Have you ever noticed that when people are making a business presentation, very often, they make the story sound super complicated? Have you ever noticed that once they sit down, and it is over, and someone asks simple questions, they can give simple, coherent answers? Have you ever listened to something they say in Q&A and think to yourself, “Why didn’t you just say that in the presentation?”
We see this all the time. People present, and the pressure of the formal presentation causes people to make things more complicated than they have to be. But when the presentation is over, and you ask those super simple questions, the story always seems to become far easier to understand.
So what is the solution? Pretty simple, actually:
1. In your preparation, ask yourself simple questions, like “What is my goal?” Or, “What am I recommending?” Or, “Why should say they ‘yes’ to my idea?” Or, “What help do I need from the audience?”
2. Write your answers down.
3. When the presentation starts just say all the stuff you wrote down.
It’s not that simple, you say?
Actually… it is.
Just. Tell. People. What. You. Think/Want/Need/Recommend. And why it makes sense. AND… if you can make it make sense from their perspective, all the better.
If you can learn how to make things simple for your audience, you will have competitive advantage. And you can start by making it simple for yourself.
Period. Full stop.
Have a great day.
Does your team:
– Take too long to make decision?
– Fail to ask for what it wants or needs from you?
– Make things too complicated?
– Deliver unconvincing or disorganized presentations?
– Have new hires who are unprepared to communicate in the workplace?
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