How To Win An Award In Whiteboard Presenting

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Looking for ways to wrap up an intense selling conversation with a bang? Discover this creative 7-step plan for whiteboard presenting. Use it to sell your ideas with poise, skill and professionalism.

 

Working interactively at a whiteboard allows everyone to get involved. Plus, it’s a powerful way to support all the information, ideas and proposals that you’ve just covered.

 

Think of whiteboard presenting in this use as the ‘frosting on the cake.’ You’ll plan your interactivity throughout your sales conversation or demo, and then end with a grand finale.

 

Here’s how you can set it up and practice your skills for maximum impact.

 

Step 1. Announce at the beginning of the event that you will have an awards ceremony at the end. The awards are given out by an “Academy” and not by you.

 

Step 2. Plan a metaphor or fictional “Academy” and topic that match the content you are discussing. Topics could include variations on these themes:

 

Best overall performance in a project discussion.

Best demonstration of a proposed product.

Best performance for raising a critical objection.

Best project management/time management tip.

Most outstanding supporting role in the sales event.

 

Adapt these topics so that it is a creative and logical match for your product, service or sales topic.

 

Step 3. Within the sales event, have a timeslot for discussing categories and gaining agreement amongst the group.

 

Step 4. Ask participants to reflect on the categories and submit nominations for participants who have done the best in each area.

 

Step 5. Compile the results prior to the end of your event.

 

Step 6. Simulate an actual Awards ceremony such as the one done for Academy awards for film. Use the whiteboard as a backdrop, drawing a curtain, announcing the awards with flourish, and posting winners.

 

Step 7. Reveal the winners using envelopes to add mystery and ritual. Add additional rewards in alignment with your topic, business and purpose.

 

It’s next to impossible to ‘fail’ at giving Awards. If you are looking for creative inspiration, do the challenging tasks: watch award shows, game shows, and talk show hosts. You’ll get loads of ideas to develop flair and passion to your delivery.

 

What makes this a powerful way to finish a sales event? First, it rewards participants for their contributions and participation in the process. Second, it adds a spark of creativity and passion into an otherwise serious or formal environment. Third, it reinforces key themes and ideas to increase memorability.

 

As you contemplate where you could use this, there’s another dimension to notice. In planning this activity, what happens? You easily shift into creative thinking, somewhat like planning a festive event. It’s a happy feeling of joy and celebration.

 

While many sales events are dominated by caution, uncertainty and performance anxiety, this kind of Awards ceremony shifts the needle. Instead of worrying about whether you will ‘close the deal’ you are focusing on creating a highly interactive, engaging and meaningful experience.

 

Now you choose. Which kind of sales presentation event do you think your client is most likely to remember?