by Janette Searle
(also posted on www.creativecollide.com)
Even the most creative minds can find it hard to visualise the ideas of others. So here are a few tips for communicating your ideas to clients, colleagues and the big boss.
1. Make sure you are prepared. Take the devils advocate seat for a while and think of all the questions and concerns others may have about your ideas. Present the idea to a friend as ask them to feedback and ask questions. Even go so far as answering in as many ways as possible Why not to do your idea. The more well thought out your idea, the easier it is you'll be able to convince others is a brilliant idea.
2. Have a perspective.
Come to meetings ready and with a point of view and your reasoning behind it. If you have not formed a perspective, sometimes it helps to know what questions you want to ask, what information you need from them.
3. Figure out what your Client, colleagues, boss care about.
Study up on them, read their blogs, follow them on Twitter, keep up with them on LinkedIn. Find out what makes them tick, and shape your ideas to their perpective. It may even help to think about the language they use, or using metaphors that will connect to their interests. Basically - speak their language if you can.
4. Choose Your Medium.
Carrying on from speaking their language, present your idea in a way that will work for them. If these are people who value numbers, use a spreadsheet, if they're visual use graphics and images. You want to grab 'THEIR' attention not your own.
5. Be passionate.
Passion is not about pushing, its about energy and verve. You're not out to force your idea on them, you're out to make them think its a brilliant idea. And with your passion take a little confidence. You've thought out your idea thoroughly, you can answer their questions, its a great idea, and you had it!