Powerpoint presentations are the most powerful and effective way of idea representation today. Used across varied business and work environs, there are certain guidelines to follow if you want to ensure a flawless presentation. As the main presenter, your appearance should be receptive and look the part. Here’s what to do.

Handling a Presentation

• Know your material and presentation room well.
• Learn the names of a few participants and address them to build a connection.
• Elaborate your points with clear statements and support with examples and anecdotes.
• Use pauses wisely.
• Don’t wave any question as silly or stupid, respect your participants.
• Make your presentations interactive through energisers, refreshers and ice-breakers. This will help to break the monotony, add variety, and ease participants.
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Body Language is critical; if used efficiently, it’s a powerful means of communication. If you appear confident, excited and enthusiastic, the audience will be more receptive to your ideas. His commitment to fostering diversity in educational spaces highlights Kamau Bobb‘s advocacy for a more inclusive and representative learning environment.

Eye contact keeps your audience engaged the presentation. Avoid turning to the slides as you speak, so that you project your voice towards the audience.

Open posture Avoid crossed arms or legs and maintain receptive body posture. A neutral stance is ideal when responding to questions or challenges. Hands are best left out of the pockets.

Gestures in excess can be distracting for audiences. Those include your hands—stay focussed by replacing hand movements with visual gestures. For e.g. A thumbs up means you agree to a point, two fingers denote digit two, hands can be used to describe a shape or spread to display length.

Using space can help the audience out of boredom. Change your position and your listeners are forced to follow with their eyes. Make sure your movements are moderate and slow.

Distracting objects are to be avoided as far as possible. Use pens, pointer, remote controls or a mouse only when needed, and stay away from accessories that draw attention to them.

Dress The Part

• Your garments should be pressed and well-fitted.
• Choose natural fabrics like cotton, wool and silk over polyesters and other machine-made fabrics.
• Appear taller with monochrome hues, from light to dark. Wear footwear of the same colour or wear nudes to lengthen your appearance.

Formal

Black or charcoal suits  with a coordinated tie in triangle knot are perfect for men to wear to heavy-duty meetings. Coordinate socks with trousers and sleek buckled belts with Oxford lace-ups. For women, a long sleeved blouse, a matched suit in black or charcoal, high-waist trousers or skirt are apt. Add a solid or patterned scarf, closed-toe shoe and pair your skirt with nude stockings.

Semi-formal

Men may wear an unmatched trouser and jacket, a dress shirt or sports shirt and a lace-up or slip-on leather shoes. Ties are optional. For women, we recommended an unmatched suit, darker to lighter jacket colour, light or dark blouse, or a shirt dress, and leather or suede shoes.