Conversational Presentations

One of the most important aspects of presenting your story is to make it conversational. This can be quite challenging in a case-solving situation since you're typically delivering a monologue, and you're trying to create a dialogue. However, traditional rules often prevent that because, in most cases—unless it's a Texas-style presentation where judges can ask questions during the presentation—you present your case first, and then the judges ask questions afterwards.

In these traditional presentations, information is delivered in one direction, leading to a passive audience experience with limited opportunities for feedback. As a result, presentations often become forgettable and ineffective. This is a significant issue; if judges can't remember what you discussed, it becomes difficult for them to justify why your presentation was the best during deliberations.

So, how can we incorporate elements of a conversational presentation into a traditional case-solving situation? Conversational presentations are more engaging, allowing the audience to retain more information through active participation. This two-way communication clarifies complex concepts, fosters authentic connections, and helps to build rapport and trust. Ultimately, people remember how you made them feel, not just the words you used.

To create a more conversational presentation, consider the following elements:

1. Audience Awareness: Understand who you're speaking to. Look at the characters in the case and recognise who the judges are representing. If possible, engage with actual company representatives or individuals from the case who are serving as judges, as this can create a more dynamic interaction.
2. Authentic Voice and Natural Language: Avoid using complex jargon. Instead, communicate in everyday terms that make your message accessible to everyone in the room. This will help bridge the knowledge gap and facilitate a clearer understanding of the issues at hand.
3. Strategic Questions and Pauses: Ask questions during your presentation and encourage participation. Give your audience time to think about their responses before offering your perspectives on those questions.
4. Flexibility in Structure: Be open to adapting your presentation format based on audience reactions. Rather than adhering strictly to a template, feel free to modify the structure to fit the needs of your case and the responses of the audience. This can enhance their understanding of your proposed solution.
5. Active Listening: Pay attention to audience feedback through body language. Observe if the judges show signs of confusion, nodding, or smiling. This will help you adjust your presentation on the fly to maintain engagement.

By integrating these elements, you can transform a typically one-sided conversation into a more interactive and memorable experience for your audience.

What is the audience's response as you speak? Can you make adjustments along the way? It's important to recognise if you've confused everyone and how to revisit that point. While these interactions may not be considered active participation, they allow the audience to influence your discussion. This is especially crucial during Q&A sessions. As you answer questions, observe the audience and the judges to gauge their reactions. Are they engaged with your narrative? Does the next question build on the last one or introduce a new topic? Their body language can give you insight into the clarity of the story you're telling.

Here are some strategies that I explored regarding how to foster conversational dialogue, often utilised in educational settings. One effective approach is to begin with a question instead of a statement. In a traditional presentation, you might start by posing the questions you'll answer or outlining the problem at hand, rather than making a declarative statement.

Polling can sometimes be limited in competitions, but by observing your audience's body language, you can get a sense of their engagement. One of the simplest methods for connecting with the audience is to incorporate storytelling and relatable characters or situations throughout your presentation. Weave pieces of a narrative into your explanation and tie the solution back to stories that the audience can easily understand.

The latter strategies, such as facilitating built-in discussions, can be more challenging. However, you can still ask questions or offer thought prompts to stimulate engagement. Providing a moment of silence for the audience to reflect can be valuable; while silence can feel uncomfortable, it often allows for deeper consideration. Remember, it's essential to avoid overwhelming the audience with too much information. Instead, guide them to begin thinking about your solution and the questions they might have during the Q&A session.

Creating deliberate pauses for reflection is another useful technique. The audience's body language will often indicate how well they are processing the information. During your presentation, consider pausing occasionally to allow them to digest what you've shared.

Additionally, think critically about your slide design. Opt for fewer words and more visual elements. Consider incorporating questions into your slides; if there are inquiries made in the case, present your answers clearly. This approach encourages the audience to contemplate the questions and your responses, similar to a two-way conversation.

In presentations, especially in a Texas-style format, teams may navigate between various slides. They might show a slide from the end or the beginning in response to a question. As you prepare, think about whether you want to adhere to a conventional structure or take a more flexible approach to storytelling around your solution.

Lastly, utilise images strategically to provoke thought and discussion, encouraging visual thinking while also allowing for white space to leave room for audience contributions.

When not everything is crowded, some whitespace can represent opportunities for engagement. These spaces may serve as cues for you, the audience, to reflect on the points I’ve just discussed. Instead of simply talking at you and presenting solutions, I aim to facilitate your participation in various ways. While it may not involve active participation, I want to provide you with moments to think about the topics being addressed. During these pauses, I encourage you to reflect on what I've said. Then, in the Q&A session, we can have a genuine conversation where you can ask questions. This approach can help transform what might feel like a strict one-way conversation into a more interactive and meaningful dialogue.