What's the Best Course? Evidence From Alumni on the Value of Business Presentations Preparation

Abstract

Developing effective presentation skills is a core competence skill for business communicators. Self-report data from a survey of 1,610 2- to 12-year business alumni show that 37.1% present monthly and 27.9% present weekly in their current positions. Alumni who completed a general public speaking course, or both managerial communication and a public speaking course, reported higher current levels of confidence across 12 aspects of business presentations than alumni who took only a managerial communication course or who relied on embedded presentation assignments in disciplinary courses. Gains were reported for content skills since graduation, with less confidence handling nervousness and delivery.

Keywords:

• alumni
• assurance of learning
• business presentations
• confidence
• public speaking course