18.10 End of Chapter Activities
18a. Thinking About the Content
What are your key takeaways from this chapter? What is something you have learned or something you would like to add from your experience?
18b. Discussion Questions
Discussion Questions
- How can a speaker prepare a presentation for a diverse audience? Explain and give some specific examples.
- How can an audience’s prior knowledge affect a presentation?
- Think of someone you have met but do not know very well. What kinds of conversations have you had with this person? How might you expect your conversations to change if you have more opportunities to get better acquainted? Discuss your thoughts with a classmate.
- While managing a Q&A session following a presentation, if you find yourself unable to answer a question posed by one of the audience members which tactics can you use to maintain control of the session?
18c. Applying chapter concepts to a situation
Presenting for success
Akhil works at a software development company in White Rock called Blackball Technologies. It is a medium-sized company that allows its employees to dress casually and occasionally work from home. Akhil likes this because his preference is to wear t-shirts and jeans to the office or work from home in his pyjamas.
Blackball recently created a new software program that has the potential to make a huge profit. However, they need investors to fund their latest innovation. The new software was developed using one of Akhil’s ideas; therefore, the company chooses him to present their proposal to a diverse group of investors from several countries.
Some of the investors are not fluent in English as it is their second language. Additionally, they each have a busy day ahead as they have to listen to proposals from multiple companies. Akhil fears that the investors will not understand him. He is also nervous about the presentation due to its significance to his career. If he is successful, he will get the promotion that he has wanted for the past two years and a pay raise.
What are some of the things that Akhil should consider when presenting to the investors?
18d. Writing Activity
Watch this video from TED.com on The Secret Structure of Great Talks. Summarize the video. What is the most interesting point made by Nancy Duarte in your opinion?