Why presenting should be like Christmas lunch

Did you celebrate Christmas with a special lunch or dinner? If you didn't, is there another special occasion you celebrate with a family feast?

For our family, Christmas lunch is one of the high points of the year. We anticipate it keenly. It’s exciting, satisfying, memorable and fun.

As I was planning this year's lunch (or rather, last year's, as we're now well into the New Year, another major celebration here in Scotland), for some reason I started to draw parallels with planning as it relates to business presentations.

I know, I should really get a life, but I tend to think about work and my business when I'm cooking or thinking about food!

Most people I know put a lot into their celebrations and family feasts. But what can we learn and apply to our presentations?

Take time in planning and preparation.
A great model for planning is Rudyard Kipling’s “six honest serving men”. What? Why? When? How? Where? Who? For your Christmas lunch the “why?” is obvious. But make sure you can answer “why?” for your presentations too.

Include a little something for everyone.
We all love different things. Some like roasties, some sprouts. Some love bread sauce, for others it’s cranberry sauce. Me? I like it all! You should try to satisfy different people in your audience too. Some want the big picture, and some like stories. Yet others want data and evidence. Try to satisfy as many of them as possible.

Everyone loves the old favourites.
Your guests enjoy traditional food and drink at Christmas. And your audience wants to hear your best stuff – especially if they can share it with others. If you are asked to speak at an event because people have enjoyed you before, don’t leave out your best material. You don’t go to see your favourite band hoping they only play the new album.

Make it memorable.
I’m sure your special lunches are like ours – a lot of laughter, a lot of sharing, and often, a few tears. Give the same to your audience to make it memorable. Inspire them, make them laugh, make an emotional connection.

A great speech, like a great celebration lunch, lasts long in the memory.