The Great Time Heist: How to Reclaim Minutes for Meaningful Dialogue

Not long time ago, we got a note from top government officials. A company executive was eager to meet with my office to discuss some “current regulation issues.” The team dove into the thrilling adventure of aligning calendars. After weeks of back-and-forth, we scheduled the meeting and the subject matter experts gathered. The executive entered, armed with a PowerPoint presentation. They delivered what could best be described as a business pitch. The government team sat there, nodding politely, wondering if we’d accidentally wandered into a sales seminar. Then, plot twist! With a mere five minutes left on the clock, the executive finally addressed the “issues.” But wait — what issues? There was no time for real discussion. Time was over! The company lost a golden opportunity to actually discuss their problems and brainstorm solutions with us.

Now, you might be thinking, “Come on, that’s a rookie mistake. No seasoned professional would fall into that trap!” But let me tell you — this is a true story! And it happens more often than we’d like to admit, even to the most experienced among us.

So, how do we put an end to this time banditry?

All right, grab your notepads. Let’s talk about some ways to ensure your next presentation is a hit, not a miss:

• First of all, nail down your purpose. Before you even think about slides or scripts, ask yourself these crucial questions: What am I here to accomplish? Am I informing? Am I making a call for action? Or, am I seeking approval? Your answer to these questions will set your purpose. Without a clear purpose, you’re just making noise.
• Hook them from the start. Start with your big reveal, your “Aha!” moment, your reason for gathering everyone in a room. Make your purpose crystal clear from the get-go. Your audience should know exactly where you’re taking them, and why it matters. This will be your North Star.
• Stay on track. Every slide, every point, every joke (yes, even jokes) should tie back to your main purpose. If a point doesn’t serve your ultimate goal, it’s a time thief. Cut it loose without mercy. Relevance is key to keeping your audience engaged and moving towards your goal.
• And don’t forget, end with impact. Circle back to your purpose in your conclusion. What do you want your audience to do, think, or feel after they leave the room? Make it clear. Make it compelling. Make it actionable.

So, what’s the takeaway from our cautionary tale? Make every second count! Don’t wait until the last minutes to convey your key message. An effective presentation is like good storytelling — it grabs the audience’s attention from the get-go, takes them on a meaningful journey, and, most importantly, delivers on its promise. Now, go forth and reclaim those stolen moments!

Adeline (Addy) Maissonet is a Procurement Analyst for the Defense Pricing, Contracting, and Acquisition Policy (DPCAP) within the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). She serves as a senior advisor on contracting policies and procedures and the agency’s representative on the Department’s views on proposed legislation to Congressional members, their staff, and committee staffers. Prior to her current role, Addy served as a Division Chief and Contracting Officer with unlimited warrant authority for the U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) – Fort Eustis, Virginia. Addy holds an MBA in Management and Contracting Level III Certification under the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act. She is a graduate from Cornell University’s Executive Leadership Certificate Program. In her free time, Addy enjoys hiking and overlanding with her family and friends.

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense.

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