sendsteps concept cards
TRANSCRIPT
01
No matter how interesting your story is, after
a certain amount of time your audience will
begin to lose focus. Engage your audience
right from the start by asking a question and
then keep the questions coming. The result
is two-fold: you keep your audience’s energy
up and you receive concrete input that allows
you to alter your presentation to suit your
audience’s interests.
Hanging on
your every word.
Involve your audience
during your
presentation.
Learn Involvement
Effect
By asking the controllers
questions about their own
work, their attention was
instantly peaked. And since
questions were asked
throughout the presentation,
they remained engaged. Both
the speaker and the controllers
benefited: The speaker gained
insight into the thoughts of his
team, which helped him during
the afternoon discussions.
The controllers became more
aware of how their fellow team
members experience actual
topics within the team.
During an annual KLM meeting of
financial controllers, the CFO discussed
the annual figures. Before he started
his presentation, he asked his audience
to answer a multiple-choice question
via mobile phone. During his
presentation he also asked them
questions about company culture. By
asking both substantial and practical
questions,
a fairly long presentation
remained engaging to listen to.
KLM CFO discusses the annual figures with the audience.
Best practice
Suggestions
Determine in advance the message you want to get across to your
audience. Help your audience connect to your message by posing
thought provoking questions during your presentation. Sendsteps can
help you with formulating your questions.
One of the questions was:
“How much free cash flow did the KLM
Group generate in the last five years?”
A) Less than € 500 million negative
B) Close to € 250 million negative
C) Close to breaking even
D) Close to € 250 million positive
E) More than € 500 million positive
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Inspiration02
A speaker’s story quickly raises questions.
How do you make sure those questions
are really asked rather than suppressed?
And how do you do this with a large group
of people? It’s impossible to discuss
everyone’s questions; still you can easily
facilitate the process by discussing a number
of anonymous questions.
Go ahead and ask.
The audience asks questions
to the speaker.
Learn
Effect
The audience, mainly
entrepreneurs, responded
enthusiastically and a lively
interplay ensued between the
Sidekick and the speaker.
Throughout her presentation,
provocative questions were
thrown out to her. This resulted
in some great new ideas for the
company. After the presentation,
the audience remarked how they
loved that they could participate
directly in the presentation. The
speaker stated that she would
use the responses to improve
her next presentation.
During the annual “Food Inspiration” event, the hospitality
industry is updated on the latest trends and developments in
the food sector. The audience was able to ask questions
and comment during the presentations. One of the speakers
was the founder of Shareyourmeal.net, Marieke Hart.
The audience could ask questions via mobile phone and
tablet throughout the presentation. “Questions or comments
for Marieke Hart?”
Founder of Shareyourmeal.net received great ideas from the audience.
Best practice
Suggestions
Create a presentation that consists solely of questions and answers.
Let the Sendsteps Sidekick represent the voice of the audience and create a
smart and contemporary Q & A session.
Feel free to contact us at
+3120 716 3656 or visit
sendsteps.com. We love
to think along with you!
03
Wouldn’t it be nice to hear how the audience
collectively views itself? In only a short
time frame, a series of questions will help
you sketch a profile of your audience. Ask
questions about the image of a profession
or reveal a different side of your audience
by asking them unexpected questions. It’s
a nice way to start the day, a rejuvenating
break during a long meeting and an exciting
finale to your presentation.
Mirror, mirror on the
wall. Get to know what the
audience thinks about
itself.
Learn Change
Effect
Although accountants have
an image of not being very
outspoken, it was nice to see
how many comments came
about from the questions.
The session brought up a
sense of belonging, not to
mention, a lot of laughs. At the
reception following the
presentation, there was an
extensive talk about
the findings. Van Riel said that
through the audience interaction
the study came to life.
During the 2013 NBA Accountant’s Day,
Cees van Riel, Professor of Corporate
Communications at Erasmus University
Rotterdam, presented a reputation study
on accountants for an audience of 1,300
accountants. Van Riel tested his findings
to the audience by asking them questions
about how they see themselves. These
questions could be answered via mobile
phone and tablet. Since the audience was
NBA live reputation study with 1,300 accountants.
