Presentation

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The Mic Is Mightier Than The Voice: Yes, You Need To Use The Microphone!



There’s a strange phenomenon that seems to occur during small to medium-sized events when a speaker is about to take the stage and a microphone is extended to them.

“Oh, I don’t need a mic. I have a loud voice!” they confidently say, waving the mic away.

Indeed, they start strong. “Can everyone hear me?” they holler. Audience members nod. The speaker then proceeds to deliver an entire presentation, sans microphone.

Pet peeve unlocked.

Please. Always. Use. The. Mic.

This is something I will never understand and I see it happen often. My best guess is that some people find microphones to be a bit intimidating or scary. Think of it this way: if you’re ever handed a mic, you are quite the lucky person—a mic is a sign of importance.

Let’s uncover some hard truths about choosing to not use a microphone.

#1) Your voice isn't as loud as you might think.

It's likely not robust enough to sustain a strong volume throughout your entire presentation. Plus, who wants to strain their voice? Not much fun in that.

#2) Some audience members may pretend they can hear you because they don't want to admit they can't.

For some, not being able to hear is associated with aging, which feels uncool, so they won't confess they can’t quite make out what you’re saying. It’s an unfortunate stigma. Remember that hearing problems are a fact of life for many, including young people who went to too many loud concerts without earplugs. Since hearing loss is invisible, assume there's a variety of hearing abilities in your audience…and simply use the mic.

#3) If you're at an event with a Q&A session, use the mic when it's your turn to ask a question.

"But waiting for the mic is awkward!" Well, it's even more awkward if your question is only heard by those close by. Remember, if the speaker has a mic, you need one too.

"But won't the presenter repeat my question?" Sometimes, but that often leads to the audience tuning out. And if they don't repeat the question, it's even worse—half the audience is left bewildered.

#4) Is it a hybrid event? If you skip the mic, remote participants won't hear you.

I won't even go into detail on this one; it's pretty straightforward.

Be Heard!

Still not ready to embrace the microphone? Ok, answer this one question: why wouldn't you want every member of the audience to hear your every word? After all, you've invested time and effort crafting your remarks. Don't toss it all away just because you think your voice is loud enough or because you’re intimidated.

Ultimately, using the mic boils down to etiquette. It’s a way to demonstrate respect and consideration for your audience. Make sure your message reaches every ear, allowing everyone to benefit from what you have to say. Once you’ve experienced the power of a microphone, trust me, you'll be hooked.

Discover the incredible power of public speaking, a core skill that can transform your career and elevate your everyday interactions. Don't worry, it's totally achievable—anyone can conquer the art of speaking and presentations through practice. If you want to level up in this area, join me (on LinkedIn or visit my website) for some seriously cool techniques rooted in behavioral science, marketing strategy, and the performing arts. You deserve to be heard.

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The Mic Is Mightier Than The Voice: …



Picture this: You're about to deliver a presentation. As you step onto the stage, the audience applauds, eagerly awaiting your words. They're all ears and ready for your speech to unfold—essentially, they're at the peak of their attentiveness.

But how should you kick off your speech? Let's consider the following options:

1. Manners first. Start by thanking the emcee for a fantastic introduction or the event organizers for the invitation. For example: "I want to express my heartfelt thanks for that wonderful introduction and for having me here today as your speaker."

2. Convey enthusiasm. Infuse excitement into your opening words. For example: "I am absolutely thrilled and honored to be standing here, addressing this vital subject."

3. Boost the energy! Encourage the audience to clap for themselves or for the event organizers. For example: "Give yourselves a round of applause! Your presence here is truly appreciated!"

4. Keep it simple with a self-introduction and bio: “Hello, everyone! My name is…”

The answer is E) None of the above. Not one of these options is ideal for launching your speech effectively. By relying on these conventional and somewhat uninspiring techniques, you're not fully harnessing your power to connect with the audience. In fact, you might unintentionally divert their attention away.

One Of The Best Ways To Begin A Presentation, And Your Job As The Speaker


There's a better way to begin your presentation: Pause briefly. Lock eyes with your audience, building anticipation. Then, dive into one of the best (and my favorite) opening strategies: tell a compelling, emotionally charged story that instantly hooks your listeners in the first few words.

[Secret insight! A momentary pause is one technique professional actors use when beginning a monologue audition—it ensures the judging panel's undivided attention.]

Your job as the speaker is to do one or more of the following: teach, entertain/inspire, or persuade your audience. At the start of your speech, your primary mission is to grab the audience’s attention and draw them in. Failing to hook listeners at the beginning might result in them zoning out and missing the key points you’re about to present.

The Most Common Mistakes People Make At The Start Of A Speech


None of the four options posed at the beginning are interesting or will capture attention. Let’s break them down to dispel any doubts.

