When communicating with an E-Level professional, you must be decisive, persuasive and concise. Time is the biggest issue for any executive. So how do you make the most of your meeting?

1. Respect their time. Be early and end on time.
2. Have a prepared agenda. State early on what decisions need to be made and what timeline applies.
3. Present your issue with several recommendations.
4. Be honest, direct and concise.
5. Be prepared to edit your agenda.

Preparation and a positive attitude will create the best image for you and will allow you to achieve your desired results. Establish yourself as someone your top executives can rely on for business solutions.

Make Every Presentation Great!
Sheri Jeavons

I often receive questions about PowerPoint slides and how they should be used.  Some people believe PowerPoint is simply an awful tool.  I maintain that the problem is not with the tool or the technology, but rather with how it is used by the presenter. 

If you cram a bunch of content that your audience can’t see or read onto your slide, of course it will be a distraction.  That kind of material isn’t valuable to you or your audience.  What should you do instead?  Here are a few of the top tips I offer regarding making the most of your PowerPoint slides:

• Use bullet points only (no sentences)
• Minimum font size guideline is 28 point
• Use color
• Use one simple font
• Use upper and lower case
• 4 x 6 rule: Use either four lines of text with six words per line, or six lines of text with four words per line
• Enlarge one section of a diagram or spreadsheet for easy explanation and comprehension

The bottom line is to keep it simple.  Think of your audience. What do they need to know and how can you communicate that information in a clear, concise way?

Make Every Presentation Great!

Sheri Jeavons

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “What’s in it for me?”. And you realize that when you listen to a presentation, you pay attention to the parts that have value for you. So… when you develop a presentation, do you think about your audience and what information is most beneficial to them? Or do you delve right into what you want to tell them? 

The fastest way to lose an audience is to ignore their needs. That’s why I recommend that before you even start on your content, spend a few minutes thinking about your audience. Answer the following questions:

1.       What titles are represented?
2.       Why are they attending your presentation?
3.       What information do they want from you?
4.       How will they benefit from the information that you have to offer?

By spending just a few minutes getting focused on your audience, you are sure to keep your content on track and your audience engaged. 

Make Every Presentation Great!

Sheri Jeavons