Best practice
Suggestion
Let a Sendsteps Moderator prepare and guide your session.
the subject of the study, the response
rate was high. One of the questions was:
“If someone at a birthday party asks what
I do for work...”
A) I like to tell them that I’m
an accountant
B) I’d rather keep it a little vague
C) I suddenly remember that I
have to go home
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We love to think along
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04
How do you create ownership over an
issue? And how do you make one person’s
issue relevant to the whole group? By
presenting the issue to the audience they
can discuss it as a group first to gain
a better understanding of the matter. The
comments that are sent in, give a broad
insight. Discussing the input during a plenary
discussion allows you to get the issue solved
together!
Many hands make light work. Let the audience work
together on a solution.
Involvement Inspiration
Effect
By using the input of the
morning session during the
plenary afternoon session, the
theme could be tackled from
different angles. “By discussing
the themes in smaller groups, I
noticed that it was much easier
for me to listen and respond with
more detail and nuance during
the follow-up session”, said one
of the managers. The audience
said that everything discussed
that day was actually used to
find solutions.
AHOLD HR managers determine the agenda.
Supermarket chain AHOLD invited its
European HR Managers to an annual
meeting. During this meeting the success
and challenges of the previous year were
discussed, as well as what to focus on
in the new year. The morning program
was planned, but the organization had
deliberately left the afternoon session open.
During sub sessions in the morning,
the discussion groups were each given
Best practice
three questions to discuss. The leader
summarized each answer in a brief text
message and sent it to the organization.
Based on those messages, the agenda
for the afternoon was created. This was
done by a separate team, supported by
Sendsteps. One of the questions was:
“What support do I need from the HR
Management Team?”
Feel free to contact us at
+3120 716 3656 or
visit sendsteps.com.
We love to think along
with you!
Suggestions
During the presentation you can use the responses that you’ve
received from the audience to formulate relevant multiple-choice
questions about the problem.
These questions add a valuable dimension to the conversation.
05
You have a room full of people, but how do these
people relate to each other? Is there tension
within the group? If so, it might not be the best
environment to begin sharing and discussing.
However, there is an easy way to create a
safe and amicable atmosphere to get the ball
rolling. By dividing the audience into different
groups, and then have them answer questions
via mobile phone, you can clarify differentiating
opinions without having out individuals. By using
a professional, independent moderator, tensions
are released and problems become solvable.
Opening communications within departments.
Let the audience ask itself
questions to understand each
other better.
Involvement Change
Effect
The audience could clearly see
how the questions pointed out
the sore spots. The reason the
dialogue worked so well was
that they could see what the
issues were without pointing
out individuals. Equal time and
energy was spent on each
department, so contrasts
between the departments
became clear. After, a group
discussion ensued in a positive
atmosphere with a positive tone.
A number of challenges exist in the
cooperation between two different
departments. Prior to the meeting, ABN
AMRO created a number of provocative
statements to trigger existing feelings.
Each delegate was asked upon entrance,
to indicate which department he or she
is working for. Then per department, one
would answer questions about the other
department. The results were shown to the
audience and later discussed together.
ABN AMRO Finance and
Risk Management &
Strategy.
Best practice
One of the questions was:
“What best characterizes your opinions/
feelings about the Finance department?”
A) They are nitpickers.
B) They are whiners.
C) They don’t know the business or
the risks. They always complain
about the costs.
D) “We do not recognize the numbers”
Feel free to contact us at
+3120 716 3656 or
visit sendsteps.com.
We love to think along
with you!
Suggestions
Spend some time and carefully formulate your
questions. Sendsteps can help you with this.
06
“What do you actually think about this?”
A debate can help to form a clearer opinion.
A subject can be fiercely defended, but
what does the audience actually think about
it?
