1. Presentation Inspiration
KineticFuture: Leadership Communications Coaching
Mind The Gap & Create A Bridge
Last week, a senior pharmaceutical marketer told me that one of the reasons she was such a
successful presenter was due to a key piece of advice she was given very early on in her career.
The advice was ….when you write your presentation or proposal, remember that you've made
quite a long journey to reach your conclusions. But your audience hasn't even started. You've
taken hours thinking about the issues and what's required but to them it's a completely new
concept.
So "Mind the Gap and Create a Bridge"
Think about the gap between where you are and where they are right now. And then you need to
find a way to build a bridge between you both and take them on a journey to explain your
recommendations.
It's great advice and it's easy to forget.
So what will help you do this?
First of all, find a way to connect to where your audience is now.
You could start by raising questions or concerns you know are really 'hot'. Get it on the table.
Show that you empathise with what's really happening. Call a spade a spade. For example, if the
targets are tough let them know you recognise this. If you know that the audience is very
skeptical - present the top three objections as your first slide. You'll get their attention.
You could set out the current situation in an imaginative way. Could you use a video clip from a
TV comedy sketch that illustrates the problem? What about vox pop interviews or secret filming to
demonstrate what's really happening? Or a few killer figures brought to life.
You could begin with a debate or discussion and then move into your recommendation. Research
has shown people are much more engaged in an issue if you engineer disagreement and debate.
Then take them through a strong story that helps them understand, care and want to take action.