In the few weeks I've been at The Information Lab, I've completed several mini-projects where I presented my work to mock clients. Since presentations can be intimidating, I wanted to pass along some tips that I found helpful, particularly for budding consultants.
- Prepare an outline.
Your outline should include an introduction, key points, live demos, and a conclusion. You don't necessarily need to have a script, but if you do write one, avoid relying on it word for word. Make sure you get experience presenting without a script and that you're comfortable with both asking & answering questions on the fly. Having a few bullet points prepared is a good middle ground. - Set aside time for rehearsal.
Consulting can be stressful, and part of that can come from how you manage your time. If you have public speaking nerves and don't set aside time to rehearse your presentations, you'll be twice as stressed about them! So consider rehearsal time as an investment, both for your own morale and for your client's benefit. When you practice, it helps you pinpoint which parts of your presentation you struggle with, which can improve your confidence and clarity! - Always keep your audience in mind.
Throughout your consulting career, you'll find that different clients have different levels of data literacy. It's your job to meet your clients where they're at, especially in your presentations. Simplify jargon that non-technical stakeholders might not understand, and start with the purpose of a chart before explaining the rest of it so that your audience can absorb insights quickly. - Don't undersell yourself!
There will be times when you don't finish everything you expect to, and in your presentation you might be tempted to preface your work by saying, "I didn't have the time to..." (or something along those lines). Avoid that negativity, and speak with confidence and intent! If it's work you plan to complete in the future, you should communicate that by saying, "In the future I intend to...". Of course, if this work was actually in your original scope, make sure you communicate this change with your stakeholder beforehand!
Overall, client presentations can be stressful, so my hope is that these tips will help my fellow consultants (and myself) improve in this area. Don't aim for perfection, but do aim for clarity and growth!