Presenting with Confidence
Presenting with Confidence is a critical skill for finance professionals, particularly CFOs, who must effectively communicate complex financial information to diverse stakeholders. In this session, Peter McKenzie, the founder of The C-Suite Coach joins Kevin Appleby, COO & Podcast Host, GrowCFO, as he shares his expertise on how to present with charisma and impact. McKenzie’s journey to becoming a confident presenter is a testament to the importance of continuous learning and practice. After a disastrous on-stage experience early in his career, he dedicated himself to improving his communication skills, seeking guidance from a skilled public speaker and immersing himself in the art of presenting.
The session covers the key elements of effective presentations, including starting with a clear objective, understanding the audience, and structuring the content in a way that engages and persuades. McKenzie also addresses the common challenges finance professionals face, such as managing nerves and avoiding the pitfall of “death by PowerPoint.” Throughout the session, he emphasizes the need for finance leaders to develop their presentation skills as a critical component of their professional development and career advancement.
Highlights:
- The importance of presentation skills for finance professionals, particularly CFOs, in enhancing their status, branding, and influence
- McKenzie’s personal journey from a nervous presenter to a confident public speaker, and the lessons he learned along the way
- The common mistakes CFOs make when presenting, such as not having a clear objective or failing to understand the audience
- The three-step approach to structuring a powerful presentation: a strong opening, three key points, and a compelling close
- Strategies for managing public speaking anxiety and reframing nervous energy as excitement
- The value of continuous practice and feedback in improving presentation skills
Responses