SHARPENING YOUR PRESENTATION SKILLS

The very mention of public speaking is enough to strike fear into many of us, but good presentation and communication skills are essential for career progression –particularly in a relationship-driven business such as insurance. Fortunately, there’s a tried-and-tested solution that will arm you with the skills and confidence you need.

Whether you’re delivering a session at a conference, taking clients through the intricacies of a proposal, sharing some information with a group of people in the office, or simply attending a networking event, presenting and communicating information is a frequent part of our daily life.

However, whether you – and the information you’re sharing – will live long in the memory bank or disappear quicker than you can say ‘PowerPoint’ is determined by just how well you present the information.

“Public speaking is one of the biggest fears across the globe,” says Nikki Heald, Managing Director of Corptraining and a presentation trainer who’s presented sessions nationally and internationally.

“However, insurance is a relationship business, and the reality is that as you’re developing your career you need to be able to communicate effectively.”

Public speaking and presenting has got a bit of a stigma about it, however, and Gabriele McDonald, Managing Director of Protecsure, says it is common to hear professionals voicing their dislike at presenting and how it is one of their greatest challenges.

“Many roles in our industry require us to ‘present’ to others, whether it’s to a client, insurer, peers, project stakeholders or leaders, so communicating your message in a professional manner is crucial.”

For many years, Protecsure has been a sponsor of NIBA’s Presentation Skills Program, a series of hands-on and practical workshops designed to arm insurance professionals with the skills and knowledge to present to audiences effectively.

The interactive program, which will begin on Wednesday 12 April in Sydney CBD, is split into four workshops which run through until Thursday 4 May.

The first session is a networking event for participants, and the second is a presentation skills session, both led by Nikki Heald. The third session is titled ‘Unspoken Techniques to Engage your

Audience’ and will be hosted by leadership communications expert Michael Kelly.

“Communication is about far more than the words you say,” says Michael Kelly. “There are a number of elements, including body language, the cadence of your speech and your voice energy, that are hugely important.

“By the end of that session, people will have one or two action areas to work on in the longer term, and it’ll begin to impact how they communicate.”

The fourth and final session, meanwhile, will involve participants making a short presentation to a panel of industry experts. “Some people get a bit of a shock when they realise they’ll have to do a presentation, but it’s the perfect way to put the skills and knowledge gained over the weeks into practice,” says Heald.

“We create a safe, comfortable and supportive environment, and it’s perfect to practise and develop those newly acquired skills.”

Why First Impressions Count

Whether you’re attending a networking event, making a presentation or going through a proposal with a client, first impressions count – and they’re formed before a word is uttered.

“People begin forming impressions as soon as you enter a room,” says Heald. “From what you’re wearing and how you interact with people to your body language, impressions are being formed instantly.”

As well as sharing tips about how to ensure that first impression is as positive as possible, the course also includes everything you need to know about how to communicate and present effectively – including making the strongest possible start.

“It’s really important to plan for success,” says Heald.

“That means having a really strong opener to your presentation or when you’re introducing yourself at a networking event –we help people to find their opening hook, and that can enable them to get off to a strong and powerful start.

“Once you’ve started strongly, you relax, you engage with the audience more quickly, and everything becomes much easier.”

After living through a global pandemic, which took virtually every meeting online, we’re getting back to more face-to-face interaction – which means practising and honing those communication skills is vital.

“It’s especially important in insurance, and if you have aspirations of developing your career,” says Heald.

“Knowing the science behind good strong and effective communication is incredibly powerful, and the more you progress, the more important being able to communicate well, influence and persuade becomes.”

Kelly says that the benefit of improving your communication skills can be seismic.

“Behavioural change doesn’t happen overnight, it takes time, but by learning and practising communication skills, I’ve seen people project more seniority, they don’t rush when they speak, they’ve landed promotions and new positions, and they’ve won more business, because of how they communicate.”

The four-session program is a tried-andtested format, and McDonald says, “The program is designed to be comprehensive with great presenters who create a relaxed and fun environment where no one is judged. Participants are always surprised at how nonconfrontational the sessions are, how much fun they have and the level of skills they learn.”

Workshop 1 Nikki Heald (an introduction to networking):

Wednesday 12 April, 4:00pm – 6:00pm

Workshop 2 Michael Kelly (unspoken techniques to engage your audience):

Thursday 20 April, 9:00am – 1:00pm

Workshop 3 Nikki Heald (language techniques and building your hook):

Wednesday 26 April, 9:00am – 1:00pm

Workshop 4 Final Presentations:

Thursday, 4 May, 4:00pm – 6:00pm