If you want to ensure a big presentation is a shining success, not wasting time is critical.
The big presentation is an inevitable part of working life.
Whether it’s an element of a job interview…
To the bosses, to get them to back your idea…
To customers, to persuade them to buy your offering…
Or a set-piece speech at a high-profile event.
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Whatever it may be, whenever people come to me for help for such important moments…
I have one suggestion straight away.
- We get going now.
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The number of times I've been approached for help with a big presentation.
I ask the person when it is, and they tell me…
Next week.
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I usually just about manage to keep my thoughts to myself. Because I then go onto ask:
When did you know about this event?
And the answer is normally something like…
A couple of months ago.
(Sigh.)
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Yes, we can still do a decent job in a week.
But nothing like as good as it could’ve been if we had started work several weeks before.
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I’ve just been asked to help write, and do some coaching for a very big speech at a very, very big event.
It’s at the end of February next year.
When shall we start work, I’m asked?
And my answer is... you guessed it...
- Now. Right now. Straight away.
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First of all, let’s decide the narrative of the talk. The key message the audience should take away.
(Note: message singular. As the former British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan said, If you've made three points in a speech, you've made two too many.)
After that, we can write the script, then rewrite, and rewrite until we're content.
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Following that, it’ll be the tricks of public speaking to help the presentation engage, impress and inspire.
After that, we’ll practice, practice and practice some more.
All of which takes time, and more time.
Which is why the sooner we start, the better the eventual result.
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This is so simple, and so critical, yet so often forgotten.
But take it from me, and my experiences…
(Both good and bad!).
If you want that great big, so very important presentation to go down a storm...
Start work the instant you hear about it.