How can you present complex findings to clients in an engaging way?

2 Structure your story

A good presentation is not just a collection of facts and figures, but a compelling story that takes your audience on a journey. You need to have a clear structure that guides your audience through your problem statement, approach, findings, recommendations, and next steps. You can use frameworks like the pyramid principle, the situation-complication-resolution, or the STAR method to organize your ideas logically and hierarchically. You should also have a clear and catchy headline for each slide, and a strong opening and closing that capture your audience's attention and summarize your key messages.

3 Simplify your visuals

Visuals are essential to convey complex findings, but they can also be overwhelming or confusing if they are not well-designed. You need to simplify your visuals by using clear and consistent labels, colors, fonts, and formats, and by avoiding clutter, noise, or unnecessary details. You should also use charts, graphs, diagrams, or icons that match your data type and message, and that highlight the most important or relevant information. You can use tools like the Gestalt principles, the data-ink ratio, or the CRAP method to improve your visual design.

4 Engage your audience

To keep your audience interested and involved, you need to engage them throughout your presentation. You can do this by using stories, anecdotes, metaphors, or analogies that relate to their situation or experience, and that illustrate your findings or recommendations. You can also use questions, polls, quizzes, or exercises to invite their feedback, opinions, or ideas, and to check their understanding or agreement. You should also use gestures, eye contact, voice modulation, and pauses to emphasize your points and convey your enthusiasm and confidence.

5 Anticipate objections

No matter how well you present your complex findings, you may face some objections or resistance from your clients, who may have different perspectives, preferences, or interests. You need to anticipate these objections and prepare responses that address them constructively and respectfully. You can use tools like the issue tree, the MECE principle, or the objection matrix to identify and categorize the possible objections, and to develop evidence-based arguments that support your findings or recommendations. You should also listen actively, acknowledge their concerns, and seek common ground or compromise.

6 Follow up

After you present your complex findings to your clients, you need to follow up with them to ensure that they understood, accepted, and acted on your insights and suggestions. You can do this by sending a summary of your presentation, a thank-you note, or a feedback survey, and by asking for their questions, comments, or concerns. You can also offer additional support, resources, or guidance, and schedule a follow-up meeting or call to discuss the next steps or the implementation plan.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?