Prepare the next conversation, session or decision.
Work through these 10 steps and choose the actions relevant to your situation. The pitfalls are illustrative examples, not customer quotations. Use the checklist on screen or print it for your preparation.
Define the decision
Illustrative pitfall
“The audience heard an update when it needed a recommendation.”
- State what the audience needs to decide or understand.
- Confirm the meeting's scope and time.
- Identify the person accountable for the decision.
Understand the audience
Illustrative pitfall
“Technical depth hid the point for half the room.”
- Identify technical and non-technical roles.
- Ask what each group needs from the presentation.
- Choose language they can use in their own decisions.
Lead with the recommendation
Illustrative pitfall
“The main point appeared on the final slide after time ran out.”
- Prepare a concise statement of your recommendation.
- Explain the problem it addresses.
- Preview the reasoning and any important conditions.
Select relevant evidence
Illustrative pitfall
“A long feature list replaced proof of fit.”
- Choose evidence linked to the audience's criteria.
- Check the accuracy and source of key claims.
- Remove detail that does not support the decision.
Explain the trade-offs
Illustrative pitfall
“The proposal sounded perfect until implementation started.”
- Compare realistic alternatives.
- State limitations, effort and dependencies.
- Explain why the recommendation is proportionate to the need.
Make the story easy to follow
Illustrative pitfall
“The audience had to reconstruct the logic between slides.”
- Use a clear problem, options and recommendation sequence.
- Give each visual one useful message.
- Explain unfamiliar terms when they first appear.
Prepare for questions
Illustrative pitfall
“The first challenge was treated as an interruption to the script.”
- Anticipate questions from different roles.
- Prepare concise evidence-based responses.
- Decide how to handle questions outside your knowledge.
Check delivery readiness
Illustrative pitfall
“The strongest chart could not be read on the shared screen.”
- Test screen sharing, text size and audio.
- Check accessibility and remote participation needs.
- Practise the opening and close within the available time.
Confirm understanding
Illustrative pitfall
“A silent room was mistaken for a convinced audience.”
- Pause for questions at useful points.
- Ask what concerns remain about the recommendation.
- Check that the audience understands the trade-offs.
Close with the decision
Illustrative pitfall
“A thank-you slide replaced the action everyone needed.”
- Restate the recommendation and requested action.
- Confirm whether a decision was made or more evidence is needed.
- Record owners and dates for the next steps.
Put it to work
Turn the checklist into focused practice.
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