Cambridge Business Association
The Elegant Pitch
Book

The Elegant Pitch

Create a Compelling Recommendation, Build Broad Support, and Get it Approved

Mike Figliuolo
Career Press, 2016
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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Applicable
  • Well Structured
  • Concrete Examples

Recommendation

Executives and managers frequently face the responsibility of developing and presenting recommendations for fixing problems or seizing opportunities. Whether simply unaware of how to shape a good performance or totally frozen in the headlights, they often end up offering complex presentations that blur their proposals, confuse more than they enlighten and drift into tangential issues. Consultant Mike Figliuolo offers a “structured thought process” for developing better presentations. His valuable guide explains how you can create more effective talks by thinking clearly, logically and systematically. Such thinking is the foundation of a great – even “elegant” – presentation. getAbstract recommends Figliuolo’s methods to anyone who has to explain something to an audience.

Summary

Logical Planning First

Most presenters mistakenly focus on gathering facts, analyzing data and producing slides, but not on communication – that is, the actual presentation. These public speakers gather numbers, develop detailed graphs and put forth mountains of information, but they often fail to secure the approval for their initiatives that they want from their audience.

You can get what you need from your audience if you go beyond the conventional approach to creating a presentation. Emphasize logic and planning before adding numbers. Think out specifically what you want to convey and how to present your information most effectively. Figure out your audience members’ priorities. To win approval for your proposals, secure support from individual decision makers before you make your case to a board or committee.

Using the “Structured Thought Process”

The structured thought process calls for focusing on your stakeholders’ goals and the outcome you want to achieve. Define your proposed idea. Before you conduct any analysis, think through how you will structure and develop your argument. During your presentation, share only the most relevant information...

About the Author

Mike Figliuolo is founder and managing director of thoughtLEADERS, which specializes in leadership development and training at world-class companies.

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