Tag: presentation q&a

Answering the 3 Frequently Asked Questions in a Business Presentation

business presentation

presentation q&a

Public Speaker

public speaking

Tips for Public Speakers

Jun 05, 2017

Engaging into a question and answer session with the audience is the best way for you to get feedback. Being offered their opinion about how you did and how well the whole talk was makes your presentation more engaging and further clarifies the points you’ve made. Additionally, it gives you insights on how you can make better presentations in the future.
You won’t be able to cover every detail during your business presentation, so it’s important to always anticipate questions beforehand. While the three following queries seem simple enough on their own, don’t underestimate your audience’s ability to catch you off guard. It’s a good idea to be prepared for any variation of…

Business Presentation Question #1: What do you do?

Question #1: What do you do?

The beginning of your deck should include an introduction that contains your contact details and a brief primer of your company. But this kind of information isn’t enough for the audience to know what your business is all about.
Your deck should cover every possible aspect of the purpose, service, and benefit that you provide while avoiding delays caused by an overly detailed discussion. If you have to reexplain your introduction towards the end of your business presentation, don’t just assume that the audience didn’t pay enough attention.
This type of question could mean that you didn’t spend enough time to explain your purpose or that your audience simply wants to know more details. Especially with the latter, that tells of their curiosity. Aren’t you glad they’re interested?

Business Presentation Question #2: What's your product?

Question #2: What’s your product?

There are several ways to phrase this question: “How does this product benefit your prospects?” “How useful is it?” “Is it worth the investment?” In other words, why should they choose you?
You should be able to answer all those questions and provide concrete reasons to support your claims. Going into detail with this particular question in mind is good since this means that your audience is curious about your brand. This is a way for you to slowly build up their trust. Knowing your product well adds to your credibility.
Seal the deal by convincing your prospects that your offer is worth their time and resources.
Business Presentation Question #3: How long does it take?

Question #3: How long does it take?

This type of question asks for specificity. It shows that the audience is thinking, “How soon will I start seeing results?”
Provide a financial projection that gives a realistic assessment of your project. Tell them when they can expect to see the results and only promise what you can deliver on time and on a realistic budget.
Scott Gerber, entrepreneur and angel investor, learned the hard way from being rejected by investors for his company. One of the most important lessons he learned was that venture capitalists that have seen it all can gauge the feasibility of your plans, so be realistic and avoid aiming for a multimillion investment without the experience to back it up.
You’ll know how eager your audience is when you hear them ask about your project timetable. Being asked this at the end of your business presentation usually means you’ve generated enough interest that’ll soon translate to sales. 

Final Thoughts

Keep your answers short and concise since you’re nearing the end of your presentation. Concise answers are easier to remember and will help end your presentation on time.
The responses you receive will help gauge your own persuasiveness as a speaker. So don’t be content with a silent response. Get the ball going by answering some of these questions by reiterating your main points.
The success of your pitch depends on how well you respond to these FAQs. Don’t let the simplicity of these questions fool you; prepare how to answer them beforehand. 

Resources:

Gerber, Scott. “6 Steps to the Perfect Pitch.” Entrepreneur. May 21, 2009. www.entrepreneur.com/article/201826
Greene, Charles. “Presentation Skills: 5 Tips to Improve Your Q&A.” CharlesGreene.com. August 27, 2012. www.charlesgreene.com/2012/08/5-tips-to-improve-your-qa-sessions
Pivovarov, Artur. “Presentation Skills. Unit 8: Dealing with Questions.” SlideShare. May 1, 2012. www.slideshare.net/ArturPivovarov/unit-8-12763217
“Conducting a Q&A Session.” Boundless. n.d. www.boundless.com/communications/textbooks/boundless-communications-textbook/delivering-the-speech-12/managing-q-a-68/conducting-a-q-a-session-268-4213

6 Things to Watch Out for During Presentation Q&As

Powerpoint

PowerPoint Design

presentation

Presentation Consultation

presentation q&a

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Jan 15, 2017

Handling a Q&A session after a presentation can be both rewarding and challenging. It’s your chance to engage directly with your audience, clarify points, and demonstrate your expertise. However, there are potential pitfalls that could disrupt your flow or cause confusion.

Here are six things to watch out for during presentation Q&As:

1. Unclear Questions

Sometimes, audience members may ask questions that are vague or poorly worded, making it difficult to provide a direct answer.

What to Watch Out For:

  • Misinterpretation: If the question is unclear, you may end up answering something the audience member didn’t intend to ask.

How to Handle It:

  • Politely ask for clarification: “Could you please rephrase your question?” or “Can you clarify what you mean by [specific word or topic]?”

