1. Harvard ManageMentor®
Organizing Your Presentation

2. Discussion Topics Opening Problem statement Solution
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3. Opening
What "hook” — comment, question, story, statement, or example — might get your audience’s interest and attention?
What could you do to establish your credibility on this topic?
How can you use the opener to convey the importance of the topic to the audience?
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4. Problem Statement
How could you present the problem statement (problem, issue, opportunity) during your presentation? Consider:
Why should the audience care about your message?
What is the need or problem that you and the audience will solve together?
What arguments, examples, and supporting material will sustain audience interest?
How can you solicit audience suggestions for addressing their needs and issues?
How can you test acceptance of ideas by audience, for example by asking for feedback?
© Copyright 2010 Harvard Business School Publishing. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing is an affiliate of Harvard Business School.

5. Solution
What ideas do you have about how to present the solution during your presentation? Consider how you might:
Help your audience visualize the benefits of the solution
Involve your audience in developing a path forward
Phrase your solution in terms of the audience's needs
Involve them in developing a path forward
© Copyright 2010 Harvard Business School Publishing. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing is an affiliate of Harvard Business School.

6. Next Steps
Use the ideas we have discussed today to continue to organize your presentation.
Consider how to use the process we followed today to help you with future presentation planning.
Consider using the Presentation Outline Worksheet to organize the content of future presentations.
© Copyright 2010 Harvard Business School Publishing. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing is an affiliate of Harvard Business School.