Presenting Across Borders

Slow the Game Down

Its football season and this year we have more starting rookie quarterbacks than ever before. After the first few games, many of them look downright confused on game day. But how can you blame them? They are new to the NFL and there is a lot to consider at quarterback: what formation is the defense in? How many rushers are coming? Who is my first, second, and third option at receiver? Truth is it may take many of them years before they start to get enough repetitions to where they start performing well. Heck, some of them may never be productive in the NFL. The point is, these quarterbacks need the reps, they need experience before the game will start to slow down and they can succeed. 

The same is true for the presenter. It takes a lot of experience before someone is able to conduct terrific presentations. And this is completely understandable considering how much a presenter needs to process: What major points do I need to hit on this slide? What slide is next? How is my audience reacting? Am I speaking clearly enough? – the list goes on. Believe me, just like with quarterbacks the game will slow down for you with experience. But experience takes time. Fortunately, it is not the only thing that can slow the game down for you. You can prepare.

Unlike a quarterback, you don’t have a defense or opposition that is trying to throw you off. In presenting, you run the show. This gives you the ability to preplan the entire presentation and prepare and practice over and over. Do this and your presentations will seem simpler, easier. Do this and you will have slowed the game down.

- Matt