Earlier this week, I wrote about how I drafted a presentation for what I assumed would be a demanding audience with high expectations. (The fact that they could leave the presentation at any time and were not obligated to stay for the end was a little intimidating as well.) Read how I got my ideas together HERE…Now, part II – the presentation itself!
The first question to the group: “What does it be mean to be wired to work at ZS Associates?” Out came some great answers: Creativity, analytical thinker, intellectual curiosity, structured problem solver, good planner and one funny comment: the ability to live on six hours or less of sleep. The entire room laughed and there was a good vibe.
Now the audience was well positioned to hear that Sales Operations employees share similar wiring. This is where I used five personal stories to explain five key traits to a success sales operations associate. Yes, it’s a little risky to use five stories. Would everyone remember all five stories? Probably not, but everyone found at least one story that resonated with them, and they had a few laughs at my expense, as they were childhood stories. I convinced them that we shared similar skills and talents and that any advice from me would be helpful.
The whole presentation is available for you to view below. I won’t share all the stories now that are represented on slides 1-8. As a reader of this blog you already know the clock story. (At some point, I will share all the stories with you.)
After each of the two-minute vignettes it was time to introduce some advice. Slides 9-24 bring forward some new ideas to the group. These slides were a little more academic when compared to the fun stories at the beginning, but everyone was actively listening because they were engaged from the opening.
I could not risk losing anyone in the audience in sides 9-24, so I also inserted some appreciative comments for my listeners on slide 20. Maintaining a connection throughout a presentation is key to success.
Finally, slides 25-27 end with some results that proved the new ideas are working and that this group should consider them.
I met my objective, and no one in my audience got up to take an “emergency call” or to attend “another meeting.” They not only stayed in the room, but they asked many questions at the end, and then stayed around to talk after the formal presentation.
When you think about your listeners and plan an engaging presentation, you will be highly valued for bringing forward new ideas.
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After completing the Communicate to Win workshop, you will have the most compelling argument and the best ideas. With this complete package, you will gain the tools necessary to guarantee that you have the best ideas and that you can present them confidently so you will WIN. Read what participants say.
photo by Katrina Snaps. Used by permission.