How can you ensure your strategy presentation is inclusive and accessible to all stakeholders?

Understanding your audience in every situation is crucial to understanding and success. A lesson I learned in my previous business was how to make communications as widely accessible as possible. As a business focussed on impact we created a business library. Over time as the company grew, we had members of the team who were dyslexic. This experience made me more aware of delivering information via different formats to suit different learning experiences. By nurturing an inclusive approach you build confidence in stakeholders to seek clarity, pose questions, and apply information to different cultural settings. It opens doors to creative and innovative thinking.

If you haven't consulted every stakeholder while developing your strategy, good luck. People support what they help to create, and this is especially important with strategy. It must reflect who a company is and what they've built together.

Knowing your audience means or requires a number of aspects: - knowing your stakeholders and depending on the size of a meeting know individuals and/or the functions (if internal) present. - make a stakeholder and decision making map before preparing a presentation of a strategy or elements of it. - tailor the presentation to the audience. Look at the time, objective and the intended end result. Think with the end in mind.

Knowing your audience enables you to avoid the common mistake of addressing pain points that stakeholders already know or are trying to solve. Focusing on the intrinsic values of the organization and how your audience perceives them is the most important part of identifying audience perceptions and expectations.

Know your audience. That seems obvious. Here is a less obvious thought -- How does your audience intend to use your presentation data? The actions they take will determine how you should present the data. Typically your audience will use your presentation data in three ways: -Information: They want context and the data helps them stay abreast (present just the what) -Persuasive: They will use this data as to direct, influence or justify group decisions (present the how, why and when) -Live debate: As part of a discuss/decide cycle, the meaning of the data and potential impact will be debated live (the what with links to the how, when and why)

Start by comprehensively grasping your audience's diverse backgrounds, needs, and preferences. Customize your strategy presentation to resonate with a spectrum of stakeholders, guaranteeing inclusivity. To achieve this, conduct stakeholder analyses, surveys, or interviews, taking into account the audience's varied backgrounds, cultures, languages, abilities, and perspectives. This meticulous approach ensures your presentation is finely tuned to their preferences, eliminating potential barriers or biases and fostering a truly inclusive experience.

Have the meeting before the meeting. And in those meetings, frame vocal dissenters as a gift and get curious. Be aware of when you feel resistant to listening to someone with a conflicting viewpoint and prepare steps to overcome that tendency. Make diversity of thought a strategic tool. In these meetings, you have a chance to identify and test assumptions. Seek information about stakeholders to create greater inclusion and success for all. This is about cultivating growing a diverse network of thought. By creating an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are welcomed and valued, organizations can harness the collective wisdom of their stakeholders and achieve greater success.

Understanding your audience's preferences and backgrounds is crucial, but equally important is anticipating their questions and concerns. By proactively addressing potential skepticism or queries in your presentation, you demonstrate not only awareness of your audience's perspective but also thorough preparation and thoughtfulness. This approach fosters trust and credibility, as it shows that you have considered and respected your audience's viewpoint, leading to a more engaging and effective communication.

Knowing your audience needs to start long before the actual presentation. In today’s global environment, picking up the phone or setting up In-person meetings speaks volume. Put the human element first and understand the needs, wants and opportunities for your stakeholders. Then find synergies to align product value and business value

I think acronyms can be really useful to make people feel they're "in the circle of trust" and they learn something. When I need to use them, I'm adding a slide with the acronyms I will talk about and make a joke about how I hate acronyms. Always a hit and people feel more at ease about not knowing some of them. Also, when I use one for the first time, I repeat the meaning of it.

I find that new AI tools such as ChatGPT and Bard make it easier to translate complex concepts into a more relatable language. I learn a lot from rephrased content and it helps tremendously in communication.

While using clear and simple language enhances accessibility, it's also important to balance simplicity with the need to engage and stimulate your audience intellectually. Overly simplistic language might risk underestimating the audience's ability to grasp complex concepts or reducing their engagement. Striking a balance between clarity and intellectual stimulation can make your presentation not only accessible but also thought-provoking and memorable. This approach respects the diversity of your audience's intellectual interests and capabilities, leading to more effective and engaging communication.

