Detailed Course Outline

P02 Business Presentation Skills

• Assumed Prerequisite Knowledge
• Target Audience
• Course Description
• Course Objectives
• General Philosophy of the Course
• Course Outline
• Course Topics
• Evaluation
• Marking Scheme
• Text

Two years work experience.

Individuals who need to improve or enhance their communications skills.

Encompasses the basic, invaluable communications skills individuals need to interact and influence effectively within organizations. Covers verbal presentation skills, different communications mediums (presentations, meetings, interviews) and receiving, communications (reading non-verbal signals and listening).

Generally, to provide the student with the tools necessary to communicate effectively in today's dynamic organizations. Verbal skills will be covered, as well as different communication mediums, such as presentations, meetings, reports, the receiving of communications, the reading of non-verbal signs, and the art of listening.

Specifically, at the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:

• understand and demonstrate knowledge of oral presentation theory
• display appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication skills during a presentation
• physically take control of the presentation environment through effective personal presentation, as well as through choosing effective audio-visual aids to enhance the presentation
• speak to a variety of audiences in a comfortable and effective manner, following a relatively structured process
• effectively deliver a verbal presentation, in a time-constrained environment
• successfully handle a variety of audience reactions by confidently managing question/answer periods and reducing any difficult situations which might arise
• prepare an effective, well organized written report by separating a body of information into its logical components.

General Philosophy of the Course

The verbal presentation is used in most organizations today as a means to quickly provide management with condensed decision-making information. This information is usually provided by those closest to a problem situation. One of the important things for a student to understand, however, is that effective speaking starts with purpose, good organization, and a convincing presentation of the main ideas, with support or proof.

The presentation can also be used to provide information to others in a non-decision making environment; usually, one sees this type of presentation in a training situation or simply in a briefing context.

Whatever the purpose of the presentation, communication is a fundamental element of any organization and its day to day work. Managers must communicate effectively in order to give and receive information needed to plan, organize, lead, and control. Communication, in the form of presentations, is especially important to the leading function, since the manager depends on communication to inform followers of performance objectives and elicit their enthusiasm to achieve them.

Consequently, the purpose of a presentation can be varied, but it usually:

1. informs others about a subject of interest
2. promotes a particular course of action (i.e. solving a particular problem; analyzing a series of alternatives in a logical fashion, etc.);
3. advises management on a particular situation; or,
4. requests approval from management to follow a particular course of action.

Most presentations are, of necessity, time constrained and follow a relatively structured process. One of the purposes of this course, therefore, is to simulate as closely as possible a "presentation situation," by providing the student with a situation in a business environment and expecting the student to deal with the situation as described in a professional, logical, and rational manner (The Structured Presentation Format).

You can only learn skills like public speaking by actually performing the task. Therefore, this class is both lecture and workshop oriented, where students will be making a presentation in front of their peers, as well as writing a formal report for evaluation purposes. The student will grow enormously. The positives of each student's delivery - both written and verbal - will be identified, while those areas marked for improvement will be analyzed and action plans for growth implemented.

This course will use a combination of formal lectures, discussions, weekly practical individual work, and skill teaching/presentation sessions.

Students choose a formal presentation topic related to their work situation. The student will assume that he/she is making a presentation to senior management (EX level). Each week students will be individually developing their presentations by working on points of The Structured Presentation Format. The instructor works individually with each student to facilitate learning. Each individual makes a twenty (20) minute verbal presentation to the class, and hands in a written presentation on the same topic.

Evaluation

As this is a course in oral communication, the final mark is based totally on the presentations made by the student. The evaluation of the student's individual verbal presentation will be conducted by the student's peers and by the instructor. Therefore, detailed peer and Professor evaluations will be conducted during each student presentation (to be compiled later by the instructor). Evaluation of the written presentation will be made solely by the Professor.

After the written evaluations are completed by the student's peers and submitted to the Professor, a class discussion will take place evaluating the student's performance. Helpful suggestions and corrections will be outlined in order to assist the student in improving his/her skills.

Marking Scheme

The marking scheme is at the discretion of the professor. It may include assignments, a mid-term and a final exam.

Text

Ronald B. Adler. Communicating at Work: Principles and Practices for Business and the Professions, has been used for past offerings of this course. Textbook choice is at the discretion of the professor.