Jan D'Arcy's Blog

Be ready with Plan C October 5, 2009

One of my clients rehearsed her presentation for a panel with me, was videotaped and felt confident about her content and delivery. However, Murphy’s Law was about to rear its’ ugly head. She found the physical site tightly locked the night before but was able to get in the room at 7 a.m. and found it set up with round tables instead of theater style. There were two large screens on either side of the lectern ands she wasn’t sure which one she should address. She had planned to walk around with a lavelier mike but the lectern was placed on a high platform with steps leading up and down. She quickly decided once she safely climbed up, she wasn’t about to chance a fall coming down. She wasn’t entirely comfortable but went with the stationery mike. The visual-aid co-ordinator insisted he didn’t have a remote control for her slides. My client went to the conference person who booked the hotel wwith her request. Voila! A remote control appeared. The first speaker on the panel was ill so never showed. A moderator was never mentioned but suddenly appeared and during the Q&A began answering questions directed towards her. She said she just went the flow and interjected comments when she could get in a few words. We discussed putting a list of resources on a brightly colored sheet of paper. She held up an orange sheet and afterwards, a large percentage of the audience came forward looking for the orange sheet with her phone number and email. Despite all the changes, she had a good response afterwards from the audience and felt it went well because she was prepared. There is rarely a presentation experience where everything goes as planned. Keep calm and be prepared with Plan B and C!