If you cannot present your strategy to your grandmother, then chances are that you are over complicating. It is important to have a very succinct strategy with very clear choices of what you will do and what you won’t. This is important because there could be misinterpreting and also, people should be able to read the strategy throughout the year without having to ask you what you meant when you wrote it.

Craft your strategy presentation with clarity and simplicity. Utilize language that is straightforward and easily comprehensible, avoiding jargon or complex terminology. By doing so, you enhance accessibility, making your message more universally understood and engaging for all stakeholders.

A principal dica que dou aqui para a comunidade é: Toda apresentação precisa contar uma história, ou seja, sua apresentação deve fazer sentido do início até o fim, com os slides se conectando ao contexto principal da história. Técnicas como Storytelling ajudam muito no uso de linguagem clara e simples.

Take the language you are using and make it into a form of a question. Such as what do you do? Meaning what is your occupation? Rather than telling them. Ask them have you, a family member or a friend ever done x? A follow up question is. Have you, a family member or friend ever had y?

It seems obvious but clear and simple language is essential particularly for audiences that you don't know well or are highly diverse in background, experience, language etc. It's also easier to translate simple words. Avoid the buzz words, analogies and metaphors as much as possible. We use these when we're trying to relate concepts but these can often cause confusion. Limit the words on a screen (no sentences) and use a large font. I try to set up each visual as the answer to a question the audience will have or that I'm speaking to. This way they get the "answers" immediately and can listen to why and how the answers were achieved or will be implemented.

I will dive straight to the pointers: 1. Keep the storyline simple: what’s the problem statement, why does it require ‘call to action’ & what is the approach (process, timeline, budget) 2. Use visuals & infographic for easy understanding by the stakeholders 3. Texts should be action points and quick to read, (typically a reader judges a slide within seconds) 4. Keep glossary & appendix slides

In case of doing international, multicultural projects there is no universal language that is clear and simple. Even best human translator do not helps. There are words that have different meanings in different cultures so the only option is to know the audience before presenting anything in front of them.

When creating slides, prioritize accessibility features. Ensure text is legible, use high-contrast colors, and provide alternative text for images. This accommodates individuals with varying visual abilities. Additionally, consider diverse learning styles by incorporating a mix of visual and auditory elements. These measures collectively contribute to a presentation that is not only inclusive but also caters to a broad range of audience needs.

In making slides accessible, it's equally important to consider the narrative flow and storytelling aspect. While visual elements like fonts and colors are key for readability, how the content is structured and presented can greatly impact the audience's ability to understand and retain information. An effective narrative structure, with a clear beginning, middle, and end, can guide the audience through the presentation seamlessly, making complex information more digestible and engaging. This approach ensures that your presentation is not only accessible in terms of visual design but also in terms of content comprehension and retention.

You will read a lot of advice about content, color, fonts, etc... but you should also think about where your slides will be shown. Do you research on the room you will present, the setup, sound, etc… If the lighting is really high, use dark colors. If they have a large room with a small TV, use large words or images If they don’t have sound, adjust to it with subtitles Understanding the setup is as important as the content.

First think about the point you're trying to make, then think about the best way to communicate it. Slides may not be the best approach. Try a live demo, bring in a customer to talk through a case study, allow junior members of the team to present their experiences.

Less is always more with slides in front of a live audience. Check the font size from the back of the room (regardless of size) and with lighting. I try to focus the content flow so I'm not reading from the slide, but use the slides or presentation material to move the listeners to the next topic or answer or component. The slides are critical for those who learn by reading, are hard of hearing or aren't native language speakers. So I make sure the content is easy to understand, simple in illustration and accessible.

I wouldn’t assume that slides are always the best way to share. There are many other formats and channels available, so it’s worth adapting to create a memorable impact - interaction with prep or follow through may be more suitable for some audiences.

