Saturday, April 5, 2008

Formal PRESENTATIONS to the Clients

A proposal is something which gives an insight of your consulting firm and the consultants to the clients.This is probably the first formal interaction between the Consultant and the Client.And, as someone truly said "First Impression is the last Impression", you need to look certain things before you approach your client.Typically,some consultancies may be eliminated when the proposals are received and others may be invited to make presentations to the clients and discuss the proposal in depth.A presentation is required even when the client has either eliminated the other bidders or never invited any others in the first place.

WHAT TO FIND OUT IN ADVANCE
1)What the client's expectation from the presentation are.
2)Whether or not a formal presentation is wanted.
3)The time allowed for a formal presentation and for discussion.
4)Who will be there and what their interests are.
5)Which other firms have been asked to present.
6)What's the order for presentations.

The PRESENTATION
1)Prepare the presentation carefully.
2)Rehearse the presentation and make the presentation client-centered,stressing what is important to them.
3)Make sure all visual aids are of a high quality.
4)Do not follow the presentation literally:keep to key points and change the order to suit the situation.
5)Decide who is to attend and the role of each and encourage discussion.

Hope this post helps and you give your best whenever you approach client with a presentation.