In consulting, interacting with various stakeholders of an organization will inevitably lead you to gather large amounts of data. You will conduct analysis on client pain points based on the data you gathered.
But how do you present this information in a compelling way? How do you convince stakeholders that your solution will ultimately resolve their problems?
This is where presentation skills come into play. Being able to synthesize data and present a story and not merely facts is a key capability of a well rounded consultant. The data you gather can come in two forms, quantitative and qualitative data. Using these at the right moment makes the difference between landing a compelling point or not.
Building presentation frameworks:
One of the best ways to build solid presentation skills is to develop repeatable methods of presenting based on proven frameworks. One example framework would be the pyramid principle, which popularized presenting the solution to the problem first before diving into the details. This framework “gets to the point” quickly and is a powerful way to present information to decision makers, often executives who have little time.
Presentation styling:
When it comes to presentation styling it goes without saying that making the content you are presenting beautiful and easy to read goes a long way in making for smooth presentations. Often this means using a design scheme that matches the client or your consulting firm’s branding along with subtle touches around the particular topic you are presenting. The goal is to make sure your presentation neither looks out of place nor cookie cutter, it should feel consistent and tailored to the discussion at hand.
Speaking skills:
Building speaking skills in front of an audience takes some getting used to. A great way to improve this is to join societies or events where you would have the opportunity to speak publicly. Take these as practice moments to be in front of a crowd in a much more relaxed environment.
Being knowledgeable on the topic:
Another solid way to improve presentation skills is to have a good understanding of the topic being presented and being generally aware of the current discussions in place around it. No amount of beautifying slides and speaking skills will overcome a general lack of knowledge. This doesn’t mean that you need to have a degree in the topic you are presenting, but rather having done your homework and being able to anticipate the kinds of questions you expect to be asked.
Ultimately giving great presentations is a culmination of all of these skills which can be learned over time. It’s best to start practicing on your journey early! With PrepareConsult, you will soon be able to arrange meetings with other consulting industry candidates to hone your presentation skills.
About PrepareConsult:
PrepareConsult is a platform to practice the consulting case interview with AI and peers. PrepareConsult is founded by Milad Mohammadi and Sahhas Nathella.
Milad Mohammadi – 7+ years of experience in consulting and professional services with experience across North America and Europe.
Sahhas Nathella – 5+ years of experience in consulting and professional services with strong experience in complex digital transformations.
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