Mastering the Art of Presenting: How to Conduct an Engaging Demo for Stakeholders

Picture this, you have just completed development on your latest Power BI report and now it is time to demo the features and functionality of the report to the stakeholders.

You are proud of your work but the realisation has kicked in that you need to present your work to an audience. At this stage you may be feeling uncomfortable as you are not a great public speaker and would rather type up an email.

In my experience this is common place when it comes to presenting. I have come across brilliant developers in my career but they have lacked the necessary skills to deliver an engaging presentation that "sells" the report to the people involved.

As a developer, a crucial soft skill to cultivate is the ability to communicate your work to stakeholders in a clear, straightforward manner that is easy to grasp and encourages engagement.

This article provides tips to assist you and includes a video demonstration of how to present using a Power BI report I created.

1) Steps to Take Before the Presentation

Audience

Understand who your audience is and who will attend the meeting. This is important because it helps you tailor your presentation and choose the appropriate language. If your audience includes non-technical individuals, be sure to steer clear of jargon and terms that might not be easily understood.

Test your report

Ensure your report is functioning properly and that all features and functionalities have been tested. Too often, I have witnessed this issue halt a presentation, causing stakeholders to lose confidence in the solution that is being delivered.

Do a trial run

Practice the presentation with a colleague or team member before delivering the actual presentation. This helps you receive feedback and determine if anything has been overlooked.

2) During the Presentation

Set the scene

Begin by introducing yourself to the audience and provide a concise overview of your session's presentation. Highlight the initial problem and explain how your report will offer a solution.

Presenting your report

Showcase the functionality of the report and emphasize its main features. Ensure that each feature you present is clearly communicated and explains how it helps address the initial problem.

Tip: Always ensure that anything you present in your report has been thoroughly tested and functions correctly. If a feature you have developed is not working rather exclude it from the presentation. You can always demo this at a later stage.

Timekeeping

This is crucial, just like adhering to the session's allotted time. Ensure you have scheduled sufficient time to address any questions that may come up. I typically add an extra 15 minutes to the presentation to handle any questions that arise.

Questions

Conclude the session by inviting the audience to ask any questions. Generally, fewer questions indicate that you have delivered an excellent presentation.

Tip: If the audience asks a question that you can't answer during the session, jot it down and let them know you'll follow up with them later.

3) After the Presentation

Follow up

If you encountered any questions during the session that you couldn't answer immediately, reach out to the individual and inform them that you are actively investigating their inquiry. Once you have an answer, send them an email or arrange a brief meeting to discuss it with them.

Feedback

Seek feedback from a team member or colleague. Constructive criticism will assist you in becoming a better presenter and highlight the areas that need improvement, enabling you to perform better in future presentations.

I have created a video that illustrates the concepts discussed in the article above.

You can watch it below:

In conclusion, keep in mind that a presentation is not only about displaying your work; it's an opportunity to promote yourself, your ideas, and establish a connection with your stakeholders.

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Happy developing!