How do you design and deliver consulting presentations with the latest trends and innovations?

1 Know your purpose and audience

Before you start working on your presentation, you need to define your purpose and audience. What is the main message or goal of your presentation? Who are you presenting to and what are their needs, expectations, and preferences? How do you want them to feel and act after your presentation? Knowing your purpose and audience will help you craft a clear and relevant presentation that aligns with your objectives and resonates with your listeners.

2 Structure your story and content

Once you have your purpose and audience in mind, you need to structure your story and content. A good consulting presentation follows a logical and compelling flow that guides your audience through your problem statement, analysis, solution, and implementation plan. You can use frameworks such as the pyramid principle, the MECE principle, or the SCQA model to organize your ideas and arguments in a coherent and concise way. You should also use headings, summaries, and transitions to signpost your key points and keep your audience engaged.

3 Design your slides and visuals

After you have your story and content ready, you need to design your slides and visuals. A good consulting presentation uses simple and elegant slides that support your verbal message and enhance your credibility. You should avoid clutter, distractions, and unnecessary details that might confuse or bore your audience. You should also use visuals such as charts, graphs, diagrams, or icons to illustrate your data, concepts, or processes in an appealing and understandable way. You can use tools such as PowerPoint, Prezi, or Canva to create and customize your slides and visuals.

4 Deliver your presentation with confidence and clarity

Finally, you need to deliver your presentation with confidence and clarity. A good consulting presentation is not only about the content, but also about the delivery. You should practice your presentation several times before the actual event, rehearsing your timing, tone, pace, gestures, and eye contact. You should also prepare for potential questions, objections, or feedback from your audience, and handle them with professionalism and grace. You should also use tools such as Zoom, Teams, or Slideshare to share and present your slides online or remotely, if needed.

5 Keep up with the latest trends and innovations

As a management consultant, you should always strive to improve your presentation skills and keep up with the latest trends and innovations in the field. You should follow industry publications, blogs, podcasts, or newsletters that offer insights, tips, and examples of best practices and successful presentations. You should also seek feedback, mentorship, or coaching from your peers, managers, or clients, and learn from their experiences and perspectives. You should also experiment with new tools, techniques, or formats that might enhance your presentation style and effectiveness.

6 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?