Manners first or conveying enthusiasm: If you want to thank people or say how excited you are to be there, you can! Later on in your speech. Your opener is no place for anything unrelated to your main topic. It’s your golden moment. Don’t waste it.

Boosting energy: While encouraging applause can elevate the room's energy, remember that you’re not a warm-up act at a pep rally. Also, if your topic is serious, clapping might seem out of place. Earn that applause through your content!

Simple self-intro: Introducing yourself might seem logical, but chances are, you've already been introduced in the program, on the screen behind you, or through promotional material. Apologies, but reiterating your name or going through your bio isn't a powerful enough opener…unless you're a one-name celebrity (and if so, I'm flattered you are reading this!).

The Significance Of Captivating Beginnings


​Why is it critical to capture your audience's attention from the get-go? Here’s where the psychological effects of primacy and recency come into play. Simply, people tend to remember the first and last things you say. Make those moments count. (More on how not to end your speech in another post.)

A reality check: You're competing with smartphones, fatigue, and even refreshments. Have you seen audiences scrolling through social media during a keynote speech? I certainly have. Don’t be boring. Thanking people, begging for applause, saying how excited you are, or starting with your bio might push the audience towards checking emails instead of listening to your critical message.

Engaging Beginnings And Beyond


What are some of the most captivating speech openers you've heard? Please share!

Discover the incredible power of public speaking, a core skill that can transform your career and elevate your everyday interactions. Don't worry, it's totally achievable—anyone can conquer the art of speaking and presentations through practice. If you want to level up in this area, join me (on LinkedIn or visit my website) for some seriously cool techniques rooted in behavioral science, marketing strategy, and the performing arts. You deserve to be heard.

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4 Bad Ways To Start A Speech …



In your career, you might climb the ladder and reach a point where it's time for you to present updates to C-suite members. This is a big opportunity—one you don't want to mess up. Presenting to the C-suite can be nerve-wracking, but, thankfully, there are many tips that can help you prepare for this opportunity.

We recently asked our leading executives how to present updates to C-suite members.

Here are their responses...

Melodie Turk, Learning Experience Executive


Presenting updates to the C-suite is a wonderful opportunity to showcase your project, demonstrate your own executive presence, and share valuable information. Here are three steps to presenting successfully (and a fourth if you've already done this):

  1. Know Your Audience. Whether it's one C-suite member or a group of them, make sure you understand their priorities. Also, try to find out their personal information-receiving style. Every piece of information you share will be assessed against their priorities and delivering it in a way they like to receive it will be an added bonus.
  2. Organize Your Information. Once you understand the audience a little better, organize your information—this might mean a formal PPT presentation or a detailed report, or something in between. As you put together your update, make clear correlations on how it may (or may not) impact their priorities and include any critical points they may need to make decisions in the future. You may also highlight a special achievement during the update but do relate it back to their priorities or help them understand the significance.
  3. Practice Your Delivery. You want to be able to deliver your update with confidence, which means you need to practice the delivery. You also need to practice giving answers to questions they may never ask. And you need to practice giving them a response when you don't have the answer or need more time to provide a more complete answer. In my experience, this is where I have seen the biggest failures—not being prepared.
  4. Delegate Your Delivery. I only recommend this fourth step if you have already given multiple updates to the C-suite. This could be a prime opportunity for you to delegate this delivery and give another person a development opportunity. If you do this, make sure to provide a personal introduction that shares just enough accolades of why you are allowing another to deliver your update.

My last tips:

  • Be succinct. This doesn’t mean brief (although it could be); it means making each piece of information valuable.
  • Be prepared and don’t make answers up on the fly. Practice what you know and be prepared to be upfront about what you don’t.

Melodie Turk is a learning experience executive with a unique background in the learning and development arena as well as change management. She is passionate about bringing change to the workplace—change that is meaningful and change that will last.

Lynn Holland, VP Sales & Business Development


Woman presents updates to executives/C-suite members

Presenting can be stressful, especially when presenting to the C-suite, but with a little effort to cater to this audience, it will set you up for success.

What’s that look like?

Part 1 – Right Thinking

Whether you are interviewing with, pitching, or in this case, presenting updates to the C-suite, think intently about this vision, strategy-driven vs. tactical executive-level audience that you’re going to address. Start with these questions:

  • What are their roles and what is important to them about this subject matter?
  • What is the data they need and how will they look to act on this data

Next, if possible, reach out to your key executives beforehand to float the agenda to see if there is anything they’d like to add or if there are particular data points they’re looking for, and give an opportunity for them to uncover any new details or concerns to guide your preparations.

