Presentations Training:
Running A Presentation Workshop - 10 Things Not to Do!

There are hundreds of things you should not do - like punching the students - but you know all the obvious ones like that! We'll focus on more subtle things to make your presentation workshop an amazing success.

1 - Fly by the seat of your pants

If you think you can "wing it", without preparation, you'll probably have everyone asking for their money back at the end... if they stay to the end.

Draw up a presentation workshop plan and know what you'll be doing every second of the workshop. You'll be unlikely to keep to the plan exactly (like life, really!) but a good plan gives you confidence and the students are more open when you show confidence.

2 - Ignore people when they arrive

If the students feel ignored at the start, you've immediately set up a me-versus-them feeling and they won't participate as freely from the start. That's hard on you. Maybe have one of your team welcome people and be ready to answer questions.

3 - Start late

That is an insult to those who have taken the trouble to be early or on time. Respect them.

4 - Forget to explain the rules

These are: that everything said is confidential to the group; disagree but don't criticise others' ideas/beliefs; don't interrupt others and respect everyone else all the time.

5 - Think that you have to run it all

Allow exercises where students go off into small groups, where they speak to the group and where they do exercises by themselves. That way you have more energy, you can speak to individual students and they feel a sense of ownership if they have their own input.

6 - Prefer some students over others

Make an effort - sometimes a big effort - to include everyone in all sessions. Some people excel in group discussions, some talk well to a group and others are better on a one-to-one basis. However, keep scanning for frowns and looks of boredom and elicit their participation, gently.

7 - Think you're a failure if some do not participate

Not everybody is confident at speaking at or to groups and many people are happy to take in the information by just listening and/or writing.

8 - Trust equipment providers

These people are experts with their equipment (microphones, computers, overhead projectors etc) but ensure that you are able to turn it on, get it working and that it does actually work.

9 - Assume you are THE expert on everything

You will be amazed at the life experiences of your presentation workshop students and what you can learn from them. Stay open to this possibility.

10 - End without a positive conclusion

Ensure you create a way for the students to thank each other - see my 5 Steps to Running a Successful Presentation Workshop article.

P.S. Main rule: have fun!

Source: Philip Bradbury link

Related: Presentation Workshop

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