| Great business presentations come from the | | | | answer all their questions. Then any time someone |
| effective use of several skills, all of which can be | | | | interrupts to ask a question, you can politely say, "I'm |
| learned. In this article, I want to discuss how you | | | | glad you asked that question, and I do intend to |
| handle questions from the audience. | | | | answer it. However, the details fall more naturally into |
| If your presentation is part of a seminar or | | | | a later part of my presentation, so please bear with |
| workshop, people expect to be able to ask their | | | | me until I reach that part. If you'd like more details, |
| questions and have them answered, but sometimes | | | | I'd be happy to fill them in during the Q&A session at |
| they don't know when to ask. | | | | the end." |
| If you are making a business presentation to the | | | | This is a very reasonable request and most people |
| management group, they want answers and will have | | | | will go along with it. Adapt the wording to suit your |
| no hesitation in interrupting you any time they want. | | | | personal style as well as the audience and situation. |
| The way you handle questions and answers can | | | | 2) When you have finished delivering your content, |
| have a huge impact on your presentation. Perhaps | | | | but before you do your "big close", say something |
| you share two complaints that often come up in my | | | | like, "And now, just before I bring my presentation |
| presentation workshops: | | | | to a close, I'd like to invite any questions you may |
| | | | have." Complete your Q&A, and then close with your |
| 1. You can never follow your planned presentations | | | | planned "big finish". If there are no questions, you can |
| because people keep interrupting with questions that | | | | slide easily into your planned close and leave the |
| pull you off track. | | | | platform, or the front of the room, with your head |
| 2. You invite questions at the end, nobody asks any | | | | held high, a smile on your face, and the confidence |
| and you fade back to your seat in silence --- not the | | | | that you have left your listeners with the final |
| rousing finish you had hoped for! | | | | thoughts that YOU want them to have. |
| Here are my suggestions for handling both these | | | | Remember, it's your show, and you must control as |
| situations. | | | | much of it as possible --- and that includes Questions |
| 1) Begin by telling them you will have a Q&A session | | | | and Answers. |
| at the end and you will take all the time necessary to | | | | |