Consulting > Presentations > Structure
|
Preparation
Message
Structure
|
The structure of our presentations refers to the structure of ideas that sets out or proves our message convincingly. The following explains the structure in terms of hierarchy, storyline, and SUCCESS. |
|
|
|
|
|
Hierarchy
In general, a message can only then be presented successfully if we organize our ideas, theories, and arguments in a hierarchical manner. The "pyramid Principle" described by Barbara Minto (in German) is particularly well-suited, upon which the following considerations are based:
Group ideas: Our mind automatically structures ideas by trying to put them into terms or groups. Minto suggests limiting the number of elements in a group to seven: Most people cannot memorize lists of more than seven topics, terms, or ideas. For our presentations, this means that no more than seven thoughts should be included on one hierarchical level. Many practical structures use three to five ideas per hierarchical level.
Present ideas from top to bottom: Our audience will be able to understand our ideas much more easily when they know "what it's about," if we tell them at the beginning what the superordinate idea of our presentation is. Our mind expects the superordinate idea first and then more or less forms boxes into which the subordinate thoughts are sorted. Hence, "Message first" applies not only to our exhibits, but rather above all to the structure of our ideas. We should not mention ideas, theories, and arguments that don't fit into this hierarchical structure: Straying from the topic, additional remarks, and other information only jeopardize the comprehension of our message.
Ideas instead of topics: Hierarchies in presentations can only be structured based on thoughts (ideas) and not on topics: Topics like "Planning" or "New customers" are not very helpful, instead our ideas should be formulated: "Reasons for planning," "Steps in our planning process" or "Acquisition of new customers through telemarketing," "Fewer customers than last year." Formulating our ideas in complete sentences would be even more consistent because only in this way can we communicate our ideas unambiguously. A complete idea can only be expressed in the form of a sentence and such sentences must be statements which can be verified. Questions make no sense either as the title of chapters or as superordinate ideas. Our "message" cannot be a question, it must always be a determination or recommendation. Questions, on the other hand, come from the audience, they are the reason why the audience is interested in our presentation. |
|
|
|
 |
Storyline |
|
|
|
|
|
SUCCESS |
|
|
|
|
