January 22, 2018
Ask ACE
Seven useful tips on presenting strategy, vision and future plans to your employees
By Arthur Fink, Arthur Fink Consulting
Q: I have to give a presentation to all our employees about strategy, vision and future plans. Any hints?
ACE Advises: Don't just talk at or to them. Find or create ways to engage them in the presentation.
Some hints:
- Start with questions that invite participants to share some of their concerns, their hopes, their fears and their positive visions. But make sure you maintain a safe space. Sharing may be more comfortable with one other person, or in a very small group.
- Ask participants to bring, or submit anonymously in advance, very short (one- or two-paragraph) comments that illustrate hope or concern. Your reading some of these aloud, without the authors' names, may be really captivating.
- Midway through the presentation, ask participants for any surprises they have had in their work with the organization this year. Comment briefly on each.
- Don't just talk! Include a short video, perhaps some still photos, maybe a sound track without images. A good cartoon can provide a lively backdrop for some of your words.
- Consider using props. For example, you might switch costumes as you speak — wear a white coat while discussing product development, a hard hat when the topic is production, an oversize bow tie when discussing sales.
- Be very careful not to say anything — especially when attempting humor — that could be offensive to anyone in your audience.
- Balance your time presenting with participant sharing. Your voice is important, but spotlighting other views shows that you are listening carefully, and that you respect everyone who is present and wants to participate.
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