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How to
Handle That Dreaded Question & Answer Period
(c) 1998 LJL Seminars
Many presentations today are followed up with a question
and answer period. To some people this can be the most
exciting part of the presentation. To others it can be
there worst nightmare. In fact, there are some
presenters who purposely avoid the question and answer
period all together. Below I have provided a 5 step
approach to handling questions along with some
additional tips to make your next question and answer
session go smoother.
1. Listen to the entire question
Listen to the entire question BEFORE you begin to answer
any questions. Too many people start responding to a
question before the entire question is even asked. Not
waiting to hear the entire questions can result in you
providing a response which had nothing to do with the
question. Force youself to LISTEN to the entire question
and make sure you understand the question.
2. Pause and allow yourself time the value the question
and listener. REPEAT the question outload so the entire
audience can hear it. It is important that everyone
"hear" the question or the answer you provide may not
make sense to some of the people. By repeating the
question, this will allow you some additional time to
evaluate the question and formulate a response.
3. Credit The Person for asking the question. You may
say something like, "That was a great question" or,
"Glad you asked that question" or even, "I get asked
that question by many people". One word of caution. If
you credit one person with asking a question, be sure to
credit EVERYONE for asking a question. You don't want
people to feel their question was not as important.
4. Respond to the Question honestly and the best you
can. If you do NOT know an answer to a question, do not
try to fake it. Be honest, and tell them you do not know
but DO promise to research the answer for them and DO
get back to them.
5. Bridge to the next question by asking them a
question. "Does that answer your question?", "Is that
the kind of information you were looking for?". This is
critical.. Once they responde to you, "YES" you now have
permission to go onto the next person. This also gives
them one more opportunity to say, "No" and allow them to
clarify their question more by asking it again.
Additional Tips on Handling Questions
A. Ask people to stand up when they ask a question. This
does two things: (1) It shows you more readily who is
asking the question, and (2) It make it easier for the
audience to also hear the question.
B. Have small sheets of paper available for people to
write down their questions during your presentation.
They may forget what they were going to ask earlier.
C. Allow people to pass the questios to you if they feel
uncomfortable standing up and asking the question out
loud. This gives the person who truly wants to ask a
question an option.
D. Always repeat the question - this does three things:
(1) it makes sure you understood the question, (2) it
gives you a chance to value the question and think of an
answer, and (3) it assures the other people iin the
audience can hear the question since you are facing
them.
E. Always take time to think "before" you answer all
questions. This allows you time to think, especially for
those difficult questions. Do the same for those
questions you readily know the answer for. Responding
too quickly to those questions you are most comfortable
with will only bring attention to those question you do
not.
F. Have a pencil and paper available for you to write
down questions you can't answer. You may even elect
someone to record the questions on paper. This way, you
can properly follow up with the person who asked the
question you couldn't answer. Be sure to get their name
& phone number or address. Promise to get back to them
and DO get back to them.
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- Lenny Laskowski
- Lenny Laskowski is an international professional speaker and the author
of the book, No Sweat Presentations - The Painless Way to Successful Speaking and several
other publications. Lenny is also available for hire to speak to your organization,
college or association. Lenny also provides in-house seminars and workshops. Why not
contact Lenny today for your next function or event. Lenny can be found at his Web site, http://www.ljlseminars.com/ or can be contacted by
email at the following address: Sales@LJLSeminars.com.
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