Part 2 – Right Message

Now outline the main points and key data, tying them to a framework that is easy to convey and memorable. Something like “The 3 KPIs that we exceeded this quarter” and relate your points to big picture items like:

  • Making money
  • Saving money
  • Mitigating risk
  • Beating competitors
  • Improving the customer or employee journey

Part 3 – Right Execution

In light of your executive-level audience, use these (5) tips to deliver a message that holds their attention and is actionable:

  • Spare the big intro with context
  • Give the major conclusions up front
  • Use 1/3 of your allotted time to present with the balance for questions
  • Always give a handout for key info
  • If you use slides, no more than 10 with a clean design, heavy on images vs. text, and use a 30pt font

Lynn Holland is a business development executive with 18+ years of experience taking operational, IoT & retail technologies, products, & consumer engagement to market with a focus in petroleum & convenience retail.

Ana Smith, Talent Architect & Global Learning Strategist


Executive takes notes during an employee presentation to the C-suite

Presenting updates to C-level executives can be a daunting task for many professionals, especially if they lack experience or confidence in their presentation skills. However, with careful planning, preparation, and execution, anyone can effectively communicate updates to C-level executives in a clear and concise manner. Here are some tips on how to present updates to C-level executives:

  1. Know your audience: It is important to research and understand the background, interests, and priorities of the C-level executives you will be presenting to. This information can help you tailor your message to their specific needs and interests. For example, if you are presenting to a CEO who is primarily interested in revenue growth, you may want to focus your presentation on the financial metrics that demonstrate progress in that area.
  2. Define your objectives: Before you start preparing your presentation, it is important to clearly define your objectives. This could be to provide updates on a project, share key performance metrics, or propose a new strategy. Whatever your objectives are, make sure they are clear, measurable, and aligned with the overall goals of the organization.
  3. Keep it simple: C-level executives are often busy and may have limited time to review your presentation, so it is important to keep your message simple and to the point. Avoid using technical jargon or complex language that could confuse or bore your audience. Instead, use clear and concise language that is easy to understand.
  4. Use visuals: Visual aids such as graphs, charts, and infographics can help convey complex information in a clear and concise way. Make sure your visuals are easy to read and understand and use them strategically to highlight key points and support your message. For example, if you are presenting financial data, you may want to use a graph to show trends over time.
  5. Practice your delivery: Practicing your delivery can help you build confidence and ensure that you are able to deliver your message effectively. Practice in front of a mirror, record yourself, or ask a colleague to provide feedback on your delivery. This can help you identify areas for improvement and refine your message.
  6. Anticipate questions: C-level executives may have questions or concerns about the information you are presenting, so it is important to anticipate these and be prepared to respond. Take the time to research and address potential objections or questions ahead of time. This can help you demonstrate your knowledge and expertise and build credibility with your audience.
  7. Follow up: After your presentation, follow up with the C-level executives to ensure that they have all the information they need and to answer any additional questions they may have. This can help build trust and credibility and demonstrate your commitment to delivering value to the organization.

Overall, presenting updates to C-level executives requires careful planning, preparation, and execution. By understanding your audience, defining your objectives, keeping your message simple, using visuals, practicing your delivery, anticipating questions, and following up, you can effectively communicate your message and achieve your objectives in a clear and impactful way.

Ana Smith helps people & organizations achieve their full talent potential by developing and co-creating people strategies and customized solutions, and turning them into impactful outcomes and collaborative relationships, using coaching as the "red thread."

Michael Willis, Sports Business Operations Executive


Professional woman presents updates to executives/C-suite members

High-level executives—CEOs, CFOs, and CTOs—can be a difficult audience because of their limited time and high demand for their time. They are demanding and might interrupt the presentation whenever needed.

I might even go as far as to ask other colleagues who have already made a presentation to these C-suite executives. There could be some tangible takeaways from knowing what another group experienced.

You must prepare thoroughly with these three points to keep in mind:

1. Know Your Audience

You must prepare your presentation knowing how your audience will use the information you’re putting out. The information must be directly linked to their ability to do their job. These executives don’t deal with the nitty-gritty details. They deal with “big picture” issues.

2. Start at the End

Consider the main point you are here to prove with your presentation and state it first. A clearly stated objective works to retain the interest of the executives. This is the time for your hook.

Remember, these types of executives think strategically. They don’t think about day-to-day operations. Structure the presentation around the big picture.

3. Manage the Presentation

The presenter will be the central part of the executive’s attention. It’s okay to use visuals but don’t dwell on them.

Difficult questions are to be expected when presenting to a C-level audience. It isn’t unacceptable to admit that you don’t know the answer to a question. Don’t try to bluff a C-level crowd.

Don’t go into overtime. End the meeting on time!

