In presenting my idea to improve patient care to upper management, I would use both verbal communication and a PowerPoint presentation. I believe that both elements would help me demonstrate to upper management why this idea would benefit the patients. In using visual communication, I would begin in addressing how this idea would work, and why I believe it would be beneficial. I would then move to the PowerPoint presentation in order to physically demonstrate the benefits of the idea. The use of a PowerPoint would further benefit my visual communication skills, as it would ensure that I stayed on task, and discussed the main elements of my idea.
I further believe that the use of a PowerPoint to supplement my communication skills would help me to address any limitations and potential solutions to these limitations. Although I could do this through a verbal presentation, the omission of any necessary information could potentially sabotage the entire presentation. In using a PowerPoint presentation I would be able to ensure that I am discussing potential solutions to the limitations associated with my idea. Furthermore, the PowerPoint presentation would ensure that I cover all the necessary information to show upper-management why my solution will improve on the care being administered to patients.
Another benefit to using both verbal and a physical presentation is that it would allow me to target individuals with different learning styles. For example, some individuals may be more compelled with the verbal presentation. In contrast, other individuals may develop a better understanding of my idea and the benefits of implementing it through physically seeing how this idea will help improve customer satisfaction within the facility (Bellés-Fortuño & Fortanet, 2004). In targeting both learning styles, my presentation will be successful in facilitating the main ideas within my presentation and showing upper management why they should implement my recommendation.
I appreciate your approach to introducing your proposal to improve patient care to management by using both verbal and written tools to support your case. Everyone has a unique learning style, and by using both methods, communication is facilitated. As you point out in your response, once one has a well thought out idea, communication is the key to progress in that initiative, and you ensure this by rephrasing what you have heard to confirm and validate understanding and active listening. You highlight the importance of the handout, and this is something for all to keep in mind. As you point out, having one’s ideas well organized is key, and the handout provides a reference to the recipients of the education, one that is useful even after the meeting. In fact, I found an interesting study on the importance of using handouts in conference settings, as it reinforces learning and understanding, but it also provides a tool for those for whom English is a second language. Often we can feel that we do not time to prepare a handout, but clearly it is time well spent, particularly for an issue as important as improving patient care.
“Marketing the message” is a great way to model the task at hand! Providing both a quantitative and logical argument and support for your proposal through data will be reinforced and supplemented through engagement with open-ended questions and participation. The use of visual aids through the poster boards is a good one, and you propose to further supplement that with a handout that summarizes key points, which should ensure retention and reference of the presentation. If possible, I would add spending some casual time with the decision makers, before you make the formal presentation. This can provide insights into how the related issues are framed by this group as well as relevant points of interest. It can also lead to a greater confidence and sense of comfort when the formal proposal is presented.
The underlying theme in your post is to use an awareness raising or educational approach in the formal presentation of your patient improvement proposal, and this is an interesting approach. You make a convincing case with regard to the similarities between a group of students and a management group prepared to hear a proposal. I am not always a fan of PowerPoint, however; I think there are many interesting ways today to make effective presentations using new available software such as Prezi (Conboy et al, 2012). You make the strong point with regard to the need for multiple ways of presenting information in order to ensure a match with the learning and communication style of the recipient. One item in your presentation process which could be improved on is the time at the end of the presentation for questions. Rather than approach this time as a focus for ensuring clarity of your message, I would use some of that time to engage more informally with the presenters. By asking questions of the presenters with regard to whether the objectives of the proposal are aligned with current patient care needs and corporate goals, for example, one could encourage engagement with the idea that goes beyond what was presented and gets to the heart of how management feels about the issue and the solution. This could be helpful as well if changes or adjustments are needed as it would provide insight management frameworks and interests.
- Bellés-Fortuño, B., & Fortanet, I. (2004). Handouts in conference presentations. Linguistic studies in academic and professional English. Castelló: Publicacions de la Universitat Jaume I, 63-76.
- Bellés-Fortuño, B., & Fortanet, I. (2004). Handouts in conference presentations. Linguistic studies in academic and professional English. Castelló: Publicacions de la Universitat Jaume I, 63-76.
- Conboy, C., Fletcher, S., Russell, K., & Wilson, M. (2012). An Evaluation of the Potential Use and Impact of Prezi, the Zooming Editor Software, as a Tool to Facilitate Learning in Higher Education. Innovations in Practice, 7: 31-45.
