A Primer For Creating A Good Presentation

The ability to present effectively is key to consulting success. If you and members of your team cannot effectively present ideas you may be missing out on opportunities. But at the worst, you’re losing credibility, which ultimately could mean losing your client. An immense amount can be written about this subject so this is merely a primer on good presentation skills and some of the questions to ask yourself before putting together a presentation.

Know your audience

Are they decision-makers? Technical people? What do they already know, and what are you trying to teach them? What is the best way to present to them in order for them to hear what you’re trying to say? Do they know there’s a problem, so you can jump right into presenting the solution?

Organize your presentation

A presentation can flow in many different ways depending on the topic, audience and purpose of the presentation.  Here is a general outline for organizing  your presentation:

• Introduction.  Define the people involved and purpose of the presentation
• Preparation.  Outline the decisions or issues for your audience.
• Process.  Discuss how the proposed decisions were made or how the issues were researched. Who was involved? How much time was spent? Who already agrees?  Answer the “five Ws & H” (who? what? where? when? why? how?). Define success.
• Payload.  Make recommendations,  ask for input, or request a decision. Remember, if you’re making multiple points, save your strongest point for last.
• Conclusion.  Explain next steps and timing.  Do whatever it takes to initiate a call to action.

Practice your delivery and timing

Practice what you’re going to present. Make sure it fits within the allotted timeline you have available. This is very hard to do for some people. The harder it is for you, the more important it is.

Predict and prepare for questions and objections

Do not be caught off guard. Put yourself in your audience’s shoes, and to the best of your ability, predict what they’re going to ask or what objections might be raised. When possible, work the answers into your main presentation. If they’re better addressed in Q&A, just be ready. Preparedness reduces nervousness!

Manage participation

When you’re presenting, stand up, even if you’re in a small room. Have a pen or whiteboard marker in your hand, even if you’re not planning to write something down. Standing and being prepared to write establishes you at the center of attention and the facilitator. When you’re ready to encourage discussion you may choose to sit down and relinquish the center of attention.

Add Humor

A bit of humor can put people at ease. Be funny (if you can), but don’t be offensive. Know your audience. Google some silly jokes that you feel comfortable with, or tell a short but humorous story that is relevant to the topic.  People will remember feeling good about your presentation if you can make them laugh.

If you are prepared everything else tends to fall into place. Mastering these skills will raise your credibility as a consultant.  We’d love to hear your thoughts and anecdotes about things that have made presentations go from “good” to “great”.