Some great communicators are born, and some work hard at it. Steve Jobs works incredibly hard at it, more than you may know. If you are anywhere near a computer these days, you have either personally seen or heard the buzz around Jobs’ top rate presentations. Perhaps you’ve often wondered what his secret is. You might be shocked to know that he practices and rehearses hours and weeks before every presentation, getting each detail in place for the big day. Check out “The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to Be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience.” (Carmine Gallo).

That’s right, everyone. Even Steve Jobs prepares for his presentations, so why aren’t you?  Let me share with you what some have described as their “approach” to getting ready before a presentation:

• Reading over the notes and PowerPoint printed handouts a few hours, or an hour, before the engagement.
• Practicing in “my head” on the way there.
• Doing a dry run with colleagues (in the case of peer presentations) right before the real thing.
• Spending an hour to two rehearsing out loud and attempting a good synch of the info to slides.

In view of this and many other methods confessed, the last point is preparation practice at its very best. Not very impressive. Clearly, if Jobs is doing more to wow ‘em, then so should you. So why do we fail to do so? Here are the common excuses, and I bet yours is in there somewhere:

1. I’m too busy.
2. As one person in a peer presentation, changes are made last minute, so I may not be able to plan for this.
3. I am pretty good at winging it.
4. I do better when I don’t plan ahead. I end up sounding more natural.

Let’s agree that we are all guilty of at least one of these. On the flip side, let’s also agree that it’s painful to observe a less prepared speaker and much more interesting to watch someone who has their game mastered. Let’s face it–preparation is king.

Presentation competency and your ability to persuade the audience of your message is a critical skill separating you from the competitor—other companies, other bidders, colleagues vying for the same position, candidates applying for the same job, etc. You’ve heard it said that we are in, and moving toward, a knowledge-based economy; therefore, your knowledge and intellectual ability is your most prized and sought after asset. Use it!

So, if you are approaching speaking engagements lightly (meaning ANY kind of presentation, formal speaking opportunity, or other) then why should your audience take you seriously? Here are some practical steps to start taking your public speaking skills to the next level:

1. Create timeframes around assignments and projects that will require a public speaking component. Adhere to them, allowing ample time for practice.
2. Practice each section of your presentation, from intro and slide one through to the Q&A slide, accounting for each piece you will discuss, refer to, or gloss over. Pace yourself each time.
3. Video tape yourself and watch for body language. If you’re not sure what to look for, ask a trusted colleague for feedback, an HR person, or someone in business communications who would be able to offer insight.
4. Repeat practice over and over again until you feel entirely confident. Remember, regardless of the audience or purpose of the presentation, each opportunity is a unique way to get people excited about you and what you represent. Who wouldn’t want that?
5. Do not wait last minute. This bad for your nerves.
6. If this is simply not your forté, invest a few bucks in a presentation coach and watch your gains return to you double fold. I can’t think of a better place to invest in yourself.

Easier said than done? Maybe your issue is accountability? In that case, find an accountability partner or trainer who will hold you to the task. Getting serious about professional development is challenging, and old habits die hard.

When it comes to presentation skills, far too many of us take second place unnecessarily. It’s time to start taking lessons from Steve Jobs and doing our business communication homework. Please let us know how we can help or if you have a point of inspiration to share from this post.

Happy presenting!

Being a great communicator is not rocket science, even if your native language is not English. Communication habits that are noticed, and effective, are deceptively easy. Consider the simplicity of the following approaches:

1. Use some one’s name, especially on the phone. Doing this even once or twice, which is usually enough, encourages rapport or personable atmosphere when you are on the phone or face to face with someone.
2. Recognize the efforts and sacrifices of others. We live in a time compressed world and when you take from some one’s time (even if it is a demand of the job) extend gratitude and thanks where thanks are due. People remember how others make them feel months and years after the fact. Make this a positive impression.
3. Don’t eat lunch at your desk–be social instead. Indeed, this can be a sacrifice, but a worthy one. Imagine that everyone else is just as busy as you are, if not more. Take specific measure to have lunch, coffee, or 5 to 10 minutes here and there for a little conversation. Relationship building is good common sense. Just do it.
4. Listen. It’s a what’s-in-it-for-me world out there. How refreshing it can be when someone is really listening to what you have to say. More specifically, try to meaningfully build off others’ contributions, which shows you are truly listening.
5. Imagine that time really might be your listener and reader’s most precious asset—so work hard to protect it. Be mindful with timeliness, brevity, and staying true to timeframes for meetings. Regarding e-mail, less is more, and one e-mail is better than two. Think twice before hitting send.

While these points may seem remote from language skills, ESL topics, or Business English, remember that effective communication is more than what’s on the surface. Know also that, while there is an abundance of interpersonal and soft skill strategies out there, these five were carefully selected. Why? For brevity’s sake, it is enough to say that there seem to be a world of cultural differences that manifest themselves in the lack, or absence, of these softer characteristics being displayed. These have come to our attention, and we share them to empower you.

If we don’t give you feedback, who will?