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How to Impress Your Boss With Your Presentation

Last Updated: May 20, 2023 References

This article was co-authored by Chloe Carmichael, PhD . Chloe Carmichael, PhD is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who runs a private practice in New York City. With over 12 years of psychological consulting experience, Dr. Chloe specializes in relationship issues, stress management, self-esteem, and career coaching. She has also instructed undergraduate courses at Long Island University and has served as adjunct faculty at the City University of New York. Dr. Chloe completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York, and her clinical training at Lenox Hill Hospital and Kings County Hospital. She is accredited by the American Psychological Association and is the author of “Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of Your Anxiety” and “Dr. Chloe's 10 Commandments of Dating.” There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 36,847 times.

Giving a presentation in front of your boss can be a very nerve-wracking experience. Sometimes a raise or promotion might even depend on how well your presentation goes. Using music or sound in your PowerPoint presentation is a good way of livening up your talk. However, this may not be enough or as easy as it sounds. For a truly impressive presentation, you’ll need to take it a step further and consider things like how to dress, how to speak, and how your audience will interpret the content of your presentation. With a little work and planning, you can impress your boss with your presentation.

Creating an Effective Presentation

This can affect many aspects of your presentation – from the kind of music you choose to the type of clothes you wear.
A more formal presentation in front of your boss or other executives from your company would require formal business attire (suit for men, business suit or nice dress for women) and more formal sounding music accompaniment (like elevator music), while a presentation in front of students might warrant more casual attire (slacks and button-up shirt for men, slacks and a nice top for women) and even allow for more contemporary/fun music along with your presentation.

Consider the venue. As it relates to the tips above, a formal setting (like a conference room or auditorium) will require a formal presentation whereas a presentation given more casually in your boss’s office might require fewer formalities. [3] X Research source

Have your presentation flow in a logical and informative way. Have your notes lined up with you visuals – using clear cues for yourself so you don’t get mixed up.

Put all of the data into a spreadsheet and make copies for everyone at the meeting. Or create a PowerPoint slide show to go along with your presentation.
An effective PowerPoint presentation includes high quality visual images instead of cheesy clip-art, works to limit the amount of text that appears on each slide, and presents data in a logical sequence that is easy to follow along with. [6] X Research source

Delivering a Great Presentation

For men, wear slacks, a suit jacket, and a tie. For women, wear a nice dress or a business suit.
And remember that you are representing your company, by extension, when you are presenting – so you want to dress accordingly.

This means that you should use confident body language like not crossing your arms, making eye contact, and standing up straight.
You can try practicing at home ahead of time and asking a friend to tell you if they think you are speaking with confidence.
If you make a mistake, just keep going. You can correct yourself, but don’t draw more attention to your mistake by dwelling on it or by being obviously embarrassed. Everyone makes mistakes, but the way you recover from yours will be what your boss remembers the most.

Speak with a steady pace. Talking quickly can be perceived as a sign of nervousness, so slow your words down during your presentation. If you speak too quickly, you may stumble over your words more frequently as well, so make a conscious effort to slow it down.
It may also be harder for your audience to grasp and digest the ideas you’re discussing if you say everything too quickly.

Try to think ahead to what questions people might have about the topic – maybe what questions you had when you first started working on the project – and explain it to your audience from that perspective.
Try saying things like, “This may seem like an overwhelming amount of information, but I’ll walk you through it.” Or, “Let me take you through the process step-by-step.”

Impressing Your Boss With Your Dedication

If someone asks a question you don’t know the answer to, give a positive response about how you are going to look into that further – something like, “What a great suggestion. I haven’t fully developed that aspect of the project yet, but I will absolutely consider this as I move forward.”

Step 2 Schedule a follow-up meeting with your boss.

This kind of follow through after the presentation will impress your boss with your dedication to the work and doing a good job for the company.

Take the feedback to heart and implement any helpful changes that you might receive as constructive criticism.

Chloe Carmichael, PhD

Look at criticism as a learning opportunity instead of a negative comment. If your boss gives you constructive criticism, that's a good sign! It means they want you to be better at your job. Reframing what you perceive as negative feedback as a chance to learn will allow you to develop personally and professionally.

Try saying something like, “I would really love to continue growing and developing my role within the company. If you are open to it, I would like to take on some additional responsibilities around the office.”

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How to Successfully Present to a Higher-up at Work (Without Freaking Out)

A business idea pops into your head. It’s a good one—solid enough for you to summarize and run up the chain of command. A few weeks go by, and you nearly forgot about it—that is, until your manager informs you that you’re on the agenda to present your idea — to the CEO .

Minutes later, you’re having a mini-meltdown, imagining the worst-case scenario in which you humiliate yourself in front of the company head during the one face-time opportunity you’ve had since you got the job.

Presenting to a C-suite executive or senior manager, especially when you’re entry-level or somewhere in the middle, requires a different set of skills compared to run-of-the-mill speaking presentations. Because the roles of these high-level staff are quite different than the mid-level managers you may be used to working with, their objectives, communication styles, and decision-making methods are going to be distinct as well.

But whether you’re pitching an idea for a new product, process, or other special initiative, you’ve got this. All you need is some solid preparation and a few adjustments to your usual delivery style.

I turned to two C-suite executives for guidance on how to pull off this next-level career move like a rockstar. Here are their top seven lessons:

1. Know What You’re Asking For

What’s your goal? Is it to get the executive’s support? Will you need her advice, expertise, resources, or influence to make your idea a reality? Whatever the case, Anne Cooney, President of Process Industries and Drives at Siemens, advises being specific about how the leader can support your success. Cooney explains, “If you’re just providing [her] with information or an update,” says Cooney, make that clear.

But if you have a bigger ask, don’t shy away from explaining what’s involved. Whatever your goal is, be direct on whether you need her to take action or simply give her approval.

2. Make it Relevant

Before you begin preparing slides, recommends Cooney, take time to understand the executive’s role, interests, and level. For example, it may be relevant to understand that while your CEO can greenlight your project, the COO approves new equipment investments, the CFO advises on whether the purchase should take place this quarter, and then the VP signs the purchase order, which indicates there’re often a lot of wheels that need to be in motion for something to happen.

Research each executive’s role and responsibilities before preparing your pitch. Says Cooney, “Make sure the information you share has an impact on the leader’s scope of responsibility.”

3. Inform But Don’t Overwhelm

So what is the best method for being informative without overwhelming a high-level exec? I asked Ann Finkner, Senior Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer with Farm Credit Services of America, this very question. “Executives have varying needs for information,” she told me. “You may have one executive who wants more detail,” while maybe another “prefers a different way of receiving updates.”

Find out what you can expect by speaking with people who know the person well. Ask the assistant and direct reports about the boss’ preferred presentation format, methods of communication, and decision-making style . Does he prefer a detailed plan or executive summary? Will he ask questions throughout or wait until the end? Craft your approach with knowledge you glean about the leader’s management style before you go in.

4. Cut Your Time in Half

“Time is so precious to all of us,” says Finkner, emphasizing the importance of communicating your idea concisely. Executives, who are accustomed to people vying for their attention, tend to lead highly scheduled lives. Your meeting, though your most important priority, is undoubtedly just one of many things going on in the higher-up’s day.

Which brings to me to my next point: If he or she is running late, roll with it—there’s probably a good reason. Even if the meeting starts on time, it’s highly likely that you’ll get cut short, so be prepared to deal with an abbreviated agenda. Your goal should be to pitch the idea and leave time for discussion and questions.

5. Be Mindful of the Idea’s Impact

Being aware of how your idea might affect the company at large is essential. It’s also an often-forgotten element of a thorough presentation. As part of your preparation, consider what will change as a result of what you’re proposing. If it’s going to require significant changes in how your organization does business, be sure to address this head on. Will a colleague feel snubbed if it’s your innovative plan that’s accepted and not hers? Will forming a new team require recruiting employees from an existing one? Will a certain department be slapped with a ton more responsibilities?

Explains Finkner, “Don’t leave ‘human casualties’ behind that the executive then has to address on your behalf.” Include your plan for incorporating team members and dividing the workload. Demonstrate that you’ve done your homework.

6. Include Recommendations and Options

When it comes to the crux of what you’re saying—asking an exec to give your idea his blessing or help your team implement it, you should be ready with recommendations on how he can help you get it done. Present options, suggests Cooney. Articulate what will happen if your proposal gets approved, and be prepared to compromise.

“If you give a recommendation or you have a specific conclusion that you'd like to reach, be passionate about it but also be open to modifications or clarification,” Cooney encourages. Always be willing to negotiate.

7. Don’t Be Intimidated

Whatever you do, don’t let your nerves get in the way of this opportunity. The level and tenure of a senior person shouldn’t make you feel like an imposter . “Differentiate between the title and the person,” says Cooney, adding that company founders and leaders “are not better people.” The job they’re doing is different, but, Cooney reiterates, that doesn’t make them “better people. Don’t let anybody convince you otherwise.”

Finkner’s parting advice closely follows Cooney’s: “Have faith in yourself. Take care of yourself and foster genuine relationships while you keep learning.” It’s normal to feel some trepidation about giving a high-stakes presentation to an influential audience—heck, or any presentation to any audience—but know that just being brave enough to do it is an accomplishment . Even a failed pitch is a win when you look at it this way, so go for it!

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8 Tips for Making a Presentation That Dazzles the Boss With Your Creativity It's not unusual to have stage jitters. When the audience is your boss, it's unusual not to.

By John Boitnott Edited by Dan Bova Jun 21, 2016

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

As if the pressure to develop and deliver a presentation that excites your audience weren't enough, trying to impress your boss with that presentation is a whole other set of concerns. In most cases, if you plan with your organization's goals in mind, you shouldn't have a problem delivering a presentation that your boss will respond positively to.

However, if you really want to impress your boss and your team, and keep them from yawning, give these eight tactics a try.

1. Use metaphors.

Including metaphors in your presentation can be useful since metaphors paint a picture in the minds of audience members. The idea can tap into previous experience to introduce new ideas.

For example, an Internet entrepreneur used a pair of scissors, knife, bottle opener, and nail filer as examples of various tools that companies use when selling products online. He then pulled out a Swiss Army Knife to illustrate that his idea would consolidate all of these tools.

When finding the right metaphor for your presentation, Nancy Duarte suggests in the Harvard Business Review that you dig "into your own prior knowledge for connections that make the idea brighter in your mind. The brighter that idea shines for you, the more likely it is to resonate with your audience."

2. Be humorous.

Just because this might be a serious presentation with consequences for your career and the business doesn't mean that you have to be stiff. By adding a little bit of humor to your presentation you're not only breaking-up the monotony, you're demonstrating your own charisma and helping make your point more persuasive.

More importantly, adding a little humor to your presentation can make it more impactful. According to Michelle Gielan, cofounder of the Institute for Applied Positive Research, "laughter stimulates the release of the feel-good chemical dopamine which activates the learning centers in the brain."

Related: Use Humor to Get Your Marketing Message Noticed

3. Play music.

This may appear to be a little counterproductive. After all, won't music be a distraction? Not according to Ronald A. Berk's study Research on PowerPoint: From Basic Features to Multimedia .

Berk found that playing music during a presentation "can increase attention levels, improve retention and memory, extend focused learning time, and expand thinking skills." Keep in mind, however, that in most cases playing music throughout the presentation is probably too much. Consider using music during your introduction or during key parts of your presentation.

4. Use activities.

Sometimes a simple activity is enough to drive your point home. It could be something as simple as having your boss or team write down their goals and then having brainstorming session on how to accomplish those goals. You could also hand out quizzes and ask your audience to guess what your next slide is going to be. You can even split the group up by having 20 percent of them move to one side of the room to demonstrate what your goal of 20 percent growth will look like, instead of using a slide with a graph.

Related: The Do's and Don'ts of Giving a Killer Presentation

5. Prove your point.

Stats are a powerful way to prove your point. But, presenting too much data can be overwhelming - no matter how well it is presented. Instead, use other ways to prove your point. One way to do this is by showing your boss how your competitors are succeeding, which could be why your new ideas might be so important to implement. Or, if you have a physical product, provide a demonstration of how superior a product it is - like pouring water over your new waterproof phone case during the presentation.

6. Pose questions.

Skip the monologue and get your boss and entire team involved by asking them relevant questions such as their insights and experiences. This not only gets your boss involved, it gives them the opportunity to talk about themselves and discover for themselves the real value in your presentation.

If you anticipate more complex questions, consider bringing in an expert to assist you in answering these questions. If you were pushing for a new corporate website you could bring in a web designer to answer any of the technical questions that your boss may ask. The web designer might even bring in a few ideas or visuals.

7. Go beyond PowerPoint.

PowerPoint presentations and slides can be spiced up through simple steps like being consistent and limiting font sizes and colors that also reflect the theme or design of your organization. But, there are also a number of helpful tools that can make your presentation stand out more than just the standard slideshow or Powerpoint.

