Presentation in front of a rough and critical group

Hey Everyone...I am looking for pointers on a presentation I have to give at work this coming Monday...the reason I am worried about it is because the group I am giving the presentation to (about 75 people employed with our company) are very close minded about how our/there vendor management company (which is NOW apart of there company or a subsidary if you will, so we work for the same company, they just don't get that part yet! lol ...(a large tax service/mortgage company)...what I am trying to figure out is how to approach this group...they are waiting for me with loaded guns...lol...and the way I see it the best approach is to handle the objections by explaining the positive side of what we will be doing and how it will benefit them all in the long run...I was just hoping to get some ideas and tips on postive ways to handle a hostile change within a company...a change that no one wants...except the owners and management within the company, although, in the big picture...the change is a postive change...smaller picture...not so positive and they will lose "some" business as a result of this change, this does not make them happy campers since they are strictly a commissioned based group (I don't blame them, but this was a company decision and again, in the long run, they will benefit from it).

If anyone has any suggestions on short books, quotes, or is at all familiar with this type of group dynamic...I'd love to hear what you have to say...I hope I have described it will enough for you to understand the position I am going to be in and the type of presentation I will be doing I'm terrified..but can put on a real good act of being perfectly calm and confident :eek: )...please let me know if I haven't explained in enough detail and I will clarify...thanks ahead of time for your imput!! :confused:

You *might* be able to get their attention with a quote or short excerpt from the book "Who Moved My Cheese?" (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0399144463/ref=ase_ifrendznetwor-20/104-9331933-3895918?v=glance&s=books). It's a short, easy, parable of a story that illustrates why it's necessary to adapt. I've known a handful of large companies that have either given this book out to all their employees or otherwise encouraged them to read it. It doesn't take long to breeze through it.

I dunno *shrug*... could be a place to start. If I can make the opportunity to do this on Saturday, I'll try skimming thru my copy and see if any quotes jump out at me & make a followup post.

Also, I googled and came up with a page of Quotes about Change (http://home.att.net/~quotesabout/change.html)... in case anything there appeals to you.

Good luck with it!

~Pam

the way I see it the best way to approach is to handle the objections by explaining the positive side of what we will be doing and how it will benefit them all in the long run...

I've been a manager through most of my career and I have to get my staff through constant changes and it is not easy! So, I can relate and understand how important this feels to you to be able to keep the conversation from going south. What I have found in my own experience is that all you can do is to take the approach you've outlined above and then take loads of deep breaths.

I have found that what you say rarely matters because each individual has to process the change in their own way, in their own time. There 4 phases in the curve change: Denial, Resistance, Exploration and Commitment. I think that the best thing you can do is focus on the positive and prepare yourself for the fact that they are all at different points in the change curve.

Maybe you could find a funny cartoon? I googled for images on change cartoons and came up with a few.

This one's not funny, but sort of gives you the idea of what I'm suggesting:

http://www.bradolsen.com/images/my_art/cartoons/winds%20of%20change.gif

Maybe you could also start the conversation by telling a funny story. That always seems to help decrease some of the tension.

You *might* be able to get their attention with a quote or short excerpt from the book "Who Moved My Cheese?" (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0399144463/ref=ase_ifrendznetwor-20/104-9331933-3895918?v=glance&s=books). It's a short, easy, parable of a story that illustrates why it's necessary to adapt. I've known a handful of large companies that have either given this book out to all their employees or otherwise encouraged them to read it. It doesn't take long to breeze through it.

I dunno *shrug*... could be a place to start. If I can make the opportunity to do this on Saturday, I'll try skimming thru my copy and see if any quotes jump out at me & make a followup post.

Also, I googled and came up with a page of Quotes about Change (http://home.att.net/~quotesabout/change.html)... in case anything there appeals to you.

Good luck with it!~Pam

Thank you Pam..yes "Who Moved My Cheese" is one of our required readings..and grabbing a quote out of there is a great idea..also will google corporate change information today and see what I come up with..I was literally trained on this information that I will be presenting for a couple of days this week in Tampa...and now I have to portray to them that I know "all about it" .....ugh!! It's a good thing that I learned along time ago this phrase "fake it till you make it"...haha...Thanks again for your help!

