Tips to develop soft skills

For running any kind of business, one need to hone his/her presentation skills. As the famous saying goes "You never get a second chance to create first good impression". Following are the points to be kept in mind:

• Consider yourself as brand. Every brand needs promotion

• Maintain an eye-contact while talking to someone. Develop positive attitude towards life

• Don't walk slow. Learn to walk briskly. People who walk briskly project that they are going with the purpose

• Don't put you hands in pockets while talking to someone. Don't stand with hands folded

• Sense of purpose should get projected when talking/meeting with people/client  

• Be professional in your dressing

• Project a promise of prosperity when making a presentation. Promise should be made visible to the client

• Language - impactful words should be used

• How you deliver and what you deliver are most important things 

• Select right words to communicate. For that you need to have a good vocabulary

• Always keep smiling. Smile at others and laugh at yourself. Laugh with others. When you are selling something, start with a smile

• Listen - Never project that you are disoriented. If you will listen attentively, you will make friends easily. Ears,face, mind and soul - create an impact that you are listening

• Listen to others with eye-contact. If you are attentive in listening, you will always be able to make out what people are saying and what they want to convey

• Be alert to environment and details. Whenever visit anyone's office, don't be absorbed in your thoughts. Look around and you will get number of clues about the person and organisation

• Look around the table of the person with whom you are having chat

• Always keep a 'plan B' or 'contingency plan' at time of meeting or presentation. Time management is must    

• It is said that the most efficient manager is the one whose table is clear

• First three sentences in presentation makes a lot of difference

• Never apologize in the beginning before making a speech or presentation. Understand the perception, expectation and aspiration of your audience

• Relevant jokes should be kept in mind to create a positive impact or to lighten up the environment - they should be related to content 

• Be confident. Confidence comes from doing. Have courage to say "sorry"

• Project reliability though your behavior. In business presentations, selling reliability is must

• Show tolerance, never argue. Discussions make friends, arguments make enemies. Find means and ways to avoid confrontations

•  Watch Mannerisms - Bodily gestures, expressions should be positive. Negative mannerisms shift the focus of your audience from content to body gestures/movements

• When giving presentations, don't overdress or under dress 

• Make it a joy for people to do business with you. People love to buy but hate to be sold

• Make it a win-win situation for your customer/target audience

• Get in step with the customer. Make him part of the act. Always involve the customer

• Always keep your eyes and ears open. Act smart when necessary

• Introduction and end should be very powerful in any kind of presentation/speech

In 1898 at Congress of Religion, Swami Vivekanand was not invited. He had to finish his presentation within 5 minutes, but he was made to continue till 45 minutes, because of his positive personality and spoken skills.