3 Myths About Presenting Data to Senior Management
Maybe, you are uncomfortable presenting charts and figures to senior management But…
If you want your projects to survive the proposal stage…
If you want to stay alive in the corporate jungle…
If you want to move up the career ladder…
You need to learn how to present your data the right way
Let’s look at the 3 myths that destroy most data presentations…
MYTH 1: You need to gradually build your numbers story to final climax So, most presenters love to flaunt their extensive groundwork before coming to the actual point
MYTH 2: Graphs should reflect the thoroughness of your research Most presenters equate complexity of charts with believability of information
MYTH 3: Numbers speak for themselves So, most presenters leave it to the audience to draw their own conclusions from their charts and tables
Here is the reality…
Your audience will NOT…
Process your data
Listen long enough
Draw the conclusions you want
Your audience…
…doesn’t have long attention span
… gets distracted by unexplained data
…prefers to tune off than to process
So, here are our 3 recommendations to…
Get them listening to you …and give you what you want
Performance
Ideas
Proposals
Promotion
Budget
Approvals
Recommendation 1: Start with the end objective and build your case End Objective
Promotion
Budget
Approvals
Here is how you move top down… INEFFECTIVE WAY Past statistics - Proposed Action - Market performance - Support required - Projections - Quotes - SWOT Analysis - Reasons why action is meaningful - Review parameters - More statistics - Expectations - Summary A BETTER WAY is to start with proposed action and inform supporting data
When you state your wants upfront…
I need approval for my project
I need additional manpower
I need system support
Your audience will follow your presentation to weigh the pros and cons of granting your request
Your story will get you RESULTS
Recommendation 2: State the conclusion of your graphs in your slide titles Text explaining sales and details of whatever happened over this quarter and why sales is in all different directions
Your audience will make the inference you want
Recommendation 3: Use your slides to convey ideas. Details should go in a document handout You’ll spend time PERSUADING not explaining
When you follow these 3 recommendations to presenting data, you’ll win business and win over your senior management
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