How do you present your findings persuasively to stakeholders?

1 Know your audience

Before you start designing your presentation, you need to understand who your audience is, what their goals and interests are, and what level of technical knowledge they have. This will help you tailor your message, tone, and style to suit their needs and expectations. For example, if you are presenting to a senior executive, you may want to focus on the strategic implications and benefits of your solution, rather than the details of the mathematical models and algorithms. If you are presenting to a technical team, you may want to explain the assumptions and limitations of your approach, and how you validated your results.

2 Structure your presentation

A clear and logical structure is essential for a successful presentation. A common framework is to follow the OR process: define the problem, formulate the model, collect and analyze the data, generate and evaluate the solutions, and implement and monitor the results. Within this framework, you should also include an introduction, a conclusion, and a call to action. The introduction should capture the attention of the audience, provide some background and context, and state the main objective and scope of your presentation. The conclusion should summarize the key points, highlight the main benefits and outcomes, and address any potential questions or concerns. The call to action should specify what you want the audience to do next, such as approve your proposal, provide feedback, or implement your recommendations.

3 Use visual aids

Visual aids can significantly improve your presentation by making it more engaging, informative, and memorable. However, you should use them wisely and sparingly, avoiding cluttering slides with too much text, data, or graphics. Effective visual aids for OR presentations include charts and graphs to illustrate trends, patterns, and relationships in data; tables and matrices to organize and summarize data; diagrams and maps to visualize models or systems; and images and videos to demonstrate the impact of solutions. When using these visual aids, make sure to choose the right type of chart or graph for your data; limit the number of rows and columns in your tables and matrices; use simple and clear symbols in diagrams and maps; choose high-quality images and videos that support your message; label axes, legends, titles clearly; use consistent formatting and highlighting; and avoid distracting or irrelevant visuals.

4 Communicate clearly

The way you communicate your findings and recommendations is as important as the content of your presentation. You should use clear and concise language, and avoid jargon, acronyms, or technical terms that your audience may not understand. You should also use positive and confident words, and avoid hedging, apologizing, or undermining your credibility. For example, instead of saying "I think this solution might work", say "This solution will work". You should also use stories, anecdotes, or examples to make your presentation more relatable and persuasive, and show how your solution can solve the problem or create value for your audience.

5 Engage your audience

A good presentation is not a one-way communication, but a dialogue between you and your audience. You should engage your audience throughout your presentation by asking open-ended or rhetorical questions, using polls, surveys, or quizzes, and encouraging comments, suggestions, or objections. Additionally, show enthusiasm, passion, and emotion with gestures, eye contact, and vocal variety to convey your message and connect with your audience. By following these tips, you can present your OR findings persuasively to stakeholders and convince them of the value and feasibility of your solution. This can help you achieve your goals, build your reputation, and advance your career as an OR practitioner.