Coaching Non-Sales People to Craft Impactful Sales Presentations
Terry Williams
New Zealand Leadership Trainer / Speaker. I give New Zealand workplace leaders simple tools to engage people. I've been delivering leadership training and people-skills to people thrown in the deep end for 34 years.
Everybody's selling something. You might not be in a literal sales person role but you might have 'sell' yourself to get a job, 'sell' your idea to get a project approved, or sell your team's value to get budget approved.
Sales workshops this year have been #3 in terms of demand from my clients. When economic times are tough, them's the skills that'll get you through. And, while I know I've helped those clients out, I've certainly learned a lot from them also.
In today's dynamic workplace, effective communication is a skill that transcends job titles. Whether your team members are in sales or not, the ability to deliver compelling presentations is a valuable asset. As a leader, empowering your team to develop their own sales presentations can enhance their communication skills and contribute to overall team success.
This mission of this monthly newsletter is to capture and distribute? what we at The People Engagement Experts have picked up that passes as wisdom in a form that is directly practical and useful. What trainers like me might call 'takeaways'. Things like infographics, checklists, and templates.?Books,?presentations?and?training courses?are great (as an author, speaker & trainer, I would say that) but most days they're a bit much and people have work to do. This newsletter will feature one short-form tool each month. This month, it’s our infographic?on how to prepare sales presentations.
Here are some practical tips to guide you in coaching your team members through this process.
1.???? Understand the Audience: Begin by emphasizing the importance of knowing the audience. Whether presenting to clients, colleagues, or internal stakeholders, understanding their needs and interests is critical. Encourage your team to tailor their presentations accordingly.
2.???? Define Clear Objectives: Work with your team to establish clear objectives for each presentation. What do they want to achieve? Whether it's conveying information, persuading stakeholders, or seeking feedback, having well-defined goals provides a roadmap for crafting a focused presentation.
3.???? Craft a Compelling Story: Stress the importance of storytelling. Help your team structure their presentations as a narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Engaging stories capture attention, make content memorable, and create a more profound impact.
4.???? Highlight Unique Value Propositions: Even if your team isn't in traditional sales roles, encourage them to identify and articulate the unique value propositions of their ideas, projects, or initiatives. What sets them apart? Clearly communicating value helps make a persuasive case.
5.???? Practice Active Listening: Effective presentations involve more than just speaking. Teach your team the importance of active listening to understand the needs and concerns of their audience. This allows for real-time adjustments during the presentation to address any questions or uncertainties.
6.???? Utilize Visual Aids Effectively: Guide your team on the strategic use of visual aids. Encourage the use of visuals, such as slides or graphics, to enhance key points and keep the audience engaged. Emphasize simplicity and clarity in visual design.
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7.???? Encourage Interactivity: Foster a presentation style that encourages audience interaction. Whether through Q&A sessions, polls, or discussions, interactivity keeps the audience engaged and allows for a more dynamic and memorable presentation.
8.???? Provide Constructive Feedback: Create a culture of constructive feedback. Regularly review and provide feedback on practice presentations. This helps team members refine their delivery, adjust content based on feedback, and build confidence.
9.???? Emphasize Non-Verbal Communication: Remind your team that non-verbal cues play a significant role in communication. From body language to tone of voice, these elements contribute to the overall impact of a presentation. Encourage them to be mindful of their non-verbal communication.
10. Celebrate Successes and Learn from Challenges: Recognize and celebrate successful presentations within the team. At the same time, use challenges as learning opportunities. Foster a culture where team members feel comfortable sharing their experiences and learning from both successes and setbacks.
By coaching your team members in the art of crafting impactful presentations, you're not only enhancing their individual skills but also contributing to the overall success of your team. Effective communication is a universal skill that can elevate your team's performance, regardless of their role. Encourage continuous learning and practice, and watch as your team becomes a powerhouse of compelling communicators.
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Senior Director | Certified Leadership & Career Coach | Ex-IBM & Ex-Cognizant | Top 1% in ???? (Favikon). Views Are Personal
8 个月Absolutely! Being able to present yourself and your ideas effectively is key to success.