Have you ever been put on the spot or asked to say ‘a few words’ at short notice.
Team lunch…
Office get together…
Client event…
Awards dinner…
The feeling is always the same – yikes!
Why me? Why now?
“It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” – Mark Twain
But you just got a tap on the shoulder.
You do not have three weeks – your speech and ‘a few words’ are due imminently.
Let’s take a look at what you can do when you have to present at a moment’s notice.
Here are THREE tips.
Tip One: Be On Standby
Be mentally prepared for the fact that you could be asked to step up.
In fact, expect this scenario to unfold.
You know your role, you know your organisation, you know what projects you are working on, you know the strengths and weaknesses of what is happening in your team.
In your mind, frame this as an opportunity instead of a threat.
In fact, expect this scenario to unfold.
Simply being alive to this possibility will avoid your internal computer crashing when you are asked to speak without warning.
Tip Two: Structure is the Key
A good presentation has clear structure.
The fact that you haven’t been given time to plan your remarks properly means that your structure becomes even more important.
Most people do the opposite when under pressure – they disregard structure completely.
Getting a structure is your key to success here.
Revert to the rule of three for your structure – beginning, middle, end.
- Make some opening remarks in an upbeat way
- Choose a few substantive points for the middle and break them down clearly
- Find an ending that is punchy and makes it obvious you are done
You might not be perfect – but you will have achieved something useful.
Tip Three: End with a Smile
Inside you may be experiencing panic.
On the outside you want to present confidence.
When you finish your remarks, express thanks again for the opportunity, and do it with a smile on your face.
Keep that smile until your audience can no longer see you.
Summary
It is never easy to give a presentation or say ‘a few words’ at short notice.
People can get overwhelmed and even experienced presenters find this challenging.
- Get your mindset right, to minimse the shock factor
- Get your structure right, to create a roadmap
- Get your best smile on at the end, to leave a positive impression
For more presentation tips, guidance and advice why not check out the following article on…