A tool that could help is mentimeter for the same. The whole point of feedback is to make people feel heard rather than directed at for strategy. Doing live polls and getting a pulse check can help you understand what the room feels and help you tailor the rest of the presentation.

Keep it simple. Start by asking your stakeholders questions and asking for feedback. Often the most common mistake…the presenter speaks the entire time. Value the time and participation of the entire group.

While interactive methods and storytelling enhance audience engagement, it's crucial to be adaptive to the audience's reactions and feedback during the presentation. This adaptability involves not just pre-planned engagement techniques but also the ability to spontaneously modify your approach based on the audience's responsiveness. For example, if a certain part of your presentation elicits more interest, you might choose to delve deeper into that topic, or if a particular method isn’t resonating, you could switch tactics. This dynamic engagement shows attentiveness to your audience’s needs and preferences, making the presentation more effective and impactful.

In the old days we asked people to raise their hand, stand up, or otherwise physically be engaged. I still like this approach and use it even virtually (use reactions or raise your hand actions on different platforms). I'm cautious about using additional platforms because when you introduce the opportunity to be distracted by a mobile device you can lose your audience. If the session is in person I will walk around the room regardless of size and engage in eye to eye contact and make sure everyone is included that way. Deliberate pauses for questions -- longer than often feels comfortable -- are essential. Even planting questions ahead of time with people can get a discussion started if that's the goal.

To me, presentations are more than a set of PowerPoint slides. In fact the slides are simply a tool to support the messages and content you're presenting. Engaging your audience, right from the start by getting them involved through some form of energy check will help to attract their attention right from the start. Weaving in strong storytelling will keep your audience's attention as will ensuring that they participate in activities throughout. Using a tool such as Slido for polls is often a good, fun way to engage audiences.

Elevating your presentation beyond mere information delivery is essential for fostering meaningful engagement. Incorporating interactive elements like polls, quizzes, questions, and discussions not only involves your stakeholders but also invites their valuable feedback. Enhance your connection with the audience by weaving in stories, anecdotes, or examples that resonate emotionally, creating a memorable and relatable experience. Furthermore, don't underestimate the power of non-verbal communication—utilizing gestures, maintaining eye contact, and varying your vocal tone conveys enthusiasm and confidence, fostering a dynamic and inclusive presentation atmosphere.

Na minha carreira, tenho feito apresentações de alto impacto que facilitam a compreensão nítida dos espectadores, isso porque apresentações como essa envolvem o público. Para isso, recomendo que usem a ferramenta Prezi, nela é possível disponibilizar vários formatos de apresentação, sendo em vídeo, animação, slides ou até mesmo ao vivo.

Offering multiple formats for presentations addresses accessibility, but it's also key to consider the timing of making these formats available. Providing materials in various formats both before and after the presentation can enhance comprehension and retention. Early access allows stakeholders to familiarize themselves with the content, preparing questions or comments in advance, enhancing the interactive aspect of the presentation. Post-presentation access enables review and deeper understanding, particularly beneficial for complex topics. This proactive approach in timing demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and thorough communication, catering to diverse learning styles and needs.

In my experience, there are couple of things to keep in mind. 1. Understand that all individuals engage with information in different manners--visual, auditory, reading and sometimes doing--Therefore your content needs to have audio podcasts, videos or recorded chats, (power-point yes) but also have a very concise summary, possibility of short engagements via Q/A or simply allowing people to comment or ask questions so open forums. 2. Accessibility--Ensuring the content is easily accessible and uses simple language and UX design formats like fonts, high contrast etc. 3. Multiple extensions--PPT, PDF, Word, SharePoint etc, Cater to learning styles of stakeholders and aim for engagement with content and not just reach.

It would be good to move this section above the reference to slides. A carefully curated mix of formats, timing and feedback will provide the flexibility to adapt to each audience and their circumstances.