2. Off-Topic Questions

Occasionally, audience members may ask questions that are unrelated to your presentation, leading the discussion away from your main message.

What to Watch Out For:

  • Losing Focus: Answering off-topic questions can waste time and distract the audience from the key points you want to emphasize.

How to Handle It:

  • Acknowledge the question but steer the conversation back: “That’s a great question, but it’s a bit outside today’s topic. I’d be happy to discuss that afterward.”

3. Aggressive or Hostile Questions

Every now and then, someone in the audience may challenge your content or present their question in an antagonistic manner.

What to Watch Out For:

  • Escalating Tension: If not handled carefully, hostile questions can escalate and create tension in the room.

How to Handle It:

  • Stay calm and composed: “I understand your concern. Here’s how we approached that issue…” Redirect the conversation back to your presentation’s core message.

4. Questions You Don’t Know the Answer To

No matter how well-prepared you are, it’s possible that you’ll be asked a question that you don’t have the answer to.

What to Watch Out For:

  • Appearing Unprepared: Not knowing the answer to a question can make you feel caught off guard.

How to Handle It:

  • Be honest and offer to follow up: “I don’t have that information right now, but I can look into it and get back to you.”

5. Long-Winded Questions

Some audience members may use the Q&A session as an opportunity to share their thoughts at length, turning a question into a monologue.

What to Watch Out For:

  • Losing Engagement: Long-winded questions can take up valuable time and lead to a loss of engagement from the rest of the audience.

How to Handle It:

  • Politely interject: “That’s an interesting perspective. To clarify, is your question about [summarize their point]?”

6. Running Out of Time

Q&A sessions can easily run over time if not managed properly, which can frustrate both you and your audience.

What to Watch Out For:

  • Overrunning Your Allotted Time: Allowing the session to go over time can disrupt the schedule, especially in formal or time-constrained settings.

How to Handle It:

  • Keep an eye on the clock and manage time accordingly. You can say, “We have time for one more question,” and offer to continue the conversation afterward.

Final Thoughts

Navigating a Q&A session can be tricky, but with the right strategies in place, you can handle unexpected challenges and maintain control of the conversation. Stay calm, engage with your audience thoughtfully, and always steer the discussion back to your key message when necessary.

How to Take Tough Questions Like a Presentation Expert

answering audience questions

audience engagement

establishing credibility

presentation q&a

presentation tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Jul 16, 2015

Q&A’s are the perfect opportunity for welcoming observations and clarifying people’s confusion about a certain idea. This opens the floor for deeper audience involvement, although a tough question could sneak through and ruin a stellar performance.
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Here are tips to handle your next Q&A session like a presentation expert:

Take Questions Only at the End

Take audience questions like feedback. They help tune up future presentations. However, taking queries during a structured speech distracts you, ruins your flow, and steers you off-track.

The main part of the speech is not the right time to field questions. If audience members attempt to sidetrack you while speaking, inform them politely that there will be time allotted at the end to address their concerns.

It’s important to avoid coming across as avoiding the question altogether. At the same time, you need to take control of your own presentation to deliver effectively and efficiently.

Don’t Lose Sight of Your Objectives

The Q&A session is a part of your presentation – and should still follow your goals. Set objectives to keep your overall speech concise and effective.

Avoid getting distracted or taken off topic. If you’re asked a question that might seem loosely connected, answer it in a way that always draws it back to your topic.

But never refuse questions, even those that seem difficult or out of your scope of research. Every question is an opportunity to make your message even clearer. In the face of an intimidating question, be honest with the audience, but say that you’ll get back to them once you’ve found the answer.

Keep Yourself Calm and Composed

Even if you’re legitimately taken aback by a hard question, never let it show. Letting your negative emotions show in the midst of a presentation makes you look unprepared and unprofessional, reducing your credibility.

People easily pick up on signs of nervousness such as stammering, fidgeting, shaking, and unnecessary vocal interjections (your uh’s um’s and er’s). Stage jitters can also get your adrenaline pumping, having the awkward side-effect of speeding up your speaking pace.

Taking a deep breath calms those nerves, and gives you a brief chance to quickly internalize and properly respond to the question. This short pause will make your answer more natural and articulate, as well as your speaking more relaxed and well-paced.

Conclusion

Answering questions is an important responsibility as a speaker. No matter how perfect your performance might have been, your listeners will always have additional questions. Address these questions in a way that makes you more effective and knowledgeable.

Need a well-designed deck to go with your speech? Check out our portfolio for ideas or contact our presentation experts for a free quote.

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Reference

“Responding to Questions Effectively.” University of Leicester. Accessed July 16, 2015. http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ld/resources/presentations/questions

Sales Presentation Skills: Stay Relevant to Pitch Ideas

persuasion

presentation q&a

public speaking

Rick Enrico

May 11, 2015

The best speakers are at the top of their game because they stay relevant to their topics and audiences. They know who they’re talking to and what to say to keep listeners hooked.

