WHAT TO DO WHEN THINGS GO WRONG (Podium Power)

It  is   especially  true   whenever  computers  and  projectors  are wrong  while  you  can’t  anticipate  exactly  what  will  go  wrong    during  any  particular  presentation , you  can  plan  for  any  number  of   possibilities.

IF   YOUR   EQUIPMENT BREAKS DOWN…

.     If  at  all  possible  ,be  prepared  to  replace  key  equipment  on the  spot .

·    Focus  on   the audience  and  on   your  message ,not  on  the  problem  .As  you  work   on  a  solution  , keep  audience  involved. If  you  can’t  quickly resolve  the  problem  ,go  on  with  your presentation   as  best  you  can.

·    Bring handouts. Make  copies  of  your  slides  to  distribute  as  you  speak  , if  necessary.

·    Use  humor    to  relieve    audience  tension  .When  her  computer  crashes, one    speaker    says   “A  TV  can   insult   your  intelligence  ,but  it  takes  a  computer  to  make   you  feel  like  a  total  idiot”. Direct   your humor   at the situation   or   at    yourself, never at another person.  

IF YOU FORGET    YOUR    PLACE   IN   A   SPEECH   OR YOUR MIND   GOES BLANK….

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     Back up. Summarize the   point you just finished making. Often  repeating   your  previous point  ,like  retracing your steps  before  taking   a    leap, will   give   you   momentum  to  carry  you  forward.

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       Check   your   note

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      Ask    your audience    for help    Say.  “I   got so   caught up   in what   I   was   saying   that   I lost   my place. Where was   I? Someone   will  tell  you.(This  is  especially   true   if  earlier in your  introduction  you  enumerated   your  main points.)

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       Say   something. Says anything. The  longer you remain silent, grasping  for  exactly the   right word, the  more your  anxiety   (and   the  audience ‘s) will  grow  .Try  to  recall  anything  relevant  to  your  speech, audience, or  the  occasion,  and  say  it.  Once  you being talking,  your   memory  will most likely  kick  into  gear.

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     Check   your  attitude  .Perfectionism is  the  undoing  of  many  speakers .it’s based   on  the  illusion  that   if  we  work  hard  enough  ,we can  avoid making   mistakes, losing control, or  looking foolish. Don’t  try to give  a flawless  presentation; focus instead   on  serving  your  audience  to  the best of  your  ability.

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       Remember that your   audience   wants you to    succeed.   

Source: Podium Power by Chris Witts, PHD