Management Tip of the Day: Grab Senior Executives' Attention When You Present

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 JANUARY 18, 2013 Grab Senior Executives' Attention When You Present Senior leaders are among the toughest crowds. They're incredibly busy so they won't sit still for a long presentation with a big reveal at the end. Often they'll just interrupt before you finish. Here's how you can earn their support: Summarize up front. Lead with all the information your audience really cares about — high-level findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Then move on to supporting data, subtleties, and other material. Place a short overview of key points at the front and use the rest of your slides as an appendix. Set expectations. Let them know you'll spend the first few minutes on your summary and the rest of the time on discussion. Even the most impatient executives will be more likely to let you get through your main points uninterrupted if they know they'll get to ask questions soon. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "How to Present to Senior Executives" by Nancy Duarte. Read the full post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations Ebook + Video Case Study HBS Press Book TAKE THE PAIN OUT OF PRESENTATIONS. Terrified of speaking in front of a group? Or simply looking to polish your skills? No matter where you are on the spectrum, this guide will give you the confidence and the tools you need to get results. Purchase of the "HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations" ebook includes a 20-minute video case study. This video features author Nancy Duarte walking you through tips covered in the Guide and is available to download (as an mp4 file) or to stream online. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS 3 Ways to Battle E-mail Overload Stand Out in Your Interview Strengthen Your Network with Shared Activities Ask for Feedback Before Taking That Job Stop Regretting Your Career Decisions Keep a Work Diary 3 Ways to Get People to Change What You Really Want from an Informational Interview Forget Self-Esteem. You Need Self-Compassion. Create Dramatic Tension to Persuade Your Audience All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's 10 Must Reads Boxed Set HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations HBR Guide to Better Business Writing HBR 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 © 2013 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)