Key Learnings for Putting Together and Delivering a Talk to Sell Ideas

Do:

• Look for the cause of the problem. That's really what you solve - the cause, not the problem.

• State your idea recommendation in one sentence. Until you can do that, the idea is not clear.

• Use a format like the one suggested so that your presentation flows persuasively.

• Keep the presentation short. Fifteen minutes is the outer limit. After that, your brilliance is not registering.

• Be enthusiastic. Show you believe. Show you care. If you don't care, they won't care. I guarantee it.

Don't:

• Assume that the audience understands the severity of the problem. Don't skip over the negative effects. Your listeners need to feel pain or they are less likely to embrace change.

• Assume your idea will sell itself. Instead, select one or more forms of evidence to support your case.

• Ramble. The impact of the tight presentation will leak away.