This is why their slides are impactful, and why their body language and manner of speaking captivate and encourage audience participation.

In his article in Marketing Magazine, Interbrand’s Chuck Brymer notes leading brands in the world such as Coca-Cola, Apple, Starbucks, and BMW, which utilize the technique to staying relevant.

They reap profit because they maintain a deep understanding of their consumer base and keep up with what happens in their lives. They also make use of simple yet innovative ideas in their advertising. By keeping up with their customers, these brands always make messages that people can relate to.

Presenters can apply this principle to their sales presentation skills using three important tips:

1. Shared Beliefs Connect You to Your Audience Faster

One important factor in connecting effectively with other people is an exchange of shared beliefs. Make a mental list of the right words, tone, and emotional triggers to use so you can connect with others better.

Do your clients specialize in manufacturing and distributing sports goods? Use action-oriented content and designs, then incorporate the core message of either seizing the moment while you can or finding satisfaction in breaking your physical limits.

Are your clients a tech-oriented company? Maybe you can bank on a common objective of providing devices that make people’s work easier and more productive.

Regardless of the industry, you need to know your audience in order to adjust your sales presentation skills accordingly.

2. Connect With Them on an Emotional then Rational Level

Understanding the people you talk to gives them a sense of empathy. After making this connection around a similar set of experiences or ideals, rationalize it by citing concrete examples.

Look at Nike: their “Just Do It” tagline sells to everyone regardless of age, gender and occupation. This message connects with their intended customers since it reaches out to them on an emotional level.

3. Know the Right Questions to Ask

Involve your listeners in the discussion. Work with what you learn from the people you speak to so you can give a relevant presentation. Stay updated with information relevant to them and more importantly, it gives you information that you can translate to relevant PowerPoint content to use either now or in the future.

Renowned author, Jim Aitchison, cites the Kaminomoto hair restorer ad campaign’s discreet tone worked because the ad agency realized that their customers didn’t want to be reminded of their baldness.

They preferred an ad with a message that only they would understand. Their execution included random objects with hair growing out of them and a tagline that read “Be careful with the Kaminomoto”.

Conclusion

Your audiences are human just like you. Each person grows and learns new things while refining their purchasing standards (or investing in pitches in the presenter’s case).

To connect with them and convince them of your ideas, form an emotional connection to reach out and effectively sell your ideas.

 

References

Aitchison, J. (2004). Cutting Edge Advertising: How to Create the World’s Best Print For Brands in the 21st Century. Singapore: Prentice Hall.
“A Presentation Expert’s Guide to Knowing the Audience.” SlideGenius, Inc. 2015. Accessed May 11, 2015.
Brymer, Chuck. “WHAT MAKES BRANDS GREAT?” Marketing Magazine. Accessed May 11, 2015.
Just Do It. Nike. Accessed May 11, 2015.

4 Crucial Skills for a Better Investment Presentation Q&A

audience engagement

effective pitch

presentation q&a

May 07, 2015

Convincing clients to accept your proposal is a feat in itself because while you can establish its relevance and support it with facts, they’ll always have questions after you deliver your investment presentation:

How much will implementing your proposal cost? How long will it take? Who will be involved?

Don’t worry about the Q&A of your investment pitch. Idea presentation is also a form of marketing and advertising.

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Audience persuasion is this practice’s lifeblood. Knowing how to address these concerns is the final hurdle that every presenter must pass.

As this article addresses the final parts of your presentation process, allocate the information you need in your PowerPoint’s the index section.

Getting Started

Addressing the clients’ concerns show them that your proposal is superior to the competition.

Ensure that the idea was well-formulated to account for perceived inconsistencies.

Northwestern University’s marketing expert Philip Kotler (1972) shares four planning skills to reinforce ideas during the final stages of your investment presentation:

Planning the Product

Your product is your proposal. It’s the thing you want to pitch to your audience.

Do you want to introduce a new gadget in an expo? Are you pitching a stock investment plan? Are you presenting a recommendation from your earnings’ reports?

Define your product in such a way that clients know exactly what you’re offering them. This should be reflected in the way you package and present it.

Determining the Price

Cost is a big factor in whether your client will approve your proposal or not.

Audiences need to see how their budget (if they give you one) will be allocated, and how much they’ll profit. While they do have the spending power, they prefer cost-effective solutions that give the best value.

Getting past this particular point requires you to accurately identify what it would take for your clients to invest time and money in your idea.

Listing down your costs or presenting graphs to outline how you’ll spend their money presents a clear picture of how the expenses will play out.