Powtoon could be used to create an animated video to accompany your presentation, Ease.ly generates infographics, and Prezi gives you the opportunity to adapt your presentation in real-time depending on your audience's response.

By using tools like videos, you can increase everything from comprehension, understanding, memory, and even deep learning of your audience.

Related: Avoid the PowerPoint Trap by Having Less Wordy Slides

8. Make your presentation public.

Chances are that your boss isn't going to make an executive decision immediately after you've given your presentation. That's why you should provide them with materials they can review following the presentation like brochures or marketing kits.

But, wouldn't it be more effective to place your presentation on a site like Slideshare.net so that your slides are available to your boss and team whenever they want to review them? This practice will not only save you time from printing out materials, it also prevents the possibility of your boss misplacing the handouts.

Even more importantly, having your presentation public (when appropriate) shows your clients and customers that you're an industry thought leader and it also allows them to share their insights. Companies like Apple have done this and it's become an important part of their brand and marketing message.

With a little thought and effort you can make your presentation more creative and what you've always hoped it would be. As a bonus, you will have more fun getting your presentation ready.

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Do These 5 Things to Turn a Stressful Presentation to Your Boss Into an Opportunity

Presenting to your boss can be terrifying. here's how to calm down and step up your game..

Meeting Discussion Talking Sharing Ideas Concept

Even under the best of circumstances, it can be intimidating to make a presentation . Public speaking is a major source of anxiety for many professionals, whose worries may range from feeling underprepared, anticipating difficult questions, or assuming that the technology will have some (or many) glitches.

And that's on a good day. A bad day for many of us is when some or all of the above happens -- and your boss is in the audience.

It makes sense to feel concerned. Whether you have a terrific relationship with your boss, a terrible one, or something in between, a power differential exists. According to Research in Organizational Behavior , "power refers to asymmetric control over valued resources."

Going into a presentation (already a high-pressure situation) knowing that one person in the room can restrict or release your access to valued resources -- like money, time, staffing, or career advancement -- can significantly hike up your stress level. And while some amount of stress in a presentation can be helpful as a catalyst to make sure you're prepared, practiced and polished, too much can cause everything from panic attacks to gastrointestinal pain.

Here are five strategies for delivering a confident, competent presentation without getting rattled by your boss:

1. Consider your presentation a career booster, not a career ender.

Is it possible that a bad presentation will go on your "permanent record"? Sure.

Is it likely that a bad presentation will be the sole reason you lose your job, have to quit the industry, and end up living in your parents' basement? No.

Your mindset matters when it comes to a presentation. You get to choose whether you see this opportunity as an exciting chance to demonstrate your commitment to and passion for the work and the company, or whether you see this presentation as "one strike and you're out."

Let's put it another way: If a bad presentation gets you fired, chances are you were on the way out the door anyway.

2. Ask yourself, "What keeps my boss up at night?" and address it.

It could be meeting next quarter's sales goals, implementing a potentially divisive change campaign, or even making her own boss look good. When possible, acknowledge that her pain point is your pain point, and show how your presentation addresses it. This demonstrates empathy and shows that you're thinking like a boss.

3. Know the weakest part of your presentation -- and fix it in advance.

Inevitably, there will be one or two parts of your presentation you're hoping your boss won't notice because the data is mixed, the timing is questionable, or the feasibility is TBD. Assume she will notice.

Put extra time into working to make your weakest link stronger, and also be prepared to address it head on if and when your boss calls you on it. Whatever you do, don't fudge your answer. Tell the truth -- and then communicate your concrete, timely plan for improvement.

4. Don't stare down your boss.

Unless you and your boss are the only two people in the room, make sure to make eye contact that is inclusive and engaging of everyone in the room. It's natural for your gaze to go towards to key decision maker in the room, the person with the most power, the individual whose body language and facial expressions you care about most.

Fight that natural instinct to let your boss' eyes be the soul focus of your attention. Locking eyes with your boss (or anyone, frankly) without looking away will be uncomfortable for both of you.

Sustained eye contact tends to signal either confrontation or intimacy -- neither of which is appropriate for a presentation. Make your boss one of the people you connect with, but not the only one.

5. Make your colleagues look good.

You might be tempted to use this presentation as a way to show off how smart you are. Don't do it.

All you need is for one person in the room to ask you a question you don't have the answer to, or to challenge your data, or offer information you weren't privy to, and you will have undermined your mission (and embarrassed yourself). At the beginning of your presentation, make sure to acknowledge your colleagues' expertise and contributions, and set the expectation that there are others in the meeting who may also be able to share their insights and experiences.

And then, invite them to do so. You'll look like a team player to your boss, and you'll have given your co-workers an opportunity to shine, too.

A refreshed look at leadership from the desk of CEO and chief content officer Stephanie Mehta

Presentation Training Institute

A division of bold new directions training, how to give a presentation that will impress your boss.

Giving a presentation to anyone can be nerve-wracking, but the stakes are even greater when you have to present to a higher-up. After all, a lot can be riding on this presentation such as a raise, a promotion, or simply status in the workplace. While it may be the most nerve-wracking experience, itâ€™s also a crucial time to stand out as an employee. Here are a few tips for beating the anxiety and delivering a presentation that is sure to impress your boss.Â

Clarify Your Goals

What is the purpose of your presentation? What kind of results does your boss expect to see? If you donâ€™t know the answers to these basic questions, you need to find out. There is nothing as deflating as working tirelessly on a presentation that brings no value to anyone. Not only will you be wasting your own time, but you will be wasting your bossâ€™s time as well. Therefore, find out and determine your main goals right away, as this will aid you in the planning process.Â

Know Your Topic

This doesnâ€™t mean skimming things over, but rather you have to really know your topic. If you are presenting to your boss, itâ€™s safe to assume they will be pretty well versed on the topic themselves. Therefore, you need to be one step ahead by researching and learning as much as you can. Avoid presenting too much data, but present enough that your boss knows you are well-informed. Be prepared to back up any claims with evidence and quantifiable metrics. If you are proposing new ideas, be ready to have research and accurate data to back up these ideas.Â

Go Beyond the PowerPoint

Thereâ€™s certainly a time and place for PowerPoint and thereâ€™s nothing wrong with using one in your presentation. That said, donâ€™t let this be your only channel of communication. Consider using other techniques and visual aids such as videos, props, polls, demonstrations, stories, and questions to engage your audience and make your presentation more interesting. As for your PowerPoint, try sprucing it up a bit with photographs, images, videos, charts, and graphics that reflect the theme of your presentation. These tips and tricks can make your PowerPoint stand out more than just a standard slideshow.Â

Engage Your Audience

As with any presentation, you need to find ways to bring it to life for your audience…especially your boss! Tell an interesting story, include a demonstration, infuse some humor into your talk, or interact with your audience through questions or polls. Your presentation is more likely to make a lasting impression if you find ways to engage with your audience rather than just speaking to them.Â

Keep it Concise

Your boss has a busy schedule so be respectful of their time by keeping your presentation concise. Donâ€™t bore them with text-heavy slides, lengthy explanations, and graph after graph of information. Instead, know your goals and stick to your main points. Keep the content clear and straightforward and stay on track.Â

Exude a Professional Presence

Now is your chance to stand out and get noticed. Command the room with an executive presence that sets you apart from the rest. Try to remain calm, comfortable, and relaxed, and present with poise and confidence. Dress professionally, maintain good eye contact, be mindful of your posture, and donâ€™t forget to smile.Â

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How to give presentations like a boss.

What’s scarier than spiders and high places? For many adults, the answer is public speaking. According to the National Social Anxiety Center, more than 70% of Americans have at least a mild case of glossophobia, otherwise known as fear of public speaking.

While it’s natural to be nervous in front of an audience, it could also be holding you back in your personal and professional life. Increasing your confidence is the key to raising your visibility and sharing what you know. The more you are able to deliver ideas and business concepts verbally the more valuable you will be as an entrepreneur or an asset to your company.

With patience and practice, you can overcome your stage fright. Let’s conquer this fear in two stages; learning to relax and knowing how to present clear cogent thoughts. These tips are not only good to reduce the initial anxious feelings before a presentation but to also strengthen your overall communication skills.

STEP #1 – Learn to Relax:

Rehearse your speech. Set yourself up to succeed by going over your presentation thoroughly. Ask a colleague or friend to be your test audience. If you’re on your own, practice in front of a mirror or record yourself.
Remember your purpose. You’ll feel less anxious if you focus on helping your audience rather than overthinking your performance. Identify your core message and why it matters. Ask yourself what you’re trying to achieve.
Straighten up. Your body language counts too. Lift your chest and relax your shoulders. Project confidence by standing tall and avoiding nervous hand gestures.
Monitor your breath. Taking deep full breaths will make you feel calmer and happier. It will also enhance the quality of your voice.
Enjoy the excitement. Reframe your thoughts. You can transform that nervous energy in creative excitement. Feeling stimulated can help you to appear dynamic and communicate effectively.

STEP #2 – Master Your Presentation Abilities:

Build rapport. Make it easy for your audience to like and trust you. Smile and maintain eye contact. If possible, arrive early to greet them and engage in casual conversation. Offer to stay afterwards to answer questions and continue the discussion.
Start strong. The first few minutes are critical for capturing your audience’s attention. Lead off with an interesting statistic or a question that will stir up curiosity.
Tell stories. You can liven up any subject by throwing in some characters and a plot. Draw from your own personal experience or find relevant material in current events and pop culture. I usually give many talks on business so I sprinkle the topic of discussion with tidbits from my own journey as an entrepreneur .
Slow down. Do you talk faster when you’re nervous? Pace yourself and insert some meaningful pauses.
Limit text. Written notes can be helpful but resist the urge to read extensively because your audience may tune you out. Similarly, keep slides and other supporting materials brief and easy to scan. Consider handouts if you need to provide more detailed information.
Recover quickly. What if you freeze and forget what you were going to say next? What if you tell a joke and no one laughs? Embarrassing moments are more likely to be forgotten if you keep your composure and move on.
Welcome feedback. Learn from each experience. Hand out evaluation forms and give out your contact information. Watch your audience to see if they’re listening closely or becoming bored or confused. In the current online space, it is fairly easy to do this. The comments section of your website and social media and sending a quick survey/poll at the end of each presentation.
Seize opportunities. Speaking more often is usually the most effective way to strengthen your presentation skills. Start small with a familiar and friendly group, like your book club or the local chapter of your professional association.
Find a role model. You can also learn by studying the speaking styles of celebrities or anyone you admire. Watch Ted Talks and YouTube videos. Attend lectures and panel discussions. Here’s one I did about economic recovery during COVID-19 . Experiment with new techniques and adapt them to your own personality.

Your hard work is more likely to pay off if you learn how to demonstrate your knowledge and connect with your audience. Giving amazing presentations #likeaboss will help you to impress others and make the most of your abilities.

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5 steps to writing a ‘First 90 days in the job’ presentation

Written by Iain Flinn

Helping business leaders in the enterprise software, Cloud/SaaS/PaaS and emerging technology sectors to identify talent and build high performing teams across EMEA.

Table of Contents

Writing a ‘First 90 days in the job’ presentation doesn’t have to be daunting, follow our guide and create a presentation that gets you the job of your dreams.

Are you preparing for the final stage of an interview for your dream job? Don’t let the thought of creating a ‘First 90 days in the job’ presentation overwhelm you. This presentation is your opportunity to showcase your skills, demonstrate your understanding of the business, and impress your potential employer. In this guide, we’ll show you how to create a presentation that stands out from the crowd .

Like a honeymoon, only you’re much easier to ditch

The first 90 days of a new role is a grace period, You’re getting to know the people, the business and the culture. But this crucial first 90 days on the job is also the time that lasting impressions are made. Remember, you’re a risk to the business and your employer will be using this period to establish whether they made the right decision. That’s why the ‘first 90 days in the job’ presentation is as much for you, as it is for your future employer. You stand to gain a lot from laying down the foundations for the first three months.

That’s why it’s important, here’s how to write one:

Start researching in your first interview.

If you’re already past this stage, it’s fine, just try to recall the information and don’t be afraid to revisit conversations if necessary. You need to know all about the business needs and ambitions, so ask questions, probe for answers and listen. Then build your presentation around their key objectives and goals. Good questions to ask:

What’s your mission statement and vision?
What is the company trying to achieve?
What are you (the hiring manager) trying to achieve?
What challenges does the department face?
What do you expect from me?
What critical projects are you managing at the moment?

You’re looking for multiple ways to help them. Have this in your mind throughout your interviews, it’ll put you in a great head-space to be inquisitive and retain control.

Focus on your potential employer’s needs

This is why you need to do the above research. Your presentation isn’t just about you, it’s about your employer , so you’ll need to understand their needs and place them at the centre of your presentation. Get a full understanding of the objectives of the role, the goals of the hiring manager and the department as a whole. Then, demonstrate how your experience and knowledge can support these objectives.

