National Learning Institute

Presentation Skills 201: How to Take it to the Next Level as a Confident, Engaging Presenter

William R. Steele

Reviewed by admin Wed 24 Jun 09

Bob's Rating:

As Steel points out, there are many *how to present" type books on the market - this is not one such book.  "Presentation Skills 201" is a reference book to be used whenever one has an important presentation to give.  With nine chapters ranging from "Planning" to "Challenging Audiences", it covers all the areas of presenting where using some of the tips can possibly mean the difference between a "great" presentation and one that "went well" - and there is a difference.

The book is well written.  Ideas are expressed clearly and most importantly, concisely.  There is often an example either from the author's personal experience or from his observations, to enhance the explanation of each suggestion.  As an experienced presenter myself, I picked up a number of tips that I will use.  For example, the ability to switch between slides in PowerPoint using the slide number and the enter key; the reminder that props and demonstrations can really enhance a presentation; and always to ask "So what?" for each key presentation point will be very useful.

I also very much liked the way Steel was ready to use his own mistakes as a way of demonstrating a point - this will certainly build credibility with the reader as it also does for the audience when one is presenting.

There are many ideas, suggestions and tips that the experienced presenter will have heard before.  That's not the point.  There's enough in this book to provide even the best presenters with at least one new idea (probably more).  Additionally, there are most likely many things that Steel lists that we presenters have known about for years, but have forgotten, or perhaps through neglect, have developed as bad habits.  In my own case, the need to clearly define "success" as an outcome of y presentation is one that I have slipped out of recently.  "Presentation Skills 201 has provided me with a timely reminder to get back to some of the things I may have forgotten or overlooked.

My only disappointment (it's only a minor one and does not detract from the good material in the book), is that it concluded without a conclusion.  I appreciate that the book is not designed as a step-by-step guide.  However, I would have liked to have seen a few words from Steel in summary or to list perhaps his one major learning from his 30 years of business presentation experience, to round off the book.

"Presentation Skills 201" is highly recommended for experienced presenters for two reasons.  Firstly as a reference point for ideas on handling a tricky or difficult situation (such as a challenging audience).  Secondly, to read through from cover to cover immediately to identify some of the poor habits one may have unconsciously lapsed into and to get some ideas for correcting these.