Getting to the Point – How to Derive the Key Point or Message?
Picture this – you are called upon to deliver an informative session on a project that you and your team are working on. You know the materials at your fingertips, the thought processes behind the project, and the words to deliver your ideas. In fact, you even have a template set of content slides ready! All that is left to do is run through the routine of presenting the same content again, right? If this sounds familiar, today’s topic may interest you!
Getting to the point is easier said than done. When we have a stable, consistent set of materials we can use to present, we may fall into the comfortable trap of presenting the same content with little to no modifications. We call this the rinse-and-repeat tendency, and we see this as a common issue our learners face (especially those who deliver regular, technical presentations). As the saying goes – why rock the boat? You may feel like the presentation you have is the winning formula, but if there is no attempt to grow and progress, your audience is likely to be disengaged and disinterested.
One way to overcome this tendency is to try and present the direct point or message to your audience – as briefly and directly as possible. Here are 3 tips for your next business presentation to help you get to that main point!
Tip #1: Approach from a “Who” Perspective
From a training perspective, one of the key questions we think about when crafting our lesson plans is – what is the profile of our learners? You should have the same question in mind when you prepare your next business presentation – who is your audience? Without understanding your audience profile, your rinse-and-repeat presentation may end up being unsuitable for the group. Imagine a jargon-filled presentation to a group of laypersons!
To prevent that, we start by unpacking the profile of the audience. While it may be tempting to jump straight into the big “Why”, start by unpacking the “Who” first. What are the traits of your audience? For example, do they have background knowledge about foundational elements in your business presentation? Don’t be afraid to also unpack the context of your presentation (e.g., an informative general session or a persuasive presentation) in guiding the direction for your main message!
Tip #2: Add a Quantity Limit, While Boosting Quality
The “Who” or audience profile sets your destination. Once you have that in mind, the next challenge is to pave your way to reach your destination confidently. Many approaches touch on the scripting or rehearsing process, but we wanted to focus on how you can re-visit a ready content deck and shape it based on your presentation goal. Doing this may involve setting a quantity limit (e.g., a presentation within a time limit or word count), but the key challenge is to ensure the quality of your content is retained or, even better, heightened!
There are three approaches to boost the quality of your main point while adding a quantity limit. First, start with the base materials that you have and pick out the areas that are likely to trip your audience up. This can even be tedious segments (e.g., those parts where you will always preface with “this will be very technical”!). Second, digest those tricky areas on a fresh piece of paper. Think about how these key points are delivered during the presentation – is there a new perspective to add? Finally, run through the various components of your presentation and ask yourself – does my main message resonate with this point? This encourages you to select words/phrases purposefully and build to your main message!
Tip #3: If I am late …
Beyond the preparation, content, and practices, it is important to fully internalise the essence of your presentation yourself. Without that understanding, you are unlikely to present with conviction or authenticity. In short, believe in your message before you invite your audience to do so! Part of developing this belief is the ability to summarise and digest your presentation’s core message – at your fingertips!
To help you reach this essence, let us introduce you to a technique we like to use – if I am late … Imagine you are running late to your presentation (not that we encourage this!). You have your materials ready but only half the time to present your content – what will you change? Keep running through this exercise while adjusting the remaining time you have. The more you remove the unnecessary portions of your presentation, the more likely you will reach the essence you can believe in and drive your presentation!
Get to the Point for Your Audience!
Delivering the same presentation every week may be dull, especially to the speaker/presenter. When we cannot reach the core message or main point neatly, we may lose our audience. Whether it is a high-stakes presentation or a regular informative session, continue to challenge yourself to bring your main message out clearly. Why not try out the three tips above to draw your audience with your message?
Want to take your speaking skills to the next level? WATCH “Top 5 Skills To Take Your Public Speaking To The Next Level”:
By The Way…
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