As you may know I work with a Training and Development Company called MaST Ireland and I have the opportunity to facilitate a very powerful “Influencing and Presentation skills” training program with MaST on a regular basis.

One of the key topics covered during this 2-day program is a process for constructing highly effective and powerful presentations. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you the basic principles of this process so that you may start creating and delivering high value presentations to your colleagues, prospects and clients into the future.

This approach is based on mind mapping. Mind maps were invented by Tony Buzan back in the ‘80s as a way to take notes that supports how our brains work and allows for quick and accurate recall. Books have been written on mind maps and I will not go into great detail here suffice to say, unlike traditional linear note taking, mind maps allow you to engage both the logical left and creative right sides of your brain.

Step 1. Get a clean blank page preferably with no lines on it. In the middle of the page, write the theme of your presentation in big bold writing. Now, give yourself a specified time (say 5 minutes) and write down all the random words that come into your head when you think about your topic. Do not make lists, do not write sentences, just single words and write these words randomly around the page. If you run out of words, look at some of the other words you have written other than the main topic and write new words that your brain thinks of. Do not sensor or try to explain what you write. This process needs to be as free flowing as possible so you engage the creative side of your brain.

Step 2. Step back from your page, which is now filled with random words, and look for common themes. For example if the topic was sport you may have written down types of sport such as rugby, tennis, rowing etc. therefore one of your themes can be “Types of sports”. Repeat this process to identify 3 or 4 themes.

Step 3. Organise the words you have linked to each of the themes you identified in Step 2 and build some sentences and detailed content around these words.

Step 4. Decide on how you are going to introduce your presentation and how you are going to conclude or wrap it up. Use the themes and associated key words to construct the main body of your presentation and there you have it, a very powerful presentation.

I have used this process to prepare an 30sec sales pitch for my business when I had only 10 minutes to prepare and I have also used it to prepare a detailed lengthy presentation when I had weeks to prepare.

If you would like to find out more about MaST and the full range of training and development programs MaST offers please check out the website www.mastireland.com

Fergal O’Connor is a Business and Personal Life Coach working in partnership with his Business and Private clients providing a supportive, confidential, challenging and non-judgemental environment to make their ambitions and dreams a reality. Fergal also facilitates a range of Management training programs, Team facilitation workshops and is available for public speaking engagements. Fergal can be contacted at Synergy Coaching Services, Tel: (061) 467287, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it web: www.synergycoachingservices.net

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