There are only a few days left before the Ascend 2024 presentation submission deadline on January 26, 2024. Wondering if presenting is worth the time and effort? It is! Presenting at conferences like Ascend is a multifaceted skill that goes beyond simply conveying information. It encompasses communication, confidence, critical thinking, and adaptability, making it a valuable skillset in various personal and professional contexts.
Here are 11 ways you can hone your skills when you present at an OATUG event like Ascend 2024:
- Communication Skills: Presenting helps develop and enhance communication skills. It requires the ability to articulate ideas clearly, organize thoughts coherently, and convey information effectively to the audience.
- Confidence Building: Regular presentations contribute to increased self-confidence. Overcoming the fear of public speaking and successfully delivering a presentation can boost an individual's self-esteem.
- Critical Thinking: Creating and delivering a presentation often involves critical thinking. Presenters need to analyze information, identify key points, and synthesize ideas to present a compelling message.
- Knowledge Retention: The process of preparing a presentation requires a deep understanding of the subject matter. This helps presenters retain information more effectively, as they need to comprehend and synthesize concepts to convey them to others.
- Professional Development: Effective presentation skills are valuable in various professional settings. Being able to communicate ideas clearly and persuasively can enhance career prospects and contribute to professional success.
- Networking Opportunities: Presentations provide opportunities to connect with others. Whether it's networking at conferences or sharing ideas within a team, presenting allows individuals to build relationships with peers, colleagues, and industry professionals.
- Leadership Development: Presenting is often associated with leadership roles. Leaders need to convey their vision, inspire others, and guide teams, all of which are skills honed through effective presentation.
- Influence and Persuasion: A well-delivered presentation can be a powerful tool for influencing and persuading others. Whether it's pitching a business idea, making a sales presentation, or advocating for a cause, the ability to persuade is a valuable skill.
- Time Management: Presenting requires effective time management. Presenters need to allocate time for research, content creation, and rehearsal. This helps individuals develop better time management skills.
- Adaptability: Presenting in various contexts and to different audiences requires adaptability. Being able to tailor a presentation to suit the needs and preferences of the audience demonstrates flexibility and adaptability.
- Feedback and Improvement: Presentations provide an opportunity to receive feedback, both from peers and from the audience. Constructive feedback helps individuals identify areas for improvement and refine their presentation skills over time.
If you’re wondering what’s involved in being an Ascend presenter, here’s a quick overview of what presenters should do before, during and after Ascend:
OATUG Presenter Roadmap
- Submitting for the Call for Presentations
- Being selected
- Sharing on LinkedIn
- Sharing on your company social channels
- Sharing on OATUG via The Hub
- Prepare presentation deck/slides
- Researching tips for excellent presentation
- Presenting at Ascend
- Engaging on the conference app
- Feedback and Improvement
- Helping with an article or Blog at the OATUG
- Becoming more involved with OATUG & Oracle
- Updating your resume with your presentation details
Be sure to check out the Ascend Podcast and our recent webinar recording for more tips!