This GREAT framework will help you create and deliver a powerful and persuasive presentation in very little time.

GOAL
Before you do anything else, set your goal for the presentation. What do you want your audience to think, feel, or do differently after your presentation? Spend a little time on this. Once you get this down, the rest falls into place. Be specific. Simply wanting your audience to "know it" will not do. If they know it, then what? Be precise.
Example: Each member of my audience will apply the GREAT framework to all of their presentations.


REPEATABLE
Your message should travel long after your presentation. What do you want the members of your audience to remember and be able to repeat to others after your presentation? Make sure you insert this at the beginning, middle, and end of your presentation. Be realistic. Keep the message brief and easy to remember.
Example: Applying the GREAT framework will result in a powerful and persuasive presentation.


EASY
Let your audience win by making it easy for them to grasp the message. What are the three to five supporting points to remember? What have you done to simplify your visuals? Make it easy to understand and retain your message by using examples, stories, metaphors, analogies, demonstrations, games, etc.
Example: Here is a brief story about a client who used this framework and…


ATTENTION
So you got their time. It does not matter unless you get their attention. The competition for attention is fierce. Why should each member of your audience pay attention to your presentation? How will you capture and retain their attention? What's in it for them?
Example: Using these presentation techniques will increase your success.


Test
How will you test your audience to see that the message has been received as intended?  Close the loop by asking for thoughts and comments, or pose questions that require judgmental and analytically thinking. Do this throughout your presentation and especially right before your closing. (See repeatable message above.) Remember, the art of communication is not so much in the sending...it is in the receiving!
Example: What is the most important thing you have learned during this presentation?


*A critical point about PowerPoint... PowerPoint can be a useful support tool when used correctly. However, in most cases, PowerPoint slides scream, "I want you all to see the 3x5 note cards I prepared for you last night, which I rehearsed at Starbucks an hour ago."

Forget the long bullet points and power-paragraphs. People of all cultures and backgrounds think in pictures. Use powerful images to support your message. People are persuaded by "trusted advisers," not PowerPoint. How will you become the trusted adviser if your audience is reading slides during most of your presentation?

Not sold? Try looking away from this page and recalling what you remember from it. The text or the graphics?


Mark Tamer, PhD, coaches leaders from some of the most successful companies in the most competitive industries. For more presentation tips, follow @marktamer on twitter. For more information go to www.mgtperformance.com.