Will they let themselves be convinced or
will it confirm what they already
thought? Comments from the audience
can help the debaters sharpen their points.
Follow suit.
Vote on
statements
during a debate.
Learn Involvement
Effect
The debates kept the students
engaged and thinking, partly
because their own questions
were constantly being
discussed. The participating
companies felt challenged
and were pleased with the
refreshing approach to the
career event.
After each debate, the
students became more
confident to approach, and
talk with,
the professionals. They also
expressed that the event
gave them a much better
picture of their future fields.
Ten student associations, along with
event agency Conjugo, organized a
career event. During brief debates,
proponents and opponents of various
companies discussed a statement.
After each debate, the same
statement was also presented
to the students. The speakers then
gave a brief response to the
audience with the outcome.
During the debate ongoing
questions and responses were
submitted from
IT students ask questions
to prospective employers.
Best practice
the audience. The input was
regularly delivered from the
audience to the stage by the
Sendsteps Sidekick. One of the
statements of the debate was:“My colleagues are also my friends”
A) Yes
B) No
The audience could respond to these
statements via SMS, internet and
Twitter.
Feel free to contact us at
+3120 716 3656 or
visit sendsteps.com.
We love to think along
with you!
Suggestions
By letting the audience respond to a statement, both before and after
the debate, it allows you to measure a shift in the opinion. Note:
Sufficient time and input is necessary to genuinely change an
opinion.
07
An interview with several guests at a panel is
a common format for an audience to take in
information. But why limit the conversation to
the information coming from the panel, when
there is much more information to be had from the
audience? By allowing the audience to react to a
number of multiple-choice questions on a screen
throughout the panel, and then showing the
results, you can gain valuable input for the
discussion. The discussion can also be stimulated
by the Sendsteps Sidekick, who’ll regularly bring
up real-time audience comments.
Any other business?
The audience provides live
input during a panel
discussion.
Learn Involvement
Effect
By using this technique, the
interaction was focused and
directed, making space for
audience input. The audience
said that they liked being able
to influence the
conversation. “We were able
to determine the course of the
conversation to
a great extent, so I got notes
on topics that are particularly
relevant to me”, said one of the
guests. The app developers
spoke afterwards about a “co-
creation session”: “We received
honest input from our customers,
it was tremendously valuable!”.
During the FRESH Conference in
Copenhagen, an annual international
meeting for event managers, six app
developers gathered on a panel.
The developers, who develop apps for
the event industry, discussed the apps
with a moderator. The audience consisted
of app customers: event managers. The
guests took their places on the panel. The
Sendsteps Sidekick regularly interrupted
the discussion with input from the audience
App builders receive input from their customers during a panel interview.
Best practice
and a number of delegates introduced
statements to the rest of the audience.
The moderator asked the panel guests to
comment on the statements as well.
One of the statements was:
“Event apps are not sufficiently
user- friendly”
A) Agree
B) Disagree
Feel free to contact us at
+3120 716 3656 or
visit sendsteps.com.
We love to think along
with you!
Suggestions
Decide in advance what topics you would like to be covered, and then
formulate multiple-choice questions based on those topics.
08
How do you find out what your audience really
thinks? Sure, you can walk through the audience
offering up a microphone for responses and
questions, but you never know what you’ll get -
not to mention you’ll lose out on valuable opinions
and questions from those that aren’t comfortable
enough to step up to the microphone. Instead,
you can give the audience an opportunity to
respond anonymously via mobile phone.
By openly discussing the responses with team
members or stakeholders together, you’ll quickly
get right to the heart of the matter.
Show all you’ve
got. Analyze and
answer questions
together.
InspirationChange
Effect
The employees felt encouraged
by the results on the screen.
After a while they began to
realize it was a safe
environment to discuss some
sensitive
topics. They shared, “Things
must change, but often there’s
so little acknowledgment paid
to the things that already work
well”. At the end of the session,
the board not only received the
voting results, but also gained
a valuable insight from the
employees. This allowed them
to adjust company policy and
communications, and create a
more supportive direction for the
organization.
