Here are 10 important questions to ask before the business presentation process. These 10 questions relate to listener analysis, and therefore, your needs:
- Why am I speaking to these listeners?
- Why are they listening?
- What relationship do we have?
- What relationship do listener members have with each other?
- What do they know about this topic?
- What would they like to know?
- How will they use this information?
- What are they doing the day before I speak?
- What will they be doing the day after?
- What are the logistics of the event?
This last one, logistics, is often overlooked. What do you need to know about the speaking situation before you speak? Answers to the following questions will help you to gather information. Add additional items to fit your particular situation.
- Where will I be speaking?
- What time of day will I speak?
- How long will I be speaking?
- Who is speaking before and after me, and on what topics?
- Will there be a moderator? Will I be introduced?
- What is the size of the room?
- How will the seating be arranged?
- Will the setting be interactive? Will it be formal or informal?
- What audiovisual equipment do I need? Will a technician be available on site?
- What are the lighting and temperature of the room?
- How far in advance may I check out the room before speaking?
The information you gather from all these questions will make preparing a speech much easier. Additionally, if your listeners understand that your research has helped you tailor your preparation specifically for them, they will be more likely to respond positively.
Be Prepared Before You Speak to a Group
Here are 10 important questions to ask before the business presentation process. These 10 questions relate to listener analysis, and therefore, your needs:
This last one, logistics, is often overlooked. What do you need to know about the speaking situation before you speak? Answers to the following questions will help you to gather information. Add additional items to fit your particular situation.
The information you gather from all these questions will make preparing a speech much easier. Additionally, if your listeners understand that your research has helped you tailor your preparation specifically for them, they will be more likely to respond positively.
Author
Authors
MORE POSTS
15 Moments That Got Big Laughs at This Year’s 2026 Fall Annual Investor Meetings
One of my favorite types of articles to write is these recap blogs. Annual Investor Meetings (AIMs) are high-stakes events where a room full of LPs and executives digest hours of financial updates, market outlooks, and portfolio performance. While solid metrics and a clear strategy carry the presentation, well-placed humor builds trust, resets attention, and makes both the speakers and the firm memorable. LPs see SO MANY of these types of meetings, so as a
What’s Wrong With Our Communication?
“We need to work on our communication skills.” “We have a communication problem.” “We need to fix our communication.” As an expert at the intersection of people/organizations and communication for over 20 years, I have heard these comments many times. But what does it mean to solve communication problems, or to make the communication in your company “better”? To share information about a major change successfully? To manage that one employee who can’t get along
The Terrain Informs the Technique
In executive coaching, you hear a lot of singular techniques — one framework, one mindset, one magic fix that’s supposed to solve everything. In reality, even the best techniques only work when they adapt to the terrain. The central lesson is simple: knowing not just what to do, but when and why to do it. It’s the difference between approach and technique, strategy and tactic. When I run in the mountains, I shorten my stride whether I’m going uphill or downhill, but for entirely different reasons.
QUESTIONS? NEED HELP?