Add your strengths, carefully

Shouting about your skills in a vacuum will get you nowhere, but align them to the goals of your potential employer and they will start to see the real tangible value of your experience . Think feature and benefit, not just feature. For example: Feature: “I’ve delivered £multi-million field marketing campaigns”. Feature and benefit: “I’ve built and delivered £multi-million field marketing strategies for my current employer, so in the first three months I’d review the company’s strategy for the roll-out of similar campaigns. Using my industry knowledge, I’ll ensure we’re using the right channels, to target the right audience with the most impactful messages. Furthermore, with my experience of using an array of marketing automation platforms, I’ll ensure we’re using the right systems and tools to correctly measure the impact of our strategy and the overall ROI. At my previous employer, in my last marketing campaign, I was able to deliver this under budget by £18,000, whilst generating a 156% increase in leads for our sales team which resulted in a 71% year-on-year increase in sales.” Use proven and tangible real-world examples to align your skill set to their objectives. Ensure your examples showcase your skills and experience, but make sure your pitch is in line with their goals.

Say what you’re going to do, day-to-day

Explain to the hiring manager how you’ll fill your days. This will vary depending on your role, but use the actions below as a foundation for more specific contributions:

You’ll get immersed in the department and brainstorm how your input can increase company growth.
Having gotten a better understanding of the business, you’ll start advising, leading and contributing to the conversation.
See more of your colleagues’ desks than your own. Get out amongst the team and get to know them by name, their role, ambitions, challenges and more.
Go above and beyond by taking on some tasks outside of your remit. Remember – you’re there to help.
Behind all of this sits one unshakable focus – your boss’s expectations of you. You’re always aware of them, and what actions and decisions will you take to ensure that you meet them?
Time-stamp your objectives for the first 90 days, and put a tangible project plan in place to show that you’ve thought it through.

How will you over-deliver?

Giving your employer more than they expect is business as usual, but how will you raise the bar and show them what excellent looks like? Towards the end of the third month, you should be feeling comfortable and confident in the role, so use these foundations and consider discussing how you’ll go ‘above and beyond:

You’ll be proactive when it comes to relevant company situations and events.
You’ll be aware of new projects coming on-stream and prepare potential solutions.
You’ll be getting more involved by joining a club, council, board, or committee.
You’ll make yourself available to other departments if there’s a need for your skills.
You’ll take on work outside of your responsibilities to accelerate business growth.

Do all that and you’ll turn from a risk into an asset

Remember, a strong 90-day presentation will reassure your employer that you’re going to make a positive difference in their organisation. It outlines the skills you’ll bring, how they’ll help and the value you’ll add, making it easier for the business to see their potential return on investment. And for you, it provides focus and confidence at a time when an unfamiliar routine (or lack of a routine) can cause added stress. Channel that pressure to impress and use it to create a ‘First 90 days‘ presentation that puts you way ahead of the competition.

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7 Presentation Skills Your Boss Wants You to Master

Presentation skills training will help you please your boss and your audience.

Are your presentations advancing your career? Here are 7 presentation skills to make you speak like a boss . . . that he or she will notice!

Consider any upcoming presentations you'll be giving on behalf of your company or organization. The simple and welcome truth is, your boss wants you to succeed as much as you desire that outcome yourself!

If he or she is sitting in the audience, that's even more true.

Want to enrich your relationship with your audience (boss included)? Discover how to persuade and influence! Get my Free cheat sheet , "5 Ways to Captivate an Audience."

Two recent experiences reminded me of this link between what you're looking to achieve in a presentation, and what your boss is probably expecting. In the first situation, the boss and the staff were on the same page. The second scenario was more problematic.

Public Speaking Training for Effective Presentations

If your boss has arranged to train you as part of a group, you'll most likely be on solid ground concerning what he or she is expecting. That was the case recently when I trained a team of negotiators for a leading HMO.

Some of these executives were experienced presenters, and some weren't. The VP who hired me was clear with me and the team: she wanted them to know "how it's done" in terms of effective presentations. So the training was straightforward: equal parts spent on the rules for successful business presentations , and on how to be a dynamic speaker .

Do you know how to open strongly and engage listeners right away? Learn how! Get my Free cheat sheet , "How to Start a Speech - 12 Foolproof Ways to Grab Your Audience!"

How to give an effective business presentation.

Are You Giving Effective Business Presentations?

In the other scenario, my client was really shooting in the dark. He was a new hire who had been wooed away from a very successful consultancy to join an emerging department in a real estate development company.

We worked for weeks to get him ready for his presentation: his debut in front of the entire staff of his new company. He ended up being blindsided, however. His new boss didn't look pleased during his talk. In fact, he took him aside afterwards and told him he didn't come across with the level of credibility and connection with the audience that the boss was looking for.

Want to be more confident? Get the book named as "One of the 100 Best Confidence Books of All Time" : Fearless Speaking . Click on the title to read a free chapter today!

I believe the point of these two stories is that, sometimes your boss will be adept at explaining what he or she is looking for; and other times, he or she won't be. Equally important, your boss may not consciously realize what they're expecting from you in your internal or external presentations, though they probably unconsciously understand what those things are.

So you may have to do some heavy lifting. Below are seven key "necessary's" to check off in your on-the-job appearances. (Bosses, you should definitely be paying attention here, too!)

7 Ways to Succeed with an Audience

1. achieve rapport with listeners..

You always have the challenge of quickly opening up the channels of communication between you and your listeners. Audiences make judgments about you very quickly, so here's how to begin a presentation successfully within 60 seconds . Also, spend much less time preparing your content, and much more time getting comfortable talking to groups and leading them.

2. Engage Public Speaking Audiences Immediately.

Listeners need to know at once that you're an interesting speaker and not an anesthetist. Avoid openings that simply announce your topic, and the deadly "Today I've been asked to speak about . . ." gambit. Instead, hook your audience from your first words. Do this in two ways: 1) Give them something they weren't quite expecting, and 2) Show them you're bold enough to show some originality.

3. Nail Your Credibility for Public Speaking.

What's your expertise on this topic? That, and "What's in it for me?" are every audience's key questions. Answer both questions early. If you're presenting to colleagues, clue them in that you have something important to say today . Otherwise, why should anybody listen? (Here's another hint: Give your full name and job title or other credential if you're speaking to strangers. "Hi, I'm Marty!" does nothing for credibility.)

4. You Need to Display Confidence when Speaking in Public.

Your boss really needs you to come through here. A few years ago, a member of a large law firm came to me for coaching because the firm had lost out on being hired for a big case. The reason: this lawyer had been visibly nervous as the lead presenter with the firm's pitch. Nerves may show, especially when the boss is in the room. If you can't demonstrate complete confidence, work with a speech coach who will either engender that confidence in you or show you how to make your anxiety invisible.

5. Show that You Can Speak for Leadership.

Here's where you move up from the minors into the majors. Face it: your product or service isn't too different from your competitors'. Clients, customers, and colleagues may want to work with you for many reasons, but these two are usually among them: they feel they have a relationship with you, and you're in complete command when you explain the things they need to know.

Interested in achieving command when you take the stage? Know how to use nonverbal communication. Here are "Six Body Language Exercises for Public Speaking."

6. Prove You Can Think on Your Feet.

With enough preparation and practice, anybody can give a pretty good presentation. But what happens when unexpected questions, objections, and resistance arise? For instance, I call Q &A "The Forgotten Avenue of Audience Persuasion." Everyone, your boss included, understands that you can't know what's coming your way once the questions start. Your boss wants you to demonstrate that you can handle push-back and think on your feet .

7. Plan to Move Your Audience to Action!

No one understands a "cut-to-the-chase" mentality so much as a boss or someone else in a position of authority. A speech or presentation is a fast-closing window of opportunity, and you must achieve something lasting not only during your talk but after it's over. So don't think in terms of delivering content, but of activating listeners. What will lead them to take the action you want tomorrow, next week, or six months from now? To get that to happen, get my Free resource , "How to Be a Clear, Concise, and Compelling Speaker."

Now, go get 'em!

This blog was previously published in 2016. It is updated here.

You should follow me on Twitter here .

Gary Genard is an actor, author, and expert in public speaking training and overcoming speaking fear. His company, Boston-based The Genard Method offers live 1:1 Zoom executive coaching and corporate group training worldwide. In 2020 for the seventh consecutive year, Gary has been ranked by Global Gurus as One of The World's Top 30 Communication Professionals . He is the author of the Amazon Best-Seller How to Give a Speech . His second book, Fearless Speaking , was named in 2019 as "One of the 100 Best Confidence Books of All Time." His latest book is The Online Meetings Handbook , now available at The Genard Method and at Amazon . To know more about TGM's services, Contact Gary here .

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How To Introduce Yourself To New Boss Confidently: 14 Guidelines

Feeling nervous to meet your new boss? This guide will help you how to Introduce yourself to new boss smoothly and confidently!

There are two possibilities, however:

– Your old boss is gone, but you have a new one now.

Key Takeaways:

How to introduce yourself to new boss – 14 perfect guidelines.

I understand you’re looking forward to meeting your new boss, but making a good impression is important.

How to Introduce Yourself to a New Team (CONFIDENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY)

Since your boss doesn’t know you yet, you want to make sure they get a good idea of what your contribution to the company is.

1. Take Appointment From New Boss:

This helps avoid any awkwardness and shows you’re professional. Instead of walking in and saying

2. Research Your New Boss:

Talk to your other bosses to see what they know about your new boss. This can give you a good idea of what to expect in your meeting.

3. Prepare For The Meeting:

About your previous job:

4. How To Introduce Yourself To New Boss- Prepare A Short Bio:

– Your name

– Work experience, and

It will give your new boss an overview of who you are.

5. How To Introduce Yourself To New Boss- Be On Time:

Make sure you do not go in with a sense of entitlement and behave as if you deserve his time and attention. Save this for later, once your boss knows and likes you.

If no one shows you the meeting room, politely ask someone where it is. If you’re still stuck, call your new boss for help, but only if you have their number.

6. How To Introduce Yourself To New Boss- Dress Professionally:

Remember, first impressions always count! And dressing shows a lot about someone’s personality .

7. Arrive Early If Possible:

It’s a good idea to get to the meeting early.

8. How To Introduce Yourself To New Boss- Prepare Questions:

– “What are some of the exciting things happening at the company right now?”

To show your interest:

– “How can I best learn from you and the team?”

9. Remember The Name:

It’s helpful to remember your new boss’s name. It makes things easier when you talk.

If you forget their name, don’t worry. Just apologize, shake their hand, and reintroduce yourself.

10. Leave A Good Impression:

Always leave a good impression after the meeting. Thank your boss for his time and shake his hand.

This is a polite way to show you appreciate their meeting with you and are professional.

11. How To Introduce Yourself To New Boss- Avoid Talking About Politics:

It’s best not to talk about politics with your new boss yet.

12. Discuss Insights Of The Company:

It shows that you are thinking strategically. It will ensure you want to contribute to the company’s growth.

13. Note Your New Boss’s Communication Style:

14. follow up after the meeting:.

Follow up with your new boss after the meeting by sending him a thank you email.

“Subject: Thank You for meeting with me

(Your Name)”

5 Things To Avoid When Introducing Yourself To New Boss

You have to remember certain things to avoid at all costs. They can leave a wrong impression and mess up the whole situation.

1. How To Introduce Yourself To New Boss- Do Not Arrive Late:

2. do not brag about your achievements:.

Don’t show off too much at first. Your new boss might think you’re arrogant. Be friendly and wait to brag until you know them better.

3. Do Not Come Empty-Handed:

4. do not criticize your previous boss:.

Do not criticize your previous boss or talk badly about him before your new boss.

5. Do Not Talk About Salary And Benefits:

Don’t say bad things about your old boss to your new boss. It makes you seem like a complainer and hard to work with.

Wait until your new boss knows you well and likes you before talking about the old one.

How To Introduce Yourself To New Boss- Sample Script

1. meeting new boss at a new job:.

My name is ____________ and I am your new employee starting from _____________.

I am grateful for this opportunity to work for the company and will do my best to meet all expectations.

Thank you for taking the time to meet me, _________. Have a great day.”

2. Meeting New Boss When Old Boss Left:

When introducing yourself to a new boss after the old one left:

My name is ____________ and I welcome you in the company.

I would like to know more about your plans for the company and your expectations of me.

Would you have any advice on getting up to speed quickly? I am open to feedback and look forward to working with you in the future.

Whichever way you choose to introduce yourself, make sure that it is:

– Professional

Conclusion:

It’s always easier to start things off on the right foot. So make sure to follow company rules and procedures when meeting your boss for the first time.

How To Ask Your Boss For A Transfer – 10 Things To Remember

How To Present an Idea to Your Boss (With Template)

Depending on how you present your new idea to your boss, you could be facing two very different reactions. If you want to nail that “yes,” you need to treat your pitch seriously—and outline solutions and a clear execution plan. Otherwise, your great idea may not see the light of day. Worse, it might end up on someone else’s to-do list.

