Disadvantages of formal presentations

Formal presentations are crucial tools in the professional environment, as they provide us with the opportunity to communicate proposals or projects. To make the most of what they offer us, it is important to understand both the advantages they present and the possible disadvantages that could arise.

The objective of this section is to analyze the effect that these disadvantages have and how they limit the full attention span of the audience. By thoroughly understanding these characteristics, we will be better prepared to hone our presentation skills and achieve outstanding results.

The passive role of the audience: In formal presentations, there is usually a defined structure and a one-way flow of information, where the presenter is in control of the situation. This dynamic may limit the active participation of the audience, who may find it difficult to ask questions or express themselves freely. In this relationship, attendees adopt a passive role, making it difficult for them to take full advantage of the experience.

To avoid these and other limitations, it becomes essential to recognize the possible disadvantages and seek appropriate methods to avoid repeating these mistakes in future presentations.

Elements: Some of the disadvantages we might encounter will be explored below:

• Formal presentations are usually designed in advance and follow a predefined script or sequence. As a result, the ability to meet the specific characteristics and requirements of the audience is hindered.

• If an unexpected topic or question arises during the presentation, it may be difficult to incorporate it smoothly, which could lead to frustration and a feeling of failure. Emotions incompatible with the professional image we intend to demonstrate.

• Formal presentations, especially if they are long, often lack interactive elements. When explanations are presented in a boring manner and do not add value to people's lives, it is natural that the audience's attention will decrease. Following this logic, the memory process can also be affected and, as a consequence, the recall of information. Thus, all the effort, time and energy invested in the presentation will have been lost without achieving a productive result.

• When a formal presentation is not designed with accessibility to information for people with disabilities in mind. For example, the lack of captions on videos or the lack of descriptions of images can make it difficult for people with hearing or visual impairments to understand. This limits the participation of part of the audience, preventing them from fully accessing the presentation.

• When the content of a presentation is not clearly related to the reality and practical situations faced by the audience, there is a risk that it will be perceived as abstract or theoretical. If the people listening to you cannot visualize how they can apply what is presented in their own context, it is very likely that they will not find the information shared useful.

Disconnect between content and objectives: It is possible to identify the disconnect between the content of a presentation and the audience's objectives