AMACOM - How to Prepare, Stage, and Deliver Winning Presentations

AMACOM - How to Prepare, Stage, and Deliver Winning Presentations

Presentations Play a Powerful Role:

People have been giving presentations with visual aids since time
began. Cave dwellers supplemented their tales with wall paintings; the
Egyptians probably got progress reports on the pyramids’ construction
via hieroglyphics; and Moses relayed the rules of life with the Ten
Commandments.
Presentations can open doors, win and sustain business, and communicate
with management and colleagues. Here are eight important
roles they play:
1. Aiding in the Pursuit of New Business. A company pursuing a
competitive bid from government agencies or larger prime contractors,
a civic economic development committee convincing industry
to relocate, an advertising agency going after a new client.
2. Getting Backing for Growth or Image. An entrepreneur needing
start-up money from venture capitalists, an expanding company
floating a new financing program, the company president addressing
the Chamber of Commerce.
3. Reporting Status of Ongoing Projects to Customers or Management.
Design reviews, product updates, investigation reports.
4. Helping Management Stay Informed for Astute Decision Making.
Status of employee morale, budget reviews, requests for new
equipment, go-ahead to pursue a new business line.
5. Keeping Employees Involved, Informed, and Current. Motivation
meetings, new employee orientation, training seminars.
6. Communicating Among Peers. Industry trade shows, professional
society annual conferences, management meetings.
7. Personal Interests. Convincing the Council to spend money on a
new library, encouraging high school freshmen to stay off drugs,
getting elected.
8. Getting Hired or Promoted. Today many organizations are less
interested in the resume, and more in how candidates present
themselves.