This is part 3 in my new email series called The Executive Edit.  

Today we will be looking at how to ensure consistent presentation throughout your comm. 

Part 3 – Consistent Presentation 

It is sensible to assume that different communication formats require different approaches.

Emails and papers include more words and fewer images, and PowerPoint is the reverse. However, some common presentation principles apply across all forms. 

Changing the way you view your communication while testing for four specific things will help inconsistencies stand out. 

Here are 4 tactics for you to use: 

Try one or more of these ways to “change the way you view your communication”: 

  1. Change the “view” on your computer to presentation mode or print layout and flick through your slides or pages one by one 
  2. Print your draft on paper and flick through the pages quickly so you focus on alignment and other aspects of the presentation's consistency, not the micro details 
  3. Do a dry run through in a meeting room similar to the one you might present in 
  4. Check for these patterns that help your reader follow you: 
    1. Use a consistent visual layout throughout, (i.e., colour theme, font families, sizing, spacing and alignment)
    2. Present ideas in each section so they are “parallel” (i.e., “Design strategy, Develop storyline structure, Deliver communication,” not “Design strategy, Developing structure, Delivery of communication”)
    3. Use the same words for the same things throughout (e.g., a budget is always a budget, not a budget, a cost plan and a forecast) 

I hope you find that useful. More soon. 

Davina 

P.S Don’t forget to download a copy of Part 3 of the Executive Edit to keep on hand. 

 

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ABOUT AUTHOR: DAVINA STANLEY

I love what I do.

I help senior leaders and their teams prepare high-quality papers and presentations in a fraction of the time.

This involves 'nailing' the message that will quickly engage decision makers in the required outcome.

I leverage 25+ years' experience including

  • learning structured thinking techniques at McKinsey in Hong Kong in the mid 1990s before coaching and training their teams globally as a freelancer for a further 15 years
  • being approved to teach the Pyramid Principle by Barbara Minto in 2009
  • helping CEOs, C-suite leaders and their reports deeply understand their stakeholder needs and communicate accordingly
  • seeing leaders cut the number of times they review major papers by ~30% and teams cut the amount of time they take to prepare major papers by ~20%*
  • watching senior meetings focus on substantive discussions and better decisions rather than trying to clarify the issue

My approach helps anyone who needs to engage senior leaders and Boards.

Recent clients include 7Eleven, KPMG, Mercer, Meta, Woolworths.

Learn more at www.clarityfirstprogram.com

 

(*) Numbers are based on 2023 client benchmarking results.