We are all biologically "wired" for storytelling because our ancestors told stories long before there was a written language. So it's no surprise that client executives (and their organizations) need to understand the "so what" of consulting recommendations. Real change management needs to satisfy the head, heart, and the hands: 1) Satisfy the client’s intellectual questions (head) 2) Reduce the client’s fears and give them courage (heart) 3) Provide a thoughtful plan and actionable steps (hands)

Business executives are pulled in multiple directions; they are busy, expensive, and often impatient. Final presentations need to start with the executive summary, where you provide the "answer first", then give supporting analyses.

Effective data visualization is both an art and a science. An art because a seasoned data scientist, designer, or consultant can select the right chart form for the message. A science because there are many design principles to remember when making charts: a) keep it simple b) consider the audience c) reinforce the key message.

Management consultants are (in)famous for their PowerPoint presentations. Effective presentations are choreographed many weeks before "game day." The rough-draft storyboard started the first week of the project and was continually refined with new analysis and the client input. After multiple review-cycles with consulting senior managers / principals, the presentation tells a coherent, credible, and persuasive story. Done correctly, the consultants have socialized the final presentation with key decisions makers many days before the formal presentations. Using the political legislation terminology, "they know they have the votes."

Executive presence is both important and also annoying. It's important because people's perception of your work and professional brand matter for teamwork and promotions. It's annoying because this is often quite subjective and biased. In a perfect and clinical world, you would be measured by your work and nothing else. However, consulting is a people business, and therefore, we need to be ourselves (on our best day).