Michael Willis has 18+ years of experience working with accounting & sports organizations and has managed P&Ls of $10M - $125M+ with budgets of $3M-$50M+. He worked for the NFL for 22 1/2 years, mainly with the game officials working on the financial/accounting side of the business.

Kathryn Marshburn, Music Program Manager


Professional man presents updates to executives/C-suite members

​While many teams find communicating with executives to be intimidating, I have found that it's an opportunity to showcase projects, develop visibility within organizations, and provide a roadmap for driving revenue.

Three tips for preparing for C-suite meetings should include:

  1. Know your audience and invite strategically, where not only decision makers are present but lateral team leaders who report to decision makers are present. This allows for consensus building before the meeting, where you can network for feedback prior to the meeting to get a sense of potential buy-in and prepare for any potential objections ahead of time.
  2. Prepare PowerPoint slides for support, to provide context, and to move into data and analysis quickly. Most executives are busy and require little information to make a decision, so keep providing talking points and revenue reports for the best time effectiveness. Allow space for questions during the presentation. If at all possible, share projected revenue results and/or expense for topic being presented.
  3. Preparation, preparation, and more preparation. Be natural and observe others. It's always tempting to just read reports and use notes, yet I find I am most impressed when a speaker can tell the story without looking at notes or the presentation and interacts with attendees. To me, this skill comes from true well-thought-out prep and practice. No one is a good speaker right from the start, but working and reviewing the data in a calm setting and investing time to feel prepared is SUPER valuable and should not be underestimated.

Finally, remember to have a meeting buddy that ahead of time can listen to your presentation and ask questions that pertain to your deal points. If you follow these suggestions you are bound to have an amazing C-suite meeting!

Kathryn Marshburn has spent 12+ years in the music and gaming industries guiding teams on identifying targeted goals with an agile approach resulting in driving revenue and reducing risk.

Mark Taylor, Product & Operations Executive


Employee presents updates to executives/C-suite members

A companion to last week’s discussion about effective presentations. Some complementary thoughts:

  • No surprises. Make sure negative news is pre-communicated.
  • The answer is yes. Now, what’s the question? But...
  • ...tell the truth. (Note the difference between “the truth” and “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”)
  • DYDWYSYWGTD? “Did you do what you said you were going to do?” If in the last meeting you said X, Y, and Z would be completed within the week, make sure that they were killed off 100%. (Tasks can be like cockroaches...)
  • Be concise. Use minimal decks. (There was feedback last week about how difficult it is to create a short deck. Understand that that’s what they pay you the big bucks for! Your grasp and oversight of what you own should be such that you can condense the complex into a simple short story.)
Mark Taylor has 20+ years of risk, technology, and product management experience working in global and regional financial services firms in the UK and the U.S. He's managed teams of 40+, successfully addressed 100+ regulatory issues, and has saved companies $15M+.

Lisa Perry, Global Marketing Executive


Woman presents updates to the C-suite/executives

​Presenting updates to C-suite is an extraordinary opportunity to showcase your skills, strategic thinking, and organizational contributions. Every time this opportunity arises, seize it enthusiastically and prepare to make a lasting impression. Here are 10 strategies and tips for presenting updates to C-suite members to propel your career to new heights:

1. Determine Your Purpose: Clarify your purpose, aligning your objectives with their strategic priorities. What do you want the C-suite members to do, think, or feel due to your presentation?

2. Understand Their Perspective: Executives focus on high-level strategic goals, financial performance, and organizational success. Tailor your presentation to their priorities, needs, and concerns. Frame your updates in a way that highlights the impact on the company’s bottom line, growth potential, or competitive advantage.

3. Craft A Compelling Narrative: Tell a story that engages the C-suite’s attention and resonates with their aspirations for the company. Connect your updates to the company’s mission, vision, and values. Weave a narrative that demonstrates the significance of your work and the positive impact it has on the organization’s trajectory.

4. Highlight Key Metrics & Results: Clearly articulate key metrics and outcomes in your update. Whether it’s financial performance, customer acquisition, or market share growth, provide tangible evidence of progress. Utilize charts, graphs, or visual aids to make the information more digestible and impactful.

5. Be Confident & Concise: Project an aura of self-assurance and professionalism. Deliver your updates with clarity and brevity, focusing on the most critical points. Avoid overwhelming them with excessive information or unnecessary details. Ensure your presentation is concise and visually appealing, allowing the C-suite to grasp key takeaways quickly.

6. Communicate Risks & Mitigation Strategies: Acknowledge potential risks or challenges related to your update and present well-thought-out mitigation strategies. Addressing potential roadblocks and demonstrating your ability to navigate them effectively shows your preparedness and commitment to success.

