Three good articles on presenting more effectively

Communication is a large part of my day job - and what I teach in my part-time adjunct professor teaching slots. While the aspects of my job which relate to media and community relations obviously involve communicating effectively with audiences, a lot of work related to human resources and safety also requires effective communication skills.

Good ideas, useful products and smart options get lost all the time because someone may be knowledgeable about something but can't get their points across effectively.

I got an email today from Speechworks, one of a number of email lists that I'm on, which features three good articles discussing how to communicate and present more effectively in professional settings that fit well with what I've learned from professional experience and what I teach in the classroom. I hope you find them useful.

Checklist For a Winning New Business Presentation

I recently read surgeon and journalist Atul Gawande’s bestseller “The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right.” It’s about the amazing power of simple checklists. For example, a five-step checklist saved 1,500 lives and $200 million by reducing infections in Michigan hospitals.

The first step on that checklist was that the doctor must remember to wash his or her hands.

That got me to thinking about putting together a checklist for winning new business presentations ...

Communication Strategies for Young Professionals

Millennials, (those of you born between 1981 and 2000), are often called the connected generation, having come of age in the world of the internet, texting and social media. Yet when it comes to the old-fashioned way of connecting, face-to-face or on the phone, young professionals may need some reminders.

If you’re a millennial interviewing for a job or wanting to advance in the one you have, how you look and how you sound really matter. Here are some things to consider ...

It Takes Work to Present "Naturally"

The public speaking blogs have recently had a lot to say about the importance of being natural when you speak.

Indeed, one of the most common pieces of advice for speakers is "Speak to the audience like you're having a beer with them." It's advice we give all the time.

But the idea of "naturalness" is a little deceptive. When you're standing in front of a room of listeners, you don't feel natural. In that circumstance, you don't feel like you're having a beer.