You might consider creating a follow-up resource hub with additional materials related to your presentation. This can include relevant articles, case studies, market research or extra reading suggestions, enabling stakeholders to delve deeper into the topic at their own pace. Here can also include an anonymous feedback survey to make sure that those who have something to share will be able to do so. It is less invasive than trying to talk to stakeholders in a group or individually. People don't like to express criticism so mostly try to avoid such engagements.

What would you do differently is a great question instead of "how did I do?" or "what didn't work so well". These can be very subjective of course but it often leads to suggestions to integrate components to address the audience's preferences or different learning styles, etc.

Establish feedback loops throughout the presentation. Encourage stakeholders to ask questions, provide input, and share their perspectives in real-time. This not only makes the presentation more engaging but also ensures that everyone feels heard and valued. Additionally, consider anonymous feedback mechanisms to create a safe space for individuals who may be hesitant to speak up in a group setting.

This is the most important step - you can actively share at the beginning of the presentation the ways in which you have strived to be inclusive and accessible. And at that point share you will likely never get it completely right but being very clear from the get-go that you are open to feedback and willing to act on it is the right approach. Don't be defensive, follow-up on the feedback - especially if you aren't going to use it by sharing why.

Have you ever prepared a brilliant presentation with an engaging storyline that leads to an eventual conclusion, and when you've presented it to someone senior they get impatient and just flip to the last page? A key to communicating complex issues is logical structure. Using tools like the Pyramid Principle and Rule of 3 to structure your work will make it much easier for all stakeholders to follow and understand. The basic points behind the Pyramid Principle are to: 1. Start with the answer 2. Group and summarise supporting arguments 3. Order your ideas in a logical way (e.g. chronological, size) The Rule of 3 is the guideline that people find it easiest to understand and remember ideas if they come in 3s.

Biggest lessons from my experience: - know your audience - anticipate the questions that will come your way, and ensure you are prepared for them - keep your deck high level with the detail in an appendix - avoid using jargon - create an environment where “stupid questions” can be asked.

Conclude by seeking feedback from your audience. Actively encourage stakeholders to share their thoughts on the presentation's clarity, inclusivity, and overall effectiveness. Analyze this feedback constructively and use it to refine your approach for future presentations. This continuous improvement cycle reinforces your commitment to inclusivity and demonstrates responsiveness to the evolving needs of your diverse audience.

Breaking down the strategy to small and executable milestones also helps in ensuring the implementation team's job gets simplified and they can completely focus only on the milestone based execution part..

When developing a strategy you should, if possible, consider you stakeholders and make them collaborate (or some of them). A strategy isn’t something one just presents as a surprise. My recommendation is to prepare material, craft a draft of the strategy with clear choices and generate workshops to build the final strategy and iterate that with stake holders. For this, I have found very useful the framework cascade of choices.

To echo a point made elsewhere, giving careful consideration to the person/people sharing for you can make a bug difference. The voices that offer the biggest impact and engagement are often found far from the C-suite.

To simplify the task, I suggest to 1. identify your key stakeholders. Break them into several groups (no more than 3) and understand what specific message you want to deliver to each of them. 2. describe them in detail. This is similar to creating a Buyer Persona in marketing. 3. prepare individual slides/parts of your presentation dedicated to a specific "persona". Don't mix the interests of several stakeholders on one slide. 4. present each part as if there's no one else but that one person in the audience. Do the same with each slide or section of your presentation. You will be surprised how responsive your audience becomes if you don't try to talk to all people at the same time.

Think of your strategy presentation like packing for a trip – keep it simple, essential, and without unnecessary baggage. The goal is a smooth journey for everyone involved.

In some cases, I have found Real-Time Collaboration very useful. If we enable real-time collaboration and interaction among stakeholders before the presentation, this allows for discussions, questions, and feedback exchange between participants.

Consider Language Accessibility: If your audience includes individuals with varying language proficiencies, consider providing translations or subtitles. This ensures that everyone can follow along and fully grasp the content.