Test Your Mettle at Venture Capital Forums - Page 3

The Double Talker
Who presents few substantiated facts and tends to over promise. His or her proposals sound too good to be true.

The Droner
Who just doesn't know when to stop. The presentation goes on endlessly, with no respect for the audience's time.

The Techie
Who presents too many details and little bottom line content. Techies often get bogged down with charts and graphs that are difficult to read and understand.

The Stiff
Who stands behind the podium with hands folded, reading from a script, making few if any gestures, and simply bores the audience to death.

The Apologizer
Who destroys his or her credibility by making excuses, often right at the outset, which can sabotage the entire presentation.

The Twitcher
Who is a nervous presenter who may repeatedly grin, grimace or make other repetitious motions, such as pointing a finger in the air for emphasis or swaying from one foot to the other.

The Show-off
Who gives more glitz than substance, offering few relevant facts or solutions.

The Straight Shooter
Who makes eye contact with the audience, uses natural body movement, and may even move around the room instead of standing stiffly in one spot. The Straight Shooter uses direct language so everything is understandable and clear.

To eliminate negative behaviors from your own presentations, set up a video camera and tape a rehearsal or two. Watch the tape critically. Some of the most common negative behaviors are the easiest to spot, so with just a bit of practice, you can smooth out the rough edges and create a presentation style you'll be proud of.