by A presentation serves as a valuable tool when looking to inform or come to a decision. The content, aesthetics, and delivery matter equally in educating and gaining buy-in. The presenter takes on the role of a story teller, instead of, simply, a messenger. An effective presentation changes the hearts and minds of your audience.
(1) Know your audience
Your audience requires a tailored message and story. Adjust the amount of detail dependent on the decision-making level of the group. A business owner or senior executive needs to understand the general concept and implications of the material. Save the details for the appendix but prepare for any questions that might come up.
For the same subject matter, a non-management employee depends on the added detail as this may have implications for his/her work. Ex-Consultants Agency hosts a workshop where former consultants teach the concepts around hypothesis development and presenting data. With sound fundamentals around gathering the right information, you can tell the right story, to the right audience.
(2) The ‘Look and Feel’
A presentation might prove to have more impact than originally intended. Colleagues and professionals typically share and discuss the content outside of the original meeting or forum. A polished look and feel ensures your message and intent is clear without you having to present the material. Utilize consistent formatting when choosing typefaces and fonts. I like using Source Sans Pro as it’s a clean sans-serif typeface; LinkedIn uses it as it’s primary type family. Avoid distracting colors, images, and page elements as they can detract from the message.
(3) Delivery
The Situation, Complication, Resolution framework (S-C-R) helps with telling the story. This structured approach keeps your audience engaged by telling them what they need to know. The “Situation” consists of the facts and assumptions that your group can agree on. “Complication” pertains to the analysis and deduction in the current environment. Finally, the “Resolution” provides the solution to the complication.
The order in which you choose to present the S-C-R framework sets the tone for your story. A natural flow opens with the situation and closes with the resolution, while, something with more urgency, starts with the complication and ends with the resolution. The Entrepreneurship Club at Columbia University further explains the S-C-R framework in The Art of PowerPoint Communication.
A story teller leverages their presentation to captivate and persuade. The message changes dependent on the audience and delivery method. Next time, win over your audience with an effective presentation.
Xavier Chang Pan Huo
All groups and enterprises need to strive towards their full potential. Xavier applies his business and Information Systems background to evaluate workflow processes, recommend efficiencies, and provide tenacious execution of strategic plans to uniquely position your business for success. He specializes in big picture planning and process improvement to optimize growth opportunities in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism; Consumer Products and Services; and Technology-enabled Non-Profit industries.