Planning the Distribution

Once you’ve established the product and costs, how do you plan on making your product available?

After impressing your audience with your offering’s features and benefits, tell them where and how they can get it.

Will it be available in major tech shops? Can people only get it at the Apple Retail Store? Will it be exclusively available online?

Planning for this often ties in with the concerns of costs.

Promoting Interest

Keep your idea’s benefits in mind. Keep your audience interested by specifying exactly what they can get out of your proposal. Focus on powerful suggestions such as:

“This insurance plan will provide coverage against a wide variety of accidents, all for a fraction of the competition’s costs”
“This new processor will allow your phones to use more apps at the same time, increasing your productivity”.

Clients and their businesses are not only responsible for maximizing their profits, but also for maintaining a strong and lasting customer interest. The more well-defined your idea is, the more convinced clients will be.

—

Accurately defending a pitch is a crucial investment presentation skill.

When the client’s approval is on the line, your audience will appreciate a speaker who not only focuses on the style of presenting but also stands by his or her topic well enough to convince others to invest in it.

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References:

Kotler, P. (1972). A Generic Concept of Marketing. Journal of Marketing. Vol. 36, No. 2.
“Using Common Values in PowerPoint Presentations.” SlideGenius, Inc. April 21, 2015. Accessed May 5, 2015.
“The Question to Answer for Effective Business Presentations.” SlideGenius, Inc. May 25, 2015.

What to Watch Out for During Your Presentation’s Q&A

presentation q&a

presentation tips

questions and answers

Sep 23, 2014

Handling the Q&A session effectively is a critical part of your presentation. While it can enhance credibility, there are key things to watch out for to avoid pitfalls and maintain control. Here are some crucial aspects to monitor during the Q&A:

1. Managing Time

  • Why it matters: Q&A sessions can easily stretch beyond the allocated time, disrupting schedules or leaving you rushed at the end. It’s essential to keep track of time to ensure you can wrap up the session appropriately.
  • How to manage it: Set a time limit for Q&A and let the audience know in advance. Keep an eye on the clock, and if questions go long, politely let the audience know that you’ll take one more question. You can also invite those with additional inquiries to speak with you afterward.

2. Handling Difficult or Off-Topic Questions

  • Why it matters: Sometimes, audience members ask challenging, critical, or unrelated questions that can derail the session or create tension. These moments can lead to discomfort for both the presenter and the audience.
  • How to manage it: Remain calm and composed, and use phrases like, “That’s a great question, but not directly related to today’s topic. I’d be happy to discuss it with you afterward.” For difficult or critical questions, acknowledge the concern and provide a brief, respectful response without becoming defensive.

3. Avoiding Long-Winded Answers

  • Why it matters: Giving lengthy or overly detailed responses can disengage the audience and eat up valuable time. You risk losing the audience’s attention, especially if the question only applies to a small subset of attendees.
  • How to manage it: Keep your answers concise and focused. Answer the question directly, provide necessary context, and then move on to the next question. If more detail is required, offer to follow up with the person one-on-one after the session.

4. Engaging the Entire Audience

  • Why it matters: Focusing too much on one individual or a specific question can lead to disengagement from the rest of the audience, especially if the topic is very niche or technical.
  • How to manage it: Address the entire audience even while responding to individual questions. Make sure your answers are broadly applicable, and if a question is highly specific, offer to discuss it with the person separately after the Q&A.

5. Dealing with Multiple Questions at Once

  • Why it matters: Some audience members may ask multiple questions at once, making it difficult to provide a coherent and structured response. Answering all at once may confuse both you and the audience.
  • How to manage it: Politely request the person to focus on one question first, or address the first part of their question, and then ask them to clarify or repeat any remaining inquiries. This helps keep the flow of the session organized.

6. Recognizing When You Don’t Have the Answer

  • Why it matters: Not knowing the answer to a question can be intimidating, but it’s better to admit you don’t know than to guess or provide inaccurate information. Trying to answer when uncertain can hurt your credibility.
  • How to manage it: If you don’t know the answer, be honest and say, “That’s an interesting question. I’d need to look into it further and get back to you with the correct information.” Follow up afterward if possible to maintain trust.

7. Encouraging Questions from a Quiet Audience

  • Why it matters: Sometimes, the audience might be hesitant to ask questions, leading to awkward silences. This can make the session feel less interactive and may even reflect poorly on engagement.
  • How to manage it: If no one is asking questions, be ready with a few pre-prepared questions to get the conversation going. You can also rephrase or summarize key points from your presentation and ask the audience if they would like further clarification.

By keeping these factors in mind, you can manage your Q&A session with confidence and professionalism, ensuring that it adds value to your presentation rather than becoming a source of stress.