Team presentations can be quite challenging. With different individuals sharing the stage, there’s no telling how things will turn out. Even if you’re leading the team, you can’t expect to control everyone’s actions. All you can do is trust that each member contributes.
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All you can do is trust that each member contributes to driving home the core message. Essentially, you have to rely on coordination and team dynamics to ensure that your presentation ends well. But according to Toastmasters, team presentations don’t have to be difficult.
Never let your team fall out of sync. Make sure everyone is on the same page by following these five tips:
1. Figure out your goals together
Team presentations require thorough planning. Before you begin with anything else, sit down with your team and discuss the goals of your presentation. Brainstorm and organize your ideas to make the most of each member’s potential.
Figure out what you want to achieve, and identify the key points you want to share. This stage is collaborative, so make sure everyone gets to share their input. Once everyone is in agreement, you can move on to preparing your main content.
2. Delegate roles according to skill
Team presentations also rely on effective delegation. Take the time to assess each member of your team. Figure out their strengths and make assignments based on their skills. Let them play a role where they can thrive.
For example, some members may be better at research than public speaking, while others are more convincing speakers than deck organizers. Don’t force your teammates into roles they can’t live up to. At the same time, recognize that different people have different
3. Set up a strategy for answering difficult questions
You might be able to plan each part of your presentation, but you can’t prepare for how your audience will react. Make sure your team has a strategy for addressing questions before taking the stage. Consult with your group and try to figure out what works best for you.
Would you rather address questions together at the end of your presentation? Or is everyone more comfortable with answering questions as they go along?
4. Keeps slides visually cohesive
Since you’re allocating tasks, you might end up with a presentation deck that looks visually disjointed. The best solution is to come up with a PowerPoint style guide that clearly defines which colors and font types to use.
You can also assign members of your team (about 1 or 2) to build the entire deck. If you have the resources, you can also choose to work with a professional PowerPoint designer.
5. Rehearse as a group
You can’t tell how your presentation will look unless everyone makes time to rehearse as a group. Practice your delivery and figure out how your presentation will transition from one speaker to the next. You should also plan how the entire team will be standing and moving across the stage. You can take note of how actors share a scene by learning the basics of stage blocking.
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Like all collaborations, team presentations thrive on open communication. Everyone should willingly contribute their skills and expertise to ensure a successful outcome.
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Reference
“Team Presentations.” Westside Toastmasters. Accessed August 25, 2014.
Featured Image: Katherine Riley via Flickr
