which you will have the answer. Don't twist or ignore the answer to suit your case. Politicians famously do this and audiences see its transparency. Offensive and irrelevant questions should be dealt with briefly and calmly. Don't let others pull your strings. Be in control.
Notes. Use notes on cards. Write them as Key Words, written large enough to read easily. Write your closing on a card of a different colour, for easy retrieval.
Memory. If you forget something don't telegraph it. Your audience may not have noticed. Buy time. Pour out some water, ask a question of the audience.
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