EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND BUSINESS PRESENTATION (5)

Barriers to effective communication in business presentation

Some people develop phobias when they have to speak in the public. Some have stage fright while others cannot handle the microphone when they have to face the public. Some are also ruled by the fear of having all eyes on them, or what the people will say about their presentations, even when they have not finished presenting their papers, they have judged themselves.

However, communication becomes ineffective due to breakdown that can occur in the process of presenting your business. These breakdowns are referred to as barriers to effective communication.

There is the technical or environmental barrier which simply explains the environment at which communication is being carried out. This is a major barrier incommunication and business presentation. Factors like timing, information overload and cultural differences could impede
communication hence ineffective communication.

nTiming has to do with determining the appropriate time a message should be sent out, the amount of time given to make the presentation. Fear and anxiety could make you miss your timing.
nInformation overload has to do with sharing too many information at the same time within a short time. It could be confusing especially when the information are towards different goals.
nIn terms of communication in business, cultural barrier could come in the area of physical approaches like dressing, manner of greeting, etc.

Other possible barriers are:

§Language: drawing an instance from an Ibo having to do business with an Hausa, having both of them as English illiterates. (apologies). This is found mostly in the informal business presentation.
§Psychological: this arises when one party thinks his business partner is going to outwit him, and then he decides to withhold useful information or aggrandise his information. He could fumble at this point.

Tips, and techniques on preparing and conducting your presentation

nRome wasn’t built in a day. Spend quality time preparing your presentation, whether formal or informal.
nTry as much as possible to be explicit to the level of those who are going to be listening to you.
nTry as much as possible to focus on the need of the organisation you are presenting your business to.
nGo through your paper over and over again.
nRehearse your presentation to overcome fear and anxiety.
nBe sincere in your figures to avoid fidgeting.
nTry not to focus on yourself and how you feel.
nBe optimistic in your thoughts of how your audience feels about you.
nEngage your audience when presenting, make your presentation participatory.
nBe humorous
nSite instances when presenting
nSpeak to your audience, not your slides
nListen carefully before you respond
nAt the end of every presentation, learn to say…

THANK YOU!!!

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