I recently asked a client to describe their role within their organization. The answer struck me as a somewhat confused long exposé to justify the necessity of his position. It seemed to me that he was trying to convince himself. For my part, far from convincing me, the presentation left me with a lingering doubt. Did he really understand his role on his team? Here are the reasons to be more concise as well as a checklist of five strategies for trimming down presentations that are a little too generous.
Here are the reasons to be more concise as well as a checklist of five strategies for trimming down presentations that are a little too generous.
Why be more concise?
Speaking concisely allows you to focus on the essential information of a message. Unnecessary information often does not help to improve clarity; On the contrary, the overflow can distract from the intended main message. Leaders who speak more concisely often experience more constructive exchanges because the people who listen to them retain what has been said better. Listeners will also more likely act on what they have remembered and understood. Delivering a message in fewer words shows respect for listeners' time and helps make you a more credible professional and effective leader.
How to be more concise?
1. Think about your audience.
What is the essential information your audience needs to fully understand the scope of what you are presenting and make a decision? Can more technical information be set aside without compromising the logic of what you are presenting?
2. Plan
A few lines or key words on a piece of paper can give you a more economical structure and keep you from taking side roads to explain your message. For some, a diagram, a sketch, a mind map are quick tools to build the framework of your message.
3. Beware of overexplaining
Find the easiest way to explain what you have to say. Practice presenting to newcomers or a new audience to find out if the content is adjusted to their experience and trimmed down of superfluous words and explanations.
4. Remove what is of little value
Hesitations, words of little value and inefficient segways often appear in an unprepared speech. As you practice before the presentation, be aware of the " "hums, hehhh" and other hesitations you sprinkle in your presentation; record your speech and listen to yourself. Sentence beginning with like "essentially, what I want to tell you or present, what I want you to remember or understand" are formulas that add nothing to the message.
5. Paint a picture
An illustration, an example, a recent case, a simulation could be much more captivating than an explanation of a process or technical procedure. An anecdote is a powerful tool to illustrate a process and keep the attention of your audience. Don't underestimate the power of the anecdote but keep your stories short.