The Presentation Coach: Bare Knuckle Brilliance For Every Presenter: Amazon.co.uk: Graham Davies: Books

Review

‘…highly readable, entertaining…Even if you are an accomplished presenter, this book should be on your shelf.’ (Grahamjones.co.uk, Septemebr 2010).

‘Davies is refreshingly frank. He says what he means and means what he says… Thoroughly recommended.’ (TheBookbag.co.uk, October 2010).

‘…a unique five step approach that you can apply to all business speaking.’ (Flybe Uncovered, November, 2010).

‘…gives away many secrets Davies has used in coaching high– profile individuals.’ (The Business, November, 2010).

‘Probably the best advice we′ve heard in a while. – Best of its kind’. (Management Today, January 2011).

‘.....It sets out an easy to understand process for preparing and delivering speeches and presentations. It’s well written, and full of practical advice and tips’. (The Market, December 2011)

Product Description

You probably hate giving presentations. You probably hate listening to them too. Why? Because most business presentations are too long, too detailed, too boring...and submerged under a blizzard of PowerPoint.

But the single most important presentational tool known to man isn′t a slideshow. It′s you.

Whether you′re speaking to one person across a table, 20 people in a boardroom or 1,000 people in a ballroom, it′s all about the words you say and how you say them.

The Presentation Coach shows you how to use what you′ve already got to give you clarity, confidence and impact in every speaking challenge you will ever face.
You′ll learn the unique Bare Knuckle 5–step process to effective presenting, and how to apply it to all business speaking, from large–scale presentations to one–to–one client meetings.
Graham Davies has been coaching high–profile individuals from the worlds of business, politics and entertainment in exactly these techniques for the past 25 years. Now it′s your turn.

Praise for The Presentation Coach

"Graham Davies is a brilliantly funny speaker who knows how to inspire and enthuse anyone who sees presenting as a bore, a burden or a source of terror."
Nick Robinson, Political Editor, BBC

"This book really captures Graham′s intense and robust sense of coaching. Just like the author, it is amusing, punchy and really comforting to have access to in all presentation situations."
Michel Combes, CEO,Vodafone Europe

"Required reading for anyone who wants their presentations to enthuse rather than euthanize their audience."
Tim Curtis, MD, Northern Europe, Land′s End

"Graham is a highly effective presentation coach. He is always honest and gets straight to the point. His book is just as direct and entertaining as he is in person."
Nick Jeffery, CEO, Vodafone Global Enterprise

"I don′t know anyone who could wear the label ′the presentation coach′ more confidently than Graham."
Daniel Finkelstein, Executive Editor, The Times

"I use Graham′s system strictly and religiously in every speech. In fact on almost every important occasion when I need to get a message across.... You will never regret buying and using this book."
George Clarke, MD, Heidelberg UK

"Graham helped me develop my very own presentation style, true to myself, with high impact and focused very much on the audience."
Phil Clarke, CEO Designate, Tesco

"Graham′s approach is ruthlessly robust and utterly practical. This book is the next best thing to seeing him in person, and much less of a strain on your budget."
Matthew Wilson, CEO Brit Global Markets

"...Davies′s compelling book illuminates all the pitfalls and provides a simple guide to allowing personality into presentations – radical stuff indeed!"
Andy Street, MD, John Lewis

"Whether you are a Prime Minister, chief executive or anyone else who needs make an impact, then you must read this challenging and innovative book by Graham Davies."
Neil Sherlock, Partner, Public Affairs, KPMG

"...I wish Graham had written it 20 years ago..."
Richard Klein, MD, Bank of America Merrill Lynch

"Never again will you commit the crime of Death by Bullet–Point."
Penny Philpot, Group Vice President, Worldwide Partner Services, Oracle

"Graham Davis is a talented gagmeister who shows that the best way of exposing a bad argument is with a good joke."
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London

"Reading his book will spur you on to win your own presentational race."
Richard Dunwoody, twice winner of the Grand National

"Graham completely reframed my approach to presenting. His approach works!"
Otto Thoresen, CEO, Aegon UK

"A process that you can use no matter what the situation. I heartily recommend it."
Michael Gove MP

"This book is not a coaching guide for the faint–hearted. Prepare to be beaten into being bloody brilliant!"
Francis Edmonds, broadcaster, author and professional speaker

Customer Reviews

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

Much lighter than Tablets of Stone! 29 Sep 2010

By Brian Butterly

Format:Paperback

I eagerly awaited this book as I know I have drifted into some bad habits in using PowerPoint. What I found was immediately rewarding.

It is many years since I went on some formal training for presentation skills, which incidentally was superb, but it is so easy to get stale and forget some of the basics on preparation.

Graham Davies (GD) has tackled the subject in a well structured way with a easy to follow "pipeline map" to guide us through analysis and design to the target outcome. He also points out that there are so many forms and types of presentation where this advice, preparation and delivery will mean better results are achieved.

I tried some of the changes at my first face to face meeting, after reading the book, where I had analysed and improved my micro-statement approach. The results were good; my colleagues were enthusiastic, interested and convinced about the discussion we had. My opening "spike" seemed to work.

I will have to re-read the book and certain chapters several times to really get the improvements and satisfaction I want. I am convinced that my future presentations in message, supporting content and impact to my audience will improve step by step. It took me a while to understand the "bare knuckle" aspect but I eventually clicked with the term - for a Knockout result. I also know I have a tendency for delivering too much detail and this is nicely addressed in the preparation and filtering and editing areas.

I was half expecting the book to be quite turgid and full of complexity - not the case. GD has an `easy to read' and inclusive style and so reading is very quick and painless. I could apply all of the lessons to my business focussed world - I am never going to be an after dinner speaker! But, with a few more reads and a following wind, who knows what I may achieve this time next year?

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

Straight-talking, side-splitting - this is truly terrific! 6 Oct 2010

By LegalEagle

I started reading this book on the Tube home and became so engrossed that I continued reading it whilst cooking my dinner, eating said dinner and subsequently whilst sitting in front of my empty plate. It is rare to find a practical guide which also manages to be incredibly funny - I laughed out loud at least six times. I will certainly be using the techniques myself - I almost cheered at the end of the diatribe about Powerpoint, currently the bane of my life. I was glad the author also finally rubbished the "body language" theory; perhaps now all career-management presenters will stop chanting that smug nonsense at the beginning of every seminar. In short, I thought this book was marvellous: concise, energetic and totally user-friendly. I urge anyone even thinking of doing any sort of presentation to buy this immediately.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

Buy this book. Act on the advice. Bask in the applause. 30 Sep 2010

By rogerlakin

This book doesn't mess around. It's the literary equivalent of having the information punched into your head. And it's all priceless advice based on the author's extensive experience on his hind legs working audiences and knocking some of the very biggest hitters of the business and political worlds into shape. It's also very funny. You'll laugh as you learn.
As a professional speechwriter, my instinct is to pick out some choice examples to illustrate why I think this is such a powerful book. Why it's so good on grabbing the audience's attention. Why it's so good on brevity and simplicity. Why it's brilliant on clarity of purpose. But it's all good. There's not a word wasted. If you want to make better speeches and presentations, order a copy. And make use of it.