Re: FN-FORUM: presentation

date posted 19th August 2003 18:40

Lindsey Hill wrote:

> I've been shortlisted for a website design tender and I have to make a
> short informal presentation on my ideas.
...
> I'm not really sure whether I'm expected to present some design ideas, i
> don't even have their logo. Any tips? I really hate this sort of thing!

1) Contact them and ask them what they want you to present on

2) No-one gives a toss about you*, all they're really interested in is:
- what are the benefits to them?
- do you look credible enough to deliver said benefits?
- what will it cost?

I'm not suggesting you cover the last one in the presentation, but
it's obviously an issue that will arise sooner or later

Exactly what you cover will depend on where they are in their thinking
and project etc. (are they clear on what they want from the site and
just want someone to knock it together, or are they looking for
someone to walk them through the whole process etc.). However, the
key things AFAICS are always:

- come across as professional and honest
- emphasise what you'll do for them
- always be positive (without actually lying): clients generally
want to know things can be done, not about problems in doing them
- try to demonstrate some kind of understanding of their business,
and where they're coming from: that way the "I can do this for
you" bit looks like co-operative and clever work, not you imposing
your ideas on them without a clue as to what they do etc.

Oh, and relax ;)

I hate doing that kind of thing too, TBH, but if you're a reasonable
reader of people you should do OK as long as you stick with common
sense. The worst thing is when you think you're dealing with Mr
Informal and crack a funny and it turns out actually he's Mr Anal etc.

*In the nicest possible way :)

Cheers,

Pete

--
Peter Croft
PC Associates