With this in mind, we asked nine entrepreneurs from Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) to share which steps you should take before walking through that door.

When you pitch a project, clearly lay out in advance how management should judge its success quickly. What’s the first milestone that will indicate the project is a success? Set a specific goal—10 new customers in the first three months, perhaps. Plan step-wise goals instead of one huge long-term one. That means management just has to invest in the first stage of the project.

How to Pitch Your Big Ideas to the Boss | Leadership Speaker | Ross Shafer

How to present an idea to your supervisor

When you are getting ready to present an idea to your supervisor, it may be helpful to follow these steps:

1. Gather information

Before you present your idea, gather as much information as you can about your idea. Common ideas that individuals approach their supervisors with include the workload at the company, production issues or improvements, company culture and more. Narrow down your discussion topic so your boss knows what to expect from the conversation.

Consider typing all of the relevant information you find you can compile your findings accurately and securely. Once you have information to support your idea, you can type out the potential talking points associated with each fact or item you included.

2. Propose revisions or changes

Next, you can formulate a solution to the problems you have listed or ideas you have for impactful changes. Your supervisor may appreciate that you not only took the time to identify key areas for improvement, but that you also made an effort to brainstorm viable solutions or changes.

3. Anticipate questions and practice your answers

In order to maximize your presentation, you may want to prepare answers to difficult questions ahead of time. A good way to do this is to picture yourself in a management position listening to your pitch. Think about what questions you might ask. A supervisor may want to better understand the financial implications of any proposed solutions or ideas, as well as what implementing your idea means for you, your coworkers and the company as a whole. Alternatively, they may want to know how your idea works with the companys values and what part you play in it.

You can consider additional questions regarding:

Your supervisor may greatly appreciate the extra effort youve put into answering their questions beforehand. It shows that youre dedicated to the problem and to finding a solution.

4. Talk with others in the company

Talking with coworkers can help you gain perspective on the problem you have identified or ideas that you are having. Some coworkers may feel the same as you do and can potentially help you figure out the details of your presentation to be more inclusive of their perspectives. This can help your idea feel more viable, and you can tell your supervisor that other employees feel the same.

5. Be mindful

Being mindful of your content and the time youre devoting to your presentation as a professional courtesy. Try to keep your presentation concise so that both you and your supervisor can fulfill your other job responsibilities.

Its also a good idea to be mindful of how your idea might impact other people, including your supervisor. Talking to other coworkers about your presentation is a good way to see if your idea is inclusive and sensitive to everyones needs.

6. Be confident in yourself

Many supervisors appreciate confidence because it demonstrates that you are comfortable approaching them and expressing your ideas. When you are confident, you may give a more compelling presentation because of your enthusiasm and preparedness. Consider rehearsing your presentation before you meet with your supervisor to increase your confidence. You can also ask your coworkers to help you practice your presentation and provide more ideas to discuss.

Why is it important to use a template to present an idea to your boss?

Ideas and projects benefit greatly from deliberate organization, especially when presenting them to your boss. When things are organized and presented well, theyre easier to understand and seem more professional. A template can help you arrange ideas into a presentable format.

Template for presenting an idea to your supervisor

Ideas are often easier to present and understand when theyre structured in a professional way. Heres a template to use for your next idea:

[ Introduction: State what you are going to discuss, why you are going to discuss it and the types of information you will present ]

[ Part one: Identify the problem or idea in-depth. You might include how the idea or problem first came to your attention and introduce on your proposed solution ]

[ Part two: Elaborate on your proposed solution and include charts, graphs or supporting documents. If you have spoken to your team members and gained useful information from them, you can include that here ]

[ Part three: Present the information you researched regarding cost, workflow changes or other items potentially of interest to your supervisor ]

[ Closing: Thank your supervisor for their time and attention and allow them to ask questions ]

Example for presenting an idea to your supervisor

Here is an example idea presentation using the template above:

Dear Mr. Garreth,

Im happy to have this opportunity to present my idea to you. Ive been looking closely at our production process over the last three months, and I think this idea might allow for both greater savings on production costs and increased productivity on the production line. I have conducted research and spoken with my colleagues to receive their input on the situation and my proposed solution, and I believe the team members would receive this idea well if implemented.

The problem we are having is that we use two separate machines for packaging and boxing our products, which means we pay for maintenance, supplies and electrical costs for two different machines. I have analyzed these operating costs for the previous month, which amounts to $859.23 total for the two machines.

Ive spoken to several team members who agree that the two machine system is slow and prone to issues. Over the course of the last three months, one or both of our packaging machines have experienced downtime for repairs, amounting to 34 total hours lost. Ive created a graph detailing the maintenance and downtime costs associated with both machines.

My solution is to acquire the Hyperion 5200 all-in-one packaging machine to reduce long-term production costs. Right now, the machine is on sale through our supplier for $15,000, as opposed to its regular price of $18,000. This machine combines both the packaging and boxing process into one, which would significantly reduce operating costs.

Ive estimated that the cost of using two separate machines, which I noted as $859.23 per month for operations, to be around $11,810.76 per year if we include an estimated $1,500 in maintenance costs. This is about 80% of the cost of the Hyperion 5200.

In addition to long-term savings on operations and maintenance, using just one machine can allow us to move two employees to another part of the production line where they can help with other tasks. This is because the Hyperion only requires two people to operate as opposed to the four people required for both of our current machines. This reallocation of staff may allow us to speed the pace of production overall.

Thank you for considering my idea, and Im happy to answer any questions you have.

How do you present an idea to your boss?

Gather information. Before you present your idea, gather as much information as you can about your idea. …
Propose revisions or changes. …
Anticipate questions and practice your answers. …
Talk with others in the company. …
Be mindful. …
Be confident in yourself.

How do you present a new idea to a team?

Frame your suggestion to match the goals of your boss. …
Pay extra attention to your boss’s problems. …
Build the reputation for being a great performer. …
Take advantage of the FOMO. …
Look for inspiration. …
Build a coalition. …
Use data to tell a story.

How can I propose a new idea?

Detail Its Importance. If employees don’t understand the reason you want to implement a new idea, it can be hard for them to wrap their heads around it. …
Explain How Each Person Fits In. …
Encourage People to Ask Questions. …
Request Feedback. …
Find a Candidate With Passion.

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Home » Podcast » Essential Tips for Creating Effective Presentations

Essential Tips for Creating Effective Presentations

Today on the Salesforce Admins Podcast, we talk to Ella Marks, Senior Marketing Manager at Salesforce. Join us as we chat about the keys to creating an effective presentation, how to prep, and how to create a strong ending.

You should subscribe for the full episode, but here are a few takeaways from our conversation with Ella Marks.

Core principles to prep any presentation

We’re starting the last quarter of the year and that means it’s presentation season. Whether it’s presenting about the work we did last year or trying to get budget for next year, creating an effective presentation is a core skill for Salesforce Admins.

That’s why I’m so excited to bring Ella Marks on the pod. She’s presented on some of Salesforce’s biggest stages, like Dreamforce and multiple World Tours. So I wanted to hear her tips for how to put together a great presentation.

The cool thing is that no matter the format or venue, Ella uses the same core principles to prep for every presentation.

1. Who is your audience?

Ella’s first step is to identify the audience that you’re presenting for. Who’s in the room? What do they already know, and what are you going to teach them? Your content is going to be very different if you’re presenting to a room full of admins versus a room full of new users.

If you don’t know exactly who’s in the audience or what their level of expertise is, just ask them. For example, “Raise your hand if this topic is new to you.” In general, it makes your presentation more engaging if there’s a little bit of back-and-forth with the audience.

2. Make an outline and blue box your slides

The next step is to make an outline. Ella recommends starting by making a big list of everything you could possibly say about the presentation topic. Then you can start moving things around, whittling it down, and picking some themes. All of this helps you decide on a call to action.

When she’s ready to start creating her slide deck, Ella uses a technique called “blue boxing” to make a rough draft. Essentially, you use blue boxes to rough out what you’re going to put on each slide. So a slide might have three blue boxes that say:

Title about why this is important right now
Text of the most important point I’m going to say
Image to illustrate the point

We’re trying to sketch out just enough to see how the presentation flows as a whole. Look for a balance of slides with more text and slides with more visuals because that variation will keep your audience engaged. That way, we’re not spending time looking for the right image or writing the perfect title until we’re sure we need it.

3. Nail the ending

Conclusions are always tricky. Ella recommends asking yourself three questions:

After my presentation, how do you want them to feel?
After my presentation, what do you want them to think?
After my presentation, what do you want them to do?

These are your three goals, and the secret to nailing your ending is to address them throughout the presentation. Every slide should be aimed at answering one of these questions so that, by the end, the conclusion feels inevitable.

Ella has lots more great tips for creating effective presentations, including how to prep with a group and the importance of a good pump-up song, so be sure to take a listen. And be sure to subscribe so you’ll never miss an episode.

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Ella: @Marks_Ella
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Mike on X: @MikeGerholdt

Full show transcript

Mike Gerholdt:

So we’re halfway through August, and for many of us, that’s the start or getting real close to the start of the last quarter of the year, which means we’re doing a lot of presenting, either presenting to show our work, what we’ve got done for this year, presenting to get budget for next year as admins for what we’d like to do or, if you’re like me and a few of my colleagues, going to world tours, going to events, going to community events, and presenting. Presenting, presenting, presenting is at the heart of a lot of what Salesforce admins do. So this week on the podcast, I pulled in Ella Marks to talk us through and give us some tips on building phenomenal presentations in the art of presenting. Now, if you’re not familiar with Ella, she’s on our admin relations team, and she has done quite a few Dreamforce keynotes. She’s helped coordinate a lot of our release readiness lives at Dreamforce, both on stage and recorded. So she’s presented to cameras, and she’s presented live on stage, and she’s also coached quite a few presenters.

And I think this is really important for us to learn because no matter how great the app is that we build, and no matter how cool the functionality is, we need to be able to stand up and deliver. And being a solid presenter and really conveying those ideas is key. So that’s why I wanted to have her on the podcast.

Now, just a reminder, if you’re listening to this and you really enjoyed this episode, be sure to hit that Follow button or subscribe, depending on what the app is that you’re listening to. That way you’ll get a new podcast episode every time a new one drops, which is on Thursday mornings. So with that, let’s get Ella on the podcast.

So Ella, welcome to the podcast.

Ella Marks:

Thanks so much, Mike. Thanks for having me.

Well, it’s been a while, but I think people have seen you elsewhere in the ecosystem. I mean, we’re on the same team together, but for community members that haven’t run into you or seen the plethora of work that you’ve put out, what are some of the things you do at Salesforce?

I’ve been at Salesforce for almost seven years now and I’ve done a lot of different things and I’m so grateful. A lot of the time that I’ve spent here has been working with the admin community. You may have seen my face before on Release Readiness Live or on the keynote stage at Dreamforce, but I have the privilege of focusing on creating and distributing content for admins like you on some of our new release features and really exciting new innovations like AI. It’s really fun. I get to learn a lot about the platform and I’m always really excited to hear from admins and speak to admins and create presentations for admins. So really excited to be here today and talk to you a little bit more about that.

Cool. I’m thinking ahead and for some of the admins we’re getting ready. There’s TDX coming up, but also user groups for those of us in the Midwest that aren’t snowed in anymore, we can get to user groups and presentations are important there and there’s all kinds of stuff that we present. Not to mention that it’s probably almost budget season. I got to do some presentations for budget. I got to do a whole bunch of presentations if I’m an admin.

There’s no limit I think to the type of presentations and the amount of presentations that you can do as an admin. Like you mentioned, there’s events where you’re speaking to your fellow admins and developers, there’s internal presentations. And I think the most exciting thing or interesting thing to me about presentations is no matter what presentation you’re giving or who you’re giving it to, you can go about planning for it and preparing that presentation in kind of the same way. There’s some fundamentals that go across every type of presentation that you may have or create in your role as an admin.

And you’ve done quite a few because I remember seeing you on the Dreamforce keynote stage and Release Readiness. I feel like you’ve done a lot of different style presentations too.

I’ve honestly had the privilege to be on a bunch of different stages at Salesforce, whether it’s a virtual presentation or a webinar on the Dreamforce stage or even at an event. This year, I got to present and connect with a lot of people at world tour events, and like I said, they’re all very different. The people in the audience are very different, and so the way that I create content for them, while I might be covering the same things is always going to have a different output because I am trying to tailor it to the audience that I have, but I kind of use the same fundamental principles when approaching any presentation I give, whether it’s online, in person, a hybrid. There’s a few key things that I really go back to.

Well, let’s dive into those principles. Where do you start?

The first thing that I do when I’m putting together any presentation is identify the audience that I’m presenting for. Now, this can be super straightforward. Sometimes you’re going to know exactly who’s going to be in the room. You might be doing an internal presentation at work, the stakeholders, the names on a meeting invite, and you can take the guidance from there. In other times, you may not have the list of everybody exactly who’s going to be in the room, but you have a sense of who they are. So a user group presentation, for example, you may know there’s a mix of admins and developers and maybe architects in that room.

