Episode 25: A Weekend at JDC West 2025

January 15, 2025

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to observe several academic stream presentations at JDC West 20025, hosted by the Haskayne School of Business. As an observer this time, I compiled a long list of observations regarding the skills I witnessed. In the upcoming episodes, I would like to share what I observed, how it impacted the presentations, and ways to improve communication regarding the solutions presented.

One of the significant areas for improvement I noticed was the flow and structure of the presentations. There was also a need to foster stronger engagement from the very beginning and maintain that engagement throughout. Additionally, I observed that presenters often struggled to take charge of the room, tended to hide behind podiums, and didn't effectively use the available floor space or define their positioning.

As the advisor to the organisers this year, one of my responsibilities was to help them find judges. This allowed me to converse with the judges throughout the weekend and gain insight into their perspectives. This is where I identified the first area for improvement, along with my observations. The judges had a long day ahead, with up to 12 teams presenting in each stream. Building connections with the judges proved challenging, particularly in the morning when they were just beginning. As the day progressed, their engagement tended to waver, and it became more difficult late in the afternoon.

The first presentation is particularly challenging for judges, as there is nothing for them to compare it against; however, it does present a unique opportunity to set the standard for the day. Let's discuss how to set that standard. It should commence by waking up the judges and engaging them from the moment the title slide appears on the screen, all the way through to the conclusion of the question-and-answer period.

How is this Done?

The first step is to ensure everyone in the room understands the roles your presenting team has defined, especially the judges. Include this information on the title slide and discuss it during your presentation. If specific names are mentioned in the case, use those names on the title page and throughout the presentation. This approach makes it more personal and engaging.

Next, bring a good level of energy to your presentation and convey your excitement about presenting your solution. Aim to establish emotional connections with the audience through the stories you share, and make sure those stories are linked together cohesively. Often, presentations become mere recitals of the information displayed on each slide instead of a cohesive narrative. The slides should serve as cue cards or guidance, helping the judges keep track of your points as they take notes. Listening and noting simultaneously can be challenging, but an engaging story will assist the judges in this process.

It is vital to follow a clear presentation structure that allows the judges to easily follow your argument for the proposed solution. While this was mostly effective, there were moments of confusion. For example, one presentation I observed used a single decision tree to make multiple unrelated decisions, employing vaguely defined decision criteria, which left me perplexed. In contrast, other teams who used decision tools focused on a single decision with clear criteria, which made it much easier to follow.

Most teams did a commendable job of keeping each slide focused on a single message, but some struggled to connect the message just presented to the next one. In certain instances, it felt more like a series of disjointed messages rather than a narrative that linked each point together, which hindered the audience's understanding of the solution being presented.

Another aspect I mentioned earlier is the importance of taking control of the room. This ties back to what I’ve just discussed about utilising the space effectively and not hiding behind furniture, which can come across as timid. Approaching the judges, while respecting their personal space, can project confidence and friendliness. Moving away from the furniture also allows you to better employ non-verbal cues and interact more dynamically with the audience. Utilising the space in the room can enhance your engagement with those listening.