5-Step Formula For a Fresh Start

There's nothing like dramatic economic change to make you focus on business presentation skills. The FRESH start revolutionizes what you know about presenting.

When it comes to business presenting - it's not just about logic and tasks. If that were all it took to enhance presentation skills then you would just have to follow a checklist.

But if you've ever followed a training plan and been disappointed, you probably came away feeling frustrated. Maybe you blamed yourself. What else could I have done?

There's probably more at work here than task-focused training. After all, you're not living on an island. If your business has been suffering from recent economic storms, you know this too well.

You may have gotten the word. Your budget got slashed. Your staff got whacked. Your big rock-solid client evaporated.

Sound familiar?

Many business owners, entrepreneurs and experienced professionals have been reeling with these changes. And there's no motivation quite like radical change to make you realize: you don't just need more tasks. You need a fresh state of mind. And a new approach to presenting.

If you've been experiencing storms in your business, it's time to conquer the primary feeling of being overwhelmed. Stop burning the candle at both ends. Forget trying to do absolutely everything from scratch.

What's the smart alternative?

Take a systematic approach presenting. This kind of rigorous approach is often used in mid-size to global companies. They must create a global standard to guarantee consistent top quality.

But if you are an army of one, or working with a band of renegades, take a similar approach. You'll gain instant leverage. Adopt a system for giving high-value presentations. Master presentation skills in a systematic fashion.

To get a new start and boost your success, use this FRESH approach.

F = Focus On Value

Develop a focused and simple story about the value you offer. Emphasize the benefits in terms your customers and prospects understand.

R = Rehearse Like Crazy

Practice telling your story for different audiences. Rehearse so you are comfortable presenting in individual conversation, small groups, large groups, virtual meetings and video. With less money and a smaller staff, you may be doing more presentations yourself. You are likely giving more presentations virtually - and using video to tell your business story.

Improve presentation skills - for you and your team. Get every team member equally confident giving a presentation. Expand your concept of team to everyone who is in any area of your business. Give them tips and tools to tell a consistent message.

In short, rehearse and practice all the time. Practice on stage, on camera and in front of audiences of any size.

E = Easy Is Right

Make sure your story is easy to understand, easy to tell, and easy to retell. When everything about your business presentation is easy, your customers will tell your story for you. This is a powerful way to increase buzz, and increase business.

S = Simplify Your Story

Simplify your story. If you do absolutely only one of the FRESH steps, do this one. Make sure your story is so simple that a 5-year old could retell it without skipping a beat.

H = Hit The Target

When you are in front of clients and prospects, present to win. The fastest way to achieve this is planning your entire presentation with a blueprint. It's called a presentation storyboard.

A storyboard is as critical to your success as an architectural blueprint is for building a house. You would never dream of building a house without a blueprint. So don't make the mistake of throwing together your presentation without a plan. This single shift is precisely how winners give world-class presentations.

Now it's your turn.

Get a FRESH start on presenting and expect visible improvement in your bottom line.