And you need to know who those people are in order to build a presentation that is really going to engage them and teach them or persuade them or whatever your goal is. You need to start with knowing who that audience is to understand where that goal fits in and how can I communicate this information best to them.

But I’m going to play devil’s advocate and say, so what if I’m presenting to a user group and maybe I’ve only been there once and I don’t know all the people that are going to see my presentation. What do you do then?

One of my favorite things that presenters do, and I use this trick sometimes. And Mike, I’ve seen presentations where I know you’ve done this too, is you can ask the room. I think it’s important for us to not make any assumptions about the audiences that we’re speaking to. I think that can lead sometimes to a lack of clarity and confusion. And so if you’re presenting to a user group about a topic that you know a lot about, I think it’s a great tool. Sometimes even just engage the audience and bring them with you to say, “Before I get started, raise your hand if you’re an admin or raise your hand if you have familiarity with the topic that I’m going to cover.”

And that does two things. One, it tells you how you can tailor the rest of your content or your presentation to the people in the room, but it also kind of opens up almost a dialogue between you and the audience. So even if they don’t speak for the rest of your presentation, you’ve created a real human moment of engagement with them that is going to be super important and key to holding their attention for the entire time that you’re presenting.

And much like that, and Ella, I’ve seen you do this, is if you’re going to ask the question, make sure it’s data that you’re going to actually act upon. Because I feel if you’re going to somehow tailor your presentation and make a couple versions, which I’ve done for user groups because I wasn’t sure what the level of interest or the level of knowledge of the topic that I was talking about was, then you can kind of immediately pivot based on that. And I think everybody appreciates when they took the time to raise their hand that you’re actually curating the content for that.

There absolutely needs to be a payoff. If you’re someone that’s not as comfortable giving presentations, starting with the question at the very beginning and trying to weave that throughout can feel intimidating. And what I would recommend instead is to pick a moment within your content where you can do exactly Mike, what you just said. Which is, you have a slide that hits on, maybe it’s a new feature or a different topic. Instead of asking a super broad question that you then need to weave into your story for the rest of your presentation. You can tailor your question to exactly what you’re talking about on the slide.

And that can help you build that muscle to incorporate who’s in the room and that audience into your talk track without having to start with that big broad question at the beginning. We have to start somewhere. And I think a great place to learn that skill is really starting with something small, a specific slide or a specific product, and learning from there how to incorporate the questions that you’re asking to a more broader scale to cover a whole presentation.

So sticking on the theme of building content, there’s a lot of mechanics to a presentation, but building the content. Depending on the topic you’re choosing, it can feel like you’re boiling the ocean. “I have all this to show, and I’m on slide 68 already. I can’t possibly show “What are some of the techniques that you use to really boil down what you’re presenting given sometimes the restricted timeline that you have?

First, before I go into tips, I just want to reiterate that phrase, don’t boil the ocean. That is the number one thing that literally…

Literally don’t. If you have a big death ray, please don’t boil the ocean.

Please don’t boil the ocean. Global warming, we don’t need that. But I think with presentations, it’s super important because you usually have limited time to communicate whatever it is in your presentation you’re going to communicate. That’s not even considering the fact that people’s attention spans are short. So you need to do that work to figure out what are your key points. And one of the things that I really like to do is I create a document and I will just start an outline. I’ll start typing out what I think the points are in the story that I need to cover.

I’ll include any important examples, include a CTA, kind of those key pieces of a presentation, but I’m not actually putting it together yet. I’m just making a huge list of everything I think might be included. And then from there, I go in and I kind of prioritize. So that list is usually way longer than what the presentation ends up being or has way more information, but it is a starting point. And that’s the starting point that I kind of use to say, “Okay, I’m identifying that I’m seeing a couple common themes in what I’ve written out here. How can I communicate those most effectively?”

And what I like about the list is that if you’re doing it… Whatever platform that you’re using, a Google Doc, a Quip Doc, whatever, it’s really easy to copy and paste and move around the order as well to think about not just, “What am I including, but how am I going to start creating this story?” And that gives you kind of a framework to use moving forward.

I would agree. So you mentioned story, and I think a big part of storytelling is the visual element. How do you balance just not putting paragraphs of text up on the slides and that imagery?

It’s a really good question, and it’s something that I ask myself all the time. Because I’m not a designer, I do not consider myself to be good at graphic design. And so when I build a presentation, it can feel really intimidating to think about what are the visuals that I need to create? And there’s a technique that I learned at Salesforce that I was taught called blue boxing, and that’s really what I use. And the way that it works is once I’ve gotten to that state, I have my outline, I kind of know what I’m going to put on slides. Instead of jumping right to what is my final slide going to look like, here is the exact paragraphs, here’s the exact talk track, here’s the exact visual.

I kind of take a step back from that and use blue boxes, literal blue boxes on a slide to map out what I think it could look like and how I think the content on the slide can reinforce what it is that I’m going to say. So if I know that I’m going to put together a slide that has some tips, for example. I might put together a placement of where those tips might go and think, “Oh, there could be a supporting image for this.” What I don’t do is I don’t dive in and find that image right away. I really take that step of thinking through, “Okay, what is a visual that can support what I’m saying?” And I go through the whole deck like that first and then come back to really hone in on what the message is on that particular slide and pull in those core visuals.

But taking that step to do that kind of blue boxing framework really helps you identify how the story is going to flow and how those visuals are going to support you. Because I will say there are times when you’re going to want more text on a slide than others, and so you want to have a good balance of that. You don’t want folks to also just only be reading the content on your slides while you’re speaking to them. And so if you take that kind of step to build it out first, you’ll have a better idea of what the mix of your presentation is going to look like, how you might use different slide formats to engage people, because we know people have short attention spans, so you want to make sure that we’re kind of switching things up.

We’re providing different visuals every few minutes, and I think using design is a very powerful tool to help you do that.

I would agree. I would agree. Plus pacing, when you’re thinking that through, you mentioned people have short attention spans, so keeping the slides moving also helps keep people’s attention as well. I think often when I’m reviewing decks or I’m watching presentations at events, and these are outside of Salesforce too, sometimes people have a hard time closing their presentation. I feel like it’s either one, they kind of fade off into the distance. It’s like an eighties’ movie where they just walk off into the beach into the sunset and we never hear from them again. Or it’s like a steel door slamming shut where it’s like, “Okay, so that’s this. And if you have any questions, thanks.” Bam.

And the presentation’s done. What’s your approach for the closure because I feel like the closure is the most important part?

I’d agree that if you don’t have people with you at the end, I think you’ve really missed a big opportunity when it comes to creating presentations. The way that I would think about it is throughout your entire presentation, as you’re putting together that outline. There are three things that you can think about that you want people to take away, how you want them to feel, what you want them to think and how you want them to act. And I would say that’s not just your final slide or the thing that you leave the audience with. That should be at the core of why you’re putting that presentation together.

I think the final slide in that CTA is incredibly important, but I also think that as someone in the audience who doesn’t know anything about your presentation going into it, I think that they should know where you’re going throughout the presentation. And that’s really how you make whatever it is you share, whatever your CTA is super impactful. So I’ll give you an example of that. If you’re going to do an amazing presentation, let’s say it’s on new release features and you’re going into great depth about… We have the spring 24 release right now, I know that’s top of mind for a lot of admins.

If you go through great content throughout, at the end, to your point, if you don’t leave folks with something to do next, they start to question what the purpose was of you sharing all that information. And as a speaker, that is the opposite of what you want. You want to be able to say, “I’m doing this presentation to help you prepare for the release, and I’m going to do that by showing you features and leaving you with either a resource or an approach or tips for you to take and go do this at your own companies or deliver your own presentation.”

And I think where sometimes people fall flat is they think, “Great, I’ll throw a CTA in my presentation at the end, and then everybody will go read my blog post or they’ll all go follow me on various social media networks.” And unfortunately, if you’re not working in the purpose of what that CTA is throughout, it’s not going to have that same impact. So you need it to close strong, but it shouldn’t be an afterthought. Everything in your presentation should in essence be pointing towards your end goal, whatever you want to leave the audience with.

I’ve many a times seen an entire slide devoted to resources and thought to myself, “I don’t know where to start.” There’s a lot of resources, but a library is a resource too, and it’s full of books, but I don’t know where to start. [inaudible 00:16:32]

It’s so common. Well, and that’s the thing, it’s kind of a double-edged sword, right? Because a lot of times there’s so many resources because there are so many good resources out there, and that’s awesome. But one thing to keep in mind when you’re putting together a presentation is you’re presenting because you have expertise or you have a message to share. And so really rely on that. Use that to say, “Okay, great. I know there are tons of resources.” But actually share your recommendation. What is the number one thing that you would do. That’s something that you as a presenter bring that no one else can that’s unique to you, what that next step is.

We know that where most presentations, if you put 10 resources, people usually don’t look at all 10. I hate to say it, but they probably won’t look at more than one anyway, so focus on that one thing. And you really use your credibility that you’ve built with your audience to drive towards something more specific than a laundry list of things that people can do or read or engage with.

A lot of this content creation focused around a solo presenter, but I think it carries over if you’re presenting with someone else. And I see this a lot at our events, even user groups. It’s a lot easier. And myself included, the first time I presented at Dreamforce, I had a co-presenter. It’s a lot easier to feel like more people carrying the weight of a presentation. What advice or what best practices do you have when you’re pairing up with somebody to present on how you divide up content and how the two of you interact during the presentation?

The first thing that I would do if I was presenting with someone else is have a meeting, get together with them, chat with them. I’m someone that prefers a meeting. I know some folks like to communicate on Slack or other formats, but I just love to chat with someone about this because you are going to be presenting and speaking. And to me, that’s the best way to get a sense of that person’s presentation style. And in that conversation, we might divide, if we’re building content together, we might talk about our own expertise and where we feel like we can add the most value to the story and divide up the content that we work on and the slides and who’s speaking based on what we think our strengths are.

And then making sure that we’re having a really open conversation about that. And I think one thing that you can do that when you divide a presentation, a lot of times what you see is, “Okay, Mike and I are presenting together. I’ll take one slide, Mike, you take the next one, then we’ll go back and forth.” And sometimes that doesn’t feel super. It feels a little disjointed when you haven’t had the chance to actually talk through your content and rehearse. Rehearsing is so important for any presentation, but if you have more than one person, it is absolutely critical because that’s how you’re going to feel out how that story is going to come together.

And what you may find is, “Yeah, I’m presenting with Mike, and Mike has a ton of expertise in this one area, but I have something to add there too.” And actually switching up who’s speaking on a particular slide that can reengage the audience. That’s another tool that we have in our toolkits to make sure that people are staying with us throughout our presentation. And all that’s going to come down to whether or not you’ve communicated all of these things with your co-presenter. Making sure that you guys are connected every step of the way is I think the best way to make a successful presentation with a partner or with the group, whoever it is.

I would agree. And I feel to that point of, I’ve seen decks and presentations where it’s every other slide. Change it up where it makes it most relevant because there is a little bit with the audience of context switching going on where they’re trying to understand who’s speaking and it should be relevant if the person’s speaking and not just, “Oh, well, that means if we go every other one, I’m on this slide and I don’t know anything about this.” It can also help you regroup content that you’re putting together.

Absolutely. And there’s a lot of different ways that you can do this, but I really think that having that conversation with your co-presenter or co-presenters is going to be the best way to highlight how can you use your collective energy to get your message across in the best way possible?

Right. Stage presence or stagecraft, even in small presentations where boardrooms I think are super important. How do you prepare for that? What are some of the things that you’ve gone through as you’ve kind of honed your ability as you were getting ready for a Dreamforce keynote to kind of make sure that your presence was there and it was adding to what the content you were presenting?

There are definitely a few things I do before every presentation, but I think a lot of it for me personally comes down to some important self-talk and pump up for a presentation. When you’re chosen to present at an event or you’ve submitted something to a community conference, sometimes you need to remind yourself the day of, you get a little bit nervous, you might be scared to present. You were chosen for this, and you have knowledge and expertise to share. And going back for me and giving myself that confidence is probably the most important step that I take before I present anything. I always have to remind myself there’s a reason I’m here.

I have valuable knowledge to share. I’ll reset on whatever the topic or the goal is of the presentation. And then my hidden trick, I would say. I was like, “I don’t know where I was going with that sneaky trick.” I guess. Sneaky trick, my trick or treat tip, which is not uncommon at all, is I love a pump up song. I just love something to help, I don’t know, make me feel energized and excited because I know that if I go into a presentation not pumped up, it’s going to be really hard for people to listen. A lot of times we present… Internally, we present in a meeting and there’s a lot of other people presenting or we’re in a lot of meetings that day, or at Dreamforce, people attend a lot of sessions.

That’s a lot of listening. And if you come out there with flat energy and aren’t excited to be there and excited to get going, it shows and it makes it a lot harder for people to actually listen and absorb the content. And so going in pumping myself up is actually something that when I don’t do it, I feel like I can tell in the presentation that my energy is not there, that I’m not communicating what I could in the best way possible.

