Check the presentation technology before you start to speak and make sure you have a plan B ready in case you have a problem. Unlike a recent presentation we observed…

“Thanks, Dave.  That was a great presentation, I’m sure we’ve all learned something from it.  Our next speaker is…”

“Dave” he thought to himself, “May have been great, but I’m going to blow their socks off.”  He had spent a long time preparing for this moment, had conducted careful research, pulled together a very slick presentation, had rehearsed and rehearsed.  This was his moment.

He slotted the cable into his laptop before taking a deep breath and steadying himself to impress the audience. 

NO INPUT SOURCE.

He wiggled the cable.

NO INPUT SOURCE.

He took the cable out and put it back in.

NO INPUT SOURCE.

He could feel the eyes of the audience burning into the back of his head.

He turned it off and turned it back on again.

Nothing.

He jabbed at random buttons on the keyboard.

Finally the presentation was on the screen.

But his confidence was shot. 

Far from being ready to hear what he had to say, the audience now simply felt sorry for him.

I have seen this so many times in my career, it is always difficult to be in the audience at those moments.

But there is one simple tip to help you, as a presenter, avoid it.

When it is time for the changeover, tell the audience you need one minute to get ready.

Invite them to relax, talk to their neighbour or get a glass of water.

What happens?

Everyone starts talking, nobody stares at you, and you are free to get ready without tension.

Once your set-up is complete, tell them and go for it.

There are two consequences of doing this.

The first is that you feel less tense

And secondly your audience feel refreshed and are in the right space to engage with you.

Everybody wins!

Always try to get the presentation technology right first time – but if you can’t, make sure you have a Plan B ready.