Key business skills

Successful businesspersons realize that the ability to make an effective presentation before an audience is a key business skill often associated with career advancement. With proper training in the rules for making successful presentations and by examining their own behaviors to avoid those that detract from their message, speakers can enjoy the accolades that accompany a winning presentation. Presentation effectiveness is not only related to what the speaker says but to the nonverbal elements as well. How people dress, their body language, vocal characteristics and use of visuals when speaking to a group largely determines whether they and their organization are perceived as credible. In addition, speaker credibility is linked to preparation and use of time. Eye contact with the audience has been identified as perhaps the most important characteristic a speaker should possess. Posture is also important to projecting a positive image when making a presentation.