Presentation Skills Training

Present with Power

"Great value. All material was pertinent to the subject matter. No stone was left unturned and great participatory flow. 8 hours seemed like 4 ."

–Paul Pederzini, Senior Branch Manager, Westminster Savings Credit Union

"Excellent workshop! As the facilitator was an excellent presenter, I was able to learn by example."

–Dr. David Parker, Director of Molecular Biology, Neuromed

"This course was well varied and really held my attention. Bruna really led by example and I was able to absorb the lessons throughout the day. It was a pleasant surprise to learn so much."

–Murray Thom, Research Engineer, D-Wave Systems Inc.

More testimonials

This workshop went beyond the basics of presenting to help participans speak with executive presence, giving them the techniques, strategies, and tools to take their presentation skills from ordinary to extraordinary.

Participants worked on:

  • Building leadership presence in the room as a speaker
  • Moving away from "presenter mode" and speaking naturally and authentically
  • Structuring a presentation to stay on message
  • Designing dynamic, up to date slides that enhanced meaning
  • Making technical presentations more engaging
  • Presentig statistics in an interesting way
  • Techniques for helping audiences remember what was said
  • Using powerful persuasive principles to influence an audience's thoughts and actions
  • The special requirements for presenting to C-Level executives
  • Best practices for delivering engaging and participative virtual presentations
  • A process for giving assertive answers to tough questions
  • Adjusting speaking behaviors to boost credibility
  • Projecting confidence through sustained eye contact, movement, pausing and body language
  • The HBCA model for opening a presentation with dynamism and credibility
  • Developing dynamic memorable conclusions 
  • Managing your presentation anxiety once and for all

The workshop included:

  • Video taping of presentations, so that participants could practice their newly-learned skills on camera
  • Frequent, progressive practice and feedback throughout the day
  • Viewing of videos and other experiential activities
  • A professional critique of participants' PowerPoint slides (sent ahead of the workshop)
  • A copy of Presenting with Credibility: Practical Tools and Techniques For Effective Presentations

This workshop was customized to meet each clients' specific objectives. I didn't believe in "off the shelf" presentation skills training.  Powerful presentations need a clearly identified objective, a succinct central message, a strategy for designing a presentation, an understanding of how to create powerful visuals that support rather than detract from the message, and preparation and practice. Different speaking events require different strategies. Depending on the client's needs, I structured a one or two-day workshop. I also offer 1/2 day versions.


Other Customized Presentation Skills Training

Over the years, I also developed shorter, focused sessions, including:

Presentation Excellence Through Visual Aids (2.5 hours)

Manage Your Public Speaking Fear (1/2 day)

Storytelling for Business (1/2 day)

Visual Storytelling (1/2 day)

Effective Management of Q. & A. (2.5 hours)

Acing the Presentation to C-Level Executives (2.5 hours and 1/2 day; also offered a 1 day session for an intact team preparing a major presentation to senior executives)


From Inform to Inspire: Leadership Presentations

"I enjoyed the opportunity to work with a great instructor and a wonderful group of like-minded people. Bruna's knowledge is outstanding. Also her ability to demonstrate the skills through her own presentation is inspiring. This workshop has given me much greater awareness of the ability that we have to make a real difference to our own staff and clients."

–Brian Kipp, President, SDS Software

"This is a great course. Amazing, useful from minute one! It will help you to improve your skill from the moment she starts talking. And you won't forget the material because of the way it is presented. I got a lot of tactical tips that I want to implement immediately. I know it will improve my leadership skills right away."

–Tatiana Ospina, MICROSOFT, Madrid

More testimonials

This course deepened participants' leadership presence as speakers and helped them amplify key messages. Presenting is rarely about just  delivering information. If this were the case, we could simply email a report or a set of text-dense, bullet-ridden slides. Facts alone rarely inspire. Years of research has proven that to reach hearts and minds, we need to go beyond delivering the data alone. This course helped participants understand the key elements for inspiring others and persuading them, and sent them away with a tool kit that changed for the way they presented key messages for good.

What the course covered:

  • Using the most powerful shortcuts to meaning
    Learn how to develop powerful metaphors and symbols that grab attention
    Craft analogies that clarify your message
     
  • Getting them to lean in
    Stories are the Velcro that makes the message stick
    Learn the building blocks of good business storytelling
     
  • Moving away from Teflon-type communication
    The emotional connection opens a pipeline of trust
    Know how to get the audience to care
    Let them see the person behind the title
     
  • Making the facts more interesting
    Make the data visually engaging
    Show statistics in an interesting way
    Ditch the text and visualize your important story
    and much more!
     
  • Using a leadership communication framework
    Move from the "what" and "now what" to the "so what"
    Practice a powerful leadership communication framework