7. Provide Strategic Recommendations: Offer strategic recommendations aligned with the C-suite’s goals. Leverage your expertise to suggest innovative solutions, growth opportunities, or operational improvements. Presenting actionable recommendations demonstrates your proactive thinking and ability to contribute to the company’s success.

8. Anticipate Questions & Prepare Responses: The C-suite has probing questions or seeks additional clarification. Anticipate potential inquiries based on the information you present and prepare thoughtful responses in advance.

9. Engage In Active Dialogue: Presenting updates to the C-suite should be viewed as a two-way communication opportunity. Encourage engagement and invite questions, feedback, and discussion. Actively listen to their insights and perspectives.

10. Follow Up & Follow Through: Take the initiative to follow up with the C-suite members. Address any unanswered questions or concerns they may have raised. Provide additional information or data as necessary.

Presenting updates to C-suite members is an invaluable opportunity to demonstrate your skills, strategic thinking, and contributions to the organization. By embracing the opportunity and delivering a compelling presentation, you can establish yourself as a trusted advisor and elevate your career.

Lisa Perry helps companies build leadership brands, driving loyal customers & delivering profitability. She does this through a process that builds brands consumers love. Her goal is to help companies develop, monetize, and grow their brands.

What are your best tips for presenting updates to C-suite members? Join the conversation inside Work It Daily's Executive Program.

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Executive Spotlight: How To Present Updates To …



As a professional, you'll likely need to give a presentation at some point in your career. Good presentation skills can help you succeed at work, no matter your position. Therefore, everyone should know how to create and deliver a persuasive presentation.

We recently asked our executives for their expert advice on creating and delivering a persuasive presentation.

Here are their responses...

Ana Smith, Talent Architect & Global Learning Strategist


Presentations can be very scary! Especially if they are being delivered to a new audience, have news that may not be as simple to digest, or if there is a lot at stake for the presenter, to name a few...

In my experience, these are some high-level key tips on how to create and deliver a persuasive presentation:

1. Know your audience.

The first step to creating a persuasive presentation is to know your audience. What are their interests? What are their needs? What are their objections to your message? Once you know your audience, you can tailor your presentation to address their concerns and to persuade them to your point of view.

2. Have a clear message.

What is the one thing you want your audience to remember after your presentation? Make sure your message is clear and concise. Don't try to cover too much ground in your presentation. Focus on one main point and make sure you support it with evidence.

3. Use strong evidence.

Your audience is more likely to be persuaded by your message if you can support it with strong evidence. This evidence can come in the form of statistics, expert testimony, or personal stories. The more evidence you can provide, the stronger your argument will be.

4. Be passionate about your topic.

Your audience is more likely to be persuaded by your message if you are passionate about it. If you don't believe in your message, it will be difficult to convince others to believe in it too. So, let your passion show!

5. Practice, practice, practice!

The more you practice your presentation, the more confident you will be when you deliver it. Practice in front of a mirror, with a friend, or with a group of people. The more you practice, the more natural your presentation will seem and the more persuasive you will be.

6. Be yourself.

Don't try to be someone you're not when you deliver your presentation. Be yourself and let your personality shine through. Your audience will be more likely to connect with you if you are authentic.

7. Connect with your audience.

Make eye contact with your audience, smile, and use gestures to engage them. Ask questions and get them involved in the conversation. The more engaged your audience is, the more likely they are to be persuaded by your message.

8. End with a call to action.

Tell your audience what you want them to do after your presentation. Do you want them to sign a petition, donate money, or simply think about your message? Whatever it is, make sure you tell them what you want them to do.

Ana Smith helps people & organizations achieve their full talent potential by developing and co-creating people strategies and customized solutions, and turning them into impactful outcomes and collaborative relationships, using coaching as the "red thread."

Andrea Markowski, Marketing Executive


Marketing professional makes a presentation at work

Giving a persuasive presentation can be difficult. With the help of neuroscience, here are three tips to steer you in the right direction.

Neuroscience tells us that humans have an aversion to loss and a fear of the unknown. As long as we are reasonably happy and feel safe with our current choices, we probably won’t change.

For that reason, the first tip for an effective persuasive speech is to describe how the status quo is bad—or even dangerous. For example, maybe the current approach is too expensive, time-consuming, or unsustainable.

But you can’t just list these reasons in the speech and call it a day. That probably won’t work.

That brings us to the second tip: use storytelling to elicit an emotional response. Why? Because humans are not logical creatures. We’d like to think we are, but 90-95% of the time, we actually make decisions based on emotions that we then justify with facts.

So, start your presentation with an emotional story about how the status quo is unfavorable. But that’s not all!

The third tip: tell this story from the viewpoint of the audience. By seeing themselves in the story, it will catch and hold their attention while also being memorable. This is due to our selfish human brains—because, yes, we are wired to think mainly about ourselves in order to keep us alive.

