Episode #247: Deep and Broad Presenting

When delivering a great presentation, it's easy to feel satisfied, especially when the audience is soaking up your content. But the challenge comes when things are going well, and you want to elevate them to the next level. I recently attended a presentation where the speaker nailed it: the content was relevant, the room was packed, and the delivery was top-notch. But even with all these elements in place, there was still one thing missing that could have made the presentation even more powerful.

The speaker did a fantastic job presenting broad industry trends and future projections, which kept the audience engaged and excited. However, the talk could have been even better if it had connected those big-picture trends to the daily challenges faced by the audience. While discussing the future direction is essential, it’s equally important to show the audience how they can apply that information in their day-to-day work.

Rather than just presenting theories and predictions, offering practical, actionable takeaways would have made the presentation even more impactful. These could have been a few steps that the audience could start using right away to adapt to the changes coming in their industry. By linking macro-level trends to the micro-level actions people can take, the speaker would have made the talk more relevant and valuable.

When preparing an "inform" style presentation, try to focus on five key takeaways. Offering too many steps can overwhelm the audience, while five actionable points are manageable and memorable. These takeaways give the audience a sense of accomplishment and leave them feeling more prepared for the future. So, next time you're presenting, consider adding those concrete steps to help your audience take immediate action and feel empowered.