How to Make Presentations to Councils and Boards

Ensuring Credibility from Start to Finish

Class Summary

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
(based on last 3 sessions)

This program was first developed at the request of one of our clients. The goal was to help participants zero in on the do’s and don’ts, build credibility with the audience, and be able to rise to the occasion in difficult presentation situations.  Michael Wade wows his audiences with his sense of humor and his ability to make a dry subject fun and practical.

COM135 3.5 Combinable 0.27
One 4-hour session
Michael Wade

Public sector professionals who would like to improve presentations to city councils or county boards of supervisors.

  • Build credibility with your audience.
  • Project a professional image.
  • Make your case clearly and persuasively.
  • Gain confidence in your ability to deal with difficult questions.
  • Achieve your presentation goals.

By the end of this program, you will be able to:

  • Name the key parts of every presentation.
  • Explain what should always be done before you present.
  • Identify how adversaries may challenge your points.
  • Prepare a clear presentation.
  • Spot areas of vulnerability.
  • Develop techniques to turn your weaknesses into strengths.
  • Avoid embarrassing slip-ups.
  • Introduction and goal
  • What every audience asks and what every presenter must do
  • Preparation
    • Knowing your goal: the funnel and the bridge
    • Know your audience
    • Common content preparation mistakes
    • Anticipating questions
    • Your appearance, the room’s appearance and the equipment
    • PowerPoint pluses and minuses
    • Hand-out materials and your back-up team
  • 4. Passion
    • How getting pumped helps
    • Controlling nervousness
    • Clarification, not victory
  • Presentation
    • Your notes
    • The beginning and your theme
    • Avoiding jargon and terms that grate
    • Using a lectern and pointers
    • Terms that might imply disrespect
    • Using numbers
    • Making transitions
    • Eye contact, posture and gestures
    • Using visual aids
    • Handling time and questions
  • Prudence
    • Handling hostility or potential chaos
    • Overall strategy for dealing with problems
    • Wrapping up your presentation

Class Exercise: Teams will prepare and present a proposal