Training in Presentation Skills – Best Business Presentation Skills Courses – 7 tips
April 05, 2023
Do you want training in presentation skills? How do you find a business presentation training course that’s right for you? What corporate presentation skills courses are available?What factors to consider when picking a business presentation course?
Meet the Author: Steve Jacobs Steve is a partner at Benjamin Ball Associates, leads the writing team and is an outstanding coach and trainer. Steve has more than 25 years’ experience in corporate and financial public relations. He was a founding partner of the strategic comms division of FTI and until recently was head of comms and IR at Breedon Group plc, the UK’s largest quoted independent construction materials group. Follow Steve on LinkedIn or visit the contact page.
How to find the best training in presentation skills
Presentation skills are crucial in business. When you are a skilled presenter you will find it easier to reach the top of your profession. It’s an essential part of your professional development.
But none of us are born with the skills to deliver effective presentations. The best presenters have improved with training, coaching and practice. The good news is you can learn how to present with business presentation skills training. We have 15 years of experience and have coached thousands of people. Find out more today.
That’s why a presentation skills course has become an important part of company leadership development programmes. However, with so many options available, you may be finding it is hard to pick the right training programme. But first….
What is Business Presentation Skills Training?
In a presentation skills training course, you will get instruction and, importantly, practice to improve your own presentation skills. This will help you deliver engaging and effective presentations. Training is valuable for professionals, business people, executives and anyone communicating information. Presentation training the best way to improve your skills. What you’ll find is that a good presentation training course will cover a number of subjects including:
1. How to Develop Content
This involves structuring and organising your content clearly and compellingly. It also means understanding your audience, defining key messages, and creating well-organised business presentations. This skill is at the heart of all great presentations.
2. Improve Delivery Skills
You want to develop effective presentation skills including verbal and non-verbal communication skills, such as tone of voice, body language, eye contact and gestures. These basic presentation delivery skills contribute to the impact you make and your executive presence.
3. Create Powerful Visual Aids
You should understand how to create and use visual aids, such as slides, charts, and graphs. This includes creating visually appealing and informative materials that support the presenter’s message and leave a lasting impact. You wan to understand when visual aids are needed – and when they just get in the way. We believe too many people in business spend too much time playing with PowerPoint.
4. ImproveEngagement Techniques
Learn essential skills to keep your audience engaged, such as asking questions, encouraging interaction and incorporating storytelling or anecdotes.
5. Handle Q&A Sessions Confidently
You’ll want to prepare for (and confidently respond to) questions from the audience. This includes strategies for managing challenging or unexpected questions.
6. Get Better at Time Management
When you are good at time management, a valuable skill, you make sure that your presentation fits within the allocated time and maintains a pace that keeps the audience’s attention.
You will understanding how to tailor presentations to different audiences and adjust communication styles based on the specific context.
9. Deliver Virtual Presentations
Presenting via Zoom or Teams is different. You need to learn the skills of delivering powerful virtual presentations.
Which Presentation Training Format is Best?
You can improve your corporate presentation skills through group presentation skills coaching, such as workshops and seminars. Or you can have one-to-one presentation skills coaching sessions – either online or face-to-face (ideal for business leaders).
With the Benjamin Ball Associates’ presentation skills workshops, you get a very practical approach with extensive role play and practical exercises. This means you get to apply what you’ve learned immediately. The goal is to equip you with the skills and confidence to deliver impactful presentations in various settings. This is an intensive way of improving your presentation skills.
To find out more, contact our client services director, Louise Angus today
Once you clearly understand your objectives, you can narrow your search and identify courses and training businesses that offer best practices and meet your specific needs.
TIP: When choosing training in presentation skills, one big mistake is believing that you need only help with your delivery skills.
In our experience, most of your progress will come from improving your content and the structure of your presentations. That’s why you should be suspicious of courses run by out-of-work actors. Instead, find coaches with extensive business experience.
2. Evaluate the Course Content
Business presentation skills training courses vary widely in content, structure, and coverage. Some are designed for beginners, and others are geared towards more experienced speakers. It’s important that you evaluate the course content carefully to check that it meets your needs. Look for bespoke and tailored presentation skills coaching courses that cover a broad range of topics, including:
Planning and Preparation: how to analyse your audience, identify a compelling message, structure your presentation and make sure your content is powerful and relevant
Power Language: how to make your words resonate with your listeners and how to persuade
Scripting: how to draft your own presentation, a talk, develop prompt notes or prepare for an unscripted talk
Delivery: how to deliver your own confident presentations persuasively, including guidance on body language, voice projection, pacing and dealing with nerves and anxiety
Visual aids: how to use slides, handouts, charts, images, video and other visual aids to enhance your presentation
Storytelling techniques: the essence of all great presentations. Learn how to choose and relate engaging and persuasive stories that will make your audience sit up and listen
TIP: A business presentation skills coaching course about PowerPoint presentation design may suit someone who creates slides. However, it will not be suitable for a senior executive. After all, leaders don’t do PowerPoint. Look for a course that will work with you on a practical scenario and help you prepare for an upcoming event.
