It’s important to know what your audience will be expecting when you are preparing a presentation for an upcoming board meeting. A presentation to the board can provide a. inform them about a crucial area of business, or. provide context and information for them to go deeper into a specific topic to aid in making strategic decisions.
Board members are busy, juggling multiple roles and responsibilities all while supporting the success of their business. They aren’t expected to discuss the nitty-gritty details of every report or initiative, and that’s fine! Board meetings are focused on big-picture discussions that will affect the organization’s long-term goals and worth.
This knowledge can help you to move beyond shallow or repetitive reporting and into compelling storytelling, which can trigger helpful discussions and critical decisions. It also helps to make sure that your audience is comfortable with the language you’re using – for instance, if the Board isn’t familiar with a particular industry or strategy it’s best to not employ any language that could cause confusion for them.
You might consider incorporating humor into your slides prior the presentation. It is important to understand the audience and avoid making jokes that could not be received, especially when the presentation is about budget cuts or redundancies. Also, be aware of the body language that you see in the room, as 70% to 90 percent of communication is non-verbal.