Banning the Boring Research Presentation
When it comes to presenting research findings, “pretty good” isn’t enough. Whether we like it or not, the quality of the research is often judged by the quality of its delivery. The best way to make sure the findings have their fullest impact is to deliver presentations that are engaging and that actually provide meaningful, relevant insights to decision-makers.
The most common problems with research presentations are that they are too long, too academic, and/or too conceptual. In other words, they are data intensive when they should be insight intensive. Remember that the purpose of a presentation is not to showcase all your hard work or to tell the audience everything you know about a topic. Instead, the purpose is to communicate insights that can help make decision-making easier. Your audience wants to know what to do differently as a result of the research—and that’s all they want to know.
The first step in delivering a presentation that has impact is to eliminate everything that isn’t relevant to the core story. This demands rigorous detachment (not easy for researchers who love every question and every data point) by separating hard-won raw data from the more significant or larger business story it supports.
If you can keep the following key things in mind when you’re developing your next research presentation, you’ll be well on your way to delivering a presentation that will not only keep your audience awake, but might even put them on the edge of their seats.
First, think abridged. Research reports/presentations can be long—75 to 80 pages or more. No one has the time (or desire) to sit through even 50 pages, let alone 80. Keep findings brief and focused on insights. Don’t waste time on methodology intricacies or the analytical techniques used—no one cares. Your audience trusts you do good work and just wants to know what you learned.
Second, keep it simple. Although the work that’s done is often very complex, the ultimate success and use of the information depends on the ability to make it appear simple. Don’t jam several graphics, commentary, etc. on a single slide. It doesn’t help you deliver insights. It’s OK to leave some things behind—really, you don’t need every single data point. Tell the audience what’s important and resist the urge to tell them every little thing you learned along the way.
Third, focus on the audience’s needs—not your own. This means knowing who you’re presenting to and what they need to hear. This leads to the fourth key in presenting research…engagement.
Light up a room. Just because you’re presenting research doesn’t mean you have a license to be boring. Tell a story. Explain what the findings mean—that’s what’s exciting to decision-makers.
Finally, take a risk. Know that sometimes it’s OK to go out on a limb and a draw a conclusion even if it’s outside the purviews of the specific scope of the study findings. Leaders make calculated guesses based on imperfect information all the time. If you can’t join them in embracing uncertainty and taking an informed risk, you won’t be invited to the table when strategic decisions are made. If someone asks a question outside the research box, answer it and explain what the findings mean.
When it comes to effective research presentations, the bottom line is this: Present clear, concise, simple insights instead of data findings.
What research presentation tricks of the trade have you found most effective ?
Photo by kevindooley
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