Business communicators, no matter what their role, must work alone and in teams to accomplish internal and external tasks. Often, detailed research and problem solving skills are required to persuade both internal and external audiences. Typically, it is the best prepared presenters who succeed in their communications.
Objective: to build and communicate an effective business-oriented persuasive message and communicate it orally to the class. You must persuade the audience within 3 minutes, using a maximum of 3 PowerPoint slides (title slide not included).
Assignment steps:
• Brainstorm topic ideas, either individually or with one other person.
• Choose a topic in an area of interest and/or specialization. Ideas include the following:
o developing a persuasive presentation for a new product or service
o suggesting a new company policy (i.e. drug policy, dress code, flexible work times)
• Submit the topic idea to your instructor for aproval by the end of class.
• Do your research! Locate at least two (2) websites, publications, or articles concerning your business oriented topic. Identify strengths of your approach and possible challenges.
• Design your PowerPoint presentation
o Analyze your audience and determine your objective
o Organize the presentation: indirect or direct order, timing, transistions
o Divide the body based on your objective
Introduction: Give a strong introduction that will gain attention (i.e. quote, question, human interest story).
Purpose Statement: Please include some version of a purpose statement at the beginning of the report (presentation). State
why you are you giving the presentation and remember to use professional language.
Methodology: Include a methodology sectionwhere you describe the research you did and rationalize your choice of sources.
Findings: Next, present your findings(benefits, challenges, evidence of success/failure when other companies have implemented similar policies/products).
Conclusions: Finally, give your conclusions and recommendations. The conclusion should restate and summarize. Since this is
a persuasive presentation, you should consider a climactic close.
o Plan for audience interaction