Have you ever worked for hours, days or months on a sales presentation, only to have the big day arrive and you somehow can’t close the deal? Or maybe you have a terrific offer for a potential customer, but you just can’t seem to get the powerful message that’s in your mind to sound as exciting once it comes out of your mouth. Developing a winning sales presentation is key to having a successful business, and it’s always a good idea to learn from the experts. So in this two-part series, you’ll learn about the four stages of great presentations, according to one of the world's leading human resources and management consulting organizations: Dale Carnegie. Everyone who has ever been in the sales arena has heard about Dale Carnegie courses, and how the company has perfected the practice that allows anyone with public speaking and presentation needs to become polished professionals who communicate their ideas across with poise and enthusiasm. "Whether you are persuading colleagues, selling a client or energizing a team, the power of your presentation makes the difference between success and failure," says Peter Handal, President, Chairman and CEO of Dale Carnegie Training. "These techniques are useful for managers, executives, sales people and anyone who might meet members of the media. Anyone that is part of a workplace will find the opportunity to utilize these techniques whether they are presenting to colleagues, clients or potential investors." Dale Carnegie Training provides four stages to perfecting your presentation, and here is the first one: Plan - Describe your audience as it relates to the topic and define the purpose of your talk as it relates to the outcome you seek. Plan the content of your presentation around your purpose and your audience's interest and level of understanding. Use words and phrases common to your audience, and focus on your purpose. The final three stages are key, and will be shared in the next installment of this series. | 
