Presenting Insights and Findings:

{ Written Reports

Accurate information, sound logic, and the facts are necessary, of course, but truly effective leaders in any fieldincluding technical onesknow how to tell the story of their particular research endeavor.
Robert McKee author Stories Share Research Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting

Written Presentation and the Research Process

Focus on relevance. Its never about the volume of analyzed data or the complexity of an algorithm but about the actionability of derived insight.

Michael Fassnacht, founder Loyalty Matrix

Relevance. Not Quantity.

The Written Research Report

Guidelines for Short Reports

Components: Short Report Memo or LetterStyle

Introduction

Problem statement Research objectives Background

Conclusions

Summary and conclusions Recommendations

The Long Research Report

Report Modules

Prefatory Information Introduction Methodology Findings

Conclusions & Recommendations

Appendices

Bibliography

Prewriting Concerns

Adjusting Pace
Use ample white space

Use headings
Use visual aids Use italics and underlining Choose words carefully Repeat and summarize Use service words strategically

Considerations for Writing

Readability
Comprehensibility Tone

Avoiding Overcrowded Text

Use shorter paragraphs Indent or space parts of text Use headings Use bullets

Sample Findings Page: Tabular

Charts for Written Reports

Components of a Whole or Frequency

Text Presentation

Wal-Mart regained its number-1 rank in the Forbes 500 due to its strong sales performance (11% increase; $351.1 billion). Although Walmart surpassed number-2-ranked ExxonMobil in sales, Wal-Mart's profitability ($11.2 billion) was far below the oil giant ($39.5 billion). Some credit several challenging public relations problems with the lower-than-expected level. Number-6-ranked General Electric also outperformed Walmart in profits with $20.8 billion. GEs robust sales growth (27.4%) is an indication that it will likely challenge both Walmart and ExxonMobil in the future.

Tabular Presentation
Wal-Mart regained its number one rank in 2007 by increasing its sales 11 percent over its prior years sales. But it still trails in profitability.

Company Wal-Mart Exxon Mobil General Electric

Rank 1 2 6

Revenue ($, millions) $351,139.0 $347,254.0 $168,307.0

Sales Growth 11.2% 02.2% 07.1%

Profits $11,284.0 $39,500.0 $20,829.0

Profit Growth 0.5% 9.3% 27.4%

Geographs

3-D Graphs

Preparing & Delivering the Written Report

Preparing & Delivering the Written Report

Prefatory Information Introduction Methodology

Preparing & Delivering the Written Report

Preparing & Delivering the Written Report

Preparing & Delivering the Written Report

Presenting Insights and Findings:

Oral Presentations

Contents

Oral presentations and research process Model for presentation planning Types of learners Web based presentation Patterns of organization

Visualization tools Points to remember for better slides Modes of delivery Delivery principles Non-verbal admonitions Speakers behavior to avoid

Oral presentations and research process

Model for presentation planning

Types of learners

Web based presentation

Patterns of Organization

Visualization Tools
Slides

Notes
Handouts

Points to make better presentation

Modes of Delivery

DELIVERY PRINCIPLES

Non verbal admonitions for a speaker

Eye contact Gesture Posture and Body Language Paralanguage

Arrangements

Equipment

Facilities

Visual Projection

Arrangements
Meeting Room

Seating

Lighting

Facilities

Temperature

Electrical Power

Lectern

Speaker behaviors to

{avoid

Speaker Behaviors to Avoid

Vocal
Speak too softly Speak too rapidly Fail to vary volume, tone, and rate of speaking Fill pauses with you know, um, ah

Physical
Rock back and forth Pace without purpose Fiddle with things, hair, jewelry, clothing Stare into space Fail to make eye contact Move cursor without purpose.

Thank You