Management Tip of the Day: Match Your Presentation to Your Audience

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile SEPTEMBER 19, 2012 Match Your Presentation to Your Audience Every public speaking expert will tell you to get to know your audience ahead of time. But what do you do with that information? You need to adjust your presentation to meet their needs in several ways: Consider their comprehension. For example, a presentation to a technical group of decision makers is going to contain more quantitative detail than a presentation to a group of less technical junior managers. Include everyone. With a mixed audience, try to address different perspectives explicitly to keep everyone interested. For example, "This will affect the product managers like this... and the engineers like this..." Establish common ground. If you suspect the audience may be hostile, begin by emphasizing concerns you share. Turn the negative into a positive, if possible. Today's Management Tip was adapted from the Harvard ManageMentor Online Module: Presentation Skills. Buy the course and learn how to become a better presenter » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Presentation Skills: Harvard ManageMentor Online Module Harvard ManageMentor Sound advice on preparing and delivering presentations that command attention, persuade, and inspire. Includes rehearsal techniques as well as tips for creating and using more effective visuals. Also addresses the importance of understanding your objectives and your audience to create a presentation with impact. One-year single user license. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Make Decisions Simpler for Your Customers Choose the Right Tools to Communicate With Your Virtual Team Ask for More Before Granting a Favor Create a Vision that Motivates Your Team Manage a Diverse and Dispersed Team Why Projects Work Better than Interviews Decide If Travel Is Really Worth It Make Your Big Idea Happen Say No to Extra Work Build a Better Innovation Team All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2012 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)