The risk for software companies in a highly competitive market is that their marketing presentations must always “hit the mark” in order to inspire the customer. There is no place for losing listeners due to boring and ineffective presentations either in content or delivery. Software executives must start to break the cult of the average presentation habits. It is crucial to understand and put into practice proven communication skills of authentic presence and voice that will maximize results every time.

Good tips on presentation technique in The Art of the Compelling Software Presentation | Sandhill.

Sometimes a Sales Engineer has to do that special kind of presentation – the Product Roadmap.  The trick to this is to show a strong future, but not a weak current product.

via The Sales Engineer Guy: Sales Engineers: Presenting the Product Roadmap.

Good tips for sales engineers, and for product managers too.

If you think giving a presentation or a speech in front of an audience can be stressful, wait till you have to give one in a foreign language or in front of a foreign audience!

Read 10 Tips on Presenting Abroad. Not just tips on presenting abroad but good tips on presenting anywhere.

One trend I’ve noted recently is the expression, “Does that make sense?” often used by a speaker during a conversation — or a presenter during a presentation — to check whether the listener or audience has understood or appreciated what the speaker has just said.

via Never Ask ‘Does That Make Sense?’ – Jerry Weissman – Harvard Business Review.

Good post on filler words from HBR. I’ve noticed that I’m using “does that make sense” more now than I used to. I’ll watch for it! You should too.