12 replies to this topic

[Lucydog]

Ok, so here is hopefully a totally neutral thread.....

I have to give quite a few presentations these days but find it hard to find a way to physically feel at ease. If I were standing up Id know what to do with myself but sitting down Im not sure what gives the best impression. Should I go up to the front, stay where I am? Use a flip chart, or the dreaded PowerPoint. (anything but that please)

I find at the moment Im just sitting still with no movement at all, and feeling really really self conscious, after all its bad enough when you get stared at in public, 10 times worse in a room with loads of other people. I feel awkward and stupid, which I know is silly because I never had any trouble with this before.

thanks for any ideas.
L

[DaveP]

I know exactly what you mean! I've always had problems with public speaking and avoided it all cost, until more recently when I had to make a presentation at a local tourism university. And to make it worse, I had to do it in Portuguese.

In a wheelchair, we're not going to be doing much moving about, so you need to find a place to "park" and do your bit. I found the powerpoint presentation to be really useful, as it also helped to remind me what to talk about when my mind went blank - which happened a few times! I listed subject titles with images and spoke about each subject.

If you don't feel that comfortable with people starring at you, then surely the powerpoint presentation is the best option as they'll all be looking at the screen.

Whatever you do, don't have a drink to calm your nerves! I hate microphones and cameras, and have been interviewed for radio and TV a few times, but after the last time I will NEVER do it again. I was so nervous that I thought a stiff drink would help calm me a bit, but all it did was make me sound drunk - I suppose I was! lol

In another TV interview they had 3 questions for me. I asked them if we could practice before they started filming. "What has the Algarve got to offer?" Easy - I can answer that one, no problem! "What does your business provide?" Easy - I've explained this loads of times. "And what are the negative things about the Algarve from a wheelchair users point of view?" Is that it - no problem at all! I stuttered and spluttered and in the end they didn't show any of it! lol

[gsp23]

Also when you are doing the presentation if you are going to be sitting still then make sure you have your breaks on at least a little or your chair is bumped up against something. I think its embarrasing and difficult to be taken seriously when you start to slowely roll backwards as you talk (happend to me when I was arguing with someone once and they just laughed at me in the middle of my rant). Dont know what it is that make the chair always slowley go backward when mostly still on smooth surfaces but not something you want to happen when doing a presentation... Reminds me of one of the Austin Powers movies when Dr Evil was talking to his henchmen at a table and he slowely started to roll backward

[russ1]

Alternatively get Access to Work to fund a standing chair so you can give your presentations standing up. I know of a few people (including me) who've used this reason to get a standing chair funded and even know of one of them who actually uses the standing chair to do presentations .

Just a thought

[rkzenrage]

I did a lot of presentations and I also taught speech at my local community college.
The main thing is to be comfortable.... if you are, they will be.
The standing chair is a good idea.

I like PowerPoint with a projector with the remotes for a laptop. Your office can rent them if need be.

[jane]

slightly different - I had to do a school assembly last week with my boss. he did the first half, me the second. he walked up and down and talked to the kids - so when my time came, i was standing with my crutches - i said -'im not going to move about like syd cos i can't and then carried on' it seemed to go well and my boss said that was fine.

So i just was in one place and did the rest of the assembly from there. It was the first one i had to do as well so i was very nervous.

jane

[milosh]

can't use standing chair, i sit in my regular W/C... yeah... i use a projector too.

rkzenrage has gave you an excellent advice!

what really does matter is how you act and your presentation/teaching skills.

while studied art history at the faculty of philosophy in belgrade, i knew the professor who was blind... he was a greatshow man and taught great! many people attended his lessons, even us not inhis group/department.

[rkzenrage]

Do it from a chair, who cares?
Honestly, no matter what, if you are comfortable, happy and having a good time and (most of all) want to be there... they will pick-up on that.
The rest is just s&%$ to get distracted by.
If you have to take a sec to do something, just keep communicating with them, explain what is going on, keep the energy going and up and all will be well.

Edited by rkzenrage, 13 October 2006 - 06:39 AM.

[gazrobsuk]

Lucydog,

Actually when I have to do a pitch I usually sit at the front, hook my laptop to the projector/screen thing/input & then use one of these laser pointer things that you get for a keyring etc so I can then sit to oneside & waffle away & hit the next key when I want & point to my hearts content, I found this a good compromise to what I used to do when standing & pointing/waving blah. It is usually the dreaded ppt slides though ha.

Lucydog, on Oct 11 2006, 02:47 PM, said:

Ok, so here is hopefully a totally neutral thread.....

I have to give quite a few presentations these days but find it hard to find a way to physically feel at ease. If I were standing up Id know what to do with myself but sitting down Im not sure what gives the best impression. Should I go up to the front, stay where I am? Use a flip chart, or the dreaded PowerPoint. (anything but that please)

I find at the moment Im just sitting still with no movement at all, and feeling really really self conscious, after all its bad enough when you get stared at in public, 10 times worse in a room with loads of other people. I feel awkward and stupid, which I know is silly because I never had any trouble with this before.

thanks for any ideas.
L

[Tinbasher]

My tuppence worth.

Standing chair sounds a great idea but I suspect it would become the centre of attention instead of what you wanted to say plus they cost a bomb.

POWERPOINT is easiest but you have little spontenity and no chance to go off on an interesting tangent depending on the type pf presentation.

Flip charts are possible but a pain in the bahookie. The front legs get in the way and you need to set them quite low. I have had some success with a table top Flipchart so that I could get my footrests under the table.

I even tried writing "live" on an OHP but thats combersome.

My technique is mostly to get the audience in a semi circle around me if thats possible. If it a situation where your expected to do a very short presentation as one of many I might make sure I am positioned where I can effectivly do it from where I am.

Tin

[Lee]

Pointless using powerpoint if you dont like it. Ive been to presentation/talks with people sitting in a wheelchair and as long as you sit slightly to the left or right of the seating then most can see you Or have a parting in the middle of the seats down the centre if possible and park yourself at the front in the middle, not the isle, lol. Its the person that makes it interesting and a clear voice. I think you will be fine as you seem confident and can give gob, lol. In a good way. Good luck

cheers lee

[rkzenrage]

Power Point can do a lot more and look a lot different than most give it credit for.

[Lee]

I know, i teach ICT but if the person is nervous to start with and doesnt like the software then theres a problem straight away.