Michelle Bowden - How to Present: The ultimate guide to presenting your ideas and influencing people using techniques that actually work

Praise for Michelle Bowdens system for outstanding presenting

I got my million-dollar sponsorship! Many thanks, Michelle. I used your program as a guide and it worked a treat!

Neil McWhannel Chief Executive Officer, HeartKids Australia

Michelle is engaging, enthusiastic and challenging. Her work with my sales team really opened their eyes to opportunities. They will never accept the word no again!

Dan McArthur General Manager, National Surgical

Michelle is a powerful presenter who demonstrates how to influence and create change in any organisation. Id highly recommend her as the best presentation and influence expert in Australia.

Rob Dickerson Sales Director, Menarini Australia

Michelle is thoughtful and insightful and her energy is wonderful. I loved the structure, content, rules and formula for constructing presentations. It is excellent that the teachings are based on solid theory and years of practical application.

Dr Matt Cahill ANZ Research and Development (R&D) Leader, Dow AgroSciences

Michelle Bowden is simply a star maker! She can turn coal into a diamond and I am so impressed. Her Influential Presentation Skills is an awesome mix of theory and practice. The 13 steps she goes through are logical and powerful and the overall content matter is outstanding. The real impact is her teaching style. She has a beautiful manner and keeps everything light, upbeat and full of energy. You never look at your watch and you never feel self-conscious. If you have to do any type of presentation, this course is a dead-set must!

Justin Tamsett Director & International Keynote Speaker

I loved everything about Michelles system. It made me step out of my comfort zone and extend myself. I gained so many practical tips and pointers that are critical for everyday activities, communication, and of course presenting. Thanks a million!

Candice Fitzgerald Head of Clinical Operations, Roche Products

I feel like weve been introduced to the secrets of exceptional presenters! I came to Michelles course not knowing exactly what to expect. To discover Michelle Bowden is a very likeable, dynamic and knowledgeable presentation skills trainer far exceeded any expectations I might have had. The program was fun, comprehensive, and supportive of the participants. A great framework was presented and practised. All participants were given lots of attention, positive feedback and coaching tips. Thanks heaps Michelle!

Peter Phillips Clinical Study Support Manager, Servier Laboratories

Brilliant. Simply brilliant! I loved the content. So challenging, yet so amazing. When I master the 13 steps and make them second nature I will be unstoppable. I loved that you can use Michelles approach in general communication as well as when you present. I will be able to apply it in all aspects of my life.

Jennifer Lymer National Business Manager, Coca Cola Amatil

Ive worked with Michelle for the past two decades to take my presentation skills to a new level. Over the years Michelles approach has become second nature. I now use advanced language patterns coupled with a structure and delivery style that ensures I express ideas with influence in any situation.

Pauline Blight-Johnston Managing Director, RGA Reinsurance Company

Well! Where do I start? Michelle is one of the most outstanding and enthusiastic presentation skills coaches I have ever worked with. Her energy is contagious and her approach is very effective. She does not teach a class, she immerses herself in the people and getting them a successful outcome. A great combination of humour, anecdotes, practical and theory result in a virtually guaranteed better presentation. She then stays in touch personally to ensure you are practicing your new skills.

Brenton Smith Vice President Sales Asia Pacific, Japan, Symantec.cloud

This is the fully revised and updated edition of Dont Picture Me Naked , first published in 2009.

This edition was first published in 2013 by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd

42 McDougall St, Milton Qld 4064

Office also in Melbourne

Typeset in ITC Berkeley Oldstyle Std Book 11/13

Michelle Bowden 2013

The moral rights of the author have been asserted

National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication data:

Author:Bowden, Michelle.

Title: How to present : the ultimate guide to presenting your ideas and influencing people using techniques that actually work / Michelle Bowden.

ISBN: 9781118476246 (pbk.)

Notes:Includes index.

Subjects:Public speaking.

Business presentations.

Dewey Number:658.452

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (for example, a fair dealing for the purposes of study, research, criticism or review), no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, communicated or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission. All inquiries should be made to the publisher at the address above.

Cover design by Susan Olinsky

Author photograph by Jeff Mackay

Illustrations on pp. 201202 by Russell Jones

Internal design by Peter Reardon, pipelinedesign.com.au

Printed in China by Printplus Limited

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Disclaimer

The material in this publication is of the nature of general comment only, and does not represent professional advice. It is not intended to provide specific guidance for particular circumstances and it should not be relied on as the basis for any decision to take action or not take action on any matter which it covers. Readers should obtain professional advice where appropriate, before making any such decision. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the author and publisher disclaim all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any person taking or not taking action based on the information in this publication.

I dedicate this book to the three littlest women in my life my beautiful, headstrong, confident daughters, Holly, Madeline and Annabelle.

My wish for you is that you grow up to be happy, healthy and assertive women who achieve your potential through courageous communication.

And to you, Ian, for without you there would be no book!

Foreword

There are two times in your life when you are totally alone: just before you die and just before you give a speech or presentation.

You have to admit, those moments before youre called to the front of the room or up on stage to address a crowd can be absolutely frightening.

Yet it doesnt have to be this way.

It seems hard to believe, but there are people who not only are not scared of presenting, but who actually delight in it.

There are people who dont um and ah their way clumsily through a presentation. These people deliver their point eloquently and effortlessly. And there are people who mesmerise with their words.

And heres the crucial point: these folks werent born superb orators. They didnt pop out of the womb with a microphone and some opening gags. They learned to speak brilliantly, step by step.

And so can you.

Its certainly a skill worth mastering. Those who can present well often earn more, get promoted faster and get their way more often. In our fast-moving world, its usually those who can package their thoughts beautifully who get all the rewards.

So it seems you have two choices. Either hide your light under the proverbial bushel, or take the oratorical bull by the horns and learn this speaking game once and for all.