Most executives are quick to acknowledge the importance of communicating. In fact, when American executives earning more than $250,000 were asked to cite the most important factor towards their success, the majority selected communication skills.
Despite the universal recognition of the importance of communication skills, though, the reality of executive communication often strays from the ideal. Many executives (and most business people in general) have subpar presentation skills, specifically.
And that’s too bad. Poor presentations tend to result in disconnected audiences, lack of inspiration in meetings, and missed opportunities due to miscommunication. Great presentations, on the other hand, can entertain audiences and even inspire them to action. Obviously, the repercussions are significant.
So, can executive presentation training help? Unsurprisingly, we’ll argue that presentations training can be beneficial, both to executives and to the companies they represent.
Here’s why.
Executives Must Be Good Communicators
One of the side effects of today’s 24/7, socially-driven news cycle is that top executives can no longer hide from the spotlight.
In the past, while it may not have been easy for executives to avoid high-profile communication with the public, it was at least possible. In 1989, for example, after the Valdez oil spill, the chairman of Exxon avoided public communication for six days. That was unwise in 1989. Today, though, it would be impossible.
Top executives, for better or worse, are the faces of their companies. That means that the public will expect to hear from them in moments of triumph and crisis. If your company’s top executives are poor communicators, your whole company is at risk. When a crisis hits, the reputation of the company will be in their hands. That’s why executive presentation training is so important.
Good Presenters Benefit their Businesses
Good presenters don’t just benefit their companies in times of crisis, though. Executives with great presentation skills can also be incredibly beneficial to their companies in times of normality or success.
Perhaps one of the most well-known examples of a great executive communicator is Steve Jobs. During his time at Apple, Jobs was known for his captivating presentations of new Apple products. These presentations didn’t just introduce Apple’s new products – they helped to build the company’s brand.
Take a look at his introduction of the first iPhone in 2007. It’s inspiring stuff.
His clear, passionate presentations undeniably helped Apple create their famous brand, culture, and mystique. Imagine, for a moment, that Jobs had been a subpar presenter. Would Apple have been able to transform the tech market in the same way that they have?
Other big brands are similar. Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos – their companies have benefitted from their abilities to cast visions during presentations.
Executive presentation training can help CEOs go a long way toward helping their companies take off.
Presentation Skills Can Be Learned – With Executive Presentation Training
Of course, as we’ve seen, most people know that presentation skills are important. The trouble comes from the common misconception that presentation skills are entirely innate. Either you’re a good presenter, or you’re not.
That’s simply an inaccurate perception. The truth is this: anyone can learn to present well. Presentations involve a set of skills that can be taught, learned, and improved – and, once learned, they work for anyone, anywhere, at any time.
Executive presentation training can help your CEOs go from subpar presenters to presenters who can inspire an audience. And, as we’ve seen, presenting well is absolutely necessary in today’s world.
Next Steps for Executive Presentation Training
At The Ammerman Experience, we’ve been training executives to present for over 40 years. Learn about our acclaimed executive presentation training services here. To find out how we can help your company’s executives learn to present well, contact us online or at 281-240-2026.