Presentation & Feedback

Well, what did you think of my presentation.

Do you want me to be frank??

I know you worked very hard on it.

Yes, give it to me straight.?

I have my own opinion too, but I'd appreciate your comments and suggestions.

You said you have your own opinion about it.

So how do you think it went?

I thought it went okay at first, but I could feel that there were some bad transitions.

I think I spent too much time on some slides and didn’t express them well.

I agree on most points.?

But to me, it was flat.?

Five minutes into it, I had a hard time paying attention.

Flat? Do you mean my voice?

Yes, that’s part of it.?

There is very little passion, almost like you were reading it.?

I’m sure you can do better.

Do you have any suggestions?

First, let me say that I liked the slides themselves.?

The designs were nice and easy to read.?

But the one thing you didn’t do was engage with the audience.?

You focused on the slides and didn’t address the audience.

Oh, I was trying to, but I guess I was too nervous.?

I didn’t want to forget anything.

You have a great smile.?

You need to show that smile and your expressions when you present.?

Make eye contact.

When you present, I notice you always do that.

And you pause between ideas.?

But it seems so easy for you.

For me, I look at the faces in the audience.?

I watch their expressions.?

I really try to communicate with them.?

Once I do that, it comes naturally, because it becomes real communication.

You seem to enjoy it.

Well, I’m always nervous too before I get started.?

But once I connect with the audience, I’m okay.

So connecting with the audience is the key.?

Focus on them and not me, right?

Yes, well put.?

In fact, if you do that, you will have to adjust your presentation.?

It has to flow like in a real conversation.?

We have to respond to each other.?

And the pauses are so that the presentation can breathe.

Hmm, it seems so obvious, but I’ve never thought of it like that.?

That’s a great advice.?

I wish we had talked before my presentation.

If we had, you may not have been open like you are now.?

Anyway, I’m sure your next presentations will improve.?

It takes practice like anything.?

Don’t be too hard on yourself.?

No, I won’t.?

But next time I will do better and I hope you are there.

OK, well, let’s get back to work.