There are additional neuroscience persuasion hacks, but emotional storytelling about how the current approach is unfavorable, told from the audience’s point of view, is an excellent starting point to sway opinions.

Andrea Markowski is a marketing director with specializations in strategy development, digital tactics, design thinking, and creative direction. She has superpowers in presentations and public speaking.

Mark Taylor, Product & Operations Executive


Man gives a presentation at work during a meeting

Some thoughts:

  • Use a one or two-page deck with five to six bullet points per page and one maybe two short sentences per bullet. (It’s not a script…)
  • Look the audience in the eye and tell a story that you’ve trimmed of excess through sufficient practice to retain spontaneity.
  • You are much closer to the content than they are. Even if you’ve spoken to the audience before about this topic, assume they remember nothing. (“Skip Intro")
  • If you have 30 mins allocated, aim for 15-20 minutes of you talking. You want questions as you speak (it shows people are engaged).
  • If the headline of your presentation is expected, lead with that headline.
  • If the results of what you are presenting will be a surprise to the audience, concisely show the work and logic building up to the headline. Leave more time for questions!

Mark Taylor has 20+ years of risk, technology, and product management experience working in global and regional financial services firms in the UK and the U.S. He's managed teams of 40+, successfully addressed 100+ regulatory issues, and has saved companies $15M+.

Carla Biasi, Personal Stylist


Professional gives a persuasive presentation at work

The first step is to know your audience when delivering a presentation. Consider the demographics of the group, along with their level of experience and knowledge of the topic. This will help you create a very interesting and targeted message.

Secondly, take note of where the presentation will be held, the time frame you are working around, and what extra materials you will need. Know the layout of the room and try to see it beforehand.

Lastly, HAVE FUN! There's nothing better than having a presenter that is thoroughly enjoying themselves and sharing their passion for what they are presenting. Don't worry about messing up. No one will know but you. Engage with the audience! Ask questions and encourage feedback. Let them have an interactive experience. Smile, smile, smile!

Carla Biasi is a personal stylist living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. She currently has her own business and works part-time at an upscale women's boutique and as a virtual and kit stylist for a women’s specialty brand.

Michael Willis, Sports Business Operations Executive


Motivated employees give a persuasive presentation at work

As an executive, you always want your messages to be clear and well-detailed. This might be your only opportunity to pitch your ideas, so you want an accurate and attention-grabbing presentation. This calls for a plan!

On the Creation Side

You can’t persuade an audience that isn’t listening. Developing a “hook” to draw the audience in would be the best way to grab attention. You are creating a fundamental purpose or a “why” we are all in the room; this is essential. I like to confine the critical message topic to a single sentence.

From that “single sentence,” I like to build a point-by-point argument detailing my vision. This is where my words and body language will project credibility.

On the Visual Side

This is my favorite part of the presentation. My favorite visual tool is PowerPoint. With a PowerPoint presentation, I can use financial data to create infographics, pie charts, videos, and graphs. These types of visuals can tell a very compelling story. I can appeal to an audience’s emotions and sense of logic with visuals.

Lastly, I must make my closing as memorable as the beginning statement.

Michael Willis has 18+ years of experience working with accounting & sports organizations and has managed P&Ls of $10M - $125M+ with budgets of $3M-$50M+. He worked for the NFL for 22 1/2 years, mainly with the game officials working on the financial/accounting side of the business.

Lisa Perry, Global Marketing Executive


Woman gives a persuasive presentation at work

Creating and delivering a persuasive presentation requires careful planning and preparation. The following steps can help you create an effective and engaging presentation that can inspire your audience.

First, determine your purpose. This involves identifying what you want your audience to do, think, or feel as a result of your presentation. This will help you to focus your content and create a clear message that aligns with your goals.

Second, know your audience. Understanding your audience's needs, interests, and concerns is essential for creating a presentation that resonates with them. This will help you to tailor your message to their specific needs and preferences.

Third, craft a clear message. Your presentation should have a clear and concise message that is easy to understand and remember. Use storytelling techniques and real-life examples to bring your message to life and make it more relatable.

Fourth, use effective visuals and delivery techniques. Visual aids such as slides and videos can help you to illustrate your points and keep your audience engaged. Effective delivery techniques such as eye contact, body language, and vocal variety can help you to connect with your audience and convey your message more effectively.

By following these steps, you can create and deliver a persuasive presentation that engages your audience and inspires them to take action.

Lisa Perry helps companies build leadership brands, driving loyal customers & delivering profitability. She does this through a process that builds brands consumers love. Her goal is to help companies develop, monetize, and grow their brands.

How do you create and deliver a persuasive presentation? Join the conversation inside Work It Daily's Executive Program.

