Help need presentation advice?

[Katymac]

I am putting together a presentation for the board of govenors at the school I want to open a nursery at.

My dad (who does tenders/presentations for a living) wants to pitch the presentation

I don't know if he should

Will I look a bit of a spare part?

Stress...stress....stress (I am feeling a little under pressure - can you tell?)

Over here in the US - Americans are becoming very anti-powerpoint - ironic isn't it. Although there's very little as an alternative with the same functionality. Katymac just remember you're the most important person in that room and your message is worth 100 x more than any slide.

katymac emailing you back.

Ali - Not got it yet?

I will change it a bit - if I really have to do it

Got it thanks

I think you are right - it is too long

Sent it - suggesting a different approach - you have such limited time and need to keep the points crisp and non-complicated. Plus think that such a presenation is way to much. But see what you think. You can do this - best way is just to stand there and talk to them and answer questions make it an open forum.

How about getting the layout printed out really big

Getting a t shirt with my logo on

& winging it with no presentation?

maybe not

YES - sorry didn't mean to shout - just basically said that in an email. It's the best way rather than just getting bogged down with loads of slides informative as they are.

Hmmmm I'll think about it

Powerpoint is often used very very badly.
Given that I belive that people don't really listen to presentations, it does have a role to play, just make sure it is a small supporting role, and it isn't trying to be the star.
Some people "hide behind" their presentations, which obviously sends the wrong message.

I'm neutal on PPT, but you do need something that reinforces the key points.
You might want to do handouts, again these often don't get read, but at least they can reinforce your message.
These should be bullete points, and 1-2 pages.
Something like

We've done this before

We have a team with a total of 50 years experience

We've not killed anyone yet

Good buzzwords are
"low risk", "experienced", "well-managed", etc.

Oh dear

We haven't

We don't

I think yet might be the operative word

Part of the exercise in any presentation is to ask yourself the questions you don't want to be asked.

I must say that if someone wanted to run a nursery and couldn't show experience of this, I would have to say no.
I'm not asking this in a hostile way at all, and I'm supportive of what you're trying to achieve, but as an amateur I'd throw the following nasty questions at you. (and yes before you ask, I have a reputation of being the bad guy in these sort of pitches).

How many years experience do you have in managing this sort of thing ?

How will you develop the policies and procedures that you are legally required to have ?

How will you select the staff ?

How many are you legally required to have for the distribution of ages you expect to support ?

Have you ever dealt with Ofsted ?

If you have, what did they say about you in their report ?

How do you know that the location you have picked is suitable ?

What is your second choice for location ?
What will it cost to upgrade ?

Someone who actually knew what they were talking about (ie not me) could ask far harder questions than this, so I hope that you view these as pathetically trivial.

I appreciate this

How many years experience do you have in managing this sort of thing ? None I have 3.5 yrs exp setting up and running a large childminding practise (9 under 5's)
How will you develop the policies and procedures that you are legally required to have ? Most of these exist as part of my current business the additional ones I need have been developed for my NVQ

How will you select the staff ? Through the Norfolk CC childcare Jobs website (currently recruiting atm - have used it previously)

How many are you legally required to have for the distribution of ages you expect to support ?

None I have 3.5 yrs exp setting up and running a large childminding practise (9 under 5's)

I'm being dense here...
Why do you start with "none" ?
Sounds like you have lots.

I ike your "policy and procedures" answers.

The staff selection question is more along the lones of "how do you pick good staff ?", rather than finding them in the first place.

Obviously you're on the ball for the age/number of staff thing. The answer is important at 2 levels, makes your cost assumptions feasible, and shows that you've done your homework on the important regulations.

The Ofsted thing, should be on your presentation, is a good objective endorsement.
As such the report should be printed out and you should have two copies. Offer it to anyone who asks questions, will shut up difficult people (sometimes), and show you're confidence is well founded.

The stuff about the planning officer should also be on your handout. Indded your answers are important things and shoud be distributed as printed bullet points.

As for upgrade costs, I confess to being a little unlcear as to what you're proposing. A nursery in a playing field ?
Obviously my question is wrong, but having some ide about costs for slight variation in the plan is good.

As for the offer from the other place, why are you coming to this place to ask them to host it ?
Is it to get some sort of auction going ?

I like your answers.

Why am I coming here - it's my local school, in my village (it might make my house worth more long term)

None because C/Ming & nursery are different

Staff - well my current staff are good - so that's either good luck or good picking

Would you like a copy of the business plan & Powerpoint presentation

The Gov. have had the Business plan since Monday last week - so hopefully they will have at least skimmed it

Local identification is good.
If you like send stuff to Dominic 'at" PaulDominic .
com.

Thanks I have sent (btw I need you to promise not to open a nursery in Norfolk)

Did it - seemed to go OK

At least I survived