I was asked to complete a presentation with my group for a business start-up project. The other team, while reviewing our team performance identified a few strengths and some weaknesses. We received a lower rating in some of the areas. Firstly, the reviewing team identified that the project lacked focus. It did not provide specific information about the market and the product chosen. On considering the feedback, it can be said that our team only identified that it will be a restaurant business located at Werribee South, and the food ingredients will be provided by local farmers. It did not specify what type of food will be offered by the restaurant and what type of customers it will be focusing on. Literature emphasizes on the importance of having clear goals and suggests the SMART criteria for effective objective setting (Shahin and Mahbod, 2007). Being specific is the first important condition for a goal to be effective. Hence, not specifying upon the market and the product led to a loss of focus of our project. Secondly, the reviewing team also identified weaknesses in our presentation.
According to their feedback, our group members lacked eye contact with the audience and there was less gesture to attract the audience. This implies that we failed to maintain the interest of audience. Literature suggests that while delivering a speech, a person sends two types of messages, a verbal message is transmitted through voice while a substantial amount of information is conveyed visually through the person’s physical behavior and appearance (Hecht and Ambady, 1999). According to Skidmore, Slate, and Onwuegbuzie (2010), listeners’ judgment is based on not only what they hear but also what they see. Hence, body language is an effective and crucial tool for convincing the audience, and emphasizing on the spoken words. Furthermore, Onwuegbuzie (2010) suggests that without sufficient eye contact, one cannot establish a connection with the audience, that affects the presentation delivery adversely.
The feedback identified that we lacked in this area. On the contrary, we got a higher rating on the visual presentation and team working by the reviewing team. According to their feedback our presentation had a logical flow of information and team work was evident throughout as most of the information was connected. Furthermore, we received appreciation on demonstrating comprehensive knowledge about the project as all the team members were confident over the project delivery. However, the feedback suggested that our team members need to improve presentation skills and research more figures next time to score higher on the project and the presentation.
The experience enabled me to identify my good areas as well as my weaknesses. Based on the feedback provided by the other team on my team performance, I now clearly know where I need to focus more to improve myself in the future. I learned how I can improve my project delivery and my presentations and score higher marks. The experience was highly valuable as it will not only enable me to improve my academic performance in my university but will also enable me to do well in my professional life. Effective project delivery and good presentation skills have always remained an important part whether its education or work. Hence it will help me perform better.
References
Hecht, M. A. and Ambady, N., 1999. Nonverbal communication and psychology: Past and future. The New Jersey Journal of Communication, 7(2).
Onwuegbuzie, A. J., 2010. Characteristics of graduate students’ oral presentations. Unpublished manuscript. Huntsville, TX: Sam Houston State University,
Skidmore, S.T., Slate, J.R. and Onwuegbuzie, A.J., 2010. Developing effective presentation skills: evidence-based guidelines. Research in the Schools, 17(2)
Shahin, A. and Mahbod, M. A., 2007. Prioritization of key performance indicators: An integration of analytical hierarchy process and goal setting. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 56(3), pp. 226–240
