Three tips on presenting to millennials

One challenge for Gen-X bosses and presenters is how to engage their millennial audience—and prevent a sea of uninterested faces looking at their smart phones while they’re talking.

We asked Jose Paolo Alcantara, a learning consultant, course developer, trainor and college professor, for some quick tips on how to win over a millennial crowd.

1. Eliminate “Podium Talk”

If you must do an in-person presentation to millennials make sure that you win their attention.

The lecture method for them is already passé. Have a conversation with them instead.

Connecting with them in person requires more than just a witty opening line.

Ask what they think or how they are feeling about the subject matter being discussed.

Also remember that the millennials are the first generation to have access to the internet during their formative years so they are comfortable functioning in online “virtual” reality.

A presentation strongly supported by technology and all of its latest bells and whistles will surely get their attention.

2. Make sure to have “after sales service” online

When presenting to millennials, make sure to put on your helping hat.

Millennials are hungry for help with just about everything, especially their careers, and they also have a desire to connect with prevailing issues and trends, no matter how trivial or irrelevant you might think it is.

If your presentation topic can be structured in a way that emphasizes tips and tricks, go for it; they will be on the edge of their seats throughout your talk.

Getting smart and working smart appeal strongly to this generation.

Also, connecting with this generation doesn’t end with your face-to-face presentation as they put a premium and look forward to further connection on social media.

3. Get to the point ASAP

Millennials get a bad reputation sometimes. Some people characterize them as lazy and impatient; however that is not the case.

Millennials just want to be successful and they want to be of service to their organization and the world—Now!

It’s not that they can’t handle the pressures of work, they simply don’t value working for the sake of working.

They are results driven, which should be refreshing news for all companies. They want to do their job and then enjoy their lives; a win-win situation.

Hence, get to the point with your presentation, show what’s in it for them, seek engagement, then let your attendees get back to their to-do list so they can complete their work with enough time to spare for their preferred leisure activities.

Alcantara will be facilitating a workshop titled “Interactive and Engaging Presentations: Applicable tools and techniques for your presentation” on March 7-8, 2017.

It is designed to help professionals develop rapport and engage action when presenting. It will also teach participants use technology to effectively reinforce their message.

The Inquirer Academy is located at 4168 Don Chino Roces Ave. corner Ponte St., Makati City. For more information about the workshop or if you would like to add your input on the article, you may email [email protected], call (632) 834-1557 or 800-8110 and look for Jerald Miguel, or visit the website at www.inquireracademy.com.