Presentations: 2 Minute Training #2: Bring Sugary Snacks

Presentations: 2 Minute Training #2: Bring Sugary Snacks

When presenting to a client for an extended period of time (45 minutes or longer), you may start to notice that even the most lively of presentations will start to lose people’s attention. There’s simply no way around it, shy of requiring them to do major physical activities. The best way to help yourself through this expected lull? Bring some sugary snacks.

Sugary snacks will give the people being presented to a burst of energy after a few minutes, that will last through your presentation. Your audience will enjoy a restful minute to get a napkin and a few choice items before sitting down, and they will gain the small feeling of friendliness, or that a friendly, giving side exists along with your business professionality.

Coffee is a good idea, but some people do not drink it, or find its effect a little too jarring. But almost anyone will partake in a sugary snack. They taste good, and invite the open, honest attitude of a group of people sharing a meal. In addition to the business presentation which is taking place, many people feel the atmosphere begins to take on the feeling of gifts shared.

Sugary snacks do not need to be sweets, or sweets alone. Fruit or dried fruits are great substitutes if you have a health-concious crowd, and people will equate them to healthy snacks, although they will also have the required sugar content.

Chocolate can often be a secret weapon here. Chocolate (as a molecule) is almost identical of Caffeine. Don’t believe me? Its true. Eating chocolate or chocolatey snacks will give your audience a similar boost without triggering the “I only drink decaf” response.

Added Bonus:

If you are presenting first during a day of presentations, providing sugary snacks is in and of itself a secret weapon. By the time your presentation is finishing, many of your audience members will be feeling that sugar rush. What does this mean for you? While they may have been attentive at the beginning of your presentation as a professional courtesy, they will find their energy level increasing as your presentation continues. Normally, this energy increase is only seen when they are very excited about the prospects being shown. They will equate this prolonged attention and increased energy with being excited about your presentation.

Further, after your presentation is over, the sugar crash will set in. At the very least, they will feel as though the rest of their day may pale in comparison to the excitement of your presentation. If you’re lucky, if another group is presenting after you, they will find their audience having a terrible sugar crash almost at the beginning of their presentation. No matter how lively your competitor’s presentation, the audience will be finding themselves more tired, and less aware of your competitor’s presentation.

Go get your sugary snacks the day before your presentation so that you won’t have to rush around at the last minute, and use that energy boost to excite and capture the minds of your audience!