INNOVATOR -- CASE STUDY
Presentation Skills Coaching for Science Researchers
In my 15+ years as a presentation, writing, and communication skills coach, I have been honored to teach some of the most impressive thinkers in science and technology. Over the years, I evolved my style, materials, and methodology as I learned from researching, teaching others, and receiving client feedback.
CHALLENGE
The biggest adaptation was in 2020 when COVID 19 struck, and all medical meetings and symposia were canceled. Everyone had to pivot and learn new ways of meeting, communicating, and sharing research.
That year, the presentation skills coaching jobs I lined up were changed from in-person to virtual events. These events, young investigators forums for researchers, were designed as networking opportunities for rising stars in scientific research. The researchers submitted abstracts of their work and were selected by a committee of subject matter experts to present their findings at the meeting. Prior to COVID, I would travel to the venues ahead of the meetings to coach the speakers before they presented. We provided the participants with instructions for preparing their speeches in advance and gave them training materials (books, tip cards, and skills assessments) at the coaching session.
APPROACH
During COVID, my client asked me to help figure out training logistics for this meeting in the new, virtual environment. We collaborated on a new workshop to teach the participants how to use and present on Zoom. The client decided to mail the training materials and swag to participants to simulate attending an in-person meeting.
SOLUTION
For the one-on-one coaching, I suggested doubling the amount of time for each session to allow for more in-depth analysis of content and slides. This idea made a huge difference in the quality of the meeting presentations because slides play a more significant role in a virtual presentation environment.
For each subsequent meeting, we adapted the curriculum and logistics as participants became more tech-savvy. The client still mailed pre-meeting goody packages to the participants that included my book. I continued to adapt the training materials for a virtual environment with new tips and electronic file delivery. As travel restrictions were lifted, we experimented with a hybrid environment, offering both in-person and virtual training.
RESULT
Feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive. Equipped with new and crucial skills (content development, presentation, and persuasion skills) these researchers were able to better communicate about their work and acquire the support and funding needed for their important research.
Later, when this client applied for the Joint Accreditation Commendation Criterion 20 award for medical education courses, they hired me to describe our successful methodology for these meetings. I was delighted to help them achieve this prestigious recognition.
