Assign Responsibility

Assign responsibility for each segment of the presentation. Management and the presentation coordinator should make these assignments. They should also set the guidelines for planning, organizing, and preparing the presentation.

Set up a presentation control room. This room becomes the hub for all presentation tasks such as preparing storyboards, holding stand-up reviews, dry runs, etc. Post and strictly adhere to a detailed schedule of activities and responsibilities. Develop a question-and-answer chart to record anticipated customer questions. Be hard on yourselves. Ask the tough questions. The team can then develop thorough answers that support the theme of the presentation. If your presentation contains classified material, control access to the room. The presentation control room is a haven from distractions and a good place to concentrate and brainstorm.

Make one of your presenters the team leader. The team leader is the quarterback. Once the customer’s conference room doors are closed, the team leader is in charge. Duties include:

-Introducing the team

-Previewing the presentation’s scope

-Managing time

-Summarizing key points

-Fielding questions

-Recording follow-on actions
-Observing and interpreting customer reactions