Presenting to Stakeholders: A Case Study with Pala Investments

Pala Investments is a private investment firm that specializes in the mining and metals industry. Founded in 2007, the company manages a portfolio of assets worth over $1.2 billion. As a result, their team regularly presents complex financial information to partners, board members, and external stakeholders.

In 2017, Pala recognized the need to strengthen its communication skills, particularly in the areas of public speaking and presenting to stakeholders. The company understood that effective communication is critical to building trust and credibility with its partners. Moreover, Pala recognized that impactful presenting to stakeholders goes beyond the content of the message. It also involves how that message is delivered. Consequently, Pala decided to partner with Eric Molin of Impact Presenting, a public speaking expert who specializes in helping organizations improve their presentation skills.

Identifying the Core Challenges

Based on the findings of a thorough needs assessment, Impact Presenting developed a customized in-house training plan focused on improving Pala’s public speaking, and presenting to stakeholder skills. The program was tailored to Pala’s specific needs and included modules on storytelling, body language, vocal delivery, slide design, and audience engagement.

In addition, the training was delivered through multiple formats: in-house workshops, private 1-on-1 coaching sessions on-site and virtually, and members of the management team attending open seminars in Zurich and Vienna.

Presenting Complex Data to Stakeholders

One of the key challenges that participants faced was delivering complex information in a way that felt clear and to the point for both internal and external stakeholders. To address this, Impact Presenting introduced the concept of data storytelling, teaching Pala’s team how to use stories and anecdotes to make financial data more relatable and engaging. Furthermore, the team learned how to structure their presentations so that complex information became easier to follow and understand.

Building Audience Engagement

Another challenge Pala faced was keeping their audience engaged during presentations. The team was accustomed to delivering technical presentations that were heavy on data and graphs. However, Eric helped them overcome this by teaching techniques in body language, questioning, storytelling, and vocal delivery that created a more dynamic and engaging experience. On top of that, Pala’s team learned how to involve their audience through polling, inviting feedback, and encouraging participation.

Designing Slides That Support the Message

The training program also focused on improving slide design. Pala’s team learned how to create visually appealing slides that complemented their message rather than competing with it. In particular, they learned how to avoid common design mistakes, such as overcrowding slides with too much information.

The Results

Pala’s commitment to improving its stakeholder communication paid off. Since 2017, Impact Presenting has delivered two in-house group workshops, four virtual private coaching sessions, and four in-person private coaching sessions for individual team members. On top of that, several members of the management team attended open seminars in both Zurich and Vienna.

As a result of this ongoing partnership, team members report feeling significantly more confident and better prepared to present to stakeholders. Pala’s presenters have also received positive feedback from their audiences, with many noting that the presentations are now more engaging, informative, and easier to follow.

Inspired by the progress made in the group workshops, several Pala team members have continued to develop their skills through ongoing private coaching, a clear sign that the investment in communication training has become part of the company’s culture.

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