It's important to capture attention with graphics that convey the project with reference to the local community. In my experience Councillors don't want a theoretical presentation but one rooted in the local context. Lead with local landscape, local heritage and local functionality to 'sell' the scheme.make it personal.

In high-stakes meetings, ensuring your message is heard and understood involves a few key strategies: - **Tailor the presentation to your audience** by highlighting how the design benefits the community, using terms council members are familiar with. - **Reinforce your points with visuals** like diagrams, models, or slides to create a clear representation of your ideas. - **Practice delivering your presentation** concisely, focusing on clarity and avoiding jargon, so your vision remains accessible and impactful. Engaging the audience with questions and checking for feedback also helps ensure your message resonates.

It's a fact that council members come from different fields and aren't experts in everything. So, don't expect everyone in the room to understand the terminology or design being presented. Your presentation needs to be clear and easy to understand. Use simple language, local references, landmarks, and scale it according to what the council needs. A picture-perfect 3D model would be more appropriate. Avoid showing detailed designs meant for technical people.

In meetings with diverse stakeholders, our presentation should convey our expertise and demonstrate our understanding of their perspectives. By incorporating techniques that address their desires, interests, and concerns, we can create a solution that aligns with our goals and strengthens the aspects they value. This collaborative approach ensures that the final plan benefits everyone involved.