Geoffrey Ong is a Product and Marketing Manager, tailoring Avery labeling solutions to the branding and marketing needs of small businesses. He crafts ambitious strategies for services and businesses to use the do-it-yourself labeling products and software to create eye catching marketing and merchandising collaterals in a competitive SME market.
What did Geoffrey say after attending Michelle’s Persuasive Presentation Skills Masterclass?
“I loved that the structure was very clear and succinct. I also loved the knowledge of the presenter and the amount of practice and application. Michelle is an enthusiastic presenter with great content and great techniques.”
What kind of presenting do you do at work?
I’m in a strategic product and marketing management role to retail, trade and small business. I present product, marketing and sales proposals to external clients from large corporates such as Officeworks, Costco to small business entrepreneurs. I conduct product training to stakeholders, trade bodies and customers. Internally, I present to senior leadership in Australia and internationally, such as the UK.
What prompted you to attend Michelle’s Persuasive Presentation Skills Masterclass?
I gladly took up the opportunity to improve my presentation and persuasive skills with Michelle Bowden given her reputation in the industry for this type of training. I learnt to tailor my communication to specific audiences; influence others more quickly to my way of thinking and pace out objections and disagreements to develop a constructive way forward with my stakeholders. I have developed, maintained and improved on my relationships with stakeholders internally and externally. It was an enjoyable, practical and knowledge-building 2-day masterclass and I would recommend it to others.
How did Michelle’s Masterclass change your attitude to presenting?
Michelle’s Masterclass challenges the status quo by encouraging structured thinking and advanced preparation. She introduced models of thinking that I hadn’t previously considered. The 4Mat model for structuring your message is especially helpful. It’s also very beneficial to focus on the needs of your audience with tools like pacing out objections (for conflict) and Michelle’s presentation building tools (the 13 Steps).
What positive outcomes have you achieved from improving your presentation skills?
I have received very positive feedback from several presentations internally to senior leadership and externally with key clients winning several contracts. I have mastered the control of my nerves and fears related to presenting with a vigorous application of the 13 steps each time. The lessons: preparation, anticipation, and being clear on your emotional objective; followed by practice, practice, practice, are fool proof in creating killer presentations.
In what specific ways have your presentation skills improved?
My tools of trade are A3 pieces of paper, marker pens, and post it notes for Storyboarding the 4Mat of my presentation – Why? What? How? and What if?/What else?
What were your top 3 take-aways?
- Pace, Pace, Pace, Lead to build rapport with your audience.
- Pacing Out Objections to manage conflict.
- Practise, Practise, Practise.