The Q&A session after technical presentations can be stressful. How can they be less stressful? Here are three key strategies to handle questions from the audience. Anticipating Questions One of the fundamental aspects of preparing for a technical presentation is anticipating potential questions from the audience. Preparation should extend beyond the content of your presentation and encompass the Q&A session…
Let’s discuss the importance of incorporating storytelling in technical presentations. Many might think that storytelling has no place in technical presentations, but let me tell you that it can make all the difference, especially when presenting to a non-technical audience. The story you choose to tell must be relevant to the data that you are presenting, and this is what…
Picture this. You’re an engineer who is presenting your research to senior level executives. You painstakingly develop your slides, making sure to explain your work in exacting detail. In fact, the title of your presentation, in your opinion, is the perfect summary of your current research. “CSF1R Agonists Elicit Distinct ERK Activation and Heterogeneity Profiles in Homeostatic and Diseased Microglia…
If you work in a technical role, chances are you like precision. Say what you mean, and mean what you say. But what if you’re in a situation where you’re not sure what to say at all? Speaking off the cuff is such a situation. Your boss asks you in the hallway how a project is going. You’re asked a…
An acquaintance recently recounted an instance from a technical conference she attended. I won’t reveal the conference, of course! The keynote speaker went through a bevy of text-laden slides. It was difficult to read and listen at the same time. It was obvious the speaker wasn’t keeping track of time, because he finished his talk after his allotted time. When…
Picture this. You’re an engineer who is presenting at an upcoming technical conference. Presenting in front of people has never really been your strong suit, but you’re determined to do a good job in front of your peers. How do you prepare for the presentation? Start with the end in mind. Ever heard of a call to action (CTA)? It’s…
