5 tips on how to present to your boss
One of the hardest things for a junior strategist (but which also affects other levels of seniority) is how to present to your boss.
When we asked a few managers about what frustrated them about their juniors, we heard things like “lack of rigour”, “shooting from the hip”, “no analysis, just some research” or “when they prevent themselves from forming an opinion”.
But worry not! In this article, we cover simple steps you can take to better present to your boss. Let’s get to it.
5 tips on how to present to your boss
Get the basics right. Support with robust sources. Use everyday words. Make sure you understand the task. Avoid as much jargon as possible. Keep it simple!
Understand your role. Understand how your work will connect with the other parts of the project. Imagine your boss is your client. Make it easy for them to buy the work!
Make it simple. Ensure it’s very clear in your head. Group what you’ve seen into a couple of ‘themes’, and keep yourself in check. Two useful questions here: are you going down the rabbit hole? And how would you summarise your approach without any slides, or in bullet points?
Have an opinion. Don’t be The Times, be the Economist. Tell us what we should be doing with your work. Don’t just bring back stuff. This will make a difference in helping your boss make decisions based on the work you’ve already done.
Ask for help. You’re going to get it wrong. It’s about damage control. Have informal check-in with your managers or use other people you trust in the company (your fellow strategists are your go-to).
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