How can you improve your firm’s success in pitching? In presenting? And in giving conference talks? How much would a 10% improvement across your company be worth?

You can learn a lot by reviewing how other people present.

We analyse great speakers to help our clients be more effective when pitching or presenting. That’s why clients such as Statoil, Deutsche Bank and Miele use Benjamin Ball Associates for their presentation skills training.

Three Persuasive Videos for Summer

Despite huge differences in the following three videos, you will see that all three speakers:

- Make a connection with the audience in the first 15 seconds
- Explain complex ideas clearly and simply
- Look and sound confident

They do this using different techniques. For example, as you watch, note how they:

- Tell personal stories
- Use short sentences
- Incorporate many pauses
- Talk directly to the audience
- Ask a good number of questions
- Use rhetorical techniques such as contrasts and triplets

Each talk has a different purpose. But each works well for similar reasons. You too can learn how to use these persuasive techniques.

Sheryl Sandberg – Why we have too few women leaders

Sheryl Sandberg is the COO of Facebook. She gives a highly personal and compelling talk explaining why few women get to the top. She has practical advice about how to change this.

Sheryl Sandberg: Why we have too few women leaders

Lt Tim Collins – Eve of battle talk

How do you get your men fired up to risk their lives and still remain disciplined under pressure? This re-enactment by Kenneth Branagh of a reported off-the-cuff speech is a perfect example.

Col Tim Collins’ inspirational speech – Kenneth Branagh

CFO of Walmart – annual shareholders meeting

Not every firm has a shareholders meeting as big as this. Chief Financial Officer Charles Holley of Walmart shows how you can speak to analysts, shareholders and employees and keep them all engaged.

Walmart Shareholders Meeting 2011 – Financial Report

Pitch, Present and Persuade

If you want to give impressive presentations and pitch more successfully we’d be delighted to help. You will find us particularly strong in making complex financial presentations persuasive. That is why lawyers and corporates, hedge funds and private equity firms all use us. The difference you will appreciate is that all our advice and training is specifically designed to help you achieve your business objectives. You can use our services throughout Europe and the Middle East.

“I honestly thought it was the most valuable 3 hours I’ve spent with anyone in a long time. I was blown away by what we achieved.”
Mick May, CEO, Blue Sky

If you have an important pitch or presentation coming up, or you want to improve the skills of your team, contact us to discuss how we can help.

Written by BenjaminBall

Founder and MD of Benjamin Ball Associates - presentation experts

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