Simon Raybould on Better Presentations, Audience Psychology and Why Structure Matters Most
In this episode of UK Business IQ, Geoff Nicholson speaks with Simon Raybould, presentation trainer, researcher and author, about why so many presentations fail and what actually makes them work.
Simon explains that it is not delivery that makes or breaks a presentation. It is structure. Drawing on research into audience learning, retention and communication, he shares a practical and often surprising perspective on what presenters get wrong and how to fix it.
The conversation explores presentation nerves, rehearsal, audience attention, story use and why most experts overload their listeners without even realising they are doing it. This is a valuable episode for anyone who presents, teaches, pitches or shares expertise as part of their work.
This episode explores Simon Raybould’s perspective on presentations, audience learning and communication based on his research and professional experience. The ideas shared are intended to help listeners communicate more clearly and effectively, but the best approach will vary depending on the audience, context and objective.
About Simon Raybould
Simon Raybould is a presentation trainer, researcher and author who helps people improve both their presentations and their ability to communicate ideas clearly. His work focuses on the science behind what makes presentations more understandable, memorable and useful.
In this episode
- Simon shares how he moved from research science into presentation training.
- He explains why structure matters more than delivery.
- He talks about the curse of the expert and how audiences get overloaded.
- He discusses presentation nerves and how to reduce them.
- He explains the difference between rehearsal and deliberate practice.
- He shares why stories work best when they are tactical and relevant.
- He explores how better communication leads to better impact.
Key takeaways
One of the strongest lessons in this episode is that the quality of a presentation depends far more on what happens before the speaker starts than most people realise. Better structure, clearer chapters and more thoughtful design make a huge difference to what audiences actually remember and do.
The episode also reframes presentation confidence in a helpful way. If you stop treating a presentation as performance and start treating it as teaching, the pressure shifts and the communication usually improves.
Timestamps
- 00:00 Introduction
- 01:00 Simon’s background and how he got into this work
- 03:00 Why structure matters more than delivery
- 05:00 The curse of the expert
- 08:00 Presentation nerves and pressure
- 11:00 What audiences actually remember
- 13:00 Practical ways to rehearse better
- 20:00 Images, abstraction and audience understanding
- 22:00 Tactical storytelling
- 33:00 Simon’s latest book and where to connect
Links
Connect with Simon on LinkedIn
Book
UK Business IQ
Do you feel like you are one of the best-kept secrets in your industry? UK Business IQ exists to help experienced business owners, professionals and experts share the insight, experience and thinking that often goes unseen. If you have a meaningful story, valuable expertise, or a perspective that could help other business leaders think differently, you can apply to be considered as a featured guest on the show. Visit www.geoffnicholson.co.uk/getfeatured to find out more and submit your application.
Final thought
This is a practical, research-led conversation for anyone who wants their presentations to become clearer, more memorable and more useful. A strong reminder that better communication starts long before you step on stage.
This episode explores Simon Raybould’s perspective on presentations, learning and communication based on his research and professional experience. The ideas shared are intended to help listeners think more clearly about presentation design and audience understanding, but the best approach will vary depending on context, audience and objective.
