Again, they may not absorb information fully for various reasons such as the unclear presentation objectives and poor speech that may result in less attention span on what you are saying.  Their mind is floating somewhere else.  They do not find the topic interesting.  How do we get them paying attention to us and absorb the relevant information?

1. Present in diagrams and illustrations – Refrain from being wordy in your presentation slides and speech.  It takes more effort to pay attention through the ears then the eyes.  Seldom have we seen people with their eyes shut and putting full attention through the ears.  Studies have also shown that most people absorb information visually instead of the other senses (hear and touch).  With all these reasons, there is no doubt that it will be more effective for your presentation to be in diagrams and illustrations to allow better absorbing of information.
2. Repeat – By repeating the information that you are delivering, you are emphasizing the importance of the information.  Repeating also allow attendees that have missed your initial information delivered to be absorbed again.  They may not have understood it initially too and repeating the information allows them to re-think, and re-focus the information you are saying.  However, do not abuse repeat methods that may end up counter-productive.  It will in fact becoming a form of nagging than repetition of information.
3. Get people to think – A one-way communication from the presenter does not guarantee that your attendees are listening to what you are saying.  That means, that isn’t any guarantee if they absorb and understand the information fully as well.  Design presentations that get people to think.  Spur their thoughts in the presentation.  This is done through relating their life experiences.  The pain they are experiencing.  The benefits that they can reap by doing what you are saying.  When the attendees are engage with information that is in their context, they will be generally more attentive to what you say and absorb information in the presentation.
4. Get people to take action based on the information they had absorbed – To complete the entire presentation and get people to absorb information, you will need them to take action based on the information they had absorbed.  Not only it gets them to think on the absorbed information, they become experience by putting what they have learnt into use.

These are some methods you can use to get people absorb the information you intended them to receive.  There are also other methods available too.  What works for you may not be for somebody else.  What are your techniques in getting people to absorb information?

1. Let the audience and stakeholders know that you put a huge amount of work on the presentation but you are only putting a mere tiny fraction of all the research.
2. Smile and relax.  Be cool!
3. Always maintain the eye contact!  It can’t be truer than this.  Maintain the connection between the audience and you.
4. Be in control of all interruptions.  Override them when required.  Remember, you are the only one that should be doing the talking.
5. Practice and practice and practice!
6. We can’t be practicing all day and night long!  Go for the real thing once in a while to build up real experience!  Nothing beats real experience!
7. Observe how other presenters make presentation
8. Be a good actor when you are presenting.  That is, even if you are unsure or not confident about the matter.  It’s about how you present and the feeling you are giving to the audience!
9. Remember, a presentation will invite changes and resistance! Be prepared for any unpredictable situation.
10. Dress appropriate but don’t over dress.
11. Be early and earlier than your audience
12. Ensure all the presentation materials and assisting materials are working (e.g. audio and visual equipment)
13. You do not need a bunch of supporters. A couple of them will be good enough to get you through your presentation.  A bunch of them will look like a presenter versus audience confrontation!
14. You won’t be perfect all the time.  Accept it and move on.  There will be better days ahead where you have learn from your experiences.
15. Stay away from the jargons!  Keep your language simple and understandable to your audience, not you!

1. One point per slide – No more than that!  It gives clear and concise of what you intend to inform your audience.  Additional unrelated information will only confuse your audience.
2. Do not clutter your slide content – Do not dump everything on the small slide.  Also avoid putting charts and graphs into the slides.  The amount of content should be kept at minimal but delivers impact.
3. Add good quotes – Remember you are telling a story.  Good quotes help to reinforce stories.
4. Be sensitive to gender differences – Males and females have different understanding of subjects and some jokes or issues can be offensive.
5. Be sensitive to racial differences – Different races have different cultures.  Understand them and be sensitive to it.  DO NOT make fun of other race at the minimum!
6. Always prepare surprises – Just imagine the audience hearing the same thing over and over again.  Pretty exciting right?
7. Summarize your story from time to time – Always summarize your story to reinforce what you have initially proposed.
8. Include action items – If you are proposing actions, be decisive and inform your audiences that what will be immediately started and accomplished after this meeting.
9. Admit if you do not know something – Yes be frank! Honesty works better than you trying to avoid directly answering your audience doubts.
10. Remember you want to win their heart and mind! – Exert as much positive influence on your audience to your proposition as possible.
11. Be emotional even data is imperative! – Again, be sensitive to your audience.  Although you have tons of data and facts for your presentation, but you cannot ignore the feelings and emotions of your audiences.
12. Get support from the “customer” – Consider getting support from the audience.  The audience will feel closer to you if they have someone they have acquaintance with.  The closer the better!
13. Be precise on your schedule – All the schedule and deliverables stated must be clear and realistic!!
14. Compromise appropriately – Do not get into any argument with anyone in the presentation.  It’s more important to complete your presentation then a verbal brawling.
15. Keep up with recent events – This will give you more credibility on your experience in the field and makes your presentation more credible.

1. Total commitment to the problem/project/outcome – Do not present for the sake of presenting.  If you are, you might as well call it off or get somebody else to do it.
2. Create a compelling “Story line”/“Plot” – Make a strong and believable story in their context.  Remember, it’s in their context.
3. Sufficient data to drive message across – Do not bombard the stakeholders or audience with too much data.  They will not be able to absorb so much within the short time frame.  However, give them the key information they need and prepare a big list of answers to any questions they may have.
4. Memorize or familiarize the data – In this way, you can manipulate the data and present it in a different context on the spot.
5. Tell great stories or illustrations – This will bring vivid life to your presentation and the audience will be keen to hear more.
6. Be sensitive to the audiences – Look out for body languages and sense the response of the audiences.  Know when they are bored or attentive.  Switch your presentation style to grab their attention back!
7. Connect with audience – This will prevent them from falling asleep and being bored in your presentation.  Talk to them.  Ask questions!
8. Walk around the presentation – Especially to the audience area.  They will be made to stay alert throughout your presentation when they know you may walk to their “safe” area anytime.
9. Give a punch line or surprise at the beginning of the presentation – Surprise them and grab their attention!
10. Don’t be pushy once you “won” – No matter how good you are, once you’ve “won” it stay at there.  Let’s not hurt anyone’s dignity.
11. Be “in command” but not a “show-off” – The audience will decide if you are really good.
12. Be nice to everyone, even your detractors – That’s where the audience decides who the real jerks in the presentation are.
13. Pay attention to the senior stakeholder. However, you need not act like a suck-up to him – You do not want to be seen as a social suck up in front of everyone right.  Furthermore, the entire audience deserves your attention as well!
14. Let the audience arrive at the conclusion – They will find the conclusion more meaningful than you telling them you are right.
15. Just THREE key points! – Too many key points will not be understood by the general audience.