Just a few short years ago, the “look and feel” of presentations was much different than today. As recently as the 1990s, presenters often relied solely on overheads to convey visual representations of facts, figures and presentation content. To some extent, presentations were easier to deliver but one would be hard pressed to say that they were as dynamic as they are today. Thanks to advancements in technology, presentations in the information age are multimedia rich and dynamic. Today, more often than not, presenters have the ability to deliver their presentations using laptop computers connected to LCD projectors. Through the use of multimedia tools such as streaming video, WAV or MP3 audio and dynamic animated graphics, presentations are now visually engaging and able to truly grab an audience. Yet, with a rise in multimedia usage, there is an equal rise in complexity. In order for a presenter to use these multimedia tools effectively during a presentation, one needs to not only understand how to use them but when and why to use them. Our Multimedia Presentations Skills workshop empowers participants with the ability to use multimedia tools and how to use them in a way that enhances, rather than detracts from a presentation.

Multimedia Presentations Skills is a one-day interactive workshop focused on providing participants with the ability to utilize multimedia tools in their presentations. This training program covers not only the use of multimedia presentations tools but also teaches methods of professional business communications such as presentation structure, delivery, strategy and the ability to use alternative visual aids effectively. Participants practice by preparing and delivering a real-life multimedia presentation which, ideally, they will be delivering internally or to customers following the workshop. Each presentation is followed by a coaching and feedback sessions, designed to provide individual suggestions and advice. This format allows participants to evaluate personal effectiveness and modify behavior to more effectively use multimedia presentations skills. Time is spent as a group and individually on individual exercises, question and answer sessions and group activities. Participants should plan on bringing their own laptop in order to take full advantage of this multimedia-enabled workshop.

Multimedia Presentation Skills program participants will learn to:

• Utilize streaming video to reinforce presentation content and influence audiences
• Structure slides to minimize distraction and reinforce content
• Present technical information in a clear, concise, and persuasive manner
• Enhance body language, eye contact, and gesturing when using multimedia
• Determine audience attitudes and needs
• Use alternative media effectively to reinforce multimedia presentation skills
• Project control and confidence through delivery skills.
• Overcome negative or distracting mannerisms
• Develop a formalized product presentation
• Plan their presentation around the forces that affect business presentations
• Structure a presentation to gain maximum effect
• Implement persuasive communication techniques
• Set up a specific action plan to improve their image through presentations skills and practice