How to make your presentations meaningful
If you make your presentations meaningful it makes them memorable and inspirational. Here are some ways you can make your presentations meaningful.
On a visit to the Florence Art Gallery to see some of the great works of art from the Renaissance, I saw two famous paintings by Botticelli.
The Birth of Venus and Springtime.
Whilst I am the first to admit that I am not a great art critic, even I had to admit that these paintings were magnificent.
I duly stood, admired, pondered and was about to move on.
Until my attention was caught by a voice behind me explaining the painting.
A woman was asking her companion some questions about what he could notice in the picture and then was guiding his gaze to various parts of the composition.
I was hooked. Trying subtly to look as if I was deep in thought, I leaned back as far as was politely and physically possible without falling over to listen to the unofficial commentary. And suddenly, I saw the painting differently. Noticing things I hadn’t seen before. I understood the significance of others and appreciated the placement of objects, colours and symbols.
I ‘got’ the story Botticelli was telling.
And yes, I turned into a bit of a stalker. At least in the part of the gallery.
Do your listeners need an interpreter?
Presentations delivered as information downloads without explanation, interpretation or guidance are like looking at a painting without the help of a friendly interpreter. Ok, but not usually memorable and certainly not inspiring. Here are some of the things we can do for our listeners:
- Point things out that people may not have noticed before
- Ask questions to get people to think
- Challenge what people think and feel now
- Add in your interpretation and take on things
- Help your listeners ‘get’ the whole picture
Give it a try
Which of these will you try to make your presentations meaningful?
If you’d like help making your presentations meaningful and inspiring, let’s chat – get in touch.