Pete Moyer told me a story about a company with a high-stakes presentation. It was worth $300+ Million.
The company was prepared, except for one bad habit.
This habit occurs so often in our culture that it is invisible…
Until it’s too late.
As the primary speaker presented on stage, his co-presenters stood behind him – LOOKING AT THEIR PHONES.
When they asked the company why they lost, the prospect replied,
“Your people did not appear to be interested in your presentation. How would they treat us?”
All that hard work was wasted because of a bad habit and a bad look.
It cost them $300 Million!
If you are co-presenting and it’s a high-stakes presentation – throw your colleagues’ phones away before the presentation!
After you win the business, you can buy them new ones!
Here is some more practical advice when co-presenting:
- Have your team members put away their phones and pay attention to the lead presenter.
- After presenting their part, have them step off the stage to avoid distraction.
- Assign a few team members to observe the decision-makers. Take notes on what works and what could be confusing.
- Practice your team presentation. Specifically, your transition handoffs.
- Video the rehearsals and debrief the video.
- Arrive at the venue early and determine where your team will be positioned during the presentation.
- Video and rehearse at the venue.
- Make sure that the people without speaking roles are not a distraction.
I’d love to hear your advice on joint presentations.
See you on stage,
Ed