3. Look at the Trainer’s Experience and Credentials
Start with the training provider’s website. Does it clearly outline the services they provide? Is it straightforward and factual? Look for training companies with proven, extensive business experience, preferably across a wide range of industries and ideally with major brands. They should have strong testimonials from names you recognise and decades of experience.
Consider their team. Are there candid biographies? Do they have a real breadth of expertise, not only in successful presentation training? Look for experience in other key disciplines like messaging, business writing, media coaching, investor communications, etc. The wider their experience, the more confident you can be in the depth of their capabilities.
Do they offer sound guidance and advice on their site? Are there informative and thought-provoking blogs, videos, and guides? Are there links to interesting external articles?All of these will point to a company that knows its business and is strongly rooted in the profession of compelling presentation training.
TIP: Presenting in business is a critical skill. When you pick your presentation skills training course, you’ll find a coach with senior-level business experience who can share tips and hints on communicating with different business audiences. Beware of generalist trainers.
Why Pick Benjamin Ball Associates for Your Presentation Training
At Benjamin Ball Associates, we’ve been coaching business people to improve their business communication skills for over 15 years. Our coaching is fast and effective. We work with individuals and with companies, one-to-one and in groups. Call us today to learn more.
“I honestly thought it was the most valuable 3 hours I’ve spent with anyone in a long time.”
Presentation skills coaching courses can take various forms: in-person, virtual or hybrid. Consider your schedule and availability. If you have a busy diary or travel frequently, a virtual presentation or hybrid format (for example, via Teams, Zoom or in-house video) may be more convenient. Be sure the company you choose has specific experience with this kind of training.
On the other hand, if you prefer hands-on learning or have specific requirements, such as coaching for a particular presentation, an in-person course may be more appropriate. Also, consider the delivery method: Would you prefer a workshop, group session, or one-on-one coaching? Each has its advantages. Again, check that your training company has plenty of experience with all of them.
Finally, consider the course schedule and make sure it fits your needs. Some courses may require attendance at specific times or dates, while others may be more flexible regarding scheduling. Whoever you choose should work around your schedule, not theirs.
TIP: A public or open business presentation training course can be fun, but you will have limited 1:1 time with your coach. Beware of any training course that involves lecturing you with PowerPoint slides! You’d do better to spend money on a good book. You’ll do much better with a coach who can give you individual advice, share necessary tools and help you polish your skills.
The cost of business presentation training can vary widely, depending on their format, duration, and the trainers’ experience. Consider the cost and the value you’ll gain from the course and the return on investment that you’ll get. An investment today should pay back many times over.
Decide on the outcomes you want and how much value you attach to those outcomes, for example: your own professional advancement, the career development of your colleagues, your success in communicating a major change in your organisation, the value you secure from pitching your business to a potential buyer, etc.
TIP: Beware of looking at price alone. If you are short of money, then perhaps you should invest in presentation skills training books. There are many good ones available. You can also get free presentation training course resources online. And even free video training courses (Try our Youtube channel, for a start).
If you need executive presentation skills coaching to build your career, investing in small group or 1:1 coaching is worth it. You can do this both online or face-to-face. Often, you’ll get better value for money by buying in-house presentation training rather than attending large public courses.
6. Look for Ongoing Support and Resources
Effective company presentation skills training doesn’t end when you finish the course. Look for courses that provide ongoing support and resources to help you improve your presentation skills.
These may include access to online resources, personal follow-up coaching, ongoing feedback on your presentations, or simply the freedom to call your trainer for advice whenever you need it.
TIP: Don’t expect to become an expert presenter with just a few hours in a corporate presentation skills coaching course. You can improve hugely, but, like tennis or cooking, you’ll only embed these new skills with ongoing support, even if it’s just an hour or two every year.
Presentation skills improve with practise. The more presenting you do, the better you will get. Personally, I would avoid multi-day courses. You’ll probably get more from an intensive half-day course backed up by 1:1 online follow-up support.
7. Speak to Your Presentation Training Company
Before selecting your presentation skills training course, speak to them and discuss if they offer exactly what you need. Some questions you can ask include:
How do you get to understand each participant and their needs?
How long has the trainer been coaching senior executives?
What can we expect to achieve from the training course?
What follow-up support do you offer?
Who else like me has benefited from this training course?
How tailored is each course?
TIP: See how responsive and open they are. If they return your call quickly and give you good answers, you can feel more confident that they offer the comprehensive programme for you.
Summary – Pick the Right Corporate Presentation Skills Coaching Course
Choosing the right presentation skills training course will make a big difference. You want to communicate effectively in business. In turn, having great communication skills will greatly impact your career path.
Almost every successful business person has strong presentation skills. So, when you set out to choose a presentation training programme to help you, choose carefully and consider all these factors.
