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66 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I MARCH 2024 column, I'll divulge a few essential techniques I've learned. 1. Know Your Subject Matter. Avoid discussing topics you're not well- versed in. Instead, focus on what you know and love. Be yourself during presentations. Authenticity resonates with the audience. A great presentation doesn't rely on reading slides. Use concise bullet points to prompt con- cepts. When you truly understand the content, your delivery will flow naturally. Remember, confidence and passion go a long way toward captivating the audience. 2. You Don't Need to be a Performer. While a touch of humor can break the ice, don't stress about being overly charismatic or a comedian. Instead, be genuine and dis- cuss what you're knowledgeable about. Your authenticity will shine through, allowing your audience to connect with you. Be yourself, and you'll feel more at ease, enabling a stronger and more relaxed presentation. Your unique per- spective and expertise are your greatest assets. 3. Don't Think. Just Do It. Up There, You Don't Have Time to Think. anks to Maverick from "Top Gun" for giv- ing me this line. Before I start a presentation, I don't even think about the first word I'll say. Face it, you can't memorize the entire course (unless you have a Neuralink embedded in your brain). Start by introducing yourself. Vali- date your experience and your background. Briefly explain why the audience should lis- ten to you. Ask the participants to share their background to get a feel for where they are coming from. Knowing your audience is cru- cial for any presentation, but it's even more important for a technical one. You may need to adjust the presentation to suit their needs. I oen get requested to focus on particular top- ics when running in-house courses. Before div- ing into slides, share a relevant short story. It helps establish rapport with the audience and sets a positive tone. 4. Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse. Aer practicing your presentation multiple times, it becomes second nature. Just turn up and start the show. Avoid using "um" or "ah." Instead, focus on volume and diction. Speak clearly and confidently, projecting your voice to reach the back of the room. I initially choose someone at the back of the room to focus on and then shi my attention to others. is technique eases nerves and enhances engagement. e best speakers don't even need microphones. We are not rock stars and don't have the benefit of fold-back. When you talk into a microphone, you hear an echo a few milliseconds later and it's very distracting. It is better just to project your voice. Keep a bottle of water handy; you will need it as your throat dries out.