~Pam[/QUOTE]

I've been a manager through most of my career and I have to get my staff through constant changes and it is not easy! So, I can relate and understand how important this feels to you to be able to keep the conversation from going south. What I have found in my own experience is that all you can do is to take the approach you've outlined above and then take loads of deep breaths.

I have found that what you say rarely matters because each individual has to process the change in their own way, in their own time. There 4 phases in the curve change: Denial, Resistance, Exploration and Commitment. I think that the best thing you can do is focus on the positive and prepare yourself for the fact that they are all at different points in the change curve.

Maybe you could find a funny cartoon? I googled for images on change cartoons and came up with a few.

This one's not funny, but sort of gives you the idea of what I'm suggesting:

http://www.bradolsen.com/images/my_art/cartoons/winds%20of%20change.gif

Maybe you could also start the conversation by telling a funny story. That always seems to help decrease some of the tension.

Thanks Whiterose...this really helps...yes they were in total denial when this idea was presented a little over a month ago, they are borderline resistance/exploration stage now...however, frankly they have no choice (unless they choose to leave the company that is) they will have to adapt to and accept this change...bottom line it helps the company profit margin...and without gaining revenue and marketshare...none of us would have jobs...so hopefully they will get this attitude at some point and become committed to it...change is always hard in life...regardless of what the change is...but going with the flow and accepting...beats the heck outta fighting it...I will try the google idea...another great idea...I appreciate your input. I'll keep ya posted on how it goes! :D

I actually did a bit on change management in my dissertation at university this year. You'll probably know this already but I thought I'd mention it anyway... you need to make sure they can look towards the positive sides of what is happening. If you can emphasis with them and get across that you understand that it's hard for them to accept, but there will be positives, then it'll be easier to get them on side.

I don't know if you have the capacity to do anything about this, but they would probably adapt to the change a bit better if they were involved in implementing it and making decisions on how to go about it themselves.

I only know the basics mind, you probably know a hell of a lot ore than me!

This is a hard one. I know. It is true what WR says, it does not matter WHAT you say, but HOW you say it and your overall attitude. Humor of course is good too. I have found the diversionary technique useful, that is near the end just leave it open to "what do YOU all think?" about such and such. Most likely a lively debate will ensue if there are two opposing "positions", and they will be too interested in their own input that they probably won't be too critical with you. Just what I have encountered when I have to speak--and I would rather do anything else--run the triathlon, climb the Empire State Building, hate it, hate it! Good luck!!

As Jerry Seinfeld (comedian) said: "Fear of public speaking is most often listed as people's number one fear. Number two is dying. Which means that, at a funeral, most people would rather be in the casket than to have to give the eulogy."

Kathyw, take all the excellent advice you've gotten here to prepare to deflect or deal with the negative responses and after you've got your presentation together as best you can spend some time visualizing a wonderful outcome. Imagine the faces lighting up as you answer their questions, calm their fears and show them the light; see the smiles; hear the applause; feel the handshakes; hear the "thank you's;" read the memo from the head office crediting you with laying the groundwork for the smooth implementation of the new plan; see the post you'll leave here about how great it went!

Yes, visualization is great, Chatter. Also saying your affirmations: "This will be a wonderful and successful talk." or "I am well liked by my audience and will have a great response to all I say." This really does work! When I get scared I tend to catastrophize about the incident, then when it is over, I wonder what all the fuss and worry was about for me.

When I get scared I tend to catastrophize about the incident, then when it is over, I wonder what all the fuss and worry was about for me.

You and the majority of the human race, lencarol! I believe that "catastrophizing" is our brain's way of communicating the worst thing that could happen - not to scare us but to prepare us. I don't think our brain is trying to paralyze us with fear so much as it's trying to motivate us to take actions to avoid the worst-case scenerio. However, after we've done our best to prepare, it's time to let go of the fears and, as you said, replace them with affirmations and creative visualizations.

Professional athletes use this system. I even heard a teacher recommend that you do your studying in the week before a test, but the not on the night before the test. He said all you should do on the night before the test is creative visualization programming your mind for success followed by relaxation techniques so you can get a good nights sleep.