Speak to Louise Angus today and discuss how our coaches and trainers can help you improve your presentation skills. Call on +44 207 018 0922 or info@benjaminball.com
Why Choose Us: Transform your pitches and presentations with tailored coaching
We can help you present brilliantly.Thousands of people have benefitted from our tailored in-house coaching and advice – and we can help you too.
“I honestly thought it was the most valuable 3 hours I’ve spent with anyone in a long time.”
Mick May, CEO, Blue Sky
For 15+ years we’ve been the trusted choice for leading businesses and executives throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East. We’ll help you improve corporate presentations through presentation coaching, public speaking training and expert advice on pitching to investors.
Some recent clients
Unlock your full potential and take your presentations to the next level.
Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email info@benjaminball.com to transform your speeches, pitches and presentations.
FAQ: How to Find the Best Presentation Training Course
1. Why should I invest in a business presentation training course?
A presentation training course helps you communicate clearly, persuasively, and confidently. Strong presentation skills can enhance your career prospects, improve business outcomes, and make you a more effective leader.
2. What should I look for in a presentation skills training course?
Consider these factors: – Does the course match your skill level and objectives? – Does it cover key areas like content structuring, delivery, audience engagement, and handling Q&A? – Is it led by experienced business professionals, not just actors or general trainers? – Does it offer practical exercises and personalised coaching? Is there follow-up support to reinforce learning?
3. How do I know what type of presentation training I need?
Identify your specific goals. Do you need to: – Improve your delivery and confidence? – Structure content more effectively? – Handle difficult questions with ease? – Develop public speaking or investor pitching skills? – Enhance virtual presentation techniques? Your answers will guide you to the right course.
4. What is the difference between group training and one-to-one coaching?
Group training offers a collaborative learning environment with peer feedback. One-to-one coaching provides personalised advice tailored to your specific needs. Executives and senior leaders often benefit most from bespoke individual coaching.
5. How do I assess the quality of a training provider?
Look for a provider with: – A strong track record with well-known clients – Trainers with extensive business and communication experience – Positive testimonials and case studies – A clear, professional website with useful insights and resources
6. Should I choose in-person or virtual presentation training?
It depends on your schedule and preferences. Virtual training via Zoom or Teams is convenient and effective, while in-person training offers hands-on practice. The best courses adapt to your needs.
7. How much does business presentation training cost?
Prices vary based on format, duration, and trainer experience. More tailored coaching costs more but delivers greater value. Investing in high-quality training can have a significant impact on your professional success.
8. What ongoing support should I look for?
The best courses offer follow-up coaching, feedback on future presentations, and access to additional resources. This helps reinforce learning and ensures continuous improvement.
9. Can I get a free consultation before committing to a course?
Yes. Many reputable providers, including Benjamin Ball Associates, offer free consultations to understand your needs and recommend the best approach.
10. Why choose Benjamin Ball Associates for presentation training?
– 15+ years of experience coaching professionals and executives – Trusted by leading businesses and financial institutions – Tailored, practical coaching focused on real-world impact – Proven results with thousands of successful clients
For expert presentation training, contact Louise Angus at +44 20 7018 0922 or email info@benjaminball.com.
a remarkable communications coach. His understanding of corporate communications is unmatched. I highly recommend!
Stephen Muchiri
“Highly recommended”
helped me prepare for a key note speech. This helped for that particular speech and for every other since. Highly recommend.
Azim Khan, MD, AIS Consulting
“Truly fantastic”
"Thank you for today's training session. It was truly fantastic. I feel much more confident in my ability to not only write speeches but also present them effectively."
JG, FCA
“Clear improvements”
"The results speak for themselves — participants consistently show clear improvement and feel empowered to take on their roles as effective speakers.
Even during long Zoom sessions, Paul manages to keep the energy high and the experience enjoyable for everyone involved. His collaborative and engaging approach makes the training not only productive but genuinely enjoyable."
Mayra Gasparini Martins, Wise
“Highly effective”
...excellent in terms of helping develop and sharpen stories and messaging around Businesses and why they are unique.
... a useful sounding board to help management teams and Boards develop clear messages as to why a Business is different and attractive as an investment opportunity. ... highly effective at working with members of management teams on how to communicate and deliver key messages to potential interested parties in different environments.
George Moss, Partner, ECI
“Moved our presentation into a different league”
Moved our presentation into a different league and undoubtedly improved the outcome and offer we received.
Liz Warner, CEO, Betty TV
“Paid for itself many times over”
Our investment in coaching has paid for itself many times over.
Ed Coulthard, CEO, Blast! Films
“An impressive team”
We enjoy working with Benjamin Ball Associates to support our clients with coaching. We trust them to take the messages that we develop and assist our clients in communicating powerfully.
BBA has an impressive team of journalists and ex bankers that we work with to prepare our clients for a broad spectrum of communications activities such as media engagement, investor pitch delivery, conference panel speaking and crisis situations.
Their coaching means our clients have been more effective when speaking to the press and to investors. We have no hesitation in recommending them.
Amber Fennell, Director, ICR
“Makes a real difference”
"Great coaching that makes a real difference for a capital markets day or results presentation."
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