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Executive Spotlight: How To Create & Deliver …

There’s More To Life Than PowerPoint!



PowerPoint – the “stirrups” of presentations

Some people say that stirrups took the skill out of horse riding. Stirrups made it too easy for riders to stay on their horses.

PowerPoint is thought to have done the same for presentations. By organizing your ideas, thoughts, and information in a series of slides, meetings start to look the same.

PowerPoint is so ubiquitous that a meeting is almost not a meeting without some slides. Is there another way to communicate, or are we all doomed to experience “death by PowerPoint”?

There Are Alternatives


Professionals watch a PowerPoint presentation at work

PowerPoint was invented less than a hundred years ago. Socrates, Marcus Aurelius, Martin Luther, and Einstein didn’t let their lack of PowerPoint stop them! Perhaps it’s worth looking at some alternatives.

“Live & unplugged”

If your message is straightforward and doesn’t involve too many facts and figures, why not just stand up and say it?

This was how Cicero, Demosthenes, and Churchill spoke most of the time.

To make it work, you will need to prepare your message carefully. It will force you to boil it down to the basics and concentrate on what really matters.

If you’re going to answer questions, you’ll need to know your subject well enough to be able to think on your feet. You may want to “red team” possible questions and prepare your answers to them. See “further reading” for more details!

If someone asks you to share your content electronically, you can either have a document ready with speaker’s notes or get someone to film your conversation and share the recording.

Flipcharts

Flipcharts are an effective way to share “low-density” information visually.

They are also very useful for “co-creation,” where your presentation is more of a discussion and the output is something that you have created with your audience.

Paul Ardern, the Saatchi and Saatchi advertising legend, recommended making pitches for advertising campaign stories in this way. It allows customers to get involved in the creation process right from the start. It also demonstrates how willing you are to listen to your customers.

Sharing the results electronically is fairly easy. Simply take pictures of each completed page by phone and share them by email.

Word documents

Many people present PowerPoint slides with densely written text and diagrams.

Data projectors display whatever is on the screen, so if you have already written a Word document and you know which pages you want to show, why duplicate effort by copying text onto a PowerPoint file?

If the document is a draft, it’s also possible to get peoples’ input and edit it on the fly.

It adds a touch of authenticity to the meeting. You are showing the actual document. It makes sharing the information easier and more credible since what your audience sees during the presentation is what they get.

Spreadsheets

If you’re presenting numbers, such as an ROI or a set of cost estimates or accounts, you could just show your audience the spreadsheet with the calculations on it.

The advantage of this is, once again, you can discuss with the customer how accurate your estimations are and then make adjustments on the fly. This involves the customer in the creative process which will build trust.

Some salespeople have been known to deliberately make estimated costs that might be saved, such as salaries, lower than they really are. They then let their customers correct their figures, and so the final ROI figure goes up, and it looks like the customer discovered this for themselves.

Make a video

You may expect your audience to passively consume your message, or to ask questions later.

Why not just make a video, share it electronically, and give your audience a deadline by which they must submit questions?

Video editing software is readily available and not too difficult to learn. You can use it to mix media of different formats including audio, written text, and moving images.

Once the video is complete, it’s not too difficult to share it electronically.

Do you need a presentation at all?

If you are planning to read what is on the PowerPoint to your audience and then follow up with a question-and-answer session, why not just send them the text to read before the meeting?

This will give your audience more time to “digest” the information and they can prepare questions independently without worrying about the social aspect of asking questions in front of the group.

Let’s get in touch!

Are you planning a presentation? Would you like to brainstorm alternative delivery methods? Let’s talk and see what we can put together!

Further reading...

Here are some more articles on the topic of presentations:

Red Teaming – Defining Objection Handling Strategies & More

Sell The Hole, Not The Drill! How To Make A Successful Sales Presentation

How To Run A Brainstorming Session




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There’s More To Life Than PowerPoint!

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4 Fascinating Acting Tricks To Become A Better Public Speaker



Public speaking can’t always be avoided in the business world when you’re tapped on the shoulder to give a presentation to your peers or to an important client.

Even in the age of home video conferencing, it’s still very natural to feel like you’d rather do ANYTHING other than turn on that camera, take a deep breath, and feel everyone’s eyes on you…watching.

Ever wonder how actors push through stage fright?

As a trained actor and coach (prior to entering the business world), I’ve learned to not be timid while orating Shakespeare in the spotlight or when hitting those high notes in front of thousands of eyeballs.

Not surprisingly, the same tricks actors use can be applied to public speaking in a business context. Here are some tips from an actor-turned-business-professional on calming your nerves.

