Progress Report Primer (PowerPoint PPTX Slide Deck)

COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY PPT DESCRIPTION

This product (Progress Report Primer) is a 31-slide PPT PowerPoint presentation slide deck (PPTX), which you can download immediately upon purchase.

There is little more embarrassing in business than communicating poorly to your boss – or your boss's boss. We have all experienced moments early in our careers where we have had to communicate with important people and not known how to go about it.

We marvel at those around us who can get to the right point quickly in so many circumstances and yet so often muff it ourselves.

Mostly, experience teaches us how to communicate clearly with aplomb, but sometimes that experience comes at a cost of embarrassment that we would prefer to avoid.

We have collated our experience of more than 40 years' of communicating and teaching others to communicate to provide you with this easy-to-use primer full of principles and templates to help you prepare your next progress report, or management update in three steps:

•  Understand your audience
•  Select the right argument structure
•  Check your story works

We have also thrown in a link to a video that provides a quick snapshot of the structured thinking techniques that underpin the approach we have used to prepare the examples and templates in this pack.

The newly expanded pack is 31 pages in total and is separated into these three sections plus an appendix with some extra resources:

Understanding your audience

•  Some simple and practical thoughts about tailoring your progress report for different types of people based on the Bolton and Bolton Work Styles approach
•  A checklist to help you think about your audience before you start communicating (some questions to ask sorted into three categories, which focus on: who you audience really is, what they need from you and how you should tell them)

Selecting the right argument structure

•  Five of the most commonly used storyline patterns, each accompanied by notes on when to use each one as well as a detailed example and a one-page neosi storyline template. The templates can be used to create your own one-pagers when you plan for your next update meeting or plan an email or more formal progress report.

Checking your story works

•  An annotated example that demonstrates how you can convert your update from storyline form into an email
•  A checklist to help you check whether you think your communication 'hits the right spot' for this particular audience this time

Extras

•  A handy one-pager with the four most commonly used progress update storyline patterns
•  Another bonus one-pager with five deductive storyline examples (given deductive structures are the hardest ones to get right)
•  Access to a short online clarity module that provides an overview to the structured thinking theory that underpins this approach.

It was prepared by Clarity College, a group of communication specialists who were initially trained by McKinsey & Company and who now consult to a wide range of corporate, consulting and government clients globally.

Gain insights into identifying your audience's pain points and tailoring your communication to address their specific concerns. Utilize practical templates for outlining and justifying priorities, ensuring your updates are both clear and compelling.

Source: Best Practices in Communications Strategy, Progress Report PowerPoint Slides: Progress Report Primer PowerPoint (PPTX) Presentation Slide Deck, Clarity First

COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY PPT SLIDES

Addressing Customer Complaints: Priority Action Plan

This PPT slide serves as a template for justifying priorities and outlining plans, particularly in response to a specific trigger. The structure is clear and methodical, designed to facilitate effective communication among stakeholders. The top section, labeled "Context and Trigger," emphasizes the importance of establishing a shared understanding between the presenter and the audience. This sets the stage for discussing the relevant issue at hand.

The central question posed, "What is our top priority for next week?" directs focus toward immediate action. The highlighted priority is to tackle the unusually high level of customer complaints from the previous week. This indicates a reactive approach, prioritizing customer satisfaction and operational responsiveness.

The slide further breaks down the rationale behind this focus. It prompts the user to provide a statement that sheds light on the current situation, which can help contextualize the complaints. Following this, there’s a section for additional insights, allowing for a deeper understanding of the underlying causes. This structure encourages a thorough analysis of the issue, ensuring that the audience is well-informed.

Finally, the slide calls for an implication or ‘therefore statement’ that summarizes the action plan. This section is crucial as it translates insights into actionable steps, ensuring clarity on how to proceed. The action items listed should be specific and measurable, reinforcing accountability.

Overall, this template is a strategic tool for leaders aiming to address pressing issues while maintaining transparency and alignment with their teams.

Structured Weekly Update: Deductive Reasoning Framework

This PPT slide outlines a structured approach to delivering a weekly update, emphasizing the importance of deductive reasoning in communication. The context is set for a routine update, triggered by significant developments during the week. The central question posed is about the nature of these developments and the subsequent actions required.

The slide presents a clear framework: it begins with the statement of intent—"This week we will do X to achieve Y." This establishes a direct link between actions and objectives. The subsequent sections delve into the rationale behind these actions, segmented into 3 focus areas. Each focus area is accompanied by a series of questions: "Why?" and "What?" This methodical questioning encourages deeper analysis and justification of the planned actions.

The layout suggests a hierarchy of reasoning, where each focus area is supported by specific reasons. This approach not only clarifies the thought process, but also enhances the persuasive element of the update. By addressing potential concerns or questions upfront, the presenter can effectively guide the audience toward a shared understanding of the priorities.

The slide also highlights the grouping of priorities, allowing for tailored reasoning for each. This nuanced structure ensures that different aspects of the update are not only presented, but also contextualized within the broader objectives. The overall design aims to foster clarity and alignment among stakeholders, making it easier for them to grasp the significance of the proposed actions.

Prioritizing Customer Complaint Resolution Strategies

This PPT slide outlines a strategic approach to addressing a recent spike in customer complaints, emphasizing the need for immediate action. The context highlights an unexpected increase in complaints from the previous week, indicating a significant issue that requires urgent attention. The central question posed is clear: what should be prioritized for the upcoming week?

The slide identifies the primary focus as tackling the unusually high volume of complaints. This prioritization is not arbitrary; it is supported by a rationale that breaks down the situation into 3 key areas. First, it notes that the organization received more complaints than usual, detailing specific instances where customers experienced service disruptions. This sets a factual basis for the urgency of the response.

Second, it acknowledges a lack of existing solutions for the identified problems, which underscores the need for immediate strategic planning. The absence of previous experiences with similar issues suggests a potential gap in the organization's operational readiness.

Lastly, the slide points out that a significant portion of the complaints originated from major clients, particularly highlighting issues with a key client, BigCo. This detail not only emphasizes the importance of addressing these complaints, but also hints at the potential impact on future business relationships and revenue.

Overall, this slide serves as a call to action for executives to prioritize customer satisfaction and operational responsiveness. It effectively communicates the urgency of the situation while providing a structured approach to addressing the concerns raised by clients.

Framework for Effective Progress Update Communication

This PPT slide presents a structured framework for delivering progress updates, emphasizing clarity and organization. It outlines 3 distinct approaches: grouping actions, grouping reasons, and a deductive method. Each method is designed to facilitate effective communication during updates, particularly in contexts where significant developments have occurred.

The first section focuses on grouping actions. It prompts the user to identify the week's priority and suggests a straightforward format for articulating how to proceed. This method encourages a clear delineation of actionable steps, which can enhance decision-making and accountability.

Next, the grouping reasons approach shifts the focus to the rationale behind the priorities. This section invites the presenter to explain why certain actions are prioritized, fostering a deeper understanding among stakeholders. This can be crucial for aligning team efforts and ensuring that everyone is on the same page regarding objectives.

The deductive approach rounds out the framework by guiding users to summarize unexpected challenges and articulate a focused response. This method emphasizes problem-solving and encourages a proactive stance in addressing issues that may arise.

The slide effectively communicates the importance of structured updates in maintaining clarity and direction within teams. By utilizing these patterns, executives can ensure that their communications are not only informative, but also actionable, leading to more effective outcomes.

Overall, this framework serves as a valuable tool for any organization looking to enhance its communication strategies during progress updates.