REWARD
free time. I would make the argument that you need to ensure you set time aside to practise your presentation. Think of it this way – every minute you spend rehearsing your presentation is an investment you make into improving the outcome. How much you need to practise will depend on what you’re delivering, and who to, but at the least, I would recommend you rehearse some of the key phrases you might use, and what the timings of your delivery might be. Plan to invest the time and you will reap the benefits. 5. Take a breath It’s very natural to experience nerves before presenting, but being nervous during your presentation won’t help you to convey your topic well. My tip to calm and steady yourself isn’t revolutionary, but it works – take a breath! You’re in control of the pace of the presentation, so any time you feel like your nerves may be getting on top of you, feel free to pause and take a slow breath before continuing. What seems like an eternity to you won’t be felt in the same way by your audience. Deep breathing before you begin can also really help you to focus and release
knowledge you can share. Embrace your own added value and get excited about the topic. If you aren’t enthusiastic about it, how can you expect your audience to be? Also, make sure you pay attention to your audience and adapt your delivery as needed. In general, the people you’re presenting to want you to do well. When you can stay engaged with them and respond to their cues, you're more likely to succeed in your presentation. They're there to learn from you.
some tension if you’re holding it in. I like to try square breathing – in for a count of four, hold the breath for four, then breathe out for four – four times. (Makes it easy to remember.) Another tip for boosting your confidence before a presentation is to strike some power poses. I started doing this after I saw a Ted Talk by Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist who argued that arranging your body into a broad, open, confident stance (think Wonder Woman) can help boost how powerful you feel, and so make you act more confidently. That doesn’t mean you need to stand like a superhero while delivering, but when I’m nervous, I take two minutes before I start (mostly in the bathroom or a quiet meeting room), to ensure my back is straight, my shoulders are back and my head is held high. This always helps me feel more confident and to deliver my best every time. 6. Be engaged and engaging It’s worth remembering you've been invited to do the presentation, not because of the numbers or facts it contains (anyone can read that in a report), but instead because of the wider context and personal
Assuming power poses can help nerves before a presentation.
At the end of the day, presenting is personal to you. There’s no one ‘correct way’ to convey information to your audience. Pay attention to what the audience wants from you, understand the value you add and have fun with it! This way, you can’t go far wrong. n
Certificate in Pensions Administration CAN YOU AFFORD FINES OF £10,000 * A DAY FOR NON-COMPLIANCE? The Certificate in Pensions Administration has been developed with pension practitioners to ensure that it meets the needs of the industry. It provides payroll and pension staff with relevant training so businesses can safeguard against the financial risk for non-compliance.
Visit www.cipp.org.uk/CPA for details and to enrol
* https://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/business-advisers/automatic-enrolment-guide-for-business- advisers/what-happens-if-my-client-doesnt-comply-or-is-late-complying
39
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 89 | April 2023
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker