Presentation Skills in Business Environment - Assignment Example

Introduction: For personal and professional development everyone needs to set some goals for him or herself. Setting the goals is not enough. These goals should be based on reality checks and plans of improvement to achieve career goals. In this paper, I will identify three gaps in my personality which can be considered as areas of improvement for me. I will create 3 goals achieving which can help me in achieving my career goals. The goals will be created by having value statements and principles on the basis of which these goals are identified. Gap 1: Lack of self confidence in presenting my ideas: I need to improve my presentation skills in business environment. Value Statements: 1. I value practicing in front of a mirror before I have to present my ideas in business environment somewhere. -For people who have problem in presenting their ideas while speaking in public, this mirror therapy is generally suggested. By being able to see yourself while you discuss a topic, one becomes clear about how people will perceive him or her. This helps in improving one’s presentation and thus confidence level also improves (Maxwell, 2009). Principles: a) Practice makes a man perfect. b) Public speaking fear is reduced due to such practices. c) Better presentation ideas and my own comfort zone will be discovered. 2. I value preparing a formal presentation with notes for myself to ensure I find it easy to deliver at the right time. -When a formal presentation is prepared, it is usually very easy for the presenter to present his or her ideas. Having a formal presentation will also improve confidence level (Robbins, 1992). Principles: a) Formal presentation will make things clearer to see. b) When points to discuss are laid down clearly, it is always easier to present them. c) Formal presentation will help me add my notes and be ready to discuss the ideas in my controlled flow. 3. I value discussing ideas with my team in an informal setting so that with better understanding of each other we develop environment conducive to learning and sharing. -When a person develops the habit of discussing ideas with his or her team in informal setting, the same ideas can be presented in much more comfortable way in formal settings as well. This personal aspect usually helps in getting rid of this problem (Throop and Castellucci, 2009). Principles: a) Informal setting takes out a lot of pressure from presenting ideas. b) Better personal relationship makes it easier for the presenter to discuss ideas with the team. c) As a person when one knows that the presentation at present is not formal, confidence level is better. Goal 1: My goal is to control my public speaking fear with the use of various strategies which can help me improve my self confidence level and presentation skills. I have chosen this goal considering the point that presentations and public speaking is an important aspect in work environment. Those who lack in this aspect usually find it tougher to climb the ladder of management. As my career goals include becoming a manager in some reputed global chain of business, it is an important quality I need to acquire. Gap 2: Weak communication skills: I need to improve my business communication skills. Value Statements: 1. I value preparing for any business meeting before hand by having important points of discussion ready in written form. -I find my communication skills not very good in comparison to many others who can discuss their ideas with much more confidence. To avoid this problem, it is better to have a set of ideas written in form of points for reassurance (Burn, 2012). Principles: a) It will boost my confidence level. b) My fear of discussions and communication in public will be controlled due to this step. c) Even if I forget some of the ideas while communicating, I can always go back to my notes and come back with stronger points while communicating. 2. I value practicing my speech or ideas before I actually go into the business scenario where my communication skills will be tested. -When a business executive is aware of his or her weakness, he or she should work on getting rid of the same. I know that I lack in communication skills. Practice can help me improve a lot (Pavlina, 2009). Principles: a) Practicing always helps a person in improving his or her performance. b) Speaking and communicating for practice helps boost the self confidence. c) This practice can help me think of any questions that might be asked of me and thus help me in being mentally prepared. 3. I value using visual aids for improving my communication skills. -While presenting my ideas to a group of business associates or colleagues, visual aids can help me explain my ideas in a much better way. Visual aids can reduce my work to half (Masters and Wallace, 2010). Principles: a) Visual aids usually make presenting and communicating in business environment easier. b) Picture explains more than what a 1000 words can do. c) Use of modern technology can help overcome issues pertaining to weak communication skills. Goal 2: My goal is to take help of modern technological tools to overcome my weakness in communication. This goal is important to me as my communication skills are weak and I need to improve on them. Weak communication skills can be hindrance in career growth. To overcome this shortcoming, I need to use technological aids to my advantage. Gap 3: Three Character strengths: -Keen observer -Quick learner -Critical thinker Value Statements: 1. I value observing my team mates behavior at work and the differences in behaviors in relation to cultural backgrounds. -Multinational companies usually have people coming from various cultural backgrounds. It is important that one understands and respects various cultures so that teams can perform and deliver at their best (Covey, 2013). Principles: a) Multicultural teams are common in multinational environments. b) In depth understanding of various cultures can make it easier to work with team mates from varying cultural backgrounds. c) Globalization has literally removed any boundaries nations used to have. 2. I value learning about various cultural and religious backgrounds and their stereotypical behaviors in work environment. -As a business executive, when I have clear idea about how and why a certain cultural, ethnic or religious background makes a person react in a certain way to certain circumstances, I will be in better position to handle a multi cultural team (Maxwell, 2009). Principles: a) Adding information to your pool of knowledge is always good. b) Knowing more about cultures and their impact over work environment can help in managing multi cultural teams. c) Multicultural teams are common and very much a reality in business world today. It is thus better to develop clear understanding of them. 3. I value critically thinking about how to be a productive member of a multicultural team. -In a multinational organization environment, being a part of multicultural teams is a routine. To tackle this job at hand, it is important for me to critically think about managing my performance in such a team (Johnson, 2012). Principles: a) Multinationals usually require people from varying cultural backgrounds. b) In modern business environment even the companies which are not multinational look forward to operate in the globalized world. c) Understanding various cultures and their impact over team’s performance and bonding is important aspect of modern business environment. Goal 3: My goal is to improve my bonding with people coming from different cultural backgrounds than mine, to ensure better team bonding in business environment. In multinational organizations, it is common to have teams made of people from various cultural backgrounds. Understanding various cultures to some level can help in performing better as a business executive. Conclusion: Three major areas where I need improvement in my performance are my weak communication skills, my fear of presenting my ideas in public and my difficulty in working with people coming from various cultural backgrounds. To reach my career goals, it is important for me that I overcome these hurdles through the principles and value statements created in this individual assignment. References: Burn, G. (2012) Personal development: All in one. For dummies. Covey, S. (2013) The 7 habits of highly effective people: Powerful lessons in personal change. Simon and Schuster. Johnson, V. (2012) Self help books: The 101 best personal development. Laurenzana press. Masters, A. and Wallace, S. (2010) Personal development for life and work. Cengage learning. Maxwell, J. (2009) How successful people think: Change your thinking, change your life. Center street. Pavlina, S. (2009) Personal development for smart people: The conscious pursuit of personal growth. Hay House. Robbins, A. (1992) Awaken the giant within. Free press. Throop, R. and Castellucci, M. (2009) Reaching your potential: Personal and professional development. Cengage learning. Read More