Interview with Susan Huskisson - Perfect (and Professional) Presentations

Mike Johnson
People In Aid Writer in Residence

About our authors

An ongoing series of interviews with and for people in the aid sector and those that support them. This interview is with Susan Huskisson, presentational skills mentor extraordinaire, who has helped heads of state, government leaders, chief executives and INGO top management literally "find their feet with confidence."

Mike Johnson (MJ): Is there a “simple secret” to great presentations?

Susan Huskisson (SH): Perhaps the most important “secret” is keeping the message SIMPLE – easier said than done. We try to do too much and wind up making the task more difficult than necessary – and confusing the audience in the process.

(MJ) What’s the biggest mistake that most presenters (even people who are experienced) make?

(SH) As I already said, we try to do too much in the time we are given. And speakers make a big mistake when they just recycle old PowerPoint slides for a new presentation.

(MJ) Is there an especially good way to prepare?

(SH) Yes. Ask lots of questions about the event and the people who will be there so you understand the context and the audience’s expectations. Then set an achievable objective for your presentation. Only after you establish your strategy should you design your message - BEFORE choosing the slides that will reinforce what you want to say. The message should drive the slides – not the other way around.

(MJ) How important is having time to rehearse?

(SH) Very important. When you consider that professional musicians and athletes understand the value of practicing before the big event, so should you. If you can rehearse in front of colleagues, the final performance will always be better.

(MJ) Is it useful to know about your audience?

(SH) Absolutely! Your speech should be designed for the audience in front of you. You should know their expectations, backgrounds, interests, levels of knowledge/ language, and culture. Then you can choose the right information and examples that inform and convince them. And don’t forget to be aware of the difficult people and experts who will be listening to you.

(MJ) Do you need to know about where you are speaking?

(SH) Site and equipment problems can be the downfall of a good presentation. Be comfortable with the venue and all of the equipment you will be using. When you get to a venue, always identify someone who can fix things in case something goes wrong.

(MJ) How important are visuals or props in getting the message across?

(SH) Slides and props can be very useful in helping the audience understand what you are saying. The problem with PowerPoint is that it is often overused. Some people don’t think they can say even “good morning” without putting it on a slide. If you use graphics and pictures in your slides, you are probably helping the audience with what you put on the screen. Your audience wants to see the places and the faces you are talking about. If you are using only words, you surely are boring them. Props (physical objects) can be excellent ways to demonstrate the message.

(MJ) What’s your advice to people who just find standing up in front of other people a frightening experience – can they ever learn to enjoy it ?

(SH) My book is called “Easy Eloquence – for People who HATE public speaking but LOVE the applause.” If you prepare your message with the audience in mind, create simple, interesting slides, practice, and volunteer to make presentations as often as possible, you start liking the experience more. And knowing how to present is important. No one has time to read reports anymore; they listen to the presentation, so we all have to present.

(MJ)Tell us about body language. What are the “do’s” and “don’ts” ?

(SH) Both body language and voice are important. Basically, you should be “up and open” – good posture, weight evenly balanced with gestures that are at the waist level and move naturally toward the audience. Eye contact is very important (especially in Western audiences); look at as many people as possible. The voice should be loud enough to be heard in the back row, clear enunciation of each word, using emphasis that stresses the important words in the sentences. Careful of too many fillers – “uh’s” and” um’s” and “you knows,” etc. Vary the pace. Looking and sounding natural, sincere and enthusiastic are very important. Remember, without good voice and body language, you probably won’t get your message across the way you want.
 

"Easy Eloquence - For People who HATE public speaking but LOVE the applause" has also been reviewed by Mike Johnson, People In Aid's Writer in Residence.

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