You know I have to ask what your pump up song is, right?

I know. It changes. A lot of my pump up songs are Lizzo though. I have to say Lizzo. I do love Taylor Swift as well, but I just… Lizzo, the number one song for me last year was Truth Hurts. There’s some lyrics in there that I can’t repeat on the podcast, but if you listen to the song, I think…

My pump up song…

I think you’ll know.

A lot of lyrics I can’t repeat on the podcast.

If you do listen, I think you’ll know exactly what part of the song I’m referring to where I walk out and I’m like, “Aha, let’s go. Let’s get into it.”

So if you see people at community events or at Salesforce events, walk up to the stage with their AirPods in, it’s probably a pump up song that they’re listening to. I can’t blame them. If you were to boil down and think of maybe, I don’t know… Let’s choose five because five’s a good number to remember. What are five things that you always try to include that you really look for in like, “Wow, that presentation knocked it out of the park?”

That’s a good question. As a reviewer of a lot of content, I’m just trying to think the things that have absolutely wowed me. Well definitely first, when it comes to presenting a good title to me, I’m immediately locked in. If there’s a description associated with it like it would be for an event or maybe even a calendar invite. That to me is a sign of a good presentation. I know what I’m going to see. I’m excited for that content and I’m kind of hopeful to dive in. The second is probably… This is tough. There’s just so many different ways to present, but I think looking for people that engage with the audience.

So either doing what we talked about before, getting that post-check of who’s in the room or have some sort of engaging component to their presentation. That for me, because my attention span is very short, tends to be a very effective way to get my attention. And I enjoy presentations that have that. I think when people also set context by sharing their own expertise, we didn’t talk about it in this conversation, but I think one important thing that you really need to do when you present is make sure that you highlight who you are. You need to have an introduction that is, “Here’s who I am, here’s why I’m here.” And that builds credibility.

So when I hear something or see a presentation that I know the person is credible, that usually also is an indicator to me that it’s a great presentation. Mike, I feel like you wanted five quick tips, and I’m giving you a lot longer than that.

I don’t know. I just picked five out of the air because it sounds good. It doesn’t have to be five.

I also can’t count, so I don’t know what I’m on, but I’ll say…

Well, as a good host, you’d think I was paying attention and counting.

This is where I would use a visual to reinforce what I’m saying and remind me. If I was presenting this, I would put together a slide and I would have probably five horizontal bubbles on the slide and a few words about each, and that would help me stay on track. And at the end, I would have a super effective CTA, which I think would be one of the things that I look out for. If I know what… If I’m feeling inspired or motivated, or even just know the next steps I have to take after a presentation. That’s how I know that it was good and it was effective.

And then I think my final thing would be, and this may seem counterintuitive, but if I have questions, a lot of times that’s a sign to me that the content was really interesting. I think if I want to approach a speaker after their presentation and want to learn more and want to continue the conversation. I have follow-ups or things like that, that’s a sign that they did a really good job in engaging me. It could sometimes be a sign that they didn’t share the right information. So I think you have to be careful there, but wanting to connect with the presenter, wanting to learn a little bit more and asking a question, I think is engaging in itself. So that to me is a good sign that it was a good presentation as well.

I go back and forth with questions, but I see your point. I think for me, I mean if I was to boil it to one thing. I don’t have a word, but the comfort ability that the presenter has with the content. I really love it when somebody, it doesn’t feel like their first time going through the content. And it so bugs me when I see somebody walk through and they click and goes to the slide and it surprises them. You’re like, “Really? Okay.” I really like it when somebody knows something and the slides are almost happening in the background and they’re really paying attention to the audience. That to me, really gets me. And that comes with rehearsals, it comes with knowing the content, everything that you said previously.

Absolutely. I think a lot of us think, especially people who give presentations all the time, we’re like, “Oh, we can win this. It’ll be fine. I know the content.” But the reality is people can tell when you have not done the preparation necessary for a particular presentation. And so I think it is a great sign of a good presentation and good content when someone isn’t overly relying on their visuals or words on the slide to tell the story.

It’s actually a story that they’re telling where the visuals are supporting. It’s not at the center of everything that they’re doing. It’s really more of a show that you’re watching.

I often compare presenting to athletes. Some of the greatest athletes that we’ve had in baseball or basketball or whatever sport you watch, they practice and there’s a reason for that. They don’t just show up and naturally wing it. Derek Jeter didn’t naturally winged being good. It’s repetition and it’s doing and becoming comfortable with the moment. So it’s great stuff. Thank you, Ella for coming on the pod and sharing. This is very relevant for where we are right now. Not only heading into TDX, but heading into world tour. And I feel like community group season, not to mention just budget presenting. I want more things in Salesforce season to my executives and all kinds of presentation times.

This is definitely super timely. So thanks so much, Mike, for having me.

So I love that discussion with Ella. That was a lot of fun. And as with anything, presenting, content creation, stagecraft, there’s only so much we can cover, but I feel like we could do so much more. And we’re heading into Dreamforce. So a lot of people are probably getting ready to present or even if you’re not going as a presenter, you might have to do like I did, which was get back and have to present what you learned. So you’re presenting one way or another. But I enjoyed this.

I love coaching people on how to present and Ella’s one of truly a few people that can do it super well. So again, if you enjoyed this podcast, make sure you give us a follow on the app that you’re listening to, and then that way you get new episodes. And of course, any resources that we listed can be found at admin.salesforce.com, including a transcript of the show, so that way you can read it and follow along. And of course, participate in the Admin Trailblazer community that is in the Trailblazer Group. And of course the link to that is in the show notes. So with that, until next week, I’ll see you in the cloud.

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Mike Gerholdt is the Senior Director of Salesforce Admin Evangelism at Salesforce. He is part of a group of World-class Admin Evangelists who are helping Salesforce Admins realize their dreams by being technology leaders and advancing their careers.

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Schedule a demo now., saying goodbye to your boss: find the right words – tips & examples.

Your boss is about to say goodbye and you’re looking for the right words? No problem. Here you’ll find 30 inspiring farewell messages.

Sprüche zum Abschied der Chefin, die von Herzen kommen

Why should you think of an appropriate goodbye for your boss.

Farewell messages create memories. They put your time together into words and express your appreciation . A well-chosen message shows that you have put some thought into it. It reflects the relationship between you and your boss .

Farewell messages give feelings a voice. We don’t always find the right words, especially in emotional moments. A good farewell message can then say what is difficult to put into words.

Messages of goodbye also strengthen the emotional bond. A heartfelt farewell lets your boss leave with a positive feeling. This strengthens the long-term relationship . Who knows when your paths will cross again?

So, take the time to choose the right words for saying goodbye. Show your boss how important she was to you and what a positive influence she had on your professional life. A carefully selected goodbye message will be remembered.

5 mistakes you should avoid

It’s easy to make mistakes when writing farewell messages for your boss. Here are some common stumbling blocks and how to avoid them to get your message across perfectly:

Staying too general: One mistake many people make is using overly generic or trite phrases. Your boss deserves farewell words that reflect her uniqueness. Tip: Think about special moments or characteristics that set her apart and incorporate these into your farewell message.
Miss the tone: Whether funny or serious, the tone of your saying should match the relationship you have with your boss. Tip: Think carefully about what is appropriate. If your relationship was more formal, choose a respectful and grateful tone. In a casual relationship, humorous elements can also go down well.
Emphasize negative aspects: Even if not every experience was positive, saying goodbye should not be the time to settle old scores. Tip: Focus on the good times and the positive aspects of your collaboration. This leaves a conciliatory and dignified impression.
Getting too personal: Some details may not be suitable for a farewell in front of the entire team. Tip: Maintain a level of professionalism and choose words that are appropriate in a public setting.
The message is overloaded: Less is often more. A farewell message that is too long or complicated can be ineffective. Tip: Keep your message short and concise. A clear, heartfelt message is better received than an overloaded text.

By avoiding these mistakes, you can formulate a farewell message that not only touches the heart, but also remains a positive memory. Use thoughtful words to show your boss the difference she has made in your professional life.

30 messages to say goodbye to your boss

Professional recognition.

"Under your leadership, we have moved mountains. Your vision and determination will always serve as our guiding star. Thank you, [name]!"
"Your professional integrity and commitment have always been a role model for us. We thank you for the inspiring time and the joint successes."
"As the boss, you not only led us, but also inspired us. Your professional footsteps are big - we will do our best to follow in your footsteps. Thank you for everything!"

Express gratitude

"For all the years of support and invaluable advice - a big thank you!"
"We are grateful for the time we were able to spend under your leadership. You have not only enriched our work, but also us as people."
"Thank you for your guidance and inspiration. Your wisdom and support will always be with us."

Motivating wishes for the future

"A new chapter full of possibilities lies ahead of you - may it exceed your best expectations. All the best for your future!"
"Your leadership has inspired us. Now it's time for you to follow your own dreams. Good luck and success on your new path!"
"May new adventures and successes lie in your path. Stay strong and confident, no matter what."

Humorous farewell

"Who will take over our Monday motivation sessions now? Take care, [name] - it'll be a bit quieter here without your jokes!"
"Good luck on your new paths! We'll keep your password, just in case."
"Attention, team! From tomorrow we have to set our own deadlines. [Name], how could we survive without you?"

Personal memories

"Under your leadership, we have not only achieved goals, but also created valuable memories. These moments will always be with us."
"From late nights to early meetings - every challenge was easier with you at the helm. Thank you for the unforgettable moments!"
"Do you remember when we made the impossible possible? We will miss your foresight!"

Inspirational quotes

"Paths are made by walking them." - Franz Kafka
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill

Professional appreciation

"Thank you for the clear goals and the safe decisions. Your professional attitude has inspired and helped us all."
"Under your leadership, we not only achieved our goals, but also lived our values. Your professional influence will never be forgotten."
"Your leadership has not only advanced projects, but also people. Thank you for your wisdom and patience."

Collegial farewell

"We're not saying 'goodbye', but 'see you soon', because a boss like you will always be part of our team. Thank you for the joint successes and challenges!"
"You were more than just our boss, you were one of us. Thank you for the shared laughter and your spot-on advice. We wish you all the best!"
"As a boss you led us, as a colleague you inspired us. Your new chapter may begin, but our memories will remain untarnished. Here's to many more coffee moments - somewhere, sometime!"

Encouraging parting words

"Your new journey begins now - may it be filled with as much success and satisfaction as your time here with us."
"Leave your mark, not just here, but everywhere you go. Good luck and success on your new path!"
"Just as a ship leaves the harbor safely, you too are embarking on a new adventure. We believe in you - good luck!"

Sharing visions of the future and hopes

"You taught us to think outside the box. Now we wish you that your own visions come true - on every step of your new path."
"May the hopes and dreams you had for us now illuminate your own path. Here's to a future that exceeds all your expectations!"
"Your path is paved with visions that have become reality. May your next chapter be even brighter and more fulfilling."

Finding the right words to say goodbye

Saying goodbye is never easy, but the right words can make a big difference. Farewell sayings for the boss help to express appreciation and respect. They enable a positive conclusion and leave good memories behind. At the same time, they are an opportunity to show gratitude and appreciation for the time spent together.

Avoid common mistakes by remaining honest, respectful and personal. Avoid clichés and adapt your farewell speech to the relationship with your boss. This ensures authenticity and makes your words meaningful.

Whether funny, grateful or inspiring – choose a farewell message that suits you and your boss . Remember that although saying goodbye is an end, it is also the beginning of a new chapter. Use this opportunity to share positive feelings and encouragement.

With the right words of goodbye for your boss, you will leave a lasting impression and contribute to a pleasant farewell. In this way, the farewell is not only a moment of closure, but also of appreciation and respect.

Du möchtest noch tiefer in das Thema eintauchen? Dann check das:

Mastering your application as a team leader: essentials that every manager needs to know

Birthday wishes for your boss: how to find the perfect words

Communication genius: Free 12-point checklist for your internal communication concept

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No More Vague Reports: How to Help Your Team Give You Useful Information

by Karin Hurt and David Dye | Sep 2, 2024 | By Karin Hurt and David Dye , Communication|Results & Execution , Results & Execution | communication executive presentations leadership management presentations

Help your team turn data into action by teaching them how to present useful information

Tired of sitting through endless PowerPoint presentations that never answer your question? Does your team drown you with emailed essays and spreadsheets without clear conclusions? Help your team provide more useful information and drive clear decision-making by asking yourself three questions.

Why Your Team Wastes Time with Vague Reports and Frustrating Presentations

When your team doesn’t give you the information you need, there are usually a couple of factors at play.

Often, they simply don’t know what you want or how you want it. They don’t understand how you’ll use the information or what happens next.

Sometimes, they’re looking for approval (look at how hard I worked on all this data!). Or they deliver vague reports and drown you in data to keep out of trouble and avoid your anger or criticism.

