The questions that arise after a presentation may frighten you even more than the presentation itself, yet they are a great opportunity to reinforce your main message, correct any misunderstandings, and provide supplementary content. You can increase your effectiveness by preparing for questions and by giving yourself the time to answer optimally.
To prepare for questions, anticipate them. Think of what your audience might want to know — for example, details you initially planned to include but left out to keep your presentation under the time limit. Practice your presentation in front of colleagues and let them ask you questions. If you think slides would help you answer some of the anticipated questions, consider creating them.
When receiving a question, do not rush into answering it. First, listen to the entire question to make sure you understand it; do not interrupt the questioner. Then, make sure the other attendees understand the question: If they might not have heard it, repeat it; if they heard it but might not understand it, rephrase it. Finally, and even if you know the answer, think: Take time to construct a concise, to-the-point answer. You will not appear more knowledgeable by answering questions quickly; you reveal your expertise by answering them usefully.
When taking questions, Marie listens carefully, occasionally asking a question for clarification. She can then provide a more useful answer, one that is short and to the point.
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