MGT368/4 - Advanced Communication and Presentation Skills for Managers Fall 2025
Course
Here is the course outline:
1. Class 1
Sep 2 11:15am .. 2pm
Students will be introduced to the course. Students will also be oriented to the course’s syllabus, which includes the course assignments, learning outcomes, and schedule. Each student presented a fellow student based on short questionnaire elicited in pairs. Reading for class 2: Presentation Zen: Chapters "Introduction" & "Preparation" Assignment due for class 2: Journal #1 - see assignment / gradebook |
2. Class 2
Sep 9
Script, preparation & structure of presentations, story-telling, Dan Pink: A whole new mind Reading for class 3: Presentation Zen: Chapters "Design" & "Delivery" Assignment due for class 3: Journal #2 - see assignment / gradebook |
3. Class 3
Sep 16
Design of presentation: Review of "Presentation Zen"'s advice on slide design. Discussing basic set-up of preparation of a presentation, i.e. in which sequence preparing the presentation. Decide at first the last slide which must have Call-To-Action (CTA). Then decide first slide. Then pillar slides of the flow, then the connecting bridge slides. In addition, examination of variances of slide design depending on target audience: "Ballroom", "Board Room", "Discussion Document". Discussion about consistency, space and visuals. Implications for presentation of factual information in graphs & tables. Headlines must be conclusions, not just findings. Homework for class 4: 1. Choose an easy topic where you don’t have to worry about your script. Make it easy for yourself (max. 2 minutes) Focus ONLY on delivery. No visuals. Overdo it. Play. Explore. Experiment. Train it at home. Get crazy in front of a mirror. 2. Put special attention on you voice. Search & watch at least 3 videos from Vinh Giang on Youtube about using our voice as our most powerful instrument. RECORD YOURSELF AND WATCH YOUR RECORDING. THEN, IMPROVE YOUR DELIVERY AND MAKE SURE YOU RECORD IT AGAIN. WATCH THE NEW RECORDING HOW THE IMPROVEMENT LOOKS. GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE! |
4. Class 4
Sep 23
Students presented their out-of-the-box presentations |
5. Class 5
Sep 30
Students presented their presentations for the assignment Presentation #1 |
6. Class 6
Oct 7
The art of a good speech (1). Differences between speech and presentation. Students collect speech occasions. Detailed audience analysis is a must for a successful speech. Templates & instructions given. Introduction of rhetoric elements ethos, logos, pathos with usage examples. Speech analysis. Midterm Assignment: For class 7: Pick your favorite speech. Show it in class and explain why you like it. Submit your cheat sheet with your arguments |
7. Class 7
Oct 14
Midterm Exam Students will present their selections from assignment. Analysis & class discussion. |
8. Class 8
Oct 21
Online presentations (1) Description: We will be talking about the difference between live and online presentations. What must be changed? We will also discuss do’s & don’ts of presenting online, how to avoid some pitfalls, and some tips & tricks. Homework: watch videos 6 & 7 from Florian Mueck and the Garr Reynolds video (links in presentation from class) * Assignment: Journal #4 * Assignment: Prepare a short online presentation to be held next class. Choose your own topic. Tip: Use some props. Pay attention to all the do's & don'ts you have learned in class and from Journal #4. No submission required |
9. Class 9 - ONLINE
Nov 11
THIS CLASS IS AN ONLINE CLASS Topic: Students’ Online presentations - GRADED Description: Students will do their online presentation. |
10. Class 10 Make up for this class TBD
Nov 11
As a make up for the cancelled class on November 4 pick please submit an essay: Pick one out of 2 alternatives as described in the file attached here. |
11. Class 11
Nov 18
Topic: Elevator Pitch Description: We will discuss how to prepare an elevator pitch, how to deliver, students will then deliver their pitches and we will discuss in class. Reading: TBD Assignments/deadlines: Prepare elevator pitch Journal Entry #5 |
12. Class 12
Nov 25
Students will train short mock interviews based on real job postings of their choice. This is also given as Journal #6. |
13. Class 13
Dec 2
Online mock interviews (graded as presentation, not content). |
14. Class 14
Dec 9
Final Exam |