Course Outcomes

This presentation skills course for those who present to executive and senior teams will:

  • Prepare participants to present information to executives.
  • Help participants systematically determine the correct level of information to share.
  • Offer ideas for structuring content in such a way that the presenter can deliver a surface overview or deep dive.
  • Suggest tactics for avoiding slide saturation and information overload.

Course Overview

It’s been said that you only have one chance to make a first impression, and nowhere is that truer than in the C-suite. Senior executives have packed schedules, full plates, and limited time they can devote to each project requiring their input. This onsite course is designed for people who present to senior teams. The workshop focuses on choosing content, designing a deck that answers the questions about which executives care, and presenting information succinctly and confidently.

Note: For a similar program offered in an instructor-led online format, see our virtual classroom course for presenting to executives.

Program Objectives

At this program’s conclusion, participants should be able to:

  • Explain what their executive thinks is important.
  • Organize information in a clear and concise manner.
  • Find a “bottom line” and ask for what’s needed up front.
  • Design a few powerful visuals to support their message.
  • Create a visual metaphor or model.
  • Adjust information scope on the fly.
  • Read body language and adjust accordingly.
  • Begin implementing goals created during the session.

The following outline highlights some of the course’s key learning points. As part of your training program, we will modify content as needed to meet your business objectives. Upon request, we will provide you with a copy of the participant materials prior to the session(s).

Workshop Outline

I’ll Tell You What I Want, What I Really, Really Want: Understanding Needs

This interactive workshop begins with a discussion about the kinds of presentations that best meet an executive’s needs and some basic dos and don’ts anyone who shares information with a senior team needs to take to heart.

Cut It Down to 3:05: Finding Headlines and Bottom Lines

The course continues with a discussion around messaging and how to condense months or even years of work into a sentence. During this segment, we’ll examine a presentation pyramid and talk about how to structure data for executives. Next, working through a series of exercises, participants will practice distilling and consolidating large amounts of evidence to a few key themes.

Yes, It’s Over: Avoiding Too Much, Too Little, and Too Late

Despite an executive’s need for speed and brevity, people in a senior role can feel short-changed if those who present information fail to provide enough substance. This part of the workshop looks at methods for avoiding sharing too much or too little. First, we’ll explore techniques for generating scope buy-in in real-time. Next, we will practice adjusting a presentation’s scope on the fly.

Step by Step, Rung by Rung: Structuring for Success

For teams routinely briefing the same group, it is useful to follow a standard format. By doing so, presenters typically cut down their preparation time, and executives know when to expect certain types of information. During this seminar segment, we will look at various ways to structure an executive summary. Next, we will decide on a common format for creating future presentations.  

Can You Picture This? Using Metaphors, Models, and Illustrations

Metaphors, models, and illustrations can help a presenter organize information in a logical way and simplify complex data. In this part of the workshop, we will work through a series of picture-based activities. In teams, participants will practice creating metaphors, models, and other illustrations with information from an existing presentation.

Slide Over: Including Only What Adds Value

No matter the amount of time it takes to create a slide or to arrive at a conclusion, if that information does not add value to a message’s goal, it shouldn’t be there – period. In this part of the program, participants will examine their slides and articulate how each contributes to their presentation.

On the Road Again: Preparation and Practice

Armed with a clear idea of what’s important, participants will craft and deliver an executive briefing. Each person will receive feedback from the participants and facilitator. Upon request, we can video this segment.

At the conclusion of this presentation skills course, participants should understand what it takes to successfully prepare and deliver information to executives.