Dos and Don'ts at Presentations

We have all been at presentations that there is someone that seems to think that they are more important than the presenter. I know that I have seen this too many times, and it can get very frustrating when it is a presentation that you want to listen to and gain some knowledge. I have put together some of the simple does and don’ts for when you are at a presentation.

Do

• Ensure your mobile device is set to either silent or vibrate so it doesn’t interfere with the presentation if you happen to get a call or text.
• If you need to take a call during the presentation, quickly leave the room and take the call.
• Be where you are instead of being everywhere else at the same time. Try and focus on the presentation and not everything else.
• Respect those around you, as it is important to know that others are there to hopefully learn something from the presentation.

Don’t

• Don’t constantly socialize with others around you because you are being rude to the presenter and others around you can’t hear the presenter very well.
• If you must leave the presentation for some reason, don’t make lots of noise doing so because that disrupts others
• If you are using a computer for notes, don’t constantly flip between different applications, as that can be very distracting for others around you.
• If there are tables, don’t put your phone on the table if it is on vibrate, as it will bother those sitting at the same table.
• If you ask a question, make sure that it is a question and not a sales pitch for your own product or service.
• Don’t try and take over the presentation by asking lots of questions that may be answered later in the presentation.

It is important to respect the presenter as well as the others that are attending the presentation. If doing work and socializing is what you really want to do, that is best done outside the presentation room. There are lots of things that are important to each of us but when we are in a presentation, we need to remember that there are others around us that are trying to listen to the presentation and if you are a distraction that doesn’t help them learn. So next time you are attending a presentation, remember these points, and maybe you will be a better attendee and maybe even help those around you as well.