Contents
1. Introduction: Death by Screens
- This book: how it can help you
- Why stories work: people are hard-wired to pay attention to them
2. First steps: prepare early to save time later
- Know your stakeholders: map your audience’s concerns and expertise
- Choose your setting: take control of where, when, and how you present
- Send the invite: attract constructive input by managing expectations
- Start with structure: work on the slides later
3. Structure Part I: set the scene
- Introductions and welcome: set yourself up as the host
- The whys: why this work, why now, and why this meeting
- The attention-grabber: use a surprising quote, quiz, or story to engage your audience
- Principles: explain how you approached the design
- Share your insights: show what you learned, not your process
4. Structure Part II: show the design through a story
- Warnings and caveats: avoid nasty surprises
- Frame the feedback: explain what’s useful and what’s not
- The scenario: describe who is using the design and why
- The story: show your hero using the design
- Outcomes: give your story a happy ending for the user and the organisation
- Discussion: questions, comments, and answers
- Close the meeting: make the next steps explicit
5. Writing: sharpen your rationale with well-crafted words
- Transcribe it: get a first draft fast
- Edit: use tools to make your words clear and concise
- Headlines: refine to make them memorable
- Use the Goldilocks Zone of detail: not too much, not too little
- Repetition: drive your main points home with consistent wording
- Kill your darlings: focus on the essentials by editing ruthlessly
6. Slides: design for listening, not reading
- Minimise words on screen to keep people listening
- Reveal content bit-by-bit so your audience doesn’t jump ahead
- Include sections so they know where they are
- Use variety to alleviate boredom
- Leave space for detail following the presentation
7. Rehearse: Improve your performance with feedback
- Find your style: confident delivery comes in many flavours
- Record yourself: find out what to improve by recording a rehearsal
- Self-assess the basics: speed, volume, rhythm, and expression
- Get feedback: use peers to help you find problems you cannot see
- Physical confidence: use your face and body to engage the audience
8. Prepare: manage the details with care
- Polish the presentation: minimise distraction
- The room: set it up for the best audience experience
- Remote presentations: setup like a broadcaster
- Disasters: plan contingencies for worst-case scenarios
- Don’t go it alone: designate a moderator, note-taker, and timekeeper
9. Discussion: translate unclear feedback into useful critique
- The 6Ds of design discussion: Deference, Detail, Determine, Delay, Document, and Delegate
- Discuss outcomes: focus on the ‘why’ of the work
- Inclusive discussion: get the most from everyone’s input
- After the meeting: follow up with your stakeholders
10. Resilience: managing yourself and your feelings
- Prepare and practice: the best way to reduce anxiety
- Expect the unexpected: adapt when problems arise
- Self-awareness: reframe your negative thoughts
- Visualise: mentally rehearse the performance
- Ground yourself: use mindful breathing
Final thoughts
Useful extras
- The task checklist
- Reduce communication debt: use recorded presentations and huddles
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Culture-fit: tailor the presentation to suit the organisation