Employees speak
out about
changes.
The Board of Directors of Libra
Rehabilitation & Audiology had already
spoken with their team about changes
within the organization. However, the board
wondered why the team wasn’t acting
like a cohesive team. Were the changes
clear? In alignment with the organization,
ten statements were presented to the team
and discussed under the guidance of an
independent moderator.
One of the statements was:
Best practice
“I welcome the developments / changes
within the organization”
A) Absolutely, we will benefit from this
B) Most of the time, I understand why
it is necessary
C) Sometimes, it is still very unsettling
D) Not really, I do not understand
why it is necessary
E) Not at all, I have no confidence in
Feel free to contact us at
+3120 716 3656 or
visit sendsteps.com.
We love to think along
with you!
Suggestions
Have an independent moderator lead the conversation. Sendsteps
can help. We’ve developed some helpful suggestions for using this
technique.
09
Is it possible to involve your audience
before they come to your meeting? And
what about the day after your meeting? Will
everyone simply go back to their day to
day routine? During the meeting there are
several opportunities to connect with your
audience. However, by asking your audience
to think about a topic prior to, and after the
meeting, they become more engaged with
the message you are trying to get across.
From A to Z.
The audience is thinking
throughout: during, before, and
after.
Involvement Inspiration
Effect
There was a high response
rate and the responses were
useful and substantial. The
answers to the question that
was posed before the meeting
were used
by the speakers to prepare their
discussion. It was a great way
to kick off their meeting with
the content and get everyone
involved. The audience shared
that they felt involved during the
entire process.
The meeting “Achmea 2020 - Accelerating
and Refresh” was about the future of the
insurance company. Two days prior to the
meeting the audience was asked a question
by SMS. Then, during the meeting,
questions were asked again. Some of the
answers to the questions were summarized
in a word cloud - a dynamic image in which
the most common responses are displayed
largest and boldest. As such the audience
could visualize what topics were discussed
Achmea’s Top 300 are involved before, during and after the meeting.
Best practice
most. The morning after the meeting, the
audience was asked one last question:
“What am I going to do differently as a
result of yesterday?”. The reactions to this
question were used as input for a follow-
up meeting. The question that was asked,
prior to this meeting was:
“How do you see Achmea in 2020?”
Feel free to contact us at
+3120 716 3656 or
visit sendsteps.com.
We love to think along
with you!
Suggestions
SMS is a useful tool to obtain responses prior to a meeting.
Make sure that you have access to your audience’s mobile numbers in advance.
10
“Name all of the countries our company
has offices in?” “How often has the Dutch
national soccer team lost the World Cup
finals?” During a meeting, playing a quiz
can offer up a nice break. While they are
answering, you can assess the audience’s
knowledge level of the subject and gain a
better understanding of what still needs to be
taught. At the end of the quiz, announce the
winner and put him or her in the spotlight!
Want to play a game?Let the audience think playfully.
InspirationLearn
Effect
The audience participated
enthusiastically and had fun
during the breaks. The lucky
winner went home with a travel
voucher for a weekend in
Barcelona!
During the break between tennis matches,
the audience was asked eight questions
by former professional tennis player Jacco
Eltingh. These questions were answered via
mobile phone via SMS, internet and Twitter.
One of the questions was:
“How many AFAS Tennis Classics
have there been?”
A) 11
B) 13
C) 16
Knowledge tested by the public during the AFAS Tennis Classics.
Best practice
After the audience answered all of the
questions, the one with the most correct
answers, and fastest response time, was
called on his mobile phone and could
be heard live in the stadium. He was
invited down to the tennis court where he
received an award from Jacco Eltingh.
Feel free to contact us at
+3120 716 3656 or
visit sendsteps.com.
We love to think along
with you!
Suggestions
Make the last question one that the audience has to guess at.
For example: “How many followers does AFAS have on Twitter?”
This way, you prevent two people from finishing in first place.