Off the bench :) , but not going well :(

[Jeebo72]

But whatever you do, don't look down. You might find you've imagined yourself naked...

Does that work? What if the bird in the front row is quite fit and your get aroused? I suspect that might end your career ;-)

[Soled73]

Come on - just get on with it. As everyone has stated just stick to the facts, simple.

What's the issue with the presentation? Is it the presetation itself? or the number of people your presenting to? Would you have an issue presenting to 1 person, what about 4 people?

Now, how long is your time-slot? This would set the agenda for he session plus the number of slides.

In one form or another I normally present once a week, general stuff at team meetings, tehcnical designs a design authorities, or business cases to senior management (incl C-level).

Look. You've come in - now they're looking for yoor initial observations. It's almost management by exception. If it's a real concern then it would have reached your desk (i.e to firefight). If it's not a concern then they can probably live with it for the medium/long term.

I would imagine theyre looking for thoughts to tackle the issues in the short (90 days), medium and long term.

I could go on for ages - actually I'm more than happy to help you prepare. Message me if you like, happy to meet up or do it on a call.

HTH

[malvolio]

Edited to add: the presentation is only to be based on my specialist technical area, but quite simply I don't feel I should be doing it and I certainly don't want to.

Sorry, but tough! Your preferences have nothing to do with it. Let me put my rather more brutal management hat for a change:

I've hired someone with extensive technical expertise to analyse a bad system and come up with a plan to correct it. Those corrections need resource to implement - that's time and money - and I need to justify those to the department and to my management. I also need to make sure the team understand what's going on and why, partly becuase the team is unsettled and need some direction and to feel involved.

I need that expensive expert to explain what needs doing in his area to give it some authority, and to make sure everyone else understands what is being planned. So I want you to get up there and tell them, and field any resultant questions, rather than risk Chinese Whispers when I mis-represent your ideas. Plus, of course, if you can't explain your ideas in simple terms to a competent audience, how can I be sure you actually do know what you're talking about?

It might not be fun, but it's part of your job and what I pay you to do. Deal with it.

[singhr]

You are in business on your own account and don't have to do anything you don't want to do. All the hoop jumping is for perms but if you fear this kind of thing it is a good opportunity to overcome your fear. The more you do them, the easier they become. See how you feel on the day, if you are getting stressed just call in a sickie or some other excuse.

[malvolio]

You are in business on your own account and don't have to do anything you don't want to do. All the hoop jumping is for perms but if you fear this kind of thing it is a good opportunity to overcome your fear. The more you do them, the easier they become. See how you feel on the day, if you are getting stressed just call in a sickie or some other excuse.

Quite probably the worst piece of "professional" advice I've seen for years. I hope you treat your clients with more respect than that.

Ermm, well done.

[Spacecadet]

Sorry, but tough! Your preferences have nothing to do with it. Let me put my rather more brutal management hat for a change:

I've hired someone with extensive technical expertise to analyse a bad system and come up with a plan to correct it. Those corrections need resource to implement - that's time and money - and I need to justify those to the department and to my management. I also need to make sure the team understand what's going on and why, partly becuase the team is unsettled and need some direction and to feel involved.

I need that expensive expert to explain what needs doing in his area to give it some authority, and to make sure everyone else understands what is being planned. So I want you to get up there and tell them, and field any resultant questions, rather than risk Chinese Whispers when I mis-represent your ideas. Plus, of course, if you can't explain your ideas in simple terms to a competent audience, how can I be sure you actually do know what you're talking about?

It might not be fun, but it's part of your job and what I pay you to do. Deal with it.

Harsh but spot on

You're not the only one who hates public speaking. Fact is, when you do give the discussion at least 2/3's of the room will be sitting there thanking the gods that it's not them up there speaking to the room.

[NotAllThere]

While you may dread doing a presentation, you may also find that you get a euphoric high when you've done it. I know I do. That's why I also do theatre.

[Soled73]

Quite probably the worst piece of "professional" advice I've seen for years. I hope you treat your clients with more respect than that.

Ermm, well done.

agree

[Pondlife]

You are in business on your own account and don't have to do anything you don't want to do. All the hoop jumping is for perms but if you fear this kind of thing it is a good opportunity to overcome your fear. The more you do them, the easier they become. See how you feel on the day, if you are getting stressed just call in a sickie or some other excuse.

At best this is plain unprofessional and bad advice but more likely just trolling.

Why bother?

[singhr]

Quite probably the worst piece of "professional" advice I've seen for years. I hope you treat your clients with more respect than that.

Ermm, well done.

Come off it Mal, there's worse advice given around here. Which bit didn't you like?