Tip #1: Put Yourself In The Audience’s Seats


Woman listens to a public speaker

I always get incredibly nervous right before a singing audition. I’ve found what helps lessen my anxiety is to do as a fellow performer once suggested and put myself in the director’s chair. (The director is typically the person who decides if you are cast in the show).

The director WANTS you to do well! They want you to be the perfect person for the role—able to garner good reviews and box office sales. They want you to do so well that they could even tell everyone else to go home; they’ve found their star.

Plus, no director wants to sit through hours and hours of bad singing auditions…would you?

Likewise with public speaking.

When have you ever found yourself listening to a speaker and wished that they would be boring? Or wanted them to bomb so badly that you get nothing from their talk?

Rather, you probably hope the speaker is so dynamite that you actually forget to take notes because you are so transfixed and inspired by their message.

Know that the audience is on your side and let that encourage you. They want you to do well.

Tip #2: Give ‘Em The Old Razzle-Dazzle


Public speaker gives a presentation

I love to tap dance. Sometimes (ok, quite often), my feet don’t move as quickly as they should and I mess up a step or two…or ten.

A choreographer once taught me that a major part of dancing, and where the audience usually focuses, is all in the face and arms. If you are smiling a 1,000-watt smile and making grand arm gestures, the audience isn’t likely to see that your feet messed up that paradiddle step. (Yes, that’s a real thing!)

Public speaking also follows this rule. The audience can’t tell that you are nervous and feel like you just might pass out.

Bluff it! Put on your smile and stand tall. Walk with purpose and speak with authority, even if you feel unsure of yourself. It can feel weird, but you have to trust me here.

When you act as if you are confident, the audience will assume you are confident. Your body will even convince your brain into believing that you are, in fact, confident!

What if you DO mess up? So what? Keep going! Don’t drop your poise and strong voice, as they are effectively drawing attention away from any insecurities that may come up, just like jazz hands can help cover for missing a step-shuffle-ball-change.

Tip #3: Enter The Clown


Public speaker makes a joke

Actors have learned that mistakes are bound to happen and sometimes you have to play the fool.

For instance, props or scenery may break or fall unexpectedly during a show. Actors are taught to pretend like it is supposed to happen, and work it into the scene. Or they may quickly remove the wayward item and simply continue on.

I’ve even witnessed actors stumble and fall onstage, then make a comment about what a klutz they are (in character, of course!) and continue on like it was scripted that way.

Let’s say during your speech you trip up on some words unexpectedly. Work it into the presentation as if you meant for it to happen. For example: “The biggest finanbial chamanges…a-hem, well those lesser-known things…as well as the biggest financial challenges we face are…”

Call yourself out and you get an on-the-spot joke to lighten the mood—and the audience loves you for it.

Or let’s say you knock over your glass of water while speaking. That’s the perfect time to make a crack about how uncoordinated you are and why you never made the basketball team. (*Rimshot please!*)

Tip #4: “Once Again From The Top, Ah-5-6-7-8!”


Man practices his public speaking skills

​Actors spend hours, days…weeks! memorizing their lines to be “word perfect” right down to the smallest pause. They get every tilt of the head, every gesture, and every single word into muscle memory.

When opening night comes, no matter how much their stomach is turning over like they’re on a cruise ship in a hurricane, they can effectively put themselves on autopilot and get through the show without a hitch.

Now, with this tip, I would NEVER recommend that you, as a public speaker, go to the extremes actors do.

Why? Memorizing isn’t necessary for public speaking. In fact, I strongly suggest you don’t memorize, as you risk coming off as “fake.”

Rehearsing on the other hand is a must!

Rehearse in front of a mirror…while shopping for groceries…in front of a friend. Video or audio record yourself and play it back.

If possible, practice in the actual space where you will be speaking (yes, even if it’s in your home office) to get a feel for it so that it doesn’t disorient you on the big day.

Your goal is to know your main points and examples while allowing yourself to improvise here and there with different words and phrases to keep it fresh.

If you try to memorize and you forget a sentence while speaking, it has the tendency to really trip you up unless you’re a seasoned pro. However, if you practice experimenting with different ways of saying things, you’re building your quick-thinking prowess and ability to handle the unexpected while in the spotlight.

Notes are, of course, perfectly acceptable, but you don’t want to stay buried in your notes resulting in never making eye contact with the audience (or webcam).

Another no-no is clearly reading from a script while on a video conference. Reading a script is one of the best ways to disengage the audience unless you are very good at making it sound conversational…a tough skill to master.

Instead, know your speech so well that glancing at the first few words on a notecard will propel you into that part of the speech, without having to constantly refer to your notes.

Epilogue

Remember that public speaking is one fear that, with a little practice and the right mindset, can be overcome. Who knows, you may start to crave the spotlight so much that I’ll see you at the next audition!

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4 Fascinating Acting Tricks To Become A …