Executive level presentations can seem like swimming in shark-infested seas, even for the intrepid business presenter. Stakes and visibility are both high.
This series of tips will help you make a few tweaks to your presentation practices so you can successfully navigate any C-Suite waters.
TIP #2: LINK TO BUSINESS ISSUES
Do some homework before the presentation and explore the over-arching business issues and challenges facing the executives you'll be speaking to. Every audience, no matter how senior, asks themselves the WIIFM (“What’s in it for me?”) questions.
- Why should I listen?
- What benefit will I get from this presentation versus all the other things I need to do?
- How will this information help me achieve my business goals?
Clearly show how your message is relevant to key issues the audience is focused on -- for example, corporate strategy, profitability, employee engagement, revenue or ROI. Don’t leave it up to them to figure out. Demonstrate the links through specific statements, examples and metaphors.
C-Level Presentation Tip #1: Start with Conclusions
Photo Credit:
Flickr/Blacktip Shark, Moorea, French Polynesia C.C. 2.0
And while I'd be the first to suggest that a good presentation does have an element of magic, props in a business presentation serve a much more worldly purpose: to aid the audience's understanding and involvement.
Posted by: Sales training | October 11, 2012 at 05:08 AM
Every C-suite person can benefit from this. Cut out the underbrush and offer the benefit upfront that pulls them into learn more
Vital presentations are like oxygen
A. Actionable
I. Have Interestingness
R. Relevant
Posted by: kare anderson | January 06, 2012 at 12:24 PM