Three Questions to Help Your Team Give You Useful Information

You can solve for all these issues and unlock your team’s potential by asking yourself three questions.

1. Have You Clearly Asked for What You Want?

useful information requires clear criteria

You know what you want. You need a clear recommendation and point of view from the people closest to the issue.

But do your people know that?

If you haven’t clearly asked for what you want, the answer is always “no, they don’t.”

And you almost certainly want that report or analysis differently than their last manager.

When you communicate what you want, think about the following questions:

What will a successful report or presentation do? Are there specific criteria the team needs to meet? Clarify the criteria right away.
How will you use the information? If you want raw data to analyze, let them know. If you want a single recommendation with one page of analysis that you can pass to the next level, tell them.
How much analysis and precision do you need? Sometimes you need a general direction and a quick summary. Other times, you need maximum confidence and for the team to take the time to make sure it’s right.
How do you like to get information? You might prefer to read a report and then ask questions. You might like a verbal presentation.
When do you need it? Schedule the finish and ensure they can meet the timetable.

Take the time to clarify what you want. Your team can’t meet expectations they don’t know about.

2. Have You Checked for Understanding?

Once you tell them what you need, check for understanding . You don’t know that they have it and will truly present useful information until you hear them explain it in their own words. For example, you might say:

“If there aren’t any other questions, let’s do a quick check for understanding. What will a successful report do for us? How and when will you present it?”

Note: asking “Do you understand what you need to do here?” is not a check for understanding. You need to find out what they understand.

3. Are You Responding or Reacting?

You asked for what you want. You checked for understanding. But people still bring you vague reports or slide decks with hundreds of irrelevant slides.

The next step is to pay attention to how you respond (not react) to your team. If you react poorly, you’ll get more useless information.

We’ve worked with many frustrated senior leaders frustrated who see too many data dumps and endless PowerPoint presentations.

But ask their team what’s going on and they’ll tell you, “It’s a total waste of time. No matter what I present, they’ll tear it apart, tell me I’m an idiot, and go in a different direction. Why waste my time? I don’t need the grief and will just to have redo everything I’d already done.”

When your team doesn’t bring you useful information, of course it’s frustrating. But you can avoid this negative spiral and help them do better next time by choosing a helpful response.

Here are tools to handle the two most common problems:

1. When They Didn’t Do What They Agreed

You asked for a one-page summary with bulleted recommendations you could include in the Board presentation. Due Thursday at 5:00. You checked for understanding and everyone agreed.

But you got a massive PowerPoint presentation with four spreadsheets of data in a microscopic font—on Friday morning.

Your best response here is an accountability conversation. You can use our I.N.S.P.I.R.E. method to have this conversation. Your part of this conversation could look like this:

I – Initiate: “My intent here is to help you prevent rework and for you and the team to be as effective as possible.”

N – Notice: “We agreed that you would present this information in a one-page summary with bulleted recommendations. This isn’t that.”

S – Support: (not really needed here as the problem is self-evident)

P – Probe: “I’m curious what happened?”

I – Invite: “Can you please get the one-page summary we agreed to done today? How can we ensure you do these presentations accurately going forward?”

R – Review: “I’m hearing that you just forgot and scrambled to get it done at the last minute. And that your solution will be to get it in your calendar with the details going forward. Do I have that right?”

E – Enforce: “We have another one of these reports coming up in two weeks. Let’s schedule time on Friday afternoon. I’ve just sent you a calendar invitation. We’ll spend ten minutes to go over that next report and fine-tune it before you submit it.”

2. When You Disagree or Can’t Use Their Recommendation

Your team gave you the information exactly as you requested. But just this morning, before their presentation, you got some information that changed the strategy. Now their recommendation doesn’t make sense.

Or maybe, now that you see their data, you disagree with their analysis.

How can you respond in a way that doesn’t discourage, disempower, or deflate?

The answer is to Respond with Regard . There are three steps to respond with regard: gratitude, information, and invitation. You get more of what you celebrate and encourage. So here’s how your part of this conversation might sound:

Gratitude: “Thank you so much for putting this together. I really appreciate the thought you put into it and for caring about where we’re heading.”

Information: “So this morning we learned that the joint venture that would help this project work isn’t going to happen. As I look at your analysis, that understandably played a big role.”

Invitation: “I would love to get your thoughts and recommendation knowing that this partnership isn’t happening. Let’s talk through when we can do that.”

Or, where you see things differently, your information step might sound like:

“Looking at your data, I’m coming to a different conclusion than yours. Here’s what I’m thinking. What am I missing? How do you see it differently?”

When you consistently ask yourself these three questions, your team won’t just give you useful information. You’ll improve morale, efficiency, and make better decisions. We’d love to hear from you: how do you help your team move from vague reports and data dumps to meaningful information you can use?

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Be a Better Coach: 5 Reasons Your Performance Coaching Is Being Ignored

To be a better performance coach avoid these common mistakes. Have you ever had (what you thought was) a great performance coaching...

 Karin Hurt and David Dye |  Aug 26, 2024

When Managing Up, Don't Bring Data Without a Point of View When your manager asks you for information, don't just answer their question. Have a...

 Karin Hurt and David Dye |  Aug 19, 2024

Beyond Magical Thinking: How to Ensure Your Team “Gets It”

Magical thinking means you assume your team knows what you know. For example, you might think that explaining a task once is enough and everyone will understand and execute it perfectly. Of course, your team might not get it. It's your job to ensure expectations are clear.

 Karin Hurt and David Dye |  Aug 5, 2024

Karin Hurt and David Dye

Karin Hurt and David Dye help human-centered leaders find clarity in uncertainty, drive innovation, and achieve breakthrough results. As CEO and President of Let’s Grow Leaders, they are known for practical tools and leadership development programs that stick. Karin and David are the award-winning authors of five books including, Courageous Cultures: How to Build Teams of Micro-Innovators, Problem Solvers, and Customer Advocates and Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Workplace Conflict. A former Verizon Wireless executive, Karin was named to Inc. Magazine’s list of great leadership speakers . David Dye is a former executive and elected official. Karin and David are committed to their philanthropic initiative, Winning Wells – building clean water wells for the people of Cambodia.

BUILD CONFIDENCE, TRUST AND CONNECTION WITH CONSISTENT ACTS OF MANAGERIAL COURAGE

Get the free courageous cultures e-book to learn how, 7 practical ways to be a bit more daring, build confidence, trust and connection with consistent acts of managerial courage.

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No WFH or leaving office for coffee: Mining boss shares honest ‘hold them captive’ approach to team management

by Angela Priestley | 4 days ago

Chris Ellison is a billionaire, thanks to his work in mining and as the managing director of Mineral Resources. He wants to inspire the industry to follow his approach to workplace management, which includes banning work from home options and a desire to prevent office workers from leaving the office for coffee.

He outlines a number of good things in place to support this team of 8500 at mining giant MinRes, including a childcare facility, gym and restaurant, as well as the “resort-like” facilities MinRes has created for staff, which Julie Bishop famously walked through as an “ambassador” for the business .

But Ellison doesn’t sugarcoat why he does it.

He believes the industry can’t afford flexible work and work from home options. He’s seen the costs of allowing team members to leave work to get coffee and prefers to keep them “glued” to the office. Once they’ve arrived at work for the day, he wants to “hold them captive”. He certainly doesn’t want them “wandering around” to get lunch.

How do we know this? Because Ellison openly said as much during his Financial Result Presentation on Thursday, available here on YouTube .

Ellison spoke frankly and in a dry and dull tone throughout the presentation, which outlined a financial performance that included some disappointing results for part of their business and personal comments regarding how hard it is to go through downturns, having experienced many himself. “It’s not a fun time. It’s a shittie time,” he said. “We’re throwing everything off the deck to make sure we’re preserving cash.”

Such measures to preserve cash include ensuring they’re getting as much as possible out of team members.

“I don’t want them leaving the building,” he said. “I don’t want them walking down the road for a cup of coffee. We kind of figured out a few years ago how much that cost.”

MinRes banned the option to work from home last year, and now Ellison wishes that “everyone else would get on board with that – the sooner the better. The industry can’t afford it.”

He said they are focused on growing female participation and retention of people over the last two years, and declared a 50 per cent reduction in people departing the 8500-strong workforce. He said female representation up 22.3 per cent.

MinRes is an outlier on the ASX, boasting a board that is 56 per cent women — one of very few boards to crack the 50 per cent mark for women.

However, all seven of MinRes’ executives are men, with Ellison taking questions during the financial presentation about why some of the company’s most senior women have left the business.

Ellison noted one particular concern regarding hiring more women, with “mothers” (no mention of fathers or families here) saying they are spending up to $180 a day on childcare.

To help solve the issue, Ellison said they are opening an onsite creche that will cost around $20 a day.

And there will be no need to take time out to take a pre-schooler to the doctor either. “We’ve got doctors on board and nurses. We’re going to feed them, but Mum and Dad will be working in our office.”

Reading words from a boss around wanting to keep employees “glued” to the office and held “captive” for the day could lead you to believe they were said in jest or even with humour.

But anyone watching or hearing the presentation would immediately understand he was serious with his words.

At one point, Ellison discussed the work they are doing on mental health – including with nine psychologists on the payroll – and shared how a female employee team member had taken her own life shortly after returning home, just three weeks ago.

“We’re taking people out of society and putting them on the payroll and putting them on site… we’re trying to do a lot more to prevent that sort of thing. It’s gut-wrenching when you see this,” he said. (There is no suggestion from Women’s Agenda of a link between this tragic incident and work conditions).

I came across the Ellison’s comments about coffee breaks costing the business via a story published in The Guardian this morning, and following the link to watch the financial presentation myself.

Incredibly, there are few other media reports regarding the comments made about banning WFH and his expressed desire to “hold them captive”, rather the financial press has focused on his comments about lithium and the “theatre” of his presentation and desire to “ride” out the downturn with there never being a dull moment at MinRes .

Further questions remain regarding why any CEO or MD feels it necessary to discuss a desire to hold team members “captive” once they arrive at the office for the day. Regardless of how resort-like and appealing the office facilities are and the financial results being delivered.

Julie Bishop Mineral Resources work from home

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40 Happy Boss’s Day Message Examples for 2024

August 26, 2024

Looking for the right words for Boss’s Day? Find inspiration with these 40 Happy Boss’s Day message examples for 2024!

Behind every successful team is a great boss who works tirelessly to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Boss' Day is your chance to shine the spotlight on the person who supports you every day.

Discover 40 message examples that will help you express your appreciation and make your boss feel truly valued.

What is Boss's Day and When is it Celebrated?

Great bosses do more than just manage — they lead with purpose, inspire their teams, and uplift everyone around them. Often, they make sacrifices behind the scenes to ensure their teams succeed.

Boss' Day, celebrated every year on October 16th (or the nearest working day if it falls on a weekend), is your chance to thank your boss for the guidance and support they provide. A simple gesture, whether it’s a note or a thoughtful gift, can boost your boss’s morale and make them feel truly appreciated for the difference they make.

40 Happy Boss’s Day Message Examples

Crafting the perfect message for Boss's Day can make a meaningful impact. Whether you opt for something heartfelt, professional, or even lighthearted, the key is to be sincere and specific.

Here are some ideas to help you express your appreciation.

Funny Boss’s Day Messages

Happy Boss's Day! Thanks for always steering this ship, even when we’re off course (which isn’t often, we promise).
Happy Boss's Day to the person who makes meetings bearable and Mondays less painful!
Happy Boss's Day! Here’s to hoping we didn’t cause too many gray hairs this year!
Happy Boss's Day! Thanks for putting up with our shenanigans — you deserve a raise just for that!
To the best boss: Happy Boss's Day! Just remember, we only look like we’re working because of your excellent leadership.
Congrats on surviving another year of being the best boss ever! Happy Boss's Day!
Happy Boss's Day! Your ability to handle our chaos deserves a standing ovation — and probably a vacation.
Today, we celebrate the one person who knows what they're doing — Happy Boss's Day!
Happy Boss's Day! You’re the reason we don’t mind coming to work every day… well, most days!
Your job: Keep us in line. Our job: Make that as difficult as possible. Happy Boss's Day!

Heartfelt Boss’s Day Messages

Happy Boss's Day! Your kindness, patience, and support make all the difference in our work lives. We’re grateful to have you as our leader.
You’re not just a boss, you’re a mentor and a role model. Thank you for believing in us and pushing us to be our best. Happy Boss's Day!
Happy Boss's Day! Your unwavering belief in our potential has helped us grow in ways we never thought possible. Thank you for being an amazing leader.
Happy Boss's Day! Your leadership makes all the difference in our lives, both professionally and personally. We appreciate you more than words can express.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being such a kind, thoughtful, and supportive boss. Wishing you a wonderful Boss's Day!
You inspire us to reach new heights and to believe in our abilities. Thank you for being the incredible boss that you are. Happy Boss's Day!
Happy Boss's Day! We’re so lucky to have a boss who genuinely cares about our happiness and success. You make coming to work a pleasure.
To a boss who truly cares — Happy Boss's Day! Your dedication to our success and happiness doesn’t go unnoticed.
You’ve shown us that great leadership is about heart as much as it is about direction. Thank you for being an incredible boss. Happy Boss's Day!
Wishing you a Boss's Day filled with the appreciation you truly deserve. Your kindness and support inspire us every day.

