Last Updated on September 17, 2022
Here’s a guide to help you learn how to blow a presentation to the ’C-Suite’: Preparation, Body language, Message, and Call to Action. In the end, you’ll know how to impress your audience and get a job. Hopefully, this article will help you nail your next big presentation. Good luck! Until next time, keep in mind the 4 Ps: Preparation, Body Language, Message, and Call to Action.
Preparation
Many employees do not realize that preparation is key to blowing a presentation to a c-suite. In addition to knowing how to deliver a PowerPoint presentation, executives should know how to ask insightful questions. Most people spend a considerable amount of time preparing PowerPoint slides, but they don’t spend as much time preparing for the actual questions. If you fail to get the CEO’s attention during your presentation, he or she will likely think that your presentation was a complete waste of time.
Body language
If you’re looking to blow a presentation to the C-suite, you must learn how to use body language effectively. Although it might seem difficult at first, speaking to the C-suite can be extremely beneficial. You can open up doors and gain access to a large network, and people in position of influence will become strong advocates for your ideas. Make sure to end your presentation with a powerful call to action. Pause before and after you say it, and use your body language to make it clear you’re asking the audience to take action.
Message
Many people wonder how to blow a presentation to the C-suite. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to ensure your presentation doesn’t go as planned. The first step is to set up your presentation so that your audience understands the problem you’re solving. Identify how your solution will help the business, and show how it will generate new revenue and self-fund. To do this, you should include estimated costs for infrastructure and setup. A good presentation should also meet the audience where they’re at. Unfortunately, many people who try to give a presentation to a C-suite audience over-explain the obvious and leave little time for interaction.
Another important tip is to stick to the allocated time slot. Avoid exceeding the time limit and you’ll end up in the c-suite’s ear. Your audience has a thirty to forty-minute tolerance. If you go over that, you’re going to make everyone in your audience squirm. By following these tips, you’ll have a better chance of blowing a presentation to the C-suite.
Don’t forget to prepare for the audience and the time allot for research. The C-suite wants to be convinced that your solution can solve a problem that they’re currently facing. Don’t try to talk your way into a meeting with an executive unless you’ve done your homework. You’ll be surprised at how much work it takes to convince them to listen to you!
Don’t forget about body language. More than your hand gestures, your entire body makes statements about your confidence and charisma. Board members and CEOs want to be impressed with your confidence, and the way you move demonstrates your confidence. You must learn to use your entire body when you’re making a presentation to the c-suite. Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, you can then move on to developing your presentation.
Call to action
In the HBR article “How to blow a presentation to the C-Suite,” Sabina Nawaz offers solid advice for anyone attempting to pitch a business idea to a top executive. Nawaz recounts the story of Dyvia, an engineer who led a large team in solving a company-wide strategic problem, and how her idea failed miserably. She identifies three mistakes that lead to a disasterous presentation.
About The Author
Orochi Konya is a student of the web. He has been dabbling in it since he was young, and has become an expert in his own right. He loves all things digital, from making websites to programming to social media. In his spare time, Orochi enjoys indulging in his other passion: music. He loves listening to all kinds of music and often spends hours creating playlists on Spotify. He also enjoys drawing manga and watching anime in his free time. Orochi is a friendly pop-culture guru who is always happy to chat about the latest trends in both Japan and the U.S.