Without proper preparation and practice, you will find it difficult to present your ideas or proposal in a meeting that includes senior management and even bosses from hell who don’t agree with your argument and are ready, willing and able to fire away with anti-aircraft questions that bring down your thoughts and leave you in a smoldering heap in the meeting room.
You know what I mean? I was talking with Philip last week over a cuppa at the coffee shop. And I was remarking that in these times, with so many generations of people working together, it creates a synergy that’s never been seen before. What I mean is that with traditionalists, baby boomers, X and the Y generation all working together in an organisation, there’s never been more variety of ideas than now being presented to reach organisation goals.
Philip agreed with that, but mentioned with a sigh that most times, presentations of ideas and viewpoints were often questioned and shot down even before the presenter had finished their sentences. When that happened, the presenters were put on the defensive with little chance of trying to prove their case.
Amidst cries of, “We’ve done THAT before, and it didn’t work, what makes you think that’ll work?” or “Where do you think you’ve come from, that sort of strategy doesn’t work well here – you’d best learn how we do it first before you come out with some wild ideas on how to improve it.”
I’ve been in those situations before. Philip has. Have you? Discouraging? Feel put down? Feel belittled? Yep. I know the feeling and it’s not pleasant.
So how can we do it better? How can we put our ideas across without being shot down and made to feel small?
To increase your chances of getting your proposal or idea accepted, here are some steps you could follow:
Gather and research your information plus supporting evidence with accuracy and depth. It’s essential you do this as anyone can shoot you down and destroy your credibility if you don’t have the right facts.
Slides where you need them. Supporting in-depth details on paper handouts as necessary. Don’t have too much material. Focus on that important one point (or two) you want to get approved.
And I mean practice it like Tiger Woods would practice his game. Say the words in front of a mirror. If you’ve got a video camera, point it at yourself, sit it on a stable surface or a tripod and shoot several episodes of you presenting. Don’t rush your practice. Do this at least twice. Then look at your videotape, correct any mistakes in your presentation until you feel totally comfortable.
Some questions can take you by surprise as they come below your radar. Prepare every, “What if that doesn’t work” scenario so that you’ll have an answer for that. Be honest, open and committed. Don’t try to be smart or slick as that’ll get you into trouble with your management.
You’ll be foolish to enter a meeting without knowing how much air-time you’ll be given to present your proposal. If you know you’ve got 15 minutes, be prepared in case others go overtime and they cut back your air-time to 10 minutes. In that case, be prepared to chop out the less important points and say only the most important points. Be brief, be quick, and be to the point.
In advance, you can pre-empt and reduce any opponent’s firepower by preparing their case and understanding their viewpoint. In this way, you can point out the cons and then explain how your pros overcome the cons.
Ask your favourite managers to support your ideas that you will be presenting in the meeting. Even those on the borderline may be persuaded to say ‘yes’ if you gain their confidence.
Go for it and make your presentation. Stress the main points and the major benefits of your proposal. State the cons, back up with the pros. Have your facts, present with feeling and energy. Be flexible, actively listen when anyone challenges you. You might want to ask for their patience in holding back questions until after you finish your presentation. Be adaptable, incorporate others’ ideas into your proposal. Win friends, influence people. Ensure you practice skillful rhetoric and drive your point home.
Good luck in your next presentation! Present your proposal brilliantly and win your management to your viewpoint.
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Author: Ricky Lien