Biotechnology YES – Presentation Skills

The aim of the session is to enable you to: be confident when planning, preparing and presenting a pitch to an audience....SO THAT YOU CAN WIN!

Who am I? Jane Nolan MBE Part time Curriculum Development Officer Entrepreneur in Residence MD Venture Coaching and Consulting Ltd Previously CEO & owner manager of Shark Group

We will look at: Planning your presentation Structure and content Skills and styles Handling nerves Managing the audience

Do you feel like this?

Preparing to present Know what you want to achieve Know and understand your audience Prepare to communicate effectively

What do you want to achieve? To gain investment To win a competition To be taken seriously To justify why you think this will work To build your network To change the opinions of the audience BE CLEAR BEFORE YOU BEGIN!

Are you ready to face the audience?!

Know your audience Your audience : will expect you to speak effectively will expect you to have the authority and ability to speak on your subject will listen closely IF you capture their imagination are easily distracted respond well to variety are normally friendly and sympathetic.... at the beginning!

Audiences... Hear and forget See and then remember Do and then understand

Content – what to include Introduction : GRAB THEIR ATTENTION! Core content : 3 – 5 main points The conclusion: sum up the key points

Introduction Say something interesting! Use a quote / anecdote / article / challenge...or something more outrageous!

Core Content Take the audience on a logical journey through your story Use the end to support the beginning Refer to situations the audience is familiar with Involve the audience as much as possible – ask questions Be careful of humour... it can be disastrous

Core Content Introduction to team and business idea (innovative?) Engage the audience to your idea and its key selling points What evidence do you have of potential success? How is it different? Market research How will you market it? How much will it cost?

Core Content How much do you think you’ll sell? How will your business operate? What have you already done? Any barriers/risks? What is the future of your business?

The Conclusion Summarise the key points Refer to where you started End with a “call to action” Make sure your take home message is clear Have a definite end.

Checklist Bold statement of the problem (attention grabber) Our product is… (simple non-technical description) That provides… (key benefit that solves problem) For… (target customers) Who have/are… (compelling reason to buy) Unlike… (objective analysis of competitors shortcomings) © CfEL, Cambridge University, 2006.

Checklist Our unique selling point is… (main source of competitive advantage) We need to raise £… in order to… (why you need the money) Call to action (engineer feedback and a follow-up meeting) © CfEL, Cambridge University, 2006.

Preparation Think about: Visual aids Your notes Handouts Audience participation The room / venue

Visuals DO make them easy to understand space information out write clearly allow time for the audience to absorb carefully use colour

Your notes If you use them DO NOT JUST READ FROM THEM!

Tackling nerves To be nervous is normal Feeling nervous can be useful: The line to be drawn is between “acutely self aware and ready to rock” and “shivering with apprehension and wanting to go to the loo”

Top tips to tackle nerves PRACTISE! Arrive in plenty of time Check everything first Breathe deeply Start slowly, confidently and smile Relax

What’s the worst that could happen?! In your teams consider what could go wrong and what you will do about it. Think about who will have responsibility for what Think BIG! Consider everything but don’t miss out the obvious. 5 mins now – but lots of time later

The audience – who are they, what do they want from us? The message – what’s the big thing we want to say? How do we effectively use the time? Key Points to Remember Please make your presentation memorable and make sure you show evidence that you have a well researched business idea

PowerPoint presentations You don’t have to use powerpoint (or any electronic presentation, but if you do: –Use the slides as a support –Never read a slide to the audience –Avoid design templates, create own visual theme –One idea per slide, limited text/bullets –Not too much animation –High quality images –Use sans-serif fonts All the technology in the world won’t hide a poor presentation Bad slide!!!

Remember to…… The more presenters you have the more likely it is something will go wrong!!!!

Your style Be yourself – show your best bits! Use words and phrases you are comfortable with Let your personality show through Be enthusiastic – it is contagious! Be empathetic and sincere

Handling the audience Confused? Repeat differently without telling them that is what you are doing

Bored? Try introducing the next topic with “Who can afford to ignore...” Change your pitch and tone

Questions Decide if you want questions at the end and say so at the beginning Say “I would welcome any questions” rather than, “Does anyone have any questions?” Questions mean someone is interested Receive feedback well

Questions Listen for the real question Repeat or rephrase the question Be prepared to be challenged No one expects you to know everything – don’t bluster. Think of ways to find out more for the questioner Keep an eye on the time

Think about your dress code!

Think about the Time!

Think about eye contact!

Think About the SPACE!

Think professional

Think questions!

Smile SMILE!!!!

Summary Know your audience Plan well Prepare well Practise well