Pesticides and Risk Communication PPP-52 - Purdue Pesticide ...

message simple and to the point. Don’t risk sounding evasive or arrogant,
and don’t be a know-it-all!
Be Courteous
Courtesy demonstrates respect and can earn you the trust of your
audience. As you draw people into your presentation, be aware of
cultural differences and be careful not to embarrass anyone. A word or
gesture meant to embellish your talk may offend someone, out of
context, so be very cautious; a remark gone wrong is a high price to pay
to make a point or to generate a laugh. And remember: The genuine,
old-fashioned handshake is still an effective method of recognition that
tells people you are pleased to see them and interested in what they
have to say.
Address People by Name
Addressing people by name is an effective way to connect with the
audience. At many programs, each person wears a name tag. Call
people you know, by name; but if the person to whom you are speaking
is not a friend or acquaintance, address them by their last name preceded
by Mr. or Ms. When someone asks a question, ask his name and
use it in response.
Listen to Others
A true expert is always interested in learning about others’ experiences
relative to his field. So be a good listener. Wherever you go, ask
people to share their personal knowledge on pesticides and pesticide
management. They may add a local twist that you have not encountered
elsewhere—and you might learn something! People love to tell their
own tales, and your interest in what they have to say will establish good
rapport and expand your expertise.
Answer Questions
Some speakers instill audience participation by taking questions
throughout their presentation. But this approach works for some speakers
and not others. It serves people who cannot focus on whatever else
you have to say unless and until they get their question answered, but it
can be distracting for you and others. Also, questions breed questions;
and it is easy to get caught up answering questions and deplete your
allotted time without addressing everything you had planned.
If you cannot maintain your momentum when fielding questions,
simply tell your audience, up front, that you will leave plenty of time for
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