Professional Boss’s Day Messages

Happy Boss's Day! Your strategic thinking and decision-making have been key to our success. Thank you for leading us forward.
Happy Boss's Day! Your ability to lead with both authority and approachability sets the standard for excellence. Thank you for being an outstanding leader.
We’re grateful for your leadership and the opportunities you’ve created for us. Happy Boss's Day, and here’s to continued success under your guidance.
Your leadership has been a driving force in our team’s success. Thank you for setting such a strong example. Wishing you a Happy Boss's Day!
Happy Boss's Day! Your dedication to our growth and development as professionals has made all the difference in our careers. Thank you for your leadership.
Wishing you a wonderful Boss's Day! Your dedication to excellence and commitment to our team are truly appreciated.
Happy Boss's Day! Your leadership and vision have been instrumental in our team’s success. We are fortunate to have you guiding us.
Happy Boss's Day! Your expertise and insight make a difference every day, and we appreciate your dedication to our team.
Happy Boss's Day! Your leadership has set the standard for excellence in our team. We are honored to work under your guidance.
Happy Boss’s Day! Thank you for your strategic guidance, your patience, and your ability to bring out the best in all of us.

Short Boss’s Day Messages

Happy Boss’s Day! We may not say it enough, but you’re the glue that holds this circus together!
Happy Boss's Day! Your leadership inspires us every day. Thank you for always having our backs.
To a wonderful boss, Happy Boss's Day! Your guidance and support mean the world to us.
Wishing you a fantastic Boss's Day! Thanks for making the workplace a positive and productive space.
Your hard work and dedication don’t go unnoticed. Happy Boss's Day to the best boss!
Happy Boss's Day! Your leadership makes all the difference in our success — thank you for everything you do.
Thank you for your constant support and for being such a great boss. Happy Boss's Day!
Wishing you a very Happy Boss's Day! We’re lucky to have a boss who makes work feel like home.
Your leadership and vision make all the difference. Happy Boss's Day!
We’re grateful for your leadership and all the ways you support our team. Happy Boss's Day!

How to Recognize Your Manager

While words are a great way to show appreciation, pairing them with a thoughtful gesture can make your recognition even more impactful. Here are a few ideas for how to recognize your manager on Boss's Day.

Thank You Note: A handwritten note can be a simple yet meaningful gesture. It shows that you’ve taken the time to reflect on your boss's contributions and that you appreciate their efforts. Make your note personal by mentioning specific instances where their guidance or support made a difference in your work.
Sweet Treat: Everyone loves a sweet surprise! Consider bringing in your boss's favorite treats, whether it's a box of chocolates, homemade cookies, or their go-to snack. It’s a small gesture that can brighten their day and show that you’ve put thought into the recognition.
Gift Card: If you’re unsure of what your boss might like, a gift card to their favorite restaurant, coffee shop, or local business can be a great choice. It’s a versatile gift that allows them to treat themselves whenever they choose.
Flowers: A beautiful bouquet of flowers can add a touch of brightness to your boss's workspace. It’s a classic and elegant way to show appreciation, and the visual reminder of your recognition can last for days or even weeks.
Team-Signed Card: Nothing says “we appreciate you” like a heartfelt card signed by the whole team. A team-signed card can make your boss feel valued and show that their leadership positively impacts everyone. To make it even more special, ask each team member to write a personal note about how your boss has made a difference in their work life.
Best Boss Accolade: Whether it’s a “Best Boss” trophy, a custom mug, or a desk plaque, this type of recognition adds a fun and memorable touch. These items serve as a constant reminder of your appreciation and can bring a smile to your boss’s face whenever they see them. Consider personalizing the accolade with your boss's name or a funny team inside joke to make it unique.
Care Package: Put together a personalized care package filled with your boss's favorite goodies, sweets, drinks, or even self-care items like candles or bath salts. This thoughtful collection of items shows that you’ve taken the time to consider what they truly enjoy, making it a heartfelt and practical gift that they can indulge in after a busy day at work.

Benefits of Recognizing Managers

Bosses set the tone for the entire team, and recognizing them on Boss's Day can strengthen that foundation. When leaders feel valued, their ability to guide and inspire the team becomes even stronger.

Here's how showing appreciation can make a positive impact on both your boss and the overall team.

Increases Morale & Job Satisfaction: Just like employees, bosses also need to feel appreciated to stay motivated and satisfied in their roles. A simple act of recognition can boost their morale and contribute to a more positive work atmosphere for everyone.
Reduces Stress and Burnout: Bosses often carry the weight of multiple responsibilities, which can lead to stress and burnout. Recognition can alleviate some of this pressure by showing that their efforts are noticed and appreciated. This can help reduce feelings of overwhelm and boost their resilience.
Strengthens Manager-Employee Relationship: Acknowledging your boss's hard work and leadership helps build trust and strengthen the relationship between you and your manager. This can lead to better communication, collaboration, and overall team cohesion.
Improves Engagement: When leaders feel recognized and valued, it creates a ripple effect throughout the team. Engaged managers are more likely to foster an environment where employees also feel engaged, leading to higher productivity and job satisfaction.
Creates a Supportive Work Environment: Recognition fosters a culture of support and positivity. When everyone, from employees to managers, feels valued, it contributes to a more inclusive and cohesive work environment where people are more willing to go the extra mile for each other.

Other Resources

Need additional inspiration? Here are a few other articles that can help.

50 Employee Appreciation Messages
Employee Appreciation Letter Examples
164 Best Motivational Quotes for Employees
Employee Recognition Message Templates

Tying It Together

Boss’s Day is a chance to strengthen the relationship between you and your boss by showing them how much their leadership means to you. A little recognition can go a long way in building a stronger, more positive connection that benefits both you and the team. Take the time to make your boss feel appreciated today — it’s a simple gesture with lasting rewards.

Graphic says "50 Meaningful Employee Appreciation Messages to Boost Morale. View Message Examples."

A group of happy employees participating in an employee incentive program that boosts employee morale, employee satisfaction and employee retention

10 Tips for Creating Successful Employee Incentive Programs

10 Employee Recognition Programs You Should Be Using

30 Fun Employee Recognition Ideas Your Staff Will Love

Image shows a leader presenting an employee award to a team member.

25 Meaningful Employee Recognition Awards to Celebrate Your Team

How Recognition Affects Employee Performance and Engagement

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COMMENTS

How To Present an Idea to Your Boss (With Template)
1. Gather information. Before you present your idea, gather as much information as you can about your idea. Common ideas that individuals approach their supervisors with include the workload at the company, production issues or improvements, company culture and more. Narrow down your discussion topic so your boss knows what to expect from the ...
8 Tips for Presenting to Your Boss
Here are a few tips to successfully present to your boss and beat the anxiety: 1. Know Your Audience. When you're presenting, you're sharing your ideas, thoughts, and vision with a group of people. These are all people from varied backgrounds and with different worldviews. As a result, one size doesn't fit all, and you have to understand ...
How to Impress Your Boss With Your Presentation: 13 Steps
This kind of follow through after the presentation will impress your boss with your dedication to the work and doing a good job for the company. 3. Listen to feedback. A presentation is a great opportunity for you to be less formally evaluated by others at your place of employment.
How to Successfully Present an Idea to Your Manager
5. Be Mindful of the Idea's Impact. Being aware of how your idea might affect the company at large is essential. It's also an often-forgotten element of a thorough presentation. As part of your preparation, consider what will change as a result of what you're proposing. If it's going to require significant changes in how your ...
8 Tips for Making a Presentation That Dazzles the Boss With Your
However, if you really want to impress your boss and your team, and keep them from yawning, give these eight tactics a try. 1. Use metaphors. Including metaphors in your presentation can be useful ...
How To Present Achievements to Your Manager (With Sample)
Here's a list of steps on how to present your achievements to your manager: 1. Address the recipient appropriately. Begin your letter by addressing the recipient appropriately. In most circumstances, it's best to use the salutation "Dear" and follow it with your manager's title and last name. In some instances, you may use a more informal ...
Do These 5 Things to Turn a Stressful Presentation to Your Boss Into an
3. Know the weakest part of your presentation -- and fix it in advance. Inevitably, there will be one or two parts of your presentation you're hoping your boss won't notice because the data is ...
7 tips to present your work like a boss
5. Be playful. If appropriate, add a little humor here and there throughout your presentation. The goal is to help your break the ice and disarm people. When you're presenting something new, you may encounter some resistance. A little humor might help you tear down some walls and keep people engaged.
How to Give a Presentation That Will Impress Your Boss
Keep it Concise. Your boss has a busy schedule so be respectful of their time by keeping your presentation concise. Donâ€™t bore them with text-heavy slides, lengthy explanations, and graph after graph of information. Instead, know your goals and stick to your main points. Keep the content clear and straightforward and stay on track.Â.
How To Give Presentations Like A Boss
STEP #1 - Learn to Relax: Rehearse your speech. Set yourself up to succeed by going over your presentation thoroughly. Ask a colleague or friend to be your test audience. If you're on your own, practice in front of a mirror or record yourself. Remember your purpose.
How To Give A Presentation to Your Boss
How Can You Give A Presentation to Your Boss? How Can You Have Success Presenting To Your Boss?BTW, To Grab Your Audience's Attention, Get This For FREE: htt...
Pitch Your Ideas To Your Boss Using These 7 Proven Strategies ...
Make sure that you know what your boss is hearing in your presentation, not just what details are on slide #47. Because the best presentation is always a conversation. Because the best ...
5 steps to writing a 'First 90 days in the job' presentation
Table of Contents. Writing a 'First 90 days in the job' presentation doesn't have to be daunting, follow our guide and create a presentation that gets you the job of your dreams. That's why it's important, here's how to write one: Start researching in your first interview. Focus on your potential employer's needs. Add your ...
7 Presentation Skills Your Boss Wants You to Master
Nerves may show, especially when the boss is in the room. If you can't demonstrate complete confidence, work with a speech coach who will either engender that confidence in you or show you how to make your anxiety invisible. 5. Show that You Can Speak for Leadership. Here's where you move up from the minors into the majors.
How To Successfully Present Your Case For A Promotion
Try to be the first one in the door in the morning and the last person to leave. Instead of an hour lunch break, eat at your desk. Make sure that people notice this; otherwise, you have wasted a ...
How To Introduce Yourself To New Boss Confidently: 14 Guidelines
This helps avoid any awkwardness and shows you're professional. Instead of walking in and saying. "Hi, I'm your new employee,". scheduling a meeting shows respect for their time. 2. Research Your New Boss: Before your meeting, it could be helpful to do some research into your new boss.
Impress your boss with this awesome PowerPoint trick # ...
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How To Present an Idea to Your Boss (With Template)
1. Gather information. Before you present your idea, gather as much information as you can about your idea. Common ideas that individuals approach their supervisors with include the workload at the company, production issues or improvements, company culture and more. Narrow down your discussion topic so your boss knows what to expect from the ...
Essential Tips for Creating Effective Presentations
So a user group presentation, for example, you may know there's a mix of admins and developers and maybe architects in that room. Ella Marks: And you need to know who those people are in order to build a presentation that is really going to engage them and teach them or persuade them or whatever your goal is.
Saying goodbye to your boss: 30 inspiring examples
Thank you, [name]!" "Your professional integrity and commitment have always been a role model for us. We thank you for the inspiring time and the joint successes." "As the boss, you not only led us, but also inspired us. Your professional footsteps are big - we will do our best to follow in your footsteps.
No More Vague Reports: How to Help Your Team Give You Useful Information
You asked for a one-page summary with bulleted recommendations you could include in the Board presentation. Due Thursday at 5:00. You checked for understanding and everyone agreed. But you got a massive PowerPoint presentation with four spreadsheets of data in a microscopic font—on Friday morning.
How To Get Honest Feedback: Moving Beyond 'Good Job'
1. Be specific. Don't ask for general feedback. Say things like, "I'm working on my presentation skills. After you've listened to my presentation, what do you think I could do better?"
No WFH, desire to 'hold them captive': Mining boss' team approach
Reading words from a boss around wanting to keep employees "glued" to the office and held "captive" for the day could lead you to believe they were said in jest or even with humour. But anyone watching or hearing the presentation would immediately understand he was serious with his words.
40 Happy Boss's Day Message Examples for 2024
Boss' Day, celebrated every year on October 16th (or the nearest working day if it falls on a weekend), is your chance to thank your boss for the guidance and support they provide. A simple gesture, whether it's a note or a thoughtful gift, can boost your boss's morale and make them feel truly appreciated for the difference they make.