October 2020 marks my Silver Anniversary as a presentation coach. I’m preparing to be deluged with cards, letters, emails, texts, and lavish gifts.
Well…maybe not lavish gifts. And… maybe not deluged.
Nevertheless, it’s an important milestone. So, to commemorate this anniversary, I’ve prepared a series of articles on the evolution of presentation skills. I’ve given this series a very SEXY and ALLURING title:
The evolution of presentation skills training: In 25 years, what has changed and what has remained constant?
Now that I have you on the edge of your seats, let’s get started with:
Part 1: What Has Changed
How companies view the importance of presentation ability.
-- Expectation of Excellence
25 years ago, the ability to present well was a “nice to have.”
Today, the ability to present well is considered a core competence.
-- Delivery Matters
Then: Content was all that mattered. The ability to deliver that content was not widely emphasized.
Now: Companies believe the ability to persuasively deliver content can change internal behaviors and win external cases.
-- STEM Spotlight
Then: People in STEM careers stayed in the background, quietly delivering brilliant innovations.
Now: STEM leaders need presentation skills to advance their careers, as companies are more interested in hearing their insights first-hand.
-- Investing in Improvements
Then: Presentation skills investment was limited almost entirely to senior executives.
Now: Companies aggressively invest in enterprise-wide communications training – not just in sales, marketing, and management, but in all sectors who train internally or interface with customers.
With the proliferation of new communications technology and media, companies have far more interface opportunities with customers. This trend greatly increases the value of presentation/communication skills and ability.
And finally, the Covid pandemic has reinforced the need to develop a core competence in virtual communications. Companies have discovered that working and communicating remotely has PERMANENT benefits. Those who master these skills become not only more valued today -- but indispensable over the long term.
At i-Cue, we offer both group workshops and 1-to-1 coaching in virtual communications.
You will learn skills and tools that you can apply immediately – so that you’re not left behind in the race for competence.
Next in this series: What’s Trending in How We Present and Persuade.
Stay tuned. And if you need help immediately, here’s how to contact me: shelley@I-cue.com
