So,One day I had to give a demo to about 10 people who were far experienced and were way too smart.Its my first time and I had to make it the best as "The first impression is the best " ...... I asked a friend and he helped me with few instructions.... Thanks Alex for helping me all the time..... I will tell you how the presentation went later on .....
1.Understanding is the key:
a)Understand your audience first: This is utmost important.You need to know who are all the participants (it could be fresh users,existing users,managers & developers etc). Determine the ratio of new and experienced users if it's a mixture. If your software is for completely new requirement,then its simple- just imagine everyone as DONKEYS and explain. If not make to get the list of participants to understand the level of details you need in your explanations
Your level of explanation could be of three types.
Fresh Users: Here intro is important.Explain important aspects of your application.Use more examples or relate it with previous applications.Imagine they are cute DONKEYS and teach them. Experienced Users: Give a basic intro and explain the new features in detail.
Mixture: Here the managers could also be present along with the users.Remember managers are not interested in the details and how exactly something worked; they need a bigger picture and confidence that the product is stable, with all the requested functionality and ready to go live on time.They don't care how much effort you made etc.So if they are there,cover the above a little and send out a confident message that ALL IS WELL but keep your focus on the users.
b)Understand the expectation of audience: How important is this project? Is there a conflict of interest (like users don't like to use this application). If there is a discrepancy of what they expect and what you present,that might have an impact.
c)Read through the specs thoroughly (in and out) so that you get the big picture clearly. If you are not able to remember,keep a printed copy handy so that you can refer anytime during discussion but avoid using it.
d)Know your time: Find out how much time is given to you and plan so that the gist of ppt is delivered at any cost.
2.The Flow:
a)Introduction: First ask them if the audio is clear and everyone can see your screen etc.
Wish them briskly.Explain the application's purpose, need, features etc and give them a very clear BIG picture.Channel your energy uniformly throughout the ppt.
b)Agenda: It is very important to shortly brief the overall flow of the demo. Like you saying :first I will explain the basic features of the application using PoerPoint slides along with some examples, next we will go to the online demo where I will show how to use the features, then I will explain on the benefits of the features and finally we shall have a 10 minutes Q&A. Please feel free to ask questions...etc...etc) something like this. Also you have to choose whether you like to have the Qs in between the ppt then and there or only at the end. Inform this to the audience.
c)Content: Now put some good tasty slides. Use only bullet points and short texts. Use some metaphor or analogy images. Images are great ingredient for a delightful presentation. Understandability is 70% more using images than text. that's the principal of marketing.I know you are fantastic verbally because you have excellent command on English, so no worries here. (Otherwise you better pep up your english :))
d)Online Demo: Identify and explain the critical and important scenarios which will be very useful for the users.
e)Q&A: This is like a video game. Invite for questions. Try to solve them asap so that everyone gets time. The more you score here,the more you will feel you are good.
P.S. Whatever you do, you will always have a feeling that you could have done better. Don't worry as that feeling is completely alright and you will definitely get better with experience as this is only the first time. Just remember, with "INNER PEACE" you can do anything (the Kungfu warrior way :P)
1.Understanding is the key:
a)Understand your audience first: This is utmost important.You need to know who are all the participants (it could be fresh users,existing users,managers & developers etc). Determine the ratio of new and experienced users if it's a mixture. If your software is for completely new requirement,then its simple- just imagine everyone as DONKEYS and explain. If not make to get the list of participants to understand the level of details you need in your explanations
Fresh Users: Here intro is important.Explain important aspects of your application.Use more examples or relate it with previous applications.Imagine they are cute DONKEYS and teach them. Experienced Users: Give a basic intro and explain the new features in detail.
Mixture: Here the managers could also be present along with the users.Remember managers are not interested in the details and how exactly something worked; they need a bigger picture and confidence that the product is stable, with all the requested functionality and ready to go live on time.They don't care how much effort you made etc.So if they are there,cover the above a little and send out a confident message that ALL IS WELL but keep your focus on the users.
b)Understand the expectation of audience: How important is this project? Is there a conflict of interest (like users don't like to use this application). If there is a discrepancy of what they expect and what you present,that might have an impact.
c)Read through the specs thoroughly (in and out) so that you get the big picture clearly. If you are not able to remember,keep a printed copy handy so that you can refer anytime during discussion but avoid using it.
d)Know your time: Find out how much time is given to you and plan so that the gist of ppt is delivered at any cost.
2.The Flow:
a)Introduction: First ask them if the audio is clear and everyone can see your screen etc.
Wish them briskly.Explain the application's purpose, need, features etc and give them a very clear BIG picture.Channel your energy uniformly throughout the ppt.
b)Agenda: It is very important to shortly brief the overall flow of the demo. Like you saying :first I will explain the basic features of the application using PoerPoint slides along with some examples, next we will go to the online demo where I will show how to use the features, then I will explain on the benefits of the features and finally we shall have a 10 minutes Q&A. Please feel free to ask questions...etc...etc) something like this. Also you have to choose whether you like to have the Qs in between the ppt then and there or only at the end. Inform this to the audience.
c)Content: Now put some good tasty slides. Use only bullet points and short texts. Use some metaphor or analogy images. Images are great ingredient for a delightful presentation. Understandability is 70% more using images than text. that's the principal of marketing.I know you are fantastic verbally because you have excellent command on English, so no worries here. (Otherwise you better pep up your english :))
d)Online Demo: Identify and explain the critical and important scenarios which will be very useful for the users.
e)Q&A: This is like a video game. Invite for questions. Try to solve them asap so that everyone gets time. The more you score here,the more you will feel you are good.
While answering the questions, think from their perspective (not from your perspective). Answer even the silliest questions with clarity and patience. If they don't understand first time,try to explain with example (like relating to existing applications or using real time examples ) or from new angle everytime as one might help them understand. Invite them to mail you for clarifications and leave your mail ID in the final slide of ppt.
f)Closure: If you finish on-time, be proud of it and convey the same. If you dragged the time, then say sorry for delay so that you give them a feeling that YOU VALUE THEIR TIME. Say thank you and wish them for the day.
Tips:
1. It is important how you end the
ppt than how you started. Coz the last 10 minutes stays in the audience’s mind
and make sure they leave with a good feeling.
2. Three important things. KEEP IT
COOL. KEEP IT COOL. KEEP IT COOL. ;)
3. KISS (Keep it simple stupid). Add
varieties to your style of explanation. Be aware when you have to go in-detail
and when you have to be short. Don’t go on and on about the samething, fix it
and move on.
4. Add some good humor here and there
5. Time sense is important as a
professional. Practice at least twice COMPLETELY alone. Time the entire
ppt. Keep a buffer time apart from Q&A as all the presentations doesn’t get
over on time. If you finish on time 90% people will be happy. Test your screen
options etc before you start.
In spite of all, YES things can go
wrong. There don’t panic, relax and use your common sense., things will
automatically be alright.
All the best and good luck! :)
P.S. Whatever you do, you will always have a feeling that you could have done better. Don't worry as that feeling is completely alright and you will definitely get better with experience as this is only the first time. Just remember, with "INNER PEACE" you can do anything (the Kungfu warrior way :P)
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