How can you present a strategic plan that stakeholders will understand?

1 Know your audience

Before you design your presentation, you need to know who your stakeholders are, what their interests and concerns are, and how they prefer to receive information. For example, some stakeholders may want to see detailed data and analysis, while others may want to focus on the big picture and the benefits. Some may prefer visuals and stories, while others may prefer numbers and facts. You can use surveys, interviews, or focus groups to gather feedback from your stakeholders and tailor your presentation accordingly.

2 Define your purpose

Your presentation should have a clear and specific purpose that guides your content and structure. What do you want your stakeholders to know, feel, and do after your presentation? Do you want to inform them about the strategic plan, persuade them to approve it, or inspire them to implement it? Do you want to address their questions, objections, or suggestions? Do you want to highlight the opportunities, challenges, or risks of the strategic plan? Your purpose should be aligned with your audience's needs and expectations.

3 Use a simple framework

A strategic plan can have many components, such as vision, mission, values, goals, objectives, strategies, actions, indicators, and timelines. However, you don't need to present all of them in your presentation. You should focus on the key elements that are relevant and meaningful to your audience. A simple framework that you can use is the S.M.A.R.T. approach, which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This approach can help you present your strategic plan in a concise and logical way that shows how it will deliver results.

5 Invite feedback and dialogue

Your presentation should not be a one-way communication, but a two-way conversation with your stakeholders. You should invite feedback and dialogue throughout your presentation, not just at the end. You can use various techniques to encourage interaction, such as asking questions, conducting polls, facilitating discussions, or soliciting suggestions. Feedback and dialogue can help you gauge your audience's understanding, interest, and agreement with your strategic plan. They can also help you address any concerns, objections, or gaps in your presentation.