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Backstage Pass for Trainers, Facilitators, and Public Speakers
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Backstage Pass for Trainers, Facilitators, and Public Speakers
Your Guide to Successful Presentations



August 2005 | 136 pages | Corwin
'A wonderful contribution to the presentation field. As a presenter for 15 years, I have purchased, read, or perused many books on presentations. This is the most useful and captivating book I have read thus far. . . . I love the dollops of research integrated into the manuscript. Since brain research is my area, I am happy that others will see how it relates. The author makes important connections between preparation, presentation, and prudence. This Backstage Pass can make the difference between an acceptable presentation and an outstanding one!' - Marilee Sprenger , Professional Development Consultant, Presenter, and Author

'The warm, friendly, conversational tone makes it feel like the author is right there with you, cheering you on as you put her tried and true suggestions to work. . . . Her suggestions resonate with my own professional experience. I found myself laughing, agreeing, and shouting 'yes!' (even though there was no one in the room to hear me). . . .I plan to re-read this book periodically to remind myself of this powerful advice and apply it to my own presentations' - Lynell Burmark , Thornburg Center Associate, Presenter, and Author

A how-to guide to working effectively with adult audiences in small or large presentation settings. With an emphasis not only on communicating information, but also on winning audience approval and buy-in, this friendly and humorous little book can be read in one sitting on the plane or train as a do-it-yourself mentor, speaking coach, image consultant, and train-the-trainer all in one. The topics range from "pack for success and catch the early train" through "closers for summary, review, reflection, and connection." Also featured are strategies for designing audience handouts, seating the audience, maintaining group energy, working with angry and challenging audiences, structuring breaks so the audience returns after the break, and more. Assessment methods include self-evaluation, formal evaluations, and partnering with trusted colleagues for collaborative observation and feedback.

 
Preface and Acknowledgments
 
About the Author
 
Introduction
 
1. Preparation Precedes Success
Clear Communication: Exceeding Expectations

 
Questions and Answers

 
Minmizing the Chance for Misunderstanding

 
Tailoring Programs: One Size Does Not Fit All

 
Preparing Handouts

 
Organizing for a Relaxed Delivery

 
Do's and Don'ts

 
 
2. Little Things Mean a Lot
Sleep for Efficiency

 
Eat for Sustained Energy

 
Dress for Success

 
Pack Light and Catch the Early Train

 
Questions and Answers

 
Packing Checklist

 
Sharing Book Resources

 
Heading off Equipment Trouble

 
Hydration - Wet Your Whistle to Whet Your Brain

 
Do's and Don'ts

 
 
3. Lights, Camera, Action!
Readying the Facility

 
Materials

 
Start Before You Begin

 
Questions and Answers

 
Crutches to Stay Calm - and On Course

 
Room Set Up - The Good, The Bad, and The Adjustments

 
Seating Participants for Great Results

 
Distributing Handouts and Materials

 
Charts, Slides and Overheads

 
Grand Entrances

 
Do's and Don'ts

 
 
4. Quick- Let 'Em Love You!
Gaining Acceptance

 
Building Audience Rapport

 
Vulnerability

 
Establishing Common Ground

 
Friendly is good, Familiar is Not

 
Acknowledging Knowledge and Know-How

 
Working Around Personal Quirks

 
Questions and Answers

 
Honoring Audience Expertise

 
Increasing Visibility

 
Changing an Audience's Point of View

 
Agendas and Overviews

 
Introductions and Openers

 
Positive Communication

 
Do's and Don'ts

 
 
5. Put Teeth into Your Technique
Purpose Drives Process

 
Question and Answers

 
Delivering the Main Course: Information, Skills and Message

 
Limiting Content

 
Reflections and Connections

 
Motivating an Audience

 
Generating New Thinking

 
Understanding: Taking the Road Less-Traveled

 
Non-Verbal Communication

 
Small Groups to Enliven Learning

 
Timing Group Work

 
Maintaining Involvement

 
Regaining Attention

 
Ensuring Active Participation

 
Tight Parameters to Ensure Success

 
Do's and Don'ts

 
 
6. Enthrall 'Em All
Job I: Make Time Disappear

 
Infusing Excitement into Sessions

 
Variety as a Vehicle

 
Monitoring an Audience

 
The 1-2-3 Rule

 
Questions and Answers

 
Introductions Set the Tone

 
Change of State

 
Movement, More than a Sign of Life: The Glue for Learning

 
Energizers

 
Breaks

 
Putting Lecture In Its Place

 
Covering Volumes of Content: Alternatives Methods

 
Accountability in Group Work

 
Group Size

 
Visuals to Enhance Meaning

 
Directing Attention

 
Applying Content

 
Handling Questions

 
Do's and Don'ts

 
 
7. Rave Reviews: Making Sure You Still Have an Audience Left After Break
Appeal

 
Fun

 
Comfort

 
Mystery

 
Finesse

 
Questions and Answers

 
When You Don't Have the Answer

 
Building Fun Into Learning

 
Creating Physical and Emotional Comfort

 
Prizes and Rewards

 
Meaningful Mixers

 
Time and Organization

 
Handling Difficult Audiences

 
Humility

 
Setting Yourself Apart

 
Do's and Don'ts

 
 
8. That's a Wrap!
The LASTing Impression

 
Questions and Answers

 
 
The 3 Features of a Quality Closer
 
Audience Awareness of Session Gains
 
Review, Rehearsal, Application
Positive Endings

 
Do's and Don'ts

 
 
9. Make it a Great Plant, Then Keep Weeding, Watering and Talking to It Sweet
Consistency - An Allusive Target

 
Inviting Improvement

 
Informal Feedback

 
Formal Feedback

 
Collegial Feedback

 
Do's and Don'ts

 
References

 
 
Index

“A wonderful contribution to the presentation field. As a presenter for 15 years, I have purchased, read, or perused many books on presentations. This is the most useful and captivating book I have read thus far. . . .  I love the dollops of research integrated into the manuscript. Since brain research is my area, I am happy that others will see how it relates. The author makes important connections between preparation, presentation, and prudence. This Backstage Pass can make the difference between an acceptable presentation and an outstanding one!”

Marilee Sprenger
Professional Development Consultant, Presenter, and Author

“The warm, friendly, conversational tone makes it feel like the author is right there with you, cheering you on as you put her tried and true suggestions to work. . . . Her suggestions resonate with my own professional experience. I found myself laughing, agreeing, and shouting ‘yes!’ (even though there was no one in the room to hear me). . . .I plan to re-read this book periodically to remind myself of this powerful advice and apply it to my own presentations.”

Lynell Burmark
Thornburg Center Associate, Presenter, and Author

For instructors

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ISBN: 9781412915014
£20.99