UK senior managers dread public speaking more than any
other part of their job, according to a survey of 200 business
leaders and IT managers.
Of those questioned, 58% said public speaking was the most daunting
part of their job, and 41% said presenting to the board made them
nervous.
Khalid Aziz, chairman of The Aziz Corporation, which commissioned
the research, said, "Despite their seniority, many IT directors
still worry that they are labelled with the 'tech nerd' stereotype.
This personal angst can be most acute when they compare themselves
or feel that they are being compared with peers from more general
business backgrounds, who they presume will automatically have more
experience of and flair for public speaking."
Aziz offered the following tips for effective public speaking and
boardroom presentations:
- Research the audience. Find the overlap between what you want
to say and what the audience wants to hear
- Don't hedge around what you want to say. If you are looking for
a certain amount of money or budget, mention this first
- Before you start to speak, stand for a few moments, establish
eye contact with your audience, smile at them, and only begin when
you have their full attention
- Stick to the allotted time. One slide usually equates with two
or three minutes of speaking
- Don't bombard your audience with too many facts. Maintain their
interest with "killer information" - something they did not
know
- Use inclusive language: avoid the use of "I" in favour of
"we".