It’s bright sunshine, hot days, and the sound of the ice cream truck down the street. If you’re stuck in an office, here are 5 cool tips to bring some summer pleasures into your presentation skills training.
Find out how to have your best summer ever—with fast fixes for dull presentations.
More and more professionals are looking for ways to add flair and fun to summer time presentations. While many organizations attempt to ignore the hot weather and seasonal pulls, most have some sort of nod to this season of fun.
Use these quick tips to achieve your summer goals—in business and in your personal life.
1. Learn New Skills
It’s time to challenge yourself and learn new skills. When you were young, summer was the time for activities, camp and new adventures.
Tap into your love of learning this summer. Pick a communication skill you want to get better at this season. Whether it’s sales communication, interactive presenting, or visual storytelling, search for the training that is best designed for you.
In just a few weeks, you’ll have new skills and new tools to head into a rewarding 4th quarter.
2. Boost Your Business
While your buddies are griping about the economy and the debt question, stay on focus. Look for opportunities to boost your business.
One of the best ways to attract customers is to get together face-to-face. Look for openings to network with local businesses and people with shared interests. Often speaking engagements open up because other professionals are on vacation or out of town.
Additionally, many busy decision makers have a slightly lighter schedule in summer. If you are calling on top leaders, now is your chance to get in front of them—in person or virtually.
3. Look Great, Feel Great
Looking great is good in every season—but somehow in summer, we are all more focused on appearances. It could be more revealing clothes and an active lifestyle causes us to pay closer attention.
If you’re in a professional work environment, remember to dress the part. Just pack a change of clothes so you can hit the beach, go for a hike, or head out on your bike after hours.
4. Drink Up
Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate. Opt for fresh, pure water instead of sugary drinks and caffeinated choices.
The more you stay hydrated, the better you’ll feel. At work. And after work, you’ll have more energy to enjoy summer activities.
5. Confidence Shows
In my presentation skills trainings, it is clear which participants have a natural confidence. Many of the people I work with are ambitious and goal-oriented. In addition to professional goals, they also have personal goals for fitness and health.
If you’ve been suffering from being stuck at your desk and taking a walk outside seems like a chore, now is the time to shift your sights.
Add some physical activity to your schedule. Use the time before work to fit in a walk, jog or bike ride. Join a friend for a lunchtime activity—such as climbing stairs or walking around a park. Use the warmer weather to enjoy being more physically active.
When you do this, a natural physical confidence emerges. It’s not anything you have to work out long and hard to achieve. In a short amount of time, you’ll feel better and look better.
Challenge yourself this summer. Bring the joys of summertime back into your life. Even if you’ve got a crazy-busy schedule, make time to enjoy the warmth, sunshine and pleasures of summer. It’s a great time to learn new skills, stretch yourself, and become a confident presenter.
Milly Sonneman is a recognized expert in visual language. She is the co-director of Presentation Storyboarding, a leading presentation training firm, and author of the popular guides: Beyond Words and Rainmaker Stories available on Amazon. Milly helps business professionals give winning presentations, through Email Marketing skills trainings at Presentation Storyboarding. You can find out more about our courses or contact Milly through our website at: http://www.presentationstoryboarding.com/