Presentation Round Up - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

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Looking to stand out in the crowd? Yet still need to 'fit in' to the corporate culture, norms and standards for business presenting? Don't fret. You're not alone.

 

Millions of people grapple with this tough dilemma. You want to be different, cutting-edge and radical. But you don't want to alienate your boss, clients or prospects.

 

Hey, what's the right thing to do?

 

In many popular books by leading experts in public speaking, you'll find similar advice. It's all about standing out and shining. You'll find commands such as: Be unique. Get radical. Push the envelope. Go for shock and awe. Break the rules.

 

While this sounds good on paper, in the back of your mind, you're thinking about 'real world' issues:

 

"What would my boss say?"

 

"That would never fly in my firm."

 

"In your dreams, buddy."

 

Let's face the facts. Daring presentations are essential and important.  But there are organizational expectations and realities to face up to -- if you want to keep your job.

 

In planning your next presentation, look at your options in 3-buckets: the good, the bad...and the ugly.

 

The Good

 

Action: You take a radical approach to presenting.

 

Instead of a hum-drum PowerPoint pitch, you turn on the juice with whiteboard presenting. By getting your audience involved in a lively discussion, you expose a hot issue that your clients are going crazy about -- one that your firm is able to solve.

 

Result: Good!

 

Your boss commends you for taking the risks. Plus he is thrilled because you've brought in the rewards. Now, he wants you to find a training company that teaches visual storytelling so all the members of your team can be as proficient at the whiteboard as you are.

 

Benefit: Good!

 

You get an A+. Your boss loves your work. Your team admires you as their natural leader. Oh, yes. Don't forget that hefty bonus check.

 

The Bad

 

Action: You take a radical approach to presenting.

 

You ditch the boring corporate-approved slide deck in favor for a whiteboard approach to storytelling.

 

Figuring that sketching with a marker in front of a group isn't as hard as it looks...you jump in without coaching, practice or training.

 

What happens? Your busy clients are intrigued by your whiteboard scrawl. But they are looking bewildered. They aren't sure why you bothered. Hint: if people can't read your writing or understand your visual diagrams, your whiteboard presentations are going to bomb.

 

Result: Bad!

 

Your boss is pissed off! After yelling at you in front of the team, you are treated to the silent treatment. Not sure how to proceed, you toy with several options:

 

1. Get training in whiteboard interaction

 

2. Never use a whiteboard again

 

3. Start sending out your resume

 

Benefit: Instead of jumping first and getting help later, you now know the importance of targeted coaching and training! One bad experience is enough to light a fire underneath you. No more waiting. You're actively seeking out coaching, training and online classes. No more procrastination. You're focused on building your skills and getting help right now.

 

The Ugly

 

Action: You take a conservative approach to presenting.

 

Instead risking embarrassment and humiliation at the whiteboard, you grip on to your clicker and run with the same slide deck you used last time.

 

Feeling confident in your client presentation, you don't check in with other team members. Moving along in the corporate-approved deck, you have a sense of warm certainty in your tummy that everything is going your way. No rocking the boat like some of your other teammates.

 

Result: Ugly!

 

Your boss flips out! You get the riot act. Some wild yelling and head slapping, accompanied with: "I can't believe you showed that generic deck to these clients! We were counting on that deal. What were you thinking?!"

 

Feeling betrayed and disillusioned, you ask for help from a close teammate. He tells you that the newest trend in presenting is visual storytelling. He shows you how to draw icons and create a simple visual diagram at a whiteboard. In just minutes, you've got an easy story to tell that is fun, inspiring and anything but hum-drum.

 

Benefit: While you start sending out your resume for a new job, you now have a new awareness of presentation trends. You're a lot less likely to rely on the same-old-same-old the next time you're in front of busy clients.

 

In fact, you'll be much more prepared to blow your audience away with whiteboard sketches and visual storytelling. Just the thing that important clients and prospects can relate to.

 

Now, let's get personal. What's your plan for your next high-stakes presentation? Take a close, hard look. Aim for interaction and visual storytelling. Remember this: Your boss and clients will love it. Imagine the rewards and benefits: you'll get an A+ and land a big bonus.