Alpha Five Presentation Tips

These are some things I try to keep in mind before and during a presentation. I would like for others to add their feedback to this list.

PREPARATION

Ask your host:

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Who is my audience? Do they know Alpha Five? Do they know databases in general?

•
How much time do I have? Plan a presentation that leaves 15-30 minutes free for questions, unexpected problems, etc.

•
What equipment will be available for me to use? A projection system? Arrange to arrive ahead of time to test the equipment in a no-pressure situation.

Prepare your talk:

•
Use a sample application that will show both the power and simplicity of Alpha Five. Try to think of something that will be relevant to your audience.

•
Remember, this is a demonstration, not a training class. Highlight features of Alpha Five that show well. Don't spend time explaining the details, but do show them "This is how I made that pop-up choice list" and move quickly.

•
Plan to show the end result first, and then show how you put it together. For example, preview a report, then show how easy it is to create that report, then preview the report again. On longer processes, periodically show the effect of what you've done so the audience can follow you.

•
Rehearse and time your presentation. Run through it again a few hours before or the night before to refresh your memory.

•
Make a backup copy of your presentation data and take it with you.

Other preparation suggestions:

•
Practice your presentation at least once in front of someone who knows computers but does not know Alpha Five well.

•
Make up cue cards to keep you on track during your presentation. Practice with them.

•
Because you won't have time to show everything (or even scratch the surface), make it part of your presentation to mention some of the features of Alpha Five that you did not demonstrate. Also, give some examples of applications you have worked on, to show them how versatile and powerful Alpha Five is.

•
Make up a screen (or A5 form) that includes Alpha's web address and toll-free number in a big font. At the end of your presentation, leave this on the screen. You can also include your name and contact information and invite them to contact you if they have more questions.

PRESENTATION

Set up:

•
If you will be using your own computer to make the presentation, I recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before the meeting starts (not before your presentation is scheduled, because once the meeting starts your problems will be an unwelcome distraction). You will have to connect to the group's projection system and test it. If you don't have your own computer and plan to use theirs, arrange to arrive 1 hour in advance. You will have to install Alpha Five and your presentation, and should run through the entire presentation to make sure it runs the same on their computer as it did on yours.

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After you set up, use the remaining time to chat with people as they come in the room. This will help you feel less nervous because by the time you start speaking, you'll already have a few "friends" in the audience. You may also be able to use them as examples, "Bill told me that he's the President of his Condo Association. He needs a way to keep track of…"

During the presentation:

•
Begin by introducing yourself and telling why you wanted to come - because you love Alpha Five and use it yourself.

•
Ask for a show of hands to see how many people have heard of Alpha Four or Alpha Five. How many have used a database? Ask for a few examples of what you can do with a database. This will give you valuable information about your audience and establish rapport at the same time.

•
Respond to any question from the audience that is not of general interest or cannot be answered quickly with, "That's a good question. I'll be happy to answer that after my presentation." or something to that effect.

•
Be sure to thank the group for listening and thank your host contact for inviting you.

Other presentation suggestions:

•
Ask the audience simple questions periodically throughout the presentation as a way of checking their pulse and keeping them engaged.

•
If a technical problem arises during the presentation, try your best to get around it. Don't get bogged down in trying to fix it, over-explain it or be flippant about it, just keep moving forward.

•	Who is my audience? Do they know Alpha Five? Do they know databases in general?
•	How much time do I have? Plan a presentation that leaves 15-30 minutes free for questions, unexpected problems, etc.
•	What equipment will be available for me to use? A projection system? Arrange to arrive ahead of time to test the equipment in a no-pressure situation.

•	Use a sample application that will show both the power and simplicity of Alpha Five. Try to think of something that will be relevant to your audience.
•	Remember, this is a demonstration, not a training class. Highlight features of Alpha Five that show well. Don't spend time explaining the details, but do show them "This is how I made that pop-up choice list" and move quickly.
•	Plan to show the end result first, and then show how you put it together. For example, preview a report, then show how easy it is to create that report, then preview the report again. On longer processes, periodically show the effect of what you've done so the audience can follow you.
•	Rehearse and time your presentation. Run through it again a few hours before or the night before to refresh your memory.
•	Make a backup copy of your presentation data and take it with you.

•	Practice your presentation at least once in front of someone who knows computers but does not know Alpha Five well.
•	Make up cue cards to keep you on track during your presentation. Practice with them.
•	Because you won't have time to show everything (or even scratch the surface), make it part of your presentation to mention some of the features of Alpha Five that you did not demonstrate. Also, give some examples of applications you have worked on, to show them how versatile and powerful Alpha Five is.
•	Make up a screen (or A5 form) that includes Alpha's web address and toll-free number in a big font. At the end of your presentation, leave this on the screen. You can also include your name and contact information and invite them to contact you if they have more questions.

•	Begin by introducing yourself and telling why you wanted to come - because you love Alpha Five and use it yourself.
•	Ask for a show of hands to see how many people have heard of Alpha Four or Alpha Five. How many have used a database? Ask for a few examples of what you can do with a database. This will give you valuable information about your audience and establish rapport at the same time.
•	Respond to any question from the audience that is not of general interest or cannot be answered quickly with, "That's a good question. I'll be happy to answer that after my presentation." or something to that effect.
•	Be sure to thank the group for listening and thank your host contact for inviting you.

•	Ask the audience simple questions periodically throughout the presentation as a way of checking their pulse and keeping them engaged.
•	If a technical problem arises during the presentation, try your best to get around it. Don't get bogged down in trying to fix it, over-explain it or be flippant about it, just keep moving forward.