Response week 5 discussion

1

4

Specifically: Respond to the discussion response using the question below! Please cite 2 references.

· How did your experience differ from your peers'? Where do you and your peers agree/disagree on the strengths and limitations of this podcast training format?

· What did you think of your peers' plans to improve the podcasts? Will their suggestions be practical and effective?

http://www.timetomarket.co.uk/presentation-training-podcast.htm

References

Blanchard, P. & Thacker, J. (2023).Effective training: Systems, strategies, and practices (7th Edition). Sage Publication.

Time to Market (2018). Presentation skills podcast series. Retrieved from https://www.timetomarket.co.uk/presentation-tips/presentation-skillspodcast/presentationtipsandtechniques/timing

LC1). I chose the podcast that discussed what to wear for a presentation. A piece of advice that I took from this video is to stay one step ahead of the audience. Doing the homework on the event, finding out if there is a dress code for the event, or even for the audience will help the presenter understand how they should present themselves. The video suggests dressing in a way to appear at the top of your game. I would change my presentation style by researching the event to find out if there are dress requirements to ensure I am not over/underdressed.

This method of training was effective because it was short and relayed the information without a lot of unnecessary information. For someone with a short attention span, the length of the video was perfect, and the information was easily absorbed. The only limitation that I see is if there are no dress code requirements for the event. If that's the case, the presenter has to gauge what they should wear based on the content of their presentation or based on the type of the event. If Time to Market invited me to help them improve their podcasts, I would suggest that they update their short podcasts to include visual aids to accompany the content. 

KW 2.)

I learned from the podcast that it is crucial to prepare for audience questions to give a successful presentation. The suggestion is to prepare ten questions and their answers beforehand and then come up with another ten questions to ensure the speaker is well-prepared for any possible inquiries. This kind of preparation helps reinforce the presentation's main points and ensures clarity for the audience (Time to Market, 2024). Also, the Indeed article points out that answering questions can bring authenticity to your speech and ensure your audience feels satisfied with the information. (Birt, 2022).

I plan to be more organized when preparing for audience questions. Before my presentations, I will write down potential questions and their answers. I want to focus on understanding rather than memorization. This will help me stay focused and ensure my answers support my presentation's main points. I will also consider the audience's expertise and tailor my answers accordingly. This will ensure that my responses are clear and relevant to their level of understanding (Birt, 2022).

This training method is effective because it offers a practical, easy-to-follow strategy for improving presentation skills. It emphasizes the importance of preparation and being familiar with potential questions, which can help speakers feel more confident during their presentations (Time to Market, 2024). Responding to questions effectively can improve the audience's trust in the presenter as an expert (Time to Market, 2024).

One drawback of this approach is the assumption that the speaker can accurately anticipate most of the questions that will be asked. Although preparing for 20 questions is beneficial, unexpected or difficult questions are always possible. Furthermore, the advice does not cover handling unprepared questions, which could be a valuable addition (Time to Market, 2024). Being honest about the extent of your knowledge and providing resources for finding the answers would complement this advice well (Birt, 2022).

If invited to help improve the podcasts, I suggest adding tips for handling unexpected questions effectively. This could include strategies for thinking on your feet and dealing with challenging questions to provide a well-rounded guidance set. Also, including real-life examples or stories from experienced speakers could make the advice more relatable and engaging for the audience (Time to Market, 2024). Researching commonly asked questions about the topic and studying other presentations could offer valuable insights for improving the podcast content (Birt, 2022).

References:

Birt, J. (2022, December 28).  Just a moment... Just a moment...  https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/presentation-questions

Time to Market. (2024 ). Presentation Skills Podcast. Planning.  https://www.timetomarket.co.uk/presentation-tips/presentation-skills-podcast/