-
Hi, I am the owner and main administrator of Styleforum. If you find the forum useful and fun, please help support it by buying through the posted links on the forum. Our main, very popular sales thread, where the latest and best sales are listed, are posted HERE
Purchases made through some of our links earns a commission for the forum and allows us to do the work of maintaining and improving it. Finally, thanks for being a part of this community. We realize that there are many choices today on the internet, and we have all of you to thank for making Styleforum the foremost destination for discussions of menswear. -
This site contains affiliate links for which Styleforum may be compensated.
-
STYLE. COMMUNITY. GREAT CLOTHING.
Bored of counting likes on social networks? At Styleforum, you’ll find rousing discussions that go beyond strings of emojis.
Click Here to join Styleforum's thousands of style enthusiasts today!
Styleforum is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.
What I've Learned in Business So Far...
- Thread starter Artisan Fan
- Start date
- Watchers 84
Artisan Fan
Suitsupply-sider
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2006
- Messages
- 32,197
- Reaction score
- 379
Good movie. Young chick was hot.
Artisan Fan
Suitsupply-sider
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2006
- Messages
- 32,197
- Reaction score
- 379
So was the old one.Originally Posted by CBrown85
Agreed.
ChicagoRon
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2007
- Messages
- 6,147
- Reaction score
- 161
F - regarding communication, I get into this one a lot. You cited the 3 points on a ppt rule, which I hear a lot. But I also feel there are occasions where a PPT will be printed/saved by a client and taken away from the meeting. In those cases, isn't it also important that the message is not lost if the deck needs to stand alone? I see both sides, and I make both types of decks depending on my message and audience... but would you be in the camp that says the busy / stand-alone type is never appropriate?
Artisan Fan
Suitsupply-sider
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2006
- Messages
- 32,197
- Reaction score
- 379
AF - regarding communication, I get into this one a lot. You cited the 3 points on a ppt rule, which I hear a lot. But I also feel there are occasions where a PPT will be printed/saved by a client and taken away from the meeting. In those cases, isn't it also important that the message is not lost if the deck needs to stand alone? I see both sides, and I make both types of decks depending on my message and audience... but would you be in the camp that says the busy / stand-alone type is never appropriate?Originally Posted by ChicagoRon
I don't think this conflicts with what I said but generally there are two ways to handle this:
1. Include speaker's notes in the comments section.
2. Have great taglines at the top of each page that have a pithy summary of the page's content.
Now sometimes busy type can be appropriate. For instance here are some areas where a "dense" slide makes sense:
1. High level framework.
2. Systems architecture chart.
3. Marketing strategy roadmap.
4. Optimization or predictive modeling results.
5. Survey results - but ideally key takeaways highlighted.
It's a case by case basis. You develop some judgment through experience. The first hundred client meetings are the hardest.
ChicagoRon
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2007
- Messages
- 6,147
- Reaction score
- 161
Thanks - for reference sake, I've been doing big 5 consulting for 11 years... so I am generally pretty comfortable with my judgment, but there's always the one person in the room that has such a hard-line opinion one way or the other.
The ones I hate the most are the people who read that awful "presentation zen" book that says just put a photo that has nothing to do with anything on the slide and talk about what you want... miserable.
The ones I hate the most are the people who read that awful "presentation zen" book that says just put a photo that has nothing to do with anything on the slide and talk about what you want... miserable.
Artisan Fan
Suitsupply-sider
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2006
- Messages
- 32,197
- Reaction score
- 379
The ones I hate the most are the people who read that awful "presentation zen" book that says just put a photo that has nothing to do with anything on the slide and talk about what you want... miserable.Originally Posted by ChicagoRon
I agree. That's crazy bad advice.
[...]Originally Posted by Artisan Fan
2. Have great taglines at the top of each page that have a pithy summary of the page's content.
[...]
I've heard that one before.
The headlines themselves should be able to tell the story of the presentation (not at the same detail level of course)
Some people (those with the big bonuses and little time) will only read those.
Great thread
Artisan Fan
Suitsupply-sider
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2006
- Messages
- 32,197
- Reaction score
- 379
I'm like a ninja of ppt at this point but these are the definitive references: http://www.amazon.com/Say-Presentati...tt_at_ep_dpi_2 http://www.amazon.com/Say-Charts-Exe...9033700&sr=8-1 Gene is the veritable Yoda of presentation gurus.
Artisan Fan
Suitsupply-sider
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2006
- Messages
- 32,197
- Reaction score
- 379
I've heard that one before.Originally Posted by Redwoood
The headlines themselves should be able to tell the story of the presentation (not at the same detail level of course)
Some people (those with the big bonuses and little time) will only read those.
Bain, BCG and McKinsey use formats that have headings on each page. BCG has a particularly elegant format. I like green though.
Here's another tip which some find controversial:
Don't feel the need to include the client logo and your firm's logo on every page.
Okay, here's the logic. 1. The client know who they are. Some don't even like their logo. 2. You are there to provide advice, not sell your logo on every page. The focus should be on delivering value, if that happens to be enabled by a software or hardware product you sell then so much the better.
Artisan Fan
Suitsupply-sider
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2006
- Messages
- 32,197
- Reaction score
- 379
On selling: Product pitches never work. A client doesn't care about feature function. They want solutions that solve their pain points. How do I get more customers? How do I retain those customers? What do my highest value customers look like? How do I eliminate expense? How do I improve innovatiion? This type of consultative selling is proven. Want to learn more? Miller-Heiman is a great course.
Artisan Fan
Suitsupply-sider
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2006
- Messages
- 32,197
- Reaction score
- 379
A great book on selling: http://www.amazon.com/New-Strategic-...9034478&sr=1-1
FEATURED PRODUCTS
-
LuxeSwap Auction - Vintage Antique United States Naval Navy Denim Deck Jacket
A piece for denim heads, vintage collectors, streetwear enthusiasts and menswear enthusiasts alike, this extremely rare early US Naval issued deck jacket in raw denim is not likely to ever show up at auction again anytime soon. A Haleys Comet of menswear items, offered at auction at a $9.99 starting bid with no reserve.
-
Wellington Chore Boot - Special Introductory Price! $495
Introducing the latest addition to Nicks Handmade Boots collection: The Wellington Chore Boot. Engineered for the rigors of daily tasks, this boot is more than just footwear; it's a reliable companion for your everyday adventures. Crafted with convenience in mind, its effortless pull-on design ensures you're always ready to tackle whatever the day throws your way.
-
Besnard - Made to Order Trousers - $351 Design your ideal pair of trousers by selecting a fabric, deciding between single or double pleats, choosing a zip or button fly, and